Smart Skin Care: Experts Provide Tips for Living with Rosacea

Rosacea (left) affects 16 million Americans, but can be easily treated (right) with such medications as Oracea, the only FDA-approved oral therapy for the condition.

We spent many self-conscious days as teens tormented by what seemed to be face-engulfing pimples. While growing up typically brings more poise and fewer acne outbreaks, it also can introduce new, unhappy skin issues. According to the National Rosacea Society, about 16 million Americans suffer from rosacea, a chronic inflammatory condition that typically occurs after the age of 30 and is three to four times more likely to affect women.

Characterized by persistent redness, eye irritation and pimple-like bumps on cheeks, nose, chin and forehead, it is often mistaken for acne or allergies, says dermatologist Doris Day, M.D., author of Forget the Facelift (Avery, 2005). In honor of Rosacea Awareness Month in April, we spoke to Day and makeup expert and Project Runway consultant Collier Strong for advice regarding the condition.

Rosacea can worsen if left untreated, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis, says Day. She recommends checking out RosaceaFacts.com for more info and to find a dermatologist in your area. While the cause is unknown and the condition isn’t curable, it is easily treated with topical therapies (such as metronidazole or azelaic acid), oral tetracyclines or macrolides, and procedures such as microdermabrasion and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) photofacials, which use laser light to treat redness.

Triggers that exacerbate rosacea vary by individual, but often include food and beverages that cause increased blood flow to the face and neck — such as hot drinks, alcohol, chocolate and condiments such as soy sauce, hot sauce, chili powder and ketchup. Other potential triggers include weather (sun, wind and changes from hot or cold and vice versa), stress and medications, such as vasodilators and topical steroids. Day also suggests that those who suffer from rosacea avoid skin products with added fragrances, alcohol and dyes, and opt for lipid-free cleansers and moisturizers with petroleum, which soothes skin and is noncomedogenic.

Strong and Day recommend checking with a dermatologist to see what types of makeup are best for rosacea-prone skin; usually oil-free, water-based, fragrance-free and noncomedogenic products work best. Strong recommends liquid foundation and concealer, such as L’Oréal’s True Match (from $8.95), to cover the dry, flaky appearance rosacea gives the skin. Powder eye shadows, such as L’Oréal’s Wear Infinité Made for Me Naturals Eye Shadow Quads ($7.15), and long-wear pencils (Wear Infinité Soft Powder Eyeliner, $8.48) have more staying power than their cream or liquid counterparts, which can further irritate eyes already reddened and dry from rosacea. To disguise rosacea with makeup, apply a color corrector all over the face with a brush. Then use a sponge or brush to add foundation, and follow with an application of concealer over the affected area using a brush. Play up your best feature that is least affected by rosacea — for instance, create dramatic eyes. Also keep non-powder blotting papers on hand, for eliminating oily shine without adding more makeup. (We like Tweezerman Facial Blotting Paper, $8, and Bobbi Brown Blotting Papers, $5.) Avoid wearing red, pink, gray or blue tones, which can make rosacea’s redness more pronounced, says Strong.

We were surprised to discover that 78 percent of Americans don’t know about this condition. Have you dealt with a skin condition as an adult? Please share your story below or in our VIV Moments section.

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