Using the best skincare for rosacea skin can make a significant improvement to the symptoms.
Rosacea is a common, chronic skin condition that typically starts in the late twenties, or onwards. Although this is such a common condition, many people are not aware that it exists. The major symptoms of rosacea include a redness of the face, a breakout that can easily be mistaken for acne (usually without blackheads and whiteheads), rhinophyma (the development of a large, red, bulbous nose). Burning and redness of the eyes and a gritty, itchy feeling surrounding them can be a symptom as well.
One of the most common mistakes people make is thinking that their rosacea is acne, but acne is a condition, and rosacea is a disease. In these cases, people will buy acne products, which can aggravate rosacea further! If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is recommended that you see a dermatologist, as if left to its own devices without the right treatment, rosacea can get a whole lot worse over time.
Triggers of Rosacea
- Alcohol
- Stress
- Extremes in Temperature
- Spicy foods
Does this mean you should lock yourself in a cave and never experience life again? If you enjoy the odd glass of wine with your meal every now and then, have that glass of wine! You may find that certain types of alcohol will trigger your rosacea more, and then you can learn how to deal with it or decide you want to cut alcohol out altogether. This is a personal decision and one that can be made when you understand which your most prominent triggers are.
Not everyone's triggers are going to be the same. For example, yours might be triggered by turmeric (sorry!) whilst another is triggered by paprika, and paprika never makes your skin any worse.
Stress is an inevitable part of life. It is how you manage the stress that makes all the difference. Meditation is a good weapon to include in your arsenal against stress and here is an article on meditation for stress Most people do not realise that amongst a multitude of health benefits meditation brings, clearer, glowing skin is often one of them. Meditation could be the best skin for rosacea skin, and a calmer, peaceful mind might not hurt either. The mind-body connection was recognised back in the time of the Greek physician Hippocrates and extended to the ancient traditions of various countries, including China, Japan, India and Greece. As western medicine developed, the mind and body were treated separately, and the approach to health became about cure instead of a holistic approach to health and the body and mind as one entity. More recently however, western medicine is catching up with those wise, ancient guys.
˜Psychodermatology' is a new term to describe the connection between the nervous system and the skin, combining psychiatry and dermatology. This is a new term in the medical world that encourages a more holistic approach to skin issues.
Dr Claudia Guiire, a dermatologist, says from acne breakouts, to rosacea flushes to eczema flare-ups, stress is the fuel to the fire of inflammation lurking in these conditions. Why does stress contribute to skin conditions like rosacea? There has been a lot of scientific research done on this topic, but ultimately stress raises our cortisol levels, which then sends our hormones on a rollercoaster. By finding ways to manage your cortisol levels, you will be taking control of a molecular pathway that helps your skin to explode in skin conditions that you do not want. So, stress would not be a bad thing to learn to manage!
How Can we Use Carrier oils and Essential Oils for Skincare?
The oils talked about in this blog can be part of an arsenal for the best skincare for rosacea. But firstly, what is a carrier oil exactly? A carrier oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fatty portion of a plant, usually from the seeds, kernels or nuts. They are used to dilute essential oils as these used alone often causes extreme irritation and redness. The term itself, ˜carrier oil originates from their purpose in carrying the essential oil onto the skin.
Different carrier oils offer different mixes of properties which can be combined with specific essential oils, each with their own set of properties. There can be a lot of fun to be had by making skincare blends to suit your own needs and preferences. For example, essential oils can offer aromas that help to calm the nervous system, and subsequently decrease cortisol levels which can lead to premature ageing. And a calm mind is what we all strive for!
Disclaimer and Precautions
There is not one, single, magical oil that will take all symptoms away, and some of the oils listed here may not work for your skin. That is okay though we are all different and it is good to experiment to find which oils are a fit for your skin.
Carrier Oils for the Best Rosacea Skincare
You can also use carrier oils alone or add essential oils to them. Here are a few options to test out the best skincare for rosacea skin, and the ways in which you may use them:
Moringa
Many people in the west are now talking about Moringa oil (moringa oleifera) but this oil of wonder has been around since the time of the ancient Egyptians! Did you know that 10 jars of ˜Sweet Moringa Oil' were found in a tomb found from the 18th dynasty, 1550 / 1292BC? The history of Moringa oil is rich and fascinating!
Packed with phytonutrients and antioxidants, moringa oil has many benefits for the skin. Prevent and get rid of pesky wrinkles by giving yourself a facial massage using moringa oil! And all the while, know that its anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent choice to include as part of your anti-redness skincare. It will also counteract the effects of free radicals on the skin from environmental stressors like pollution. Acne, blackheads and dark spots can be treated through the use of moringa oil, as its antiseptic property helps in the removal of impurities from the skin.
Vitamins A, C and E are considered three of the top skincare ingredients by dermatologists, and moringa oil has all three. These improve the elasticity of the skin, helping it to look radiant and glowing. These are all welcomed benefits to this anti-redness skincare option.
You can also use this non-comedogenic oil (anti blocked pores!) as a day moisturiser as it easily absorbs into the skin, or if you prefer, with a few drops added to your moisturiser for that extra glow. It can be used as a serum before your usual moisturiser. Another way to use moringa oil for your skin is as a gentle cleanser by massaging it over the face and neck and using a muslin cloth with warm water to rub the skin in circular motions.
Black Cumin (Black Seed)
A cure for every disease except death this is how Black Cumin oil (nigella sativa) was described in an ancient text. So, as you can imagine, this oil has multiple purposes and benefits! Black Cumin is a traditional Middle Eastern spice that has been used for thousands of years, taken internally and applied topically.
Black cumin oil was found in the tombs of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs, including the legendary Cleopatra, who was a beauty icon of her day and known to use various oils.
Hippocrates, the great Greek physician, famously said, ˜let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food, and he used it for digestive troubles. The other health benefits of consuming the oil are countless: these include the treatment of asthma and allergies, candida and fungus, heart health and immune health. Studies suggest that the compound, thymoquinone, found in the oil, helps induce apoptosis (cell death) in leukaemia cells, and cells of a list of other cancers. Black Cumin oil will not cure cancer, but it can be used alongside conventional medicine.
It is one of two oils in the entire world that is known to fight microbes, the other being oregano oil. The three natural components that make this fact true are thymol, thymohydroquinone and thymoquinone, and these are why the oil can fight viral, bacterial and fungal infections. As microbial infections aggravate skin conditions, curing them also treats the skin conditions. Examples of this include eczema and rashes.
As black cumin oil reduces inflammation of the skin, it would be ideal to use in your anti-redness skincare routine. The oil is also a renowned acne treatment. Added skin perks are deep moisturization and a rich essential fatty acids content to fight and reduce signs of aging.
Tamanu
˜Dolnoâ is what is used by Fiji islanders to refer to this incredible oil, translating as ˜no pain' Although a newly recognised oil in the skincare industry, Tamanu (pronounced TAW-man-oo) oil has been Southeast Asia's powerful weapon against health and skincare issues for centuries and nature'sanswer to the conventional medications to treat difficult skin conditions.
Tamanu oil, made from the nuts of the Tamanu tree, has antioxidant, anti-neuralgic, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. Sounds impressive, right? Well, this oil is multifunctional, and it can treat a host of skin conditions and types, including rashes, acne, general and acne scars, aging skin, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, and redness. Tamanu Oil is anti-inflammatory, which makes it ideal and one of the best skincare for rosacea skin.
A process called cicatrisation occurs when applying tamanu oil topically. This promotes the formation of new tissue and healthy skin and accelerates wound healing. It can also be used in the treatment of skin ulcers, burns, bug bites/stings, blisters, age spots and stretch marks.
You can use it as a daily moisturiser or add a few drops into your usual moisturiser, as it easily absorbs into the skin, without leaving a greasy residue.
Evening Primrose
The Evening Primrose (oenothera biennis) plant is grown for both its beauty and its benefits. The whole plant was used for bruises by Native Americans, and they also used its roots for haemorrhoids. They used the leaves for
It is a small flowering plant with delicate yellow flowers, and blooms from late spring to early summer. When the oil is extracted from the plants seeds, it has a golden, yellow colour and smells a bit nutty!
There are many skincare benefits to applying evening primrose oil topically and consuming it internally. This includes treating acne, treating psoriasis, fighting hair loss, lightening the skin and reducing hyper-pigmentation. As evening primrose oil helps to balance hormones, it can improve the condition of our skin when taken as a supplement. This is because hormonal imbalances can cause dull, lifeless skin and weak, thinning hair. Oh, and skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis. No, thank you! You can also apply evening primrose oil to your face to fight against inflammation which can reduce the size of spots, heal acne faster and prevent acne scars.
This anti-inflammatory property is why evening primrose oil, taken internally and applied topically, is considered part of the best skincare for rosacea skin. The gamma-linolenic acid in Evening Primrose improves the health and appearance of the skin.
Essential Oils for the Best Skincare for Rosacea
Tea Tree
This is a popular herbal remedy for rosacea and other skin conditions like acne, rashes, minor cuts and burns. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil can help soothe red, itchy or sore skin, which can be very painful for rosacea sufferers.
Lavender
Known for its calming effect on the mind and body, lavender is also calming for the skin. This purple power flower can induce a deep sleep and is used by insomniacs to calm them at bedtime. By applying it to the skin in a diluted form, redness and inflammation can be soothed.
Geranium
With anti-inflammatory properties, geranium can sooth and calm inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea. It also has antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-fungal and astringent properties. It is suitable for rosacea as it balances oil production, preventing the skin from getting either too dry or too oily. This can help rosacea because an imbalance of oil production can aggravate the condition.
Chamomile
Chamomile is amongst the best skincare for rosacea skin, as it is renowned for being a skin soother. As it is anti-inflammatory, it reduces redness. As it is anti-bacterial, it protects the skin and pores from microbes, and these can worsen the condition. Making a gentle DIY toner with pure, organic ingredients, and specifically for rosacea skin, would be a good way to sooth the entire face. Finding ingredients like chamomile that might work for your individual skin is a good way to develop a system that incorporates not the best skincare for rosacea, but also the best skincare for your specific skin type and rosacea condition.
Rose
Not only does rose essential oil have incredible properties, but it also smells of roses! Well, this seems obvious seeing as its extracted from fresh rose petals. But still who doesn't want to smell of roses? The excitement around rose essential oil is only helped when we learn about its properties. Its anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and astringent. It falls into the category of best skincare for rosacea skin because it balances oil production and calms painful redness and inflammation.
Rosemary
You may know good old Rosemary from your favourite rosemary and potatoes, but the herbs essential oil packs so much power. It has an anti-inflammatory chemical, carnosol, which helps in the treatment of rosacea, and its also anti-aging. Rosemary can improve the look and quality of your skin whilst fighting against sun and free radical damage.
Thyme
Thymes antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties helps with the painful symptoms of rosacea by preventing further inflammation of the skin. It helps to heal scars, prevents the development of infections and is also antimicrobial. This is a good thing as microbes stop rosacea skin from healing and can aggravate it even more. Another benefit is that the aroma can help with symptoms of stress and anxiety, which can contribute towards helping rosacea thrive.
Tips for Buying
Look for the Soil Association Logo, which guarantees that a product was produced ethically, sustainably and without the nasty stuff: no GM ingredients, no parabens or phthalates, no synthetic colours, dyes or fragrances, and no animal testing! This will ensure that the oil you buy will be the best quality with the most nutritive value.
Always buy oils labelled as cold-pressed as this method of production produces oils of a higher quality. For coconut oil specifically, as well as looking for cold-pressed, also look for extra-virgin and unrefined. These labels indicate the least amount of processing. Avoid coconut oil that is labelled as deodorized!
Will you be making your own combination of oils for rosacea? Which oils have you tried?
Written by Jess Burman
Wellbeing writer
BA (Honours)
