What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterised by flare-ups, most often affecting the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead. It often appears as persistent redness that may come and go, and it usually starts after age 30.

While your doctor may recommend medication or other treatments, there are also steps you can take at home to reduce irritation and better support your skin.

Symptoms of Rosacea

If your face often looks like you're blushing, you have ongoing facial redness, or you develop acne-like bumps, rosacea may be part of the picture.

Other symptoms can include rough dry patches, burning or stinging, visible blood vessels, larger pores, swelling and eye-area irritation.

Common Triggers

Rosacea tends to be highly individual, but common triggers include hot baths, spicy food, alcohol, stress, extreme temperatures and wind. Some medications may also play a role for certain people.

How to Support Skin at Home

When skin is reactive, less is often more. Keep your routine simple, introduce products slowly and patch test new formulas before applying them all over your face.

Try to minimise friction when applying your skincare. Instead of rubbing with cotton pads or towels, gently press or pat products into the skin.

K-Beauty Ingredients to Look For

Ingredients with soothing, hydrating and skin-softening properties can be especially helpful for skin dealing with redness and sensitivity.

Some good ingredients to explore include green tea, snail mucin, aloe, bamboo, honey, royal jelly, propolis and Centella asiatica.

Ingredients to Avoid

Many people with rosacea find that certain ingredients make redness worse. Common triggers include alcohol, witch hazel, fragrance, menthol, peppermint and eucalyptus oil.

It can also help to avoid harsh exfoliators and strongly astringent products while your skin barrier is feeling compromised.

Products Mentioned

Cleanser: Subi Brightening Powder Cleanser

Toner: Purito Centella Unscented Toner, One Thing Mugwort Toner, One Thing Centella Toner

Essence: Dr Ceuracle Tea Tree Essence

Serum: Purito Unscented Centella Serum

Moisturisers: Illiyoon Ultra Repair Cream, Etude House Soon Jung Barrier Cream, Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream

Masks: Benton Centella Redness Mask, Benton Aloe Mask