Rosacea: Why is my face broken out? I am 54!
Today’s conversation about “I have Rosacea, what can I do?” is a post sponsored by Galderma Laboratories, L.P., the maker of Soolantra® Cream, on a rosacea treatment. I have rosacea and I know that many of my readers do as well and will find this information useful.
I have rosacea. It’s a condition that makes my peaches and cream complexion appear to have bumps, pimples and redness. While for me it comes and goes, rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that doesn’t go away without treatment. It’s really annoying as I have spent my entire life protecting my skin from the sun to keep it nice and reduce wrinkling…and now I have this skin condition that looks like acne (it’s not)!
Rosacea Stats*
- 1 in 20 Americans (16 million) are affected by rosacea (wow, that’s 5%!)
- Many rosacea suffers feel low self-esteem (75%) and embarrassment (70%)
- Nearly half (49%) of rosacea sufferers think they have acne (get diagnosed!)
- Even professional interactions can be affected, 60% of those surveyed agreed
* Stats gathered from the National Rosacea Society (NRS) and Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
Rosacea Triggers
- Sun Exposure: Make sure to wear your sunscreen (at least 30 SPF). I found that long rides in a car, with the sun beating on one side of my face, really leads to rosacea flare-ups.
- Certain Foods: Common ones include red wine, spicy food, hot liquids, cheese, and chocolate. (I haven’t found that food triggers my rosacea necessarily but on the other hand maybe I just don’t want to give up red wine, cheese or chocolate! Keep a food journal to figure out what food triggers you may have.)
- Skin Care Products: (I found this one to be a big one for me.) Avoid scrubs and products with too many ingredients (this was a surprise!). Products with alcohol, witch hazel, fragrances, and mint oils are irritants for many people with rosacea. Wash your face with an alcohol- and fragrance-free cleanser, rinse with lukewarm water, and blot dry with a soft cotton towel
- Family History: If you have rosacea, it is a high likelihood that other members of your family do as well. While anyone can get rosacea, those with fair, peaches and cream skin and from Eastern or Northern European descent tend to be more likely to have rosacea (I am all of these)
- Weather and Temperature: Both hot and cold, can be a rosacea trigger when it comes to weather, fire, and water temperatures (Yes, I notice this especially with cold!)
- Exercise
- Stress
- Demodex: Everyone has Demodex mites on their face (EWWWW!) Researchers believe that Demodex appear in greater numbers on the faces of people with rosacea.
I have rosacea, what can I do?
One thing I am doing is considering my rosacea triggers and work to control the triggers that I can.
Another thing that I am going to start doing is stop just CONCEALING my rosacea with makeup and start trying to HEAL my rosacea. I am excited about asking my dermatologist about trying a FDA-approved topical treatment that I can use once daily called Soolantra® (ivermectin) Cream, 1%. It is formulated to provide treatment of the bumps and pimples of rosacea, and for many is a powerful tool to fight this annoying condition.
These before and after photos from the were motivating for me and got me excited to ask my dermatologist if I could give Soolantra Cream a try:
While the mechanism of action of Soolantra Cream is unknown, ivermectin, the active ingredient in , has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic properties. With Soolantra Cream’s unique approach, the anti-parasitic qualities of ivermectin may be linked to the death of Demodex mites, which are thought to play a role in rosacea-related skin inflammation.
Do you suffer from rosacea too?
Download the Soolantra Cream Savings Card and get instant savings on your prescription and refills. And while you’re there, also grab the Patient Toolkit: printable rosacea trigger info and a discussion guide to take with you to your appointment.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Galderma Laboratories, L.P., the maker of Soolantra® Cream.
Important Safety Information
Indication: SOOLANTRA® (ivermectin) Cream, 1% is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea. Adverse Events: In clinical trials with SOOLANTRA Cream, the most common adverse reactions (incidence ≤ 1 %) included skin burning sensation and skin irritation. Warnings/Precautions: Not for oral, ophthalmic or intravaginal use.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit WWW.FDA.GOV/MEDWATCH or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
I’m lucky that I just have wrinkles and not rosacea.
This really looks like a painful condition. The cream would probably help.
Wow it works so good. I’ll have to recommend this to my friend.
My daughter has rosacea and it is so frustrating. Those photos show a huge difference between weeks one and twelve. I think we need to talk to your dermatologist about this too!
I don’t suffer from rosacea but I do have all around awful skin on my face!! I can totally sympathize with those with chronic conditions everyone can see!! Im sure all the great tips are so helpful!!
The cream sounds great.
I too have rosacea I have been trying to control the triggers, it’s good to know there is something on the market now that well help.
Thank you for sharing. I know someone who has this and this article gave her some ideas.
I’ve had rosacea for years. Definitely invest in a good primer and a full coverage foundation.
My girlfriend from home has rosacea. She has found products that work for her. I hope this works for you.
I had no idea there were so many possible triggers for rosacea! It sounds like a difficult and annoying condition to deal with. I’m amazed at the before and after pictures when using Soolantra Cream. I’m glad there is something you can use that works so well. 🙂
I suffer from a skin condition as well and it always flairs up at the most inopportune times. Therefore I know in part stress is one of my triggers. This looks like a wonderful approach on helping to control the rosacea symptoms.
It’s good to know some of the causes of rosacea. Thanks for the information.
The Soolantra cream seems like it can help with rosacea. I know my mom has a bit of rosacea and I think I might too.
Great tips. I guess I lucked out with all these 1 million freckles because they cover a bunch lol. I will pass this on to my friend with rosacea!
It’s funny, my father likes to bring up Demodex every now and then as one of those ‘did you know’ marvels; yup I know. But I didn’t know that people with Rosacea tend to have more! One of my best friends since HS has Rosacea and it is particularly noticeable when she is anxious or in new situations. I’ll have to send her this helpful article!
Thankfully I do not have this Problem with my Face!! However for someone who does this Product sounds awesome..Soolantra Cream is a product that I would definitely try. Sounds miraculous! Thankyou for sharing this Important Information.
I have a very mild form of rosacea that has flared once and every once in a while I have small patches that flare…I had no idea it was due to foods or the environment, although I should have known.
I have a friend who is in their 50’s that has rosacea. It’s definitely worse when the weather changes. I didn’t know foods could cause flareups too!
I hate having rosacea. When your hair turns white it makes your cheeks look even rosier.