Rosacea Trigger Factors

In our experience diet can play an important part in the development of rosacea. Below are some personal findings that have helped improve the condition of our skin.

• Avoid multivitamins with the B3 vitamin, niacin. However, B3 in the form of Niacinamide or Nicotinamide in a normal dose should not cause flushing.
• Check packaged foods for excessive amounts of niacin. Avoid foods such as packaged breakfast cereals and strong brown breads which typically contain added niacin. Bran, porridge oats and peanuts can also be triggers.
• Limit excessive caffeine — for many it is a trigger, typically from coffee and soft drinks.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes.
• Avoid excessive chilli and very hot curries. Other spices such as paprika are best avoided, along with strong spices and pickled foods. Softer herbs such as basil, thyme, oregano and sage tend to be more tolerable. Some people also find tomatoes to be a trigger. A useful strategy is to follow a normal balanced diet while keeping a food diary — reintroduce or omit foods in line with your current skin condition.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after preparing foods like garlic and onions.
• Drink plenty of water — typically around 3 litres per day.
• Be cautious with alcohol. Once your skin condition improves you may find that, introduced slowly, even red wine has less effect on flushing.

Some of these may sound abstract but have helped tremendously. As with diet, keeping a diary is useful to identify when flare-ups happen and what might have triggered them.

• Avoid very hot baths — bathe in lukewarm water. Avoid saunas, steam rooms and steam in general. Prolonged exposure to high central heating or air conditioning can also affect the skin.
• The chemicals in public swimming pools can be aggravating.
• Excessive exercise that induces sweat and heat can be a trigger. This often improves over time — moderate exercise is usually fine if you promptly cleanse your face afterwards with our Ultra Mild Cleanser.
• Manage stress where you can. Meditation, counselling, hypnotherapy, yoga and relaxation techniques can help more than is initially obvious. A great book to start with is Happiness by Matthieu Ricard.
• Another great read is The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga.
• Avoid excessive prolonged sunshine and always wear a suitable sunscreen. Warm, humid days can bring on red wheals for some people.
• Rinse clothes and pillowcases thoroughly after washing — detergent residue can aggravate skin.
• Avoid fumes from irritants such as nail polish remover, bleach and solvent-based paints. When filling the car, avoid touching your face until you have washed your hands thoroughly.
• Paint fumes are a potent trigger — use a water-based, solvent-free, low-odour paint where possible.
• An electric shaver, used regularly, can be very beneficial.

Our products were developed by someone who finds even tap water irritating — they are the only products some of us can use without irritation. A simple two-step routine is all most people need:

• Ultra Mild Cleanser — lifts away irritants and impurities. If you can’t tolerate tap water, sweep it off gently with cotton wool disks; otherwise use with lukewarm water and rinse off if you prefer.
• Redness Reducing Climate Cream SPF 50 — after cleansing, apply each morning for daytime protection. It’s also fine to use at night, or choose one of our night creams instead.