There’s no definitive cure for rosacea as it’s a chronic skin condition rather than an acute one. However, it can be managed effectively, typically through a combination of limited medication, targeted skincare products, and a regular skincare routine with specific precautions. Here are five things you can do that will make a difference.
1. Use dedicated skincare
Employ skincare meticulously formulated for rosacea-prone skin and utilise it consistently between flares, not just during flare-ups. This should encompass multiple products as rosacea is a multifaceted condition that manifests in cycles, demanding a robust skincare regimen rather than sporadic solutions.
Explore Kalme Skincare (www.kalme.co.uk), which boasts a range of products infused with targeted ingredients designed to combat the cyclical symptoms of rosacea.
2. Use a daily SPF
UV rays are one of the most common triggers for rosacea flares, as UV damage causes localised inflammation of the skin. Therefore, if you suffer from rosacea, always use a daily SPF in all weathers. Physical mineral SPFs such as zinc oxide are preferable to chemical filter SPFs for rosacea-prone skin as they are less reactive and remain more stable when exposed to UV light.
KALME SPF40 Day Defence is a hardworking daily moisturiser with SPF40 that has been scientifically tested for reducing skin redness and skin sensitivity.
It contains a patented caper extract called Derma Sensitive, which has been proven in clinical trials to reduce skin redness (including rosacea) and sensitivity by 70%.
It also includes zinc oxide, a natural mineral which helps to reduce skin inflammation and combat breakouts.
For a moisturising and soothing effect on sensitive skin, KALME Day Defence SPF40 contains natural rice bran, which is packed with vitamins, and a basket of other antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins to help soothe inflammation and strengthen delicate and sensitive skin.
KALME Day Defence SPF40 is FREE from parabens, perfumes, SLS and MI and is suitable for use on very sensitive skin. It costs £26.65 (50 ml). It’s available from www.amazon.co.uk
3. Avoid frequently changing products
Skin prone to rosacea is often hypersensitive and requires time to acclimatise to new skincare ingredients. If a skincare regimen proves effective, stick with it and resist the urge to switch or mix it with other products.
Always use a daily SPF – UV rays are notorious triggers for rosacea flares, as UV damage incites localised inflammation of the skin. Therefore, if you suffer from rosacea, make it a non-negotiable to apply a daily SPF, come rain or shine. Physical mineral SPFs, such as zinc oxide, are favoured over chemical filter SPFs for rosacea-prone skin, as they are less reactive and maintain stability when exposed to UV light.
4. Don’t wash your skin with water
Temperature fluctuations can trigger rosacea flares, so washing your face with water, be it warm or cold, can provoke a sudden temperature shift. Instead, opt for water-free cleansers enriched with moisturising ingredients to cleanse your skin and remove cosmetics.
5. Select perfume-free skincare
Perfumes in skincare can often incite minor reactions in sensitive skin, making them best avoided. Any skincare recommended for rosacea-prone skin, a condition characterised by reactivity, should be devoid of perfumes.
Case study: Bianca Storer, 31, County Durham
“I had always had flawless skin until I got pregnant with my first child when I was 22, and then all hell broke loose. My skin started getting very red and sensitive, and would flare up at random moments.
“Someone around my age who was also mum like me had tried it after a back story very similar to mine. I just related to her story, and I felt like it was genuine, so I decided to try the Kalme (www.kalme.co.uk ) products she had been using, which were a day cream and a treatment concealer.
“Unlike anything else I had tried for my rosacea so far, my skin felt instantly calmer and more comfortable when I applied the day cream. Then when I applied the Kalme Chameleon Concealer over the top, which goes on green but changes colour as you rub it in to match your skin tone exactly, I was blown away.
“Within seconds I had this natural-looking coverage which cancelled out all my redness and made my skin look even. My skin looked almost normal immediately and felt calmer and less sensitive.
“After a few weeks of using the two products every day my skin had calmed right down, and the redness had started to recede. My skin was less bumpy, less tight and much less sensitive.
“I still get little flare-ups, and my skin can still get a bit sensitive, but as long as I apply the Kalme Day Defence every day and then the Kalme Chameleon Concealer over the top, my skin stays totally manageable. I once ran out of the day cream and didn’t put it on for a few weeks, and almost immediately my skin started to flare red more often and felt itchy and sensitive. I know now not to ever stop using it.”
Try KALME Day Defence SPF40 and Kalme Chameleon Concealer SPF 25 yourself and see the difference they can make.
Dr Eva Melegh M.D. is a dermatologist and cosmetologist and a member of the Belgian Society of Dermatology & Venereology. She has worked as a consultant dermatologist in both public and private healthcare, as well as working in research for over 20 years.
