- Cleanse face very gently with lukewarm water and soap free pH balanced cleansers. Apply the cleanser gently with fingertips in circular motions. Rinse off the cleanser thoroughly with luke warm water and pat face dry gently with a clean cotton towel to avoid irritation.
- Moisturise every day as it helps to hydrate skin and reduce irritation.
- Protect skin from the sun and apply sunscreen regularly. Apply sunscreen to the face every day before going outdoors, even on cloudy days. Sunscreens that are suitable for rosacea include broad spectrum sunscreens with both UVA and UVB protection and an SPF ³ Physical blocker sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide or both are usually well tolerated.
- Choose skin care products (including cosmetic products, moisturisers and sunscreens) that do not irritate the skin. This includes
- choosing products containing protective silicone (which may be listed as dimethicone/orcyclomethicne/cyclomethicone).
- avoid products that contain alcohol, fragrance, camphor, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, sodium laurel sulfate and urea which may increase skin irritation.
- green-tinted makeup or sunscreen can provide extra coverage of skin redness.
- avoidance of astrigents, toners and abrasive exfoliators would reduce skin irritation.
- Consider testing skin care products and makeup before applying to the face by dabbing a small amount close to (but not on) rosacea-prone skin. If the product irritates the skin and causes burning/stinging within 72 hours, it may be best to avoid that product.
- Avoid anything that irritates the skin. This includes avoid rubbing or scrubbing the face with washcloths, facial sponges or exfoliating the skin.
