Credit: Rosacea skincare
5 min read
I saw a leading skin specialist about my rosacea, and these are the four failsafe steps she says will improve my symptoms and my skin in the long-term.
For celebrities and those in the know, Debbie Thomas, founder of the award-winning D.Thomas clinic, is the go-to person when it comes to rosacea treatment. Dubbed the ‘skin whisperer’ and known for her transformative results, she talks to Stylist about the four skincare steps that are guaranteed to improve rosacea skin.
Thomas says: “My top ingredients are ceramides for barrier support and azelaic acid to help with the rosacea symptoms. Both should be used consistently to manage and prevent flare-ups but if we are talking about a full skincare routine, there are really four things that together will make a big difference.”
1. Ceramides
Using ceramides will help to restore your barrier and keep your skin healthy and functional. “Opt for a lighter lotion or gel formulation,” says Thomas. “Even better if it contains other lipid-based ingredients or hyaluronic acid for more complete hydration. La Roche-Posay and Cerave both have several options in terms of consistency, so go lightweight. You want to avoid very rich products that then exacerbate rosacea symptoms. Byonik Supreme Seal gel contains the maximum amount of ceramides in a super-lightweight formulation. And there’s Tebiskin, which you’ll need to get via a skin clinic, but this is good as you’ll get advice with your purchase.”
2. Anti-redness serum
An anti-redness serum will reduce the redness of rosacea. ”SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective, £72, for example, is amazing as it contains very potent ingredients. Medik8 Calmwise Serum, £36, and Calmwise Cream, £49, are both good for redness.”
3. SPF
SPF is essential to protect skin from weather and pollution. UV rays are a known trigger for rosacea so SPF will help to mitigate the effect of that. Thomas adds: “A well-formulated SPF will also protect your skin from pollution, which in addition to extreme weather can be a cause of broken blood vessels on your face. These vessels can then increase the sensitivity of the skin which can exacerbate symptoms of rosacea. Always remove SPF at the end of the day. A minimum of SPF30 is fine in winter but use 50 in summer and don’t forget to reapply for all-day protection.”
4. Azelaic acid
A mild but effective chemical exfoliant, azelaic acid has enzymes in it that help to reduce congestion and even out skin texture. More importantly for rosacea, it is a natural anti-inflammatory so it’s beneficial in calming the skin when used correctly. Thomas adds: “Azelaic acid will target blemishes and uneven skin texture by speeding up skin cell turnover, brightening the skin and clearing blocked pores. With azelaic acid, look for 15-20% strength, but start out using every second night. If your skin tolerates it well, try every night. Some people can build up to twice a day. If at any point if it feels too much, just reduce frequency the rather than stopping (unless you’re experiencing strong irritation).”
Recommended products
Curél Deep Moisture Spray
This ultra-fine mist with ceramides can be applied throughout the day for instant hydration. Tiny refined micro-ceramide particles penetrate deeply into the skin to effectively improve skin’s moisture level.
Synchrorose Intensive SPF30
This SPF is medically licensed to treat rosacea with MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane) to inhibit the release of inflammatory skin chemicals, now combined with the unique patented ingredient 4-t-butylcyclohexanol which short circuits nerve triggered reddening events, which includes reducing the impact of nerve stimuli triggered by diet and hormonal issues.
Shop Synchrorose Intensive SPF30, £30 (available via skin clinics or on prescription)
Dermatica Azelaic Acid
A strong (20%) azelaic acid that will gently exfoliate your skin and quickly improve its appearance.
Byonik Supreme Seal Gel
This moisturising gel is packed full of ceramides in a lightweight formulation, making it deeply moisturising with instant effect.
Shop Byonik Supreme Seal Gel at Andy Millward, £56 (available via skin clinics or on prescription)
Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream
Curél is Japan’s leading skincare brand for sensitive skin, designed specifically to replenish, protect and hydrate. This lightweight, pH-balanced moisturiser is fragrance-, colourant- and alcohol-free and contains replenishing ceramides for optimal moisture.
Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream
This calming, hydrating and nourishing moisturiser contains ceramides and peptides.
Shop Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream at John Lewis, £69
Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Redness Relief Serum
This fast-acting white mushroom-powered serum strengthens the skin barrier and is clinically proven to reduce redness after just 30 minutes, while soothing symptoms such as dryness, discomfort and burning sensations in seven days.
Shop REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Redness Relief Serum at Boots, £50
La Roche Posay Anthelios UV 400 SPF50
La Roche Posay Anthelios UV400 SPF50 with its broad spectrum protection is a great everyday SPF.
Shop at La Roche Posay Anthelios UV 400 SPF 50, £19.90 at Boots
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque
Formulated with hyaluronic acid and dipeptide this calming mask cools on contact with skin for an instant calming effect – it will hydrate and soothe too.
SkinCeuticals Phyto Correct Mist
Formulated with a high concentration of botanical extracts and moisturising agents, this award-winning mist hydrates and soothes skin while helping to repair the skin barrier function.
Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
Specially formulated with a proprietary derma-fusion of ceramides, this smooth, nourishing cream helps strengthen skin’s moisture barrier to defend against moisture loss.
Skinstitut 1% Hyaluronic Complex Serum
This lightweight gel serum will nourish and hydrate while protecting the skin barrier with immediate and long-lasting hydration. Great for dehydrated rosacea skin.
Dermatica Ceramide Skin Balm
Apply a thin layer of this targeted barrier balm on dry, irritated or flaky skin patches. It contains ceramides to help restore a compromised skin barrier while creating a physical barrier between your skin and the environment and locking in moisture.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension
Azelaic acid brightens the skin, improves skin texture and reduces the look of blemishes. This 10% concentration formula is high-purity azelaic acid in a lightweight cream-gel system.
Skin+Me Broad-Spectrum SPF
The best sunscreen offers broad-spectrum UV protection (UVA and UVB protection) with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Daily Defence has all that and more - with skin-loving ingredients like vitamin E and niacinamide to soothing, softening and nourish as it protects.
Cerave moisturising lotion with ceramides
Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe’s Facial Moisturising Lotion is a daily lightweight cream with three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II), MVE technology for instant and long-lasting hydration and hyaluronic acid to retain the skin’s natural moisture.
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