Skincare For Rosacea: Treatment & Triggers

Monderma

Oliver Belcher

07 Jan 2025

Affects 1.65% of UK adults, causing redness
Four types: redness, bumps, thickening, eye issues
Triggers include heat, sun, stress & spicy food
Topicals with azelaic acid & ivermectin help
Use gentle skincare, SPF 30+, & avoid triggers

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting around 1.65% of people in the UK [1,9] and over 5% globally [4]. It commonly appears after age 30 and presents with facial redness, visible blood vessels, irritation, and sometimes acne-like bumps [2].

This guide explores rosacea symptoms, triggers, and treatments including dermatologist-supervised skincare to help manage flare-ups safely and effectively.

Understanding The Types Of Rosacea

Rosacea has four recognised subtypes, often overlapping and evolving over time [10].

Subtype	Description & Effects	Prevalence	Common Areas
Erythematotelangiectatic	Redness, visible vessels, and burning	57% [3]	Nose, cheeks, chin
Papulopustular	Redness with acne-like bumps (no blackheads)	43% [3]	Forehead, cheeks, chin
Phymatous	Thickened, bumpy skin (often on the nose)	7% [3]	Nose, ears
Ocular	Eye dryness, burning, and irritation	11% [3]	Eyes, eyelids

Table 1: Common rosacea subtypes and prevalence

Subtypes can co-exist or shift over time, requiring professional evaluation for tailored care.

Common Triggers Of Rosacea

Flare-ups are highly individual, but several common triggers frequently worsen redness and irritation [5,6].

Trigger	Effect On Skin	Prevalence	Management Tip
Sun Exposure	UV rays dilate blood vessels and damage skin barrier	81% [6]	Apply SPF 30+ mineral sunscreen daily [7]
Stress	Releases inflammatory neuropeptides	79% [6]	Use mindfulness or relaxation exercises [5]
Extreme Weather	Heat or wind aggravates flushing	75% hot / 46% cold [6]	Layer clothing & protect face outdoors
Alcohol	Expands blood vessels, increasing redness	52% [6]	Limit red wine and strong spirits [5]
Exercise	Raises body temperature and facial flushing	56% [6]	Cool skin, hydrate, apply SPF if outdoors
Spicy Food	Capsaicin widens vessels and triggers burning	45% [6]	Choose mild flavours [5]
Hot Drinks	Heat triggers flushing	36% [1]	Try iced versions
Harsh Skincare	Fragrance or alcohol increases sensitivity	41% [6]	Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers [5]

Table 2: Common rosacea triggers and management strategies

Tracking triggers with a healthcare professional helps refine personalised management plans.

Diagnosing Rosacea

Diagnosis is clinical and based on visible redness, vascular changes, and inflammation in the absence of blackheads. According to NHS guidance, assessment includes evaluating severity and identifying aggravating factors [7].

Monderma’s clinicians review photographs or video consultations to confirm type and recommend suitable prescription skincare.

Effective Rosacea Treatments

Evidence-Based Ingredients

Topical therapies help calm inflammation, reduce redness, and improve barrier function.

Ingredient	Strength	What It Is	How It Helps Rosacea
Azelaic Acid	3–20%	Dicarboxylic acid from grains	Calms inflammation & reduces redness [7]
Niacinamide	2–4%	Vitamin B3 derivative	Strengthens barrier & reduces sensitivity
Ivermectin	1%	Antiparasitic compound	Targets Demodex mites linked to rosacea [13]

Table 3: Common Prescription Actives For Rosacea Management

Combination formulas prescribed by a healthcare professional can address both inflammation and microbial imbalance.

Prescription Formulations

Monderma offers dermatologist-directed treatments containing medical-grade actives such as azelaic acid, niacinamide, and ivermectin. These ingredients target redness, strengthen skin resilience, and reduce mite-related irritation.

Managing Complications

Without management, rosacea can lead to persistent redness, thickened skin, or eye complications. Around 20% of advanced cases involve ocular symptoms such as dryness or discomfort [8,9,12].

Psychological impacts are also common, highlighting the importance of early, compassionate treatment and ongoing support.

Practical Skincare Tips For Rosacea

Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers twice daily.
Apply prescribed rosacea cream as directed by your clinician.
Always wear SPF 30+ mineral sunscreen, even on cloudy days [7].
Avoid alcohol-based or exfoliating products [6,11].
Keep a trigger diary to monitor food, weather, or stress patterns.
Stay consistent and review progress regularly with a healthcare professional.

Conclusion

Rosacea management combines identifying triggers, using gentle skincare, and applying targeted prescription treatments. With consistent SPF use, avoidance of irritants, and professional guidance, most people achieve noticeable improvement in redness and comfort.

For expert-led rosacea care, complete a free consultation with Monderma today and share this article to help others better understand rosacea management.

Content is for informational purposes only. Monderma treatments are prescribed following consultation. Results and timeframes can vary. Use as directed by your prescriber.

Bibliography

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National Rosacea Society. Rosacea Triggers Survey. Accessed July 2025.
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NICE. Rosacea: Management. Clinical Knowledge Summaries, 2023.