Home Remedies for Rosacea: What You Should Use?

Rosy cheeks have been a beauty statement among women since eons. A sudden surge of adrenaline can also leave you blushing with flushed cheeks. Rosacea is a similar condition that gives your skin a blushed appearance lasting for years. And this is definitely not what you are striving for.

Rosacea presents itself on the face, notably on the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead as skin inflammation. This happens due to the enlargement of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) on the surface of the skin, which gives a flushed appearance, often resulting in acne and pimples.

Although rosacea can affect anyone, it is more frequent in women and more severe in men. It usually appears between the ages of 30 and 50 years with frequent flushing as the first sign. As the redness becomes persistent, the capillaries enlarge and bumps are formed on the surface.

Causes of Rosacea

Certain factors can play a role in triggering rosacea by channeling an increased blood flow to the skin surface. Some of these include:

• Exposure to sunlight
• Hot drinks and spicy foods
• Extremes of temperature
• Strong wind
• High-stress level
• Emotional imbalance
• Physical exertion
• Cosmetic products
• Mites that are a carrier of Bacillus oleronius
• Intestinal microflora called Helicobacter pylori

Signs and Symptoms of Rosacea

Aside from the visible redness that is persistent on the eyes, nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead, other signs of rosacea include:

• Visible blood vessels
• An eruption of acne-like pustules
• Thickened skin
• Dryness of the skin
• Redness, swelling, and pain in eyes
• Sensitive skin – burning, itching, stinging, and pain
• A reddened nose that takes a bulbous form
• Swollen face (lymphoedema)

Treatment for Rosacea

As rosacea can manifest itself in varied forms, self-help measures and dietary changes are not enough. It is advised to visit a dermatologist for tailored treatment.

With no clear diagnostic tests available for rosacea, your doctor will examine your face. To confirm the underlying cause of rosacea, he will ask for symptoms and consider your medical history.

There can be a variation in symptoms that entails a different treatment method for each individual. Some standard treatment methods to reduce rosacea include:

• Topical and oral medications to

1. Treat ocular rosacea
2. Control the eruption of pimples and redness

• Surgical procedures that target on

1. Correcting the deformities of the nose
2. Tear replacement in eyes
3. Cleansing the eyelids
4. Treating visibly broken blood vessels through laser therapy

Simple Ways to Deal with Rosacea at Home

Although there is no sure-shot cure for rosacea, simple home remedies can curtail its symptoms.

1. Change Your Diet

Dietary changes can support the management of rosacea. An imbalance in intestinal microflora can lead to a worsening of rosacea symptoms.

Enrich your diet with foods that can contribute to a healthy gut:^[3]

• Leafy greens
• High-fiber foods such as lentils, kale, Swiss chard, beans, cruciferous vegetables, figs, prunes, and asparagus
• Plenty of water
• Fermented foods
• Probiotics

Avoid foods that are

• Spicy
• Sugary and starchy
• Citrus

2. Dab Green Tea on the Affected Area

With antioxidant, anticarcinogen, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective properties, green tea can prevent pustules from developing on the affected skin surface.^[4][5]

• Prepare a cup of green tea. Keep it in the refrigerator for half an hour. Soak a washcloth in it and dab it on the affected area. This will relax your skin and decrease redness and inflammation.
• Incorporate green tea in your daily diet. Drink it twice a day.

3. Mask it Up with Oatmeal

The anti-inflammatory properties of oatmeal can take the edge off by reducing the redness, inflammation, and itching.^[6][7]

1. To 1/2 cup of powdered oatmeal, add 1/4 cup of water. Apply this mixture on the affected areas.
2. Leave it on for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse it off with cold water, and pat your skin dry with a soft towel.
4. Repeating this twice daily can give amazing results.

4. Heal Yourself with Licorice

The potent anti-inflammatory properties of licorice may mitigate redness and skin irritation.^[8]

Furthermore, licorice extracts can increase the yield of new skin cells, which can help keep the associated symptoms of rosacea at arm’s length.^[9]

1. Mix 1 teaspoon each of aloe vera gel and honey and 1 tablespoon of licorice powder. Apply this mixture on the affected region.
2. Leave it on for 15 minutes.
3. Wash it off with lukewarm water and pat the area dry.
4. Apply this mixture for 4-8 weeks twice daily for best results.

5. Improve Your Rosacea with Lavender Oil

Well known for its anti-inflammatory properties, lavender oil is a maestro when it comes to healing skin problems. The antiseptic properties of lavender oil can potentially combat a rosacea flare-up by reducing the bacterial load of the skin.^[10]

• To use lavender oil for rosacea, dilute it in coconut oil or another carrier oil and apply the oil mixture on the affected areas of rosacea.
• To 1 tablespoon of almond oil, add a drop of lavender oil. Use this mixture to gently massage your facial skin. Leave it on overnight. Wash your face the next morning with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy until you see a change.

6. Give a Honey Massage

The natural antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that are harbored in every drop of honey are commendable.

Honey has moisturizing properties that can prevent rosacea by targeting a breakout of pimples and acne.^[11][12]

• Massage your face with raw organic honey. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water. Try this twice a week.
• To 2 tablespoons of honey, add 1½ teaspoons of whole milk and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Apply this mixture on your face. Rinse it off after 10 minutes with lukewarm water. Do this two to three times a week

7. Manage Your Stress Levels

Stress levels can manifest itself in the form of skin irritation, rosacea, allergic reactions, acne breakouts, and inflammation.^[13][14]

Engage yourself in activities that can reduce your stress levels. You can manage your stress levels by including meditation, yoga, music, and art in your daily routine.

8. Trust the Magic of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is worth all the praises that are showered upon it when it comes to rejuvenating and soothing your skin. It’s anti-inflammatory and healing properties can lessen the levels of redness and irritation that are related to rosacea.^[15][16]

• Oral use of aloe vera is recommended as a way to detoxify the body and enhance the healing process. Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera juice to 1 glass of water. Drink this mixture twice daily.
• Apply aloe vera gel on the affected regions. Keep it until dry. Dab the affected area with lukewarm water. Do this remedy twice daily.

9. Turmeric to the Rescue

The use of turmeric as a therapeutic has been documented since ages. Its potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties can keep the primary symptoms of redness and inflammation at bay.^[6][17]

• Drink turmeric milk. Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric to 1 glass of milk. Drink this milk daily.
• Prepare a DIY turmeric mask;

1. Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric to 1 tablespoon of yogurt and 1 teaspoon of honey.
2. Clean the affected area and pat it dry. Apply the mask on the affected area.
3. Leave it on for 20 minutes.

10. Redeem Yourself with a Cucumber Slice

Cucumber is packed with water up to the brim and is replete with vitamin C. This composition makes it an ideal candidate to soothe your skin and reduce facial swelling.^[18]

• Cut a cucumber into thin slices and refrigerate them. Apply these thin slices to the affected skin surface to reduce the redness.
• Apply the following super booster DIY cucumber toner on your skin.

1. Cut a medium cucumber into pieces and blend it into a puree. Strain the puree using a cheesecloth.
2. Mix the cucumber juice with 1 tablespoon of honey.
3. Pour this mixture into a clean bottle.
4. Soak a cotton ball with this mixture and dab it on the affected region every morning and evening.
5. Let it dry.

Anecdotal Remedies

The following remedies are neither backed by scientific evidence nor are they reviewed by our health experts. Nonetheless, a number of general users have reported an improvement in their condition using these anecdotal remedies.

Dab Chamomile Solution

The rich composition of terpenoids and flavonoids in chamomile makes it a natural relaxant. Besides being calm on the skin, the anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile target the associated inflammation and redness.

1. To 1 cup of boiling water, add a chamomile tea bag. Let it steep for 10 minutes.
2. Refrigerate the solution until cold.
3. Dip a washcloth in the solution. Wring out the excess liquid. Place the damp cloth on the inflamed skin until it’s cold.
4. Try this 3-4 times a day.

Eat Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids that aid in reducing and controlling the inflammation associated with rosacea.

• Include flaxseeds in your diet. You can consume a tablespoon of flaxseed oil or use flaxseeds to top your salads, blend it into smoothies, or eat it with a glass of milk.

Concluding Note

Rosacea can start as rosy cheeks and encompass your entire face in a shade of red that’s no good. Along with the perpetual redness and facial swelling, rosacea can affect your eyes, nose, and consequently your self-esteem.

Although there are no ultimate treatment methods for rosacea, this condition demands a tailored treatment. With a tendency to aggravate with age, it is of paramount importance to determine and avoid the probable causes and mitigate the symptoms of rosacea.

A few changes in the diet, following natural remedies, avoiding known triggers, and a gentle skin care regimen can help in reducing flare-ups in an existent case.

Resources:

1. Mikkelsen CS, Kjellman P, Heidenheim M. Rosacea: a Clinical Review. Dermatology Reports. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5134688/. Published June 23, 2016.
2. Triggers could be causing your rosacea flare-ups. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne-and-rosacea/rosacea/triggers-could-be-causing-your-rosacea-flare-ups.
3. Weiss E, Katta R. Diet, and rosacea: the role of dietary change in the management of rosacea. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5718124/. Published October 31, 2017.
4. Zink A, Hoffmann CT. Green tea in dermatology – myths and facts. JDDG: Journal der DeutschenDermatologischen. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ddg.12737. Published July 14, 2015.
5. Syed T, Aly R, Wong W. Management of papulopustular rosacea with 2% polyphenone (green tea extract) in a hydrophilic cream: A placebo-controlled double-blind study. Plum X Metrix. https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(04)02800-2/abstract. Published March 2005.
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7. Yaghoobi R, Feily A. oatmeal in dermatology. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235995930_oatmeal_in_dermatology. Published 2012.
8. Goldgar C, Keahey DJ, Houchins J. Treatment Options for Acne Rosacea. American Family Physician. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0901/p461.html. Published September 1, 2009.
9. Saric S, KA, K R. The Role of Polyphenols in Rosacea Treatment: A Systematic Review. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2016.0398?mobileUi=0&journalCode=acm. Published December 1, 2017.
10. Ali B, Shams S, Ahamad A. Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review. ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115001033. Published July 10, 2015.
11. Holt S, Braithwaite I, Hunt A. A topical kanuka honey formulation is an effective treatment for rosacea. JAAD. https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(15)00281-9/fulltext. Published May 2015.
12. Holliday M, Weatherall M, Beasley R. Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of rosacea. Complementary medicine. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/6/e007651. Published June 24, 2015.
13. Veerkamp P, Mousdicas N, Bednarek R. Rosacea Fulminans Precipitated by Acute Stress: A Case Report Describing an Integrative Approach for a Patient Reluctant to Use Isotretinoin. Integrative Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5312834/. Published December 2016.
14. Heisig M, Reich A. Psychosocial aspects of rosacea with a focus on anxiety and depression. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5844253/. Published March 6, 2018.
15. Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple DG. ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW. Indian Journal of Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/. Published 2008.
16. Forest JM, Rafikhah N. Aloe vera Juice and Acne Vulgaris: A Placebo-Controlled Study. Asian Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://scialert.net/fulltextmobile/?doi=ajcn.2014.29.34. Published 2014.
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18. Murad H, Nyc MA. EVALUATING THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF CUCUMBERS FOR IMPROVED HEALTH AND SKIN CARE. JARCP The Journal of Aging Research & Clinical Practice. http://www.jarcp.com/3050-evaluating-the-potential-benefits-of-cucumbers-for-improved-health-and-skin-care.html. Published 2012.