ROSACEA,
BLUSH OFF.

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by facial erythema (redness). It tends to affect the central face (nose, cheeks, chin and forehead) and usually starts at age 30–60 years. It's more common in fair skin types although can affect anyone. 

Persistent facial redness, tendency to flush, and spots (papules and pustules) often affecting the central face. Other features can include dry eyes (blepharitis) and  telangiectasia (dilated blood vessels). 

It's not clear but causal factors are thought to be genetic susceptibility, increased density of the common skin mite called the Demodex mite and external triggers such as UV, exercise, alcohol, hot foods and stress. 

General lifestyle measure that may help with symptoms include:

Avoid common triggers such as alcohol, spicy food and excessive UV exposure

Use a high factor SpF (a mineral one is sometimes better tolerated than a chemical one, although the newer chemical ones are often very good - blog post coming soon!)

Use gentle moisturisers and cleansers and exfoliating

Green tinted cosmetics may help to reduce the signs of redness

We use the ingredients with the evidence base. Prescription ingredients used frequently by dermatologists to treat rosacea include:

Azelaic acid

Topical antibiotics

Ivermectin (targets the demodex mite)

Oral antibiotics