Everything
Let be known that I, like many, tend to enjoy a little indulgence over the summer holidays but sadly my skin doesn’t. Perhaps the mystery behind the reindeer Rudolph’s nose: redness and sensitivity courtesy of extended partying and environmental exposure.
Navigating the unpredictable terrain of rosacea can feel like deciphering a complex puzzle so we sought out the advice of Sydney’s skin expert Melanie Grant on how to not only treat redness but also prevent it.
But a bit of bacground. Rosacea isn’t a mere blush; it’s a full-scale rebellion of the skin with visible blood vessels and bumps, often making a grand entrance on the face.
The triggers of rosacea are as diverse as a buffet spread. Think of it like a detective game where your skin is the mystery. “Symptoms vary from person to person and triggers are vast and varied, from diet to subtle variations in climate, hormonal fluctuations (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause) and stress,” says Grant. This includes the usual suspects like wine and cheese to the innocuous avocado, the list of potential triggers is extensive.
Grant’s philosophy for home care is akin to a minimalist’s manifesto: less is more and edit back to eliminate the cause. “I often recommend spending a couple of days taking inventory of anything you suspect is a trigger for your own unique experience with rosacea so you can be mindful moving forward.”
Cutting out different potential triggers, even monitoring how your skin reacts to various environments such as moving from cold to hot (aka from the comfort of indoor air-conditioning to scorching summer outside) and even after a workout will help deduce what the underlying cause could be.
She also recommends cutting back to basic needs when it comes to skincare. “Avoiding anything too active like retinols and BHAs, fragrance, some essential oils, alcohol and over exfoliating with a physical scrub is key,” says Grant.
“Instead, opt for gentle non-foaming cleansers, incorporate serums with ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, anti-inflammatory vitamin Bs, botanicals like calendula, chamomile, aloe and green tea extract and clinical actives like tranexamic acid, niacinamide and azelaic acid. I also recommend a mineral SPF as these are typically less agitating while enjoying the antioxidant and healing benefits of zinc to maintain optimal skin health
For those seeking more than just at-home remedies, Grant is a proponent of LED light therapy, a treatment she’s championed for over a decade. It’s not just about quelling the redness, she says, but rejuvenating the skin. For a deeper dive, IPL laser emerges as the go-to, targeting those pesky blood vessels with precision.
To help maintain healthier skin over the party season, we’ve curated a list of products that will ensure your face card never declines.
Starting with the cleanser, the Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil, available at Mecca, offers a gentle yet effective approach to cleansing. Ideal for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin, it leaves your complexion soft, hydrated, and soothed, making it a versatile and essential part of any skincare routine.
Serum Erythros by cult French skincare brand Biologique Recherche, available at Skincare Edit, is tailored to address redness and soothe the skin by simultaneously targeting the causes of vascular dilation, the formation and propagation of new blood capillaries, inflammation, and visible redness.
Another recommended product is Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution, which can be found at Paula’s Choice. This solution gently exfoliates while calming redness, making it ideal for sensitive skin types.
For a more nourishing option,
, available at Mecca, offers deep hydration along with redness reduction.
Additionally, The Serum by Skincare Edit, found at Skincare Edit, is another excellent choice for those seeking a comprehensive approach to treating redness.
Horace’s Salicylic Acid Niacinamide Serum, available at Mecca, combines two powerful ingredients to combat redness while promoting overall skin health.
Lastly, The Ordinary’s Soothing Barrier Support Serum, found at The Ordinary, offers a gentle yet effective solution for strengthening the skin’s barrier and reducing redness.
