Putting Your Best Face Forward: Natural Methods for Reducing Rosacea Flares

What is rosacea?

A lifelong inflammatory skin condition that impacts more than 16 million Americans, rosacea causes flushing and redness in the center of the face; visibly broken blood vessels; swelling and inflammation; and burning, dry scaly skin. Signs of the condition include raised patches, oily skin, and breakouts that resemble acne. It typically develops between the ages of 30 and 50. The condition is more common in women and those who have Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry. Rosacea not only causes physical discomfort, but also can have an emotional impact that reduces self-confidence and self-esteem.³ Avoiding triggers, lifestyle factors, and anti-inflammatory support are all important in calming symptoms. Here are my top tips to help you navigate rosacea and reduce flares.

Common Triggers

Anyone with rosacea knows there are a variety of triggers that can cause the condition or make it worse. These include:

Emotional stress: One of the most common triggers of rosacea symptoms is stress. This can become an uncomfortable cycle of stress over your appearance, only to have it worsen the condition. Stress also increases the likelihood of triggering an autoimmune reaction and inflammation. Prayer, gratitude, journaling, pilates, and nature walks are all excellent methods for reducing stress and calming the nervous system. If you need an extra layer of support, our potent Anxiety & Stress Tincture is an excellent option.

Heat, humidity, and sunlight. When the skin is exposed to sunlight or experiences a rise in temperature it causes the blood vessels to dilate, which leads to inflammation and worsening of symptoms. Extreme cold and windy, dry conditions can also cause a flare.

Exercise and saunas. Anything that raises your body temperature increases your risk of aggravating rosacea, including heavy exercise, indoor heat, hot tubs or baths, and saunas.

Hot and spicy foods. Similar to warm temperatures, spicy foods can also trigger rosacea because they cause flushing, sweating, and a rise in skin temperature.

Alcohol. Similar to the above, alcohol consumption dilates blood vessels and promotes inflammation. Topical products, such as skin creams, hand sanitizers, hand lotion, shampoos, and makeup that contain alcohol should also be avoided, along with fragrances, acetone, and preservatives.

Gut dysbiosis. An imbalance in gut bacteria and the skin can cause some cases of rosacea.² Because of this it is important to tend to your microbiome health. Our Balanced Gut Blend can help. More on this below.

Is rosacea an autoimmune condition?

If your rosacea is caused by the bacteria Bacillus oleronius or an overabundance of demodex, a microscopic skin mite⁴, your immune system may become dysregulated and attack healthy cells, which is an indicator of autoimmunity. Sometimes rosacea is due to an overactive immune system that is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which can cause also symptoms.^1<?sup>

Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Flares

There are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of a rosacea flare. These include keeping as cool as possible while exercising by drinking plenty of water, planning your workout for the coolest part of the day if outdoors, and taking cool showers after exertion. You can lessen the impact of cold and windy weather by using a heavy moisturizer to protect the skin and/or wearing a scarf that covers your face. In warm weather, always wear sunscreen. UV-protective clothing is helpful too. If you choose to wear makeup, it is important that it is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.

Reducing stress is always helpful to lower inflammation and reduce the risk of a flare. Try to put aside time each day to care for your mental, spiritual, and physical health.

A diet rich in fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics can go a long way in reducing inflammation and supporting gut health, which helps to ease symptoms. Focus on an anti-inflammatory diet that embraces a variety of fruits and vegetables; fatty fish such as salmon and sardines; and probiotic foods with active cultures (yogurt, kefir, miso, tempeh, etc.) to promote a healthy microbiome. See this post for additional suggestions.

Of course, avoiding alcohol and spicy foods is important too. Foods that contain cinnamaldehyde, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, chocolate, and cinnamon can be problematic. I highly recommend an elimination diet or IGG test to identify any food sensitivities or allergies as these may also aggravate rosacea.

Supportive Herbal Remedies

To encourage gut health and reduce inflammation, I formulated our powerfully effective Balanced Gut Blend. It contains concentrated extracts of the following:

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus): Lion’s mane helps to cool the inflammatory response and shield the lining of the stomach due to its antioxidant and gastroprotective properties. It also fortifies the digestive tract against H. pylori and gastric ulcers.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Aș a powerful anti-inflammatory, reishi is outstanding for calming inflammation, which in turn addresses leaky gut. What’s more, it also helps to regulate the immune system for those with autoimmune rosacea.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor): Another exceptional medical mushroom for gut health, turkey tail calms inflammation, balances the microbiome, and encourages the growth of “good” bacteria in the gut.

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra): A demulcent, this herb reduces gut inflammation by coating the digestive tract with a protective layer, allowing the gut time to regenerate.

Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis): An excellent herbal remedy for soothing the gut, marshmallow root forms a protective layer over the mucosal layer that allows damage to heal.

Recommended dosage: Take 2 dropperfuls 3x/day for a month, then 1-2x/day for maintenance.

For additional helpful tips, have a look at the detailed psoriasis and eczema protocol in my Holistic Guide to Wellness.

Topical Relief

To help calm inflammation, contract the blood vessels in the skin, and protect against cold and/or windy conditions, there is no better option than my All-Purpose (First Aid) Salve. This soothing balm is formulated with organic olive oil infused organic yarrow, arnica, calendula, plantain, and Balm of Gilead. It also contains beeswax and lavender essential oil, along with vitamin E.

Yarrow — Antibacterial and antifungal. Contains anti-inflammatory compounds that ease swelling and promote healing. Helps to heal open wounds, rashes, skin infections, and itching. Halts bleeding by contracting the blood vessels and encourages clotting.

Arnica — Anti-inflammatory. Excellent for bruises, pain, strains, sprains, and swelling.

Calendula — Reduces pain by soothing inflammation. Antifungal and antimicrobial. It encourages collagen production and curbs collagen degradation. Additionally, calendula softens the skins, supports cell rejuvenation, and reduces the appearance of scars. It prevents and heals dry skin, wrinkles, and photodamage. Soothes rashes and bites.

Plantain — Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, plantain is useful for swollen joints, sore muscles, sprains, rashes, as well as for insect bites and stings. It helps reduce infection, stop bleeding, and calms inflammation.

Balm of Gilead — Extracted from cottonwood buds. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and analgesic. Rich in salicylic acids for pain relief and to reduce swelling. Helps to heal sunburn, chapped lips, and cold sores.

It is my hope you have found these suggestions helpful. Whether you need to soothe your skin, calm autoimmunity, or balance digestion, we have the perfect solution for you in my apothecary. Don’t wait, visit us today and see for yourself!

Nicole Apelian

Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post

References

1. “Rosacea” Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12174-rosacea#symptoms-and-causes

2. Jarmuda, S., O’Reilly, N., Żaba, R., Jakubowicz, O., Szkaradkiewicz, A., & Kavanagh, K. (2012). Potential role of Demodex mites and bacteria in the induction of rosacea. Journal of medical microbiology, 61(Pt 11), 1504–1510. https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.048090-0

3. “What is Rosacea?” National Rosacea Society. https://www.rosacea.org/patients/materials/understanding-rosacea/what-is-rosacea

4. Forton F. M. (2012). Papulopustular rosacea, skin immunity and Demodex: pityriasis folliculorum as a missing link. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV, 26(1), 19–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2011.04310.x