Unfortunately, rosacea — a chronic inflammation skin condition — is one of the most common skin conditions out there. So if you experience this type of irritation and redness, just no you are not alone. In fact, an estimated 14 million people in America are known to have rosacea, so it is very common. Treating rosacea and understanding its causes are your best bet to recovery.

The inflammatory condition can causes redness and inflammation on the face, neck, and chest. It can be caused by genetics (someone in your family had rosacea), and in general, it’s more common in women than men, and usually begins in the early ’30s. And unfortunately, if you have a lighter complexion, you are more prone to show more redness than someone with a darker complexion.

What does rosacea look like?

Apart from the redness and puffiness than can occur on the cheeks, you might notice pimple-like bumps that might make you think you have acne. However, unlike acne, rosacea isn’t a direct result of the overproduction of oil or clogged pores. And sadly, you can experience both rosacea and acne at the same time.

It typically resembles a red rash and can include swelling, inflammation, bumps, and a burning sensation. Some people might also experience swollen eyelids or red vascular lines on eyes.

There are 4 different types of rosacea skin: Papulopustular, phymatous, ocular, and erythemtotelangiectatic.

How do you prevent and treat rosacea?

The regular blood vessels under the skin’s surface overcompensate and react to different triggers in rosacea-prone skin. For example, if you are sensitive to cold weather, sun exposure, spicy food, or too many cocktails at happy hour — you might see your face become red. Sure, you can brush it off, but the condition could potentially be rosacea.

Although rosacea has no one-and-done cure, seeing a dermatologist for a proper assessment and effective, customized treatment can go a long way in controlling the condition and providing a sense of relief.

In general, if you believe you have rosacea, try to avoid triggers like the sun, spicy foods, and alcohol to avoid flare-ups. And make sure you always wash your face with a mild, soap-free cleanser. Rinse with tepid and gently pat (never rub) your face dry. Moisturize morning and night to reduce irritation.

And since too much sun exposure can also cause a flare-up, make sure you are constantly strapped with sunscreen.

Lastly, when selecting skincare products to use, avoid formulas with alcohol, fragrance menthol, urea, lactic acid, glycolic acid, and sodium lauryl sulfate, as they will only cause more irritation.

Here’s how acne is different from rosacea, and most importantly, how to treat it.

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