3 Important Things to Know About Acne Rosacea

Have you noticed redness and small pimple-like bumps on your skin that flare up from time to time and could take weeks or months to go away? Many people mistake these for traditional acne and treat them with the usual products—cleanser, toner—while covering them up with makeup to hide the redness and irritation. But it could actually be a condition called acne rosacea, which requires a different type of treatment. Here are three things you should know about acne rosacea to avoid the embarrassing and sometimes painful condition.

Anyone Can Get Acne Rosacea

While traditional acne tends to peak around your teenage years when your body is experiencing a change in hormones that increases oil production, acne rosacea usually affects people over the age of 30 and is not a result of poor hygiene. The specific cause is unknown but it’s more likely to occur in:

• Women
• People with light skin
• People with extensive sun damage to skin
• People with a family history of rosacea

Your Daily Activities Could Trigger Flare-Ups

When you experience acne rosacea you usually have “flare-ups” that could last a few days, or even a few weeks or several months at a time. You will notice facial redness that is usually concentrated around the center of your face (nose and cheeks), caused by swollen blood vessels. Most people also develop swollen bumps that look like pimple and are either red or contain pus, and can make your skin feel tender and warm.
The specific cause of a flare-up is not always easy to determine and it can be different for everyone. It may be caused or exacerbated by:

• Eating spicy foods
• Drinking alcohol, especially red wine
• Exposure to sunlight or wind for a prolonged period of time
• Exercise
• Exposure to temperature extremes (high heat or cold)
• Emotional changes or high-stress situations
• Prescription medication side effects
• Cosmetic products

Acne Rosacea Treatments Differ from Other Acne Treatment

Understanding when you have acne rosacea is important to get the right treatment. Unlike other acne or breakouts, this condition is not just caused by excess oil production and wearing certain makeup or using certain face cleansers could actually cause the breakouts and flare-ups to get worse. A skin consultant can help you figure out if you have acne rosacea and identify the appropriate products to treat the condition, including ones with salicylic acid like our Exfoliating Serum #1 and our Oily Skin Toner.
You can also get advice to help identify the triggers and actively avoid things that might cause a flare-up in the future, along with finding makeup and gentle cleansing products to minimize irritation.
Schedule a virtual skin consultation today to learn more about acne rosacea and how to properly treat it.