Redness, enlarged capillaries on the cheeks, nose and chin, irritation and tightness... Sensitive skin, or something more? Learn what rosacea or couperose, which often precedes rosacea, is. With a sound amount of patience and proper care, you can tame the disease and keep future flare-ups to a minimum.
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Rosacea is the Latin term for a chronic inflammatory condition that affects around 10% of people worldwide. What are the symptoms of rosacea? It is characterised by pronounced, long-term redness of the skin caused by enlarged and broken capillaries in the face. The skin is hypersensitive, inflamed, unpleasantly itchy, dry and tight.
Couperose is a similiar skin hypersensitivity condition and is often a precursor to rosacea. The skin turns red when there is a sudden change in temperature, such as when moving from outside to inside, or from stress. Overall, however, it is a milder condition than rosacea.
Fine, red veins in the face are visible, but they do not recede as quickly as in healthy skin and the slight redness lasts for a few minutes to several hours. The skin is easily irritated, especially with the use of inappropriate cosmetics.
How to distinguish rosacea from couperose? In couperose, the skin is sensitive, but not inflamed. In rosacea, the redness lasts for several days to months and can be permanent. It comes on more easily, e.g. even from spicy food or drinking hot coffee.
Some experts consider couperose to be a separate diagnosis, for others it is the initial stage of rosacea. Either way, do not ignore couperose in any case. With early intervention - adjusting your lifestyle and beauty routine - your skin can recover.
Rosacea on the face occurs in various forms. That is why it is often difficult to detect immediately and to start dealing with it in due course. One person can have several types at the same time.
This type of rosacea involves "just" redness. The capillaries in the skin do not constrict after enlargement as in normal skin and the redness caused by the rapid blood supply to the face persists for days, weeks or even months.
This type is sometimes referred to as "acne rosacea". On the skin, there are acne-like papules and pustules, which are protuberant, inflamed and their surrounding area is significantly reddened. However, unlike normal acne, it is not accompanied by comedones (clogged pores) or blackheads.
In rare instances, rosacea affects the eyes. The capillaries dilate and burst and the eyes become red, irritated and dry. Bruising may appear around the eyes. It is imperative that this form be addressed with a doctor as soon as possible, as in extreme cases it can cause damage to one's eyesight.
In exceptionally severe or untreated cases of rosacea, repeated inflammation can cause the skin on the face, typically around the nose, to become thickened. Also known as rhinophyma, it is characterised by a persistent reddening, enlarged and irregular shape of the nose.
These phenomena cause flare-ups, discomfort, exacerbation of redness and inflammation. Once you get an idea of what's making your rosacea worse, you can then do all it takes to improve your skin condition.
In any case, avoid cosmetics with perfumes, dyes, essential oils or strong active ingredients. Ideally, use only gentle cosmetics that are specifically designed for rosacea. Ingredients such as ceramides and azelaic acid are fantastic, helping to strengthen the compromised skin barrier and soothe inflammation in the skin.
You can usually recognise which cosmetics are best by the fact that they feel nice and cool on the skin. On the contrary, inappropriate cosmetics can burn and sting.
Skin with rosacea will appreciate the simplest and gentlest skincare routine possible.
Forget about double cleansing or exfoliation. Choose a gentle cleanser for rosacea that does not dry out or irritate the skin.
Hydration is essential for sensitive skin, but it is not enough on its own. The best cream for rosacea should also have the ability to strengthen the skin barrier, relieve redness and soothe irritation. Ceramides are great, and if your skin can tolerate it, then niacinamide too.
A mineral SPF with broad spectrum protection is an absolute must, as UV rays are a major irritant for rosacea. A classic "chemical" SPF will be irritating to hypersensitive skin and may do more harm than good.
If you wish to conceal redness, use tinted moisturisers designed specifically for skin with couperose or rosacea for everyday comfort. They contain pigments that perfectly cancel out redness, and their formula won't irritate the skin.
If you suspect that you have developed couperose or rosacea, see a dermatologist regardless. They will help you discover what products and habits will work best for you. They may also prescribe medications or recommend laser or IPL treatments to remove broken capillaries in the face.
Myth 1: Red cheeks and an enlarged nose are signs of alcoholism. Alcohol may aggravate the symptoms of rosacea, but it is certainly not a cause or condition of rosacea. What's worse, facial changes can really mess with your self-esteem, and this harmful myth makes the entire situation even more difficult.
Myth 2: Rosacea is contagious. Is rosacea contagious? Absolutely not. The exact cause of the disease has not yet been discovered, but phototype and genetic predisposition play a significant roles.
Myth 3: Nothing can be done about rosacea. That's no longer true. Although rosacea cannot be completely "cured", visiting a dermatologist, knowing your triggers and using the right cosmetics can help you get your symptoms under control and ensure they don't get worse.
