An uninvited guest who likes to turn up unannounced and leave its mark (literally), rosacea is more than just a fleeting flush. A chronic skin condition that can feel unpredictable and, at times, frustrating, from persistent redness to sensitivity and flare-ups, managing rosacea requires a thoughtful approach tailored to your skin's unique needs.
A condition that’s as complex as it is common, treating its symptoms and triggers doesn’t have to be.
With a little TLC, some expert advice, and the right approach, you can keep your skin calm, cool, and collected.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face, causing redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes small, pus-filled bumps.
Often appearing on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin and can be mistaken for acne or an allergic reaction. While rosacea can affect anyone, it’s most common in people with fair skin and often begins after age 30.
What are the symptoms of rosacea?
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A flushed appearance, with redness (often mistaken for blushing) across the cheeks and nose
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Visible blood vessels (telangiectasia).
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Acne-like breakouts.
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Thickened, textured skin, particularly around the nose.
It can appear in cycles, with flare-ups triggered by environmental, lifestyle, or dietary factors.
What causes rosacea?
While the exact root cause of rosacea is unknown, both genetic and environmental factors come into play. From our genetics, diet and gut microbiome to UV exposure and everyday stressors of life, it varies from person to person. So understanding your individual triggers is key. Common culprits include:
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Sun Exposure: UV rays are a top trigger, so wearing SPF daily is crucial.
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Hot or Spicy Foods: These can dilate blood vessels, intensifying redness.
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Stress: Emotional stress often exacerbates rosacea.
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Alcohol: Particularly red wine, can cause flare-ups.
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Extreme Temperatures: Both hot and cold weather, aggressive wind and humidity can aggravate the skin.
How do you treat rosacea?
For most, rosacea is not a skin concern you can particularly treat, rather it is, one you can manage. With a considered combination of topical, oral and professional-grade quality treatments and ingredients, you can manage its triggers and reduce its overall appearance and severity.
The best at-home care for rosacea
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Adopt a Gentle Skincare Routine:
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Use products free from alcohol, fragrance, and harsh exfoliants.
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Look for ingredients like niacinamide, azelaic acid, and ceramides to calm and repair the skin barrier.
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Always Wear Sunscreen:
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Opt for a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ formulated for sensitive skin. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are often best.
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Use a cool compress:
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Keeping a cool washer close by and icing your face can help reduce inflammation and redness
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Keep a Trigger Journal:
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Tracking your diet, skincare, and identifying the particular behaviours and patterns that trigger a flare-up will help reduce its occurrence.
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Lifestyle Adjustments:
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Practice stress management techniques like meditation or yoga and drinking herbal teas.
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Avoid prolonged exposure to heat sources such as saunas or hot showers.
The best salon treatments for rosacea
While at-home care is vital, professional treatments can offer significant improvements. Some of our favourite treatments to help treat Rosacea:
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Red or near-infrared light helps calm inflammation and reduce the appearance of redness. Adding a weekly appointment into your routine will help dramatically reduce the symptoms of rosacea.
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The all new restorative facial from Circadia is ideal for treating rosacea as it infuses the skin with oxygen to help reduce redness and soothe any irritation.
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By incorporating regular, gentle exfoliating treatments it can help encourage skin cell renewal by resurfacing the skin and improving tone and texture. Particularly those with the use of natural enzymes, they’ll be less aggressive on the skin and can help avoid causing further irritation.
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An incredible treatment that helps target sun damage, visible blood vessels and redness, a series of IPL treatments will seriously improve the skin for a brighter, more even complexion
What are the best products to treat rosacea?
When it comes to the best products that help treat rosacea, it’s important to look for those that will help calm any redness and inflammation and soothe sensitive and irritated skin.
Some of our favourites we recommend, also available in-salon and online, include:
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Circadia Rose-Ease Relief Cream 50ml - Lightweight and rich in hydration, it has incredibly soothing, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory ingredients to help support any barrier and moisture repair.
Fun fact: This particular cream is designed to kill the mite that is thought to be the known cause of rosacea. It's thought that it’s actually the faeces from this mite that is the cause. -
Circadia Tranquili-Cream - 59ml - Specifically designed for those with sensitive skin, this one is ideal for those experiencing any itching and irritation, offering an instant calming effect with its plant and sea whip extracts.
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Vanessa Megan - Calendula Moisture Face Cream - For those with severely dehydrated skin, this is a great natural moisturiser to add to your everyday skincare routine to help soothe and hydrate the skin.
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Circadia - Aloe Calendula Calming mist - 118ml - a particularly handy one to have in your handbag and use on the go, its potent aloe and marine extract ingredients will instantly calm any potential flare-ups and soothe the skin.
When to see a Dermatologist?
For severe rosacea or cases that don’t improve with skincare and professional treatments, the next step would be to consult with a dermatologist. Sometimes for the more serious cases, prescription options like topical or oral antibiotics and medications may be required to help keep symptoms and triggers at bay.
While rosacea can be a challenging condition to manage, there are many ways to calm and care for your skin. By understanding your triggers, adopting a tailored skincare routine, and seeking professional help, you can achieve a more balanced complexion and feel confident in your skin again.
Book your Oxygen RX treatment now!