Rosacea is more common than you’d think. It’s thanks to advances in make-up, that we often remain unaware when someone is suffering from this skin condition. It’s only when we see their bare skin that we notice. Even then, it can often be mistaken for other skin problems, including acne.
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is typically characterised by redness (blushing) or red patches across the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin. The redness can be caused by tiny, visible, broken or swollen blood vessels on the skin, or it can take the form of smallish, red or pink pus-filled bumps. There can also be a stinging or burning sensation when using water or skincare products. Skin might also feel hot to the touch or tender and symptoms can flare up periodically or remain on a permanent basis.
Rosacea can sometimes affect the eye area too, leading to Ocular Rosacea. This can be quite uncomfortable as it can make the eyes dry, irritated and swollen. Over time, rosacea can also thicken the skin on the nose, with the result that it can look quite bulbous. This symptom tends to occur more in men than women.
What Causes Rosacea?
Rosacea can affect anyone, but strangely in this day and age, the exact root cause isn’t known. It’s likely to be a combination of hereditary and environmental factors though. Another interesting observation is that it’s more prevalent in middle-aged women with light skin. It’s thought that there are some risk factors like smoking and sun damaged skin that increase the likelihood of suffering from rosacea too.
There are also certain triggers that can make rosacea worse, which include:
- Alcohol
- Spicy Foods
- Cheese
- Caffeine
- Hot Drinks
- Aerobic exercise
How to Treat Rosacea
The Obagi Repair Foundation Kit is a good and affordable option to tackle redness and inflammation as a result of Rosacea. The Obagi Nu-Derm® Gentle Cleanser is suitable for sensitive skin, and helps clear impurities; it is gentle on skin and its formula includes components derived from natural ingredients. The Obagi Hydrate® is the perfect moisturising product for those who suffer from Rosacea flare-ups, as it provides instant hydration that lasts up to 8h, thanks to Hydromanil™ technology. Those who experience Rosacea-related symptoms will appreciate the UVA and UVB protection that the Obagi Sun Shield Matte™ Broad Spectrum SPF 50 provides.
Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® System is a highly effective, comprehensive skincare system, available in Normal-Dry and Normal-Oily that helps with acne-prone skin, hyperpigmentation, rosacea and minimise tell-tale signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles. Hero ingredient, 7% Arbutin, is a natural and effective skin-brightening agent included in both Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® Systems. Packed with antioxidants and exfoliants, this comprehensive skin system has everything you need to target your skin concerns and unleash your skin’s full potential. For optimal results, try the Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® Kit – Normal-Dry.
Alternatively, here are our top recommendations for Obagi® rosacea-targeted products.
Obagi Professional-C®Serum 10%
This is the perfect serum for rosacea sufferers as it has been formulated for sensitive, dry or irritated skin. It’s a gentle yet rich concentration containing 10% L-ascorbic Acid. This formula immediately penetrates the skin, providing antioxidant protection and instant radiance.
Obagi Hydrate®
Rosacea can make skin dry in some instances so it’s vital to keep skin well-nourished and hydrated.
Hydromanil™, an advanced ingredient used within Obagi Hydrate® is the key to this hydrator’s longer-lasting hydration. Derived from the Tara Seed, which retains water, Hydromanil™, molecules form a matrix on the skin’s surface. The benefit of this is that they remain on the cells for longer than normal. So not only do they instantly nourish skin, but they also prevent further water loss and gradually deliver even more nourishment from active compounds over the course of the day.
Other enriching natural ingredients within this formulation include Shea Butter, Mango Butter and Avocado Oil. It’s hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and suitable for all skin types making it the ideal moisturiser for anyone suffering the effects of rosacea.
For more tailored products for rosacea, check out our skin goals page dedicated to rosacea.