Our Calmin Rosacea Trigger List
Foreword
We always recommend consulting your doctor before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. The following recommendations are based on my personal experiences and insights shared by other rosacea sufferers. They are not intended to replace medical advice but are simply personal tips that have helped me manage my condition.
Dietary Considerations
In my experience, diet plays an important role in the development and management of rosacea. Below are some dietary adjustments that have helped improve the condition of my skin:
- Avoid B3 (Niacin): I avoid multivitamins containing B3 (niacin). However, niacinamide (nicotinamide) in normal doses does not typically cause flushing.
- Check Packaged Foods: I carefully check packaged foods for excessive niacin content. Foods such as packaged breakfast cereals and strong brown breads often contain added niacin. I also avoid triggers like bran, porridge oats, and peanuts.
- Limit Caffeine: I avoid excessive caffeine, especially from coffee and soft drinks, as these can trigger flare-ups.
- No Smoking: I do not smoke cigarettes.
- Limit Spicy Foods: I avoid excessive chili, hot curries, and strong spices like paprika. Pickled foods can also be problematic. I do find softer herbs like basil, thyme, oregano, and sage to be tolerable.
- Tomato Sensitivity: Some people, including myself, find tomatoes to be a trigger.
- Food Diary: I recommend following a balanced diet and keeping a food diary to track how different foods affect your skin. Introduce or eliminate foods based on your skin condition.
- Wash Hands: After preparing foods like garlic and onions, wash your hands thoroughly to avoid contact with your skin.
- Hydration: I drink plenty of water — typically around 3 liters per day.
- Alcohol: I avoid alcohol, though after my skin improved, I find I can tolerate red wine in moderation if introduced slowly.
Lifestyle Factors
Certain lifestyle changes have also been beneficial for managing rosacea flare-ups. Again, a diary can be helpful in identifying what may be triggering your flare-ups:
- Avoid Hot Baths: I steer clear of very hot baths and typically bathe in lukewarm water. I also avoid saunas, steam rooms, and any steam exposure.
- Central Heating and AC: Prolonged exposure to high central heating or air conditioning can irritate my skin.
- Swimming Pools: The chemicals in public swimming pools can aggravate my skin.
- Exercise: Excessive exercise that induces sweat and heat can trigger flare-ups, though I can now handle moderate exercise as long as I cleanse my face promptly with our Calmin Cleanser.
- Stress Management: I work on managing stress and resolving issues where I can. Meditation, counseling, and hypnotherapy have helped, and I now practice yoga and relaxation techniques. A great starting point is the book Happiness by Matthieu Ricard.
- Sun Exposure: I avoid prolonged sun exposure and always wear sunscreen. Hot, humid days used to bring out red wheals under my skin, which were quite painful.
- Laundry: I ensure my clothes and pillowcases are thoroughly rinsed after washing, as detergent can cause irritation.
- Irritating Fumes: I avoid contact with fumes from nail polish remover, bleach, and solvent-based paints. After filling up my car, I make sure to wash my hands before touching my face.
Calmin Skincare Products
Our products were developed specifically for sensitive skin, even for those who find tap water irritating. These are the only products I can use without experiencing irritation:
- Calmin Ultra Mild Cleanser: I use this for removing dirt and impurities, applying it with our specially selected wool pads (as I find other types irritating).
- Calmin Skin Normalising Serum: I apply this serum for redness, blemishes, spots, and lumps, which often occur after hot showers on the face and scalp.
- Calmin Overnight Redness Repair Cream: This cream helps reduce overall redness and blushing following flare-ups.
Further Comments
We hope this trigger list has been helpful to you. Finding reliable information about rosacea triggers can be challenging, and I wish I had access to this kind of guidance when I was first diagnosed.
Please note that our products are not intended to treat medical conditions. They are designed to protect, soothe, reduce visible redness, and cleanse without causing further irritation. Since rosacea varies from person to person, results may differ.
Disclaimer
We are not medical professionals. Only your doctor can provide medical advice. We are simply fellow rosacea sufferers who have created skin care products that we find effective. Many of our regular customers also find our products helpful.