Home Remedies for Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that usually affects the face, particularly the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Anyone can suffer from rosacea, but it most commonly affects middle-aged women who have fair skin. Rosacea can be mistaken for acne, an allergic reaction or other skin problems.

Typical symptoms include red patches and bumps, swelling, a burning sensation, swollen eyelids, small cysts, and thick and dry skin. The symptoms tend to come and go. The skin may be clear for weeks, months or years, and then erupt again.

Though the exact cause of roasea is still unknown, it is believed that it may happen due to the swelling of the blood vessels beneath the skin.

Factors that increase the risk of a breakout are exposure to direct sunlight, eating too much spicy food, excessive drinking, stress, intense exercise, sinus infections and living in areas with extreme temperatures. It tends to run in families. Those who blush easily, or who have fair skin are more prone to this problem.

Some simple home remedies can help minimize symptoms so that you can go on with your daily activities without worrying.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for rosacea.

1. Chamomile Compress

Chamomile is a great remedy for rosacea due to its anti-inflammatory property that helps reduce inflammation and redness. Moreover, its active ingredients like terpenoids and flavonoids have a soothing effect on skin.

1. Soak three to six chamomile tea bags in three cups of boiling water for 10 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags and place the bowl in the refrigerator until the water is cold.
3. Dip a cotton cloth in the cold solution and wring out the excess liquid. Place the damp cloth on the affected area for 15 minutes.
4. Repeat the remedy three or four times a day until you notice improvement.

Note: In rare cases, chamomile may cause allergic reactions, so do a patch test before using this remedy.

2. Green Tea

Green tea has anticarcinogen, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and phyto protective properties that work together in an effective manner to treat rosacea. Green tea can help reduce the skin’s reaction to ultraviolet light, thus helping prevent papules and pustules from developing on the affected area.

• Make two cups of green tea and put it in the refrigerator for half an hour. Soak a cloth in the cold tea and place over the affected skin area for several minutes. This soothing treatment will decrease redness and inflammation. Follow this remedy twice daily for months for effective results.
• Also try to drink green tea at least twice daily. It will help to keep your skin hydrated and your body will get extra antioxidants that in turn will speed up the healing process.

3. Oatmeal

Oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help reduce redness, itching and inflammation.

1. Mix one-half cup of powdered oatmeal and one-fourth cup of water in a large bowl.
2. Apply this mixture to the affected skin areas. Lightly smooth the oatmeal over the skin, but do not rub the skin.
3. Leave it on for 20 minutes.
4. Rinse it off with cool water, and pat dry your skin with a soft towel.
5. Repeat this treatment twice daily for several days for best results.

4. Licorice

According to a 2005 study presented to the American Academy of Dermatology, licorice helps reduce redness, which is the most common symptom of rosacea. Licorice extract has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help promote healthy skin cells. Plus, it reduces skin irritation.

1. Mix one tablespoon of licorice powder, and one teaspoon each of honey and aloe vera gel.
2. Apply the mixture on the affected skin area. Leave it on for 15 minutes, and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
3. Follow this remedy twice daily for four to eight weeks.

5. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and hence it has been used widely to treat many skin problems, including rosacea.

• Soak a cotton ball in pure lavender oil (therapeutic-grade) and gently massage it onto affected areas of your skin. It will help ease inflammation and shrink facial blood vessels. Repeat twice daily for a few weeks.
• Mix one tablespoon of almond oil and one drop of lavender oil. Before going to bed, apply the mixture on the affected areas and gently massage. Leave it on for overnight and wash your face with lukewarm water in the morning. Do this daily for several weeks.

Note: Lavender oil must be used with caution as it may cause skin irritation in some people.

6. Honey

Honey has natural antimicrobial as well as powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Honey can be used to prevent breakouts of acne and rosacea and also helps keep the skin moisturized without making it oily.

• Gently massage one to two tablespoons of raw honey on your face. Leave it on for about 20 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and apply a light moisturizer. Do this twice a week to help reduce inflammation and redness and promote healing.
• Mix two tablespoons of organic honey, one tablespoon of olive oil and one and one-half teaspoons of whole milk. Apply the mixture on your face and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this one to three times a week.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains anti-inflammatory properties and also helps maintain the body’s pH level, which is essential for healthy skin. Plus, it works as a natural disinfectant and thus helps kill yeast and bacteria on the skin.

• Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and one cup of filtered water, then add one tablespoon of honey. Drink the mixture twice daily – morning and night. Follow this remedy for six to eight weeks, depending on the severity of your condition.You can gradually increase the amount of apple cider vinegar from one teaspoon to two tablespoons, twice daily.
• Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and eight tablespoons of water. Apply this diluted vinegar over the affected area. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily for two months.

8. Aloe Vera

Both aloe vera gel and juice can be used in the home treatment of rosacea. Due to the anti-inflammatory and healing properties of aloe vera, it can rejuvenate the skin and reduce redness and irritation. It can be used both orally and externally to treat rosacea.

• Extract fresh gel from the aloe vera plant and apply it on the affected skin. Let it dry on its own and then rinse the area with lukewarm water. Follow this treatment twice daily for at least two months to heal rosacea symptoms like redness and inflammation completely.
• Drink one tablespoon of aloe vera juice twice daily. This will help detoxify your body and in turn speed up the healing process. Follow this remedy for several months.

9. Turmeric

Turmeric is an antiseptic herb and has powerful antibacterial and therapeutic properties. Regular use of turmeric (both internally and externally) can reduce redness and inflammation associated with rosacea.

• Make a mask by mixing one teaspoon of turmeric with one tablespoon of yogurt or honey. Wash the affected skin area, pat dry and then apply this mask. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Repeat the process once daily until the rosacea symptoms and inflammation subside.
• Mix one teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of lukewarm water or milk. Drink this solution twice daily to improve the overall health of your skin as well as reduce rosacea symptoms.

10. Flaxseed

Flaxseed contains anti-inflammatory properties that are important in reducing the redness and inflammation associated with rosacea. Also the essential fatty acids in flaxseed help soothe irritated skin.

• Take one teaspoon of flaxseed oil three times a day to help reduce inflammation. Follow this remedy for at least two months to get good results.
• Also try to include flaxseeds in your diet to keep inflammation and redness associated with rosacea under control.

These remedies will help control the primary symptoms of this chronic skin disease. Also drink plenty of water to keep skin well hydrated and healthy. Avoid common rosacea triggers like alcohol, chocolate, cold weather, face scrubs, fragrances, hot baths and sun exposure.

Resources:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16468289