The Basics Anyone with Redness Must Keep

First, the lifestyle measures you can easily find online or in books. They are very basic, but for anyone with rosacea they are core principles that must be understood and practised every day.

Avoiding triggers

Block UV exposure — wear sunscreen at all times.
Avoid high-heat environments — go easy on hot showers, saunas and jjimjilbang.
Watch abrupt temperature changes — avoid settings with a large indoor–outdoor gap.
Manage your diet — avoid spicy food and hot drinks (coffee, tea).
Go easy on alcohol — especially red wine.
Adjust exercise — low-intensity is preferable to vigorous exercise that spikes the heart rate.

Sound skincare principles

Cleansing — a mild cleanser and lukewarm water.
Avoid irritants — steer clear of products containing alcohol, fragrance or irritating actives (retinol, AHA/BHA, menthol).
Strengthen the barrier — barrier function is often impaired, so use ceramides and similar barrier-supporting ingredients.
Choose your sunscreen — mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) tend to be less irritating.

Managing emotional factors

Stress and sudden emotional swings (anger, excitement) trigger flushing directly, so stress management through meditation and regular sleep is necessary.

Other cautions

Avoid long-term steroid ointment — prolonged topical corticosteroid use can cause rebound redness.
Be careful when changing basic skincare — swap one product at a time so the source of any irritation is easy to identify.
Keep a personal trigger diary — triggers differ from patient to patient, so keeping your own redness diary is worthwhile.

Next

In the next part I will go beyond these basics and take you through the practical guidance I emphasise to patients in the clinic, one by one.

The cause of redness and the treatment direction differ with skin condition and vary from person to person. Please decide on diagnosis and treatment plan only after consulting a physician directly.