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.
Okay, the fact that everyone has mites on their face is nasty…thanks for that 😉 I have rosacea but have been lucky not to have the associated acne. Instead mine is just the coloration. I didn’t know that foods and such are a trigger. I will try some of these things.
My daughter-in-law has this.
Great post. A lot of people have rosacea and these are some good tips. 🙂
Thankyou for this post I am going to recommend it to a friend of mine’s mother whom has rosacea
That’s no fun! I hate that I still get acne and I’m 40! We should have smooth, creamy skin after this many years. 🙂
I have Rosacea and choose to have a laser procedure done which worked so well I was shocked to see the outcome. I have a little swelling around the eyes after for a week and now my skin looks great.
My doctor said she believes I have slight Rosacea. I am going to mention this to her when I have a visit!
I didn’t realize Rosacea was that common of a problem for people, but it’s nice to know that there is a product out there that helps.
I have a friend that suffers from this. I do not think she knows about the triggers so will share your post with her.
I do. I have not heard of this cream. I have mostly just been told that is it “harmless.” I use green tint under concealing foundation. I am going to ask about Soolantra.
It must work…I have never noticed it on you and you always look lovely! Just had to say Happy New Year as well…may 2016 be very special!
My thoughts for you exactly Pam. May your New Year be blessed! Luckily I use Bare Minerals makeup. The redness is definitely there
My mom’s friend sadly has rosascea! I think that I will have to share this with her! Thank you for the tips on preventing flares!
I GOT THE SKIP GEEN HOWEVER IT DOES RUN RAMPANT IN MY FAMILY ON DADS SIDE BOTH AUNTIES ALL COUSINS AND THEIR KIDS MY Sister HER KIDS NOT ME OR WELL MY SON AND YOUNGER DAUGHTER HAVE IT BUT TIS’ NOT DR. MATERIAL LIKE THE REST OF THE FAMILY TIS LIGHT ALREADY ONLY KINDA SHOWS WHEN IN SUN FOR LONG TIME BUT THEN MOST JUST THINK ITS THE SUN MY FAMILY SAYS IT IS IRRITATING MY TWO SAY NO GO FIGURE I REALLY DON’T UNDERSTAND GENETICS ??!!?
WOW! amazing how well this solantra cream works for rosacea, I have a friend that has this
and often she feels shameful because of the way her face is, I told her its not her fault and she needs to keep trying creams until she finds one that works for her, I will have to let her know about this one, thanks.@tisonlyme43
Rosacea is so common and most people I talk to are treating it harshly to try to get rid of it, of course making it worse.
My mom has this also. I hadn’t heard of this cream. I will share it with her and maybe she can talk to her doctor about it.
Yes rosacea can make you feel embarrassed and self conscience around other people . My face get a bit like this to but its just from old age and my one medication I take. But thanks for the information it is very helpful
I do too but I have never tried anything except for some basic lotions. I need to try this, I’m sure it will help!
Interesting. I never realized acne and rosacea could be confused. You are so right to suggest getting proper diagnosis so one can know how to treat it properly.
I also have rosacea and after during a lot of research I found that they believe it is caused by small mites or bacteria. Nothing you can really do unfortunately.