Natural Remedies for Rosacea

Rosy cheeks may epitomize health and wellness, but for the roughly 14 million Americans who suffer from rosacea, they signal another skirmish in an ongoing skincare battle. According to the National Rosacea Society (NRS), the symptoms include red areas and small bumps or pimples on the face, visible blood vessels on the nose or cheeks, and watery or irritated eyes. Rosacea most frequently affects fair-skinned women over age 30, but men can suffer from it, too. Although scientists believe heredity predisposes some to rosacea, no one really knows what causes it. Traditionally, doctors prescribe oral or topical antibiotics for rosacea, but a growing amount of scientific evidence supports more natural remedies. Try some of these holistic tips to help get the red out.

Avoidance. In a survey of more than 1,000 rosacea sufferers, the NRS found that sun exposure, emotional stress, hot weather, wind, and strenuous exercise are the most common triggers for rosacea. While you can’t do much about the weather, you can reduce your sun exposure with sunscreen.

Skincare. “The biggest thing with rosacea is keeping your skin cool and calm,” says Ashley Scroggins, an aesthetician with Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy in Boulder, Colorado. Wash your face with steamy hot water or scrub your skin, and your rosacea will quickly become hot and bothered. Scroggins says rosacea sufferers should also avoid skincare products that contain alcohol, which can irritate the face. In addition, she notes, “Some clients respond well to products with rose in them, because it’s calming and soothing.” Scroggins’ favorite skincare products for rosacea include Sanitas’ Rosacea Serum, Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner, Jurlique’s Ritual Kit for sensitive skin, and Zia’s Brilliance line.

Diet. The National Rosacea Society lists so many food triggers, it’s a wonder rosacea sufferers can eat at all. The most common? Alcohol and spicy foods, so play it cool by staying on the wagon and off the chilies. A growing number of doctors recommend anti-inflammation diets to combat rosacea, including Nicholas Perricone, MD, FACN, adjunct professor of dermatology at Michigan States University’s College of Human Medicine, and Andrew Weil, MD, director of the University of Arizona’s Program in Integrative Medicine. “Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, cold-water fish, and stay away from starches and sugars,” Perricone advises. Both doctors also have skincare lines designed to reduce inflammation: Weil’s Plantidote line for Origins and Perricone’s N.V. Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals (a few of which contain parabens but are currently being reformulated to remove them).

Supplements. Perricone recommends taking a minimum of 100 mg a day of alpha-lipoic acid and 60 mg a day of coenzyme Q10 orally to reduce rosacea-related inflammation. Also, a recent study published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that rosacea sufferers taking 100 mg of zinc sulfate capsules three times a day can significantly decrease rosacea symptoms.

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Read more: Beauty, Health, Natural Remedies, Skin Care, rosacea, skin, tips, treatment

By Vicky Uhland, Natural Solutions

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Heather J.

10:23AM PST on Jan 7, 2012

I suffered from rosacea for over twenty years and really thought there was no cure. By accident I came across an article that rosacea is caused by demodex mites. I did further research and there were loads of articles stating the same thing. I then purchased ProSkin Rosacea by Mama Nature of London (yes London, England) because they said their cream contained a high level of tea tree oil (tea tree oil kills demodex mites). I was horrified when, after a couple of day, the pastules were worse. I sent them an e-mail to tell them this and they told me that because the mites were dying off my rosacea was getting worse. Something to do with the dead mites causing bacterial infection. They then said their cream would continue to kill off the mites and would also kill the bacteria caused by the dead mites. They said this was a good sign and that my rosacea would get better. True to their word my rosacea has gone. There is still some evidence that I had it (some open pores etc.) but the primary thing is it has gone and nobody stares any more. I believe this product is a godsend and it was fate that I found it.

send a green star

Brenda T.

5:36AM PST on Dec 17, 2011

Thanks for the article.

KS G.

4:22AM PST on Nov 23, 2011

Robin B.

10:08PM PDT on Mar 15, 2011

I must say the info on rosacea treatment given by your post is quite in-depth as i am not aware of this thing but fortunately you manage to describe all my queries related to this. I wonder could you also provide some info on cancerous moles.

Linda J.

8:11AM PDT on Apr 23, 2010

The infdormation is appreciated..thanks.

Past Member .

5:13PM PST on Dec 13, 2009

mitsubishi servisi

9:06PM PDT on Jun 14, 2009

thanks...you...
Kabin
Konteyner

Sarah C.

6:29AM PDT on Jun 12, 2009

For those of you suffering from rosacea, you should really try Glimpse Skincare. We've seen amazing results and it's an all-natural formula. The active ingredient in these products is the mangosteen fruit, which is starting to be recognized by the public, but has been used for thousands of years as a folk remedy and now has thousands of scientific studies behind it!

Check out www.mymangosteen.com/north for more info.

Kymbear S.

11:15PM PDT on Apr 10, 2009

My Ex Friend Refers To Me As Red Cheeks I Don't Let It Affect Me Or My Life

Carolina L.

4:33PM PDT on Mar 27, 2009

I have a sister that suffers from rosacea and I hope this article and useful tips will help her. I think that most cases of rosacea comes from stress and bad habits of eating. Thank you for your comments.