Did you know that April is considered Rosacea Month?
If you or someone you know suffers from Rosacea, you know how difficult it can be to manage it. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this skin condition, it is characterized by redness on the face, small dilated blood vessels, pustules and swelling. Rosacea affects all ages and more than 3 million people in Canada alone.
It is not known what causes rosacea, and there is currently no cure. There are, however, products that can help manage this condition over time. We asked our Holistic Aesthetician Jordanna to share the products she recommends to her clients for calming rosacea-prone skin.
I always tell my clients to look at their lifestyle habits; do certain foods create more redness and sensitivity (red wine, spicy food, diary, sugar, etc.)? Hot showers and saunas can also trigger rosacea.
For people with a compromised skin barrier, skin care should be gentle and soothing to calm down the inflammation. Face washing should be done outside of the shower using a sensitive skin cloth and tepid water. When washing your face in the shower, the pressure is often too hard and the temperature too hot!
Here are some products I recommend to promote a healthy skin barrier, overtime strengthening the skin and creating skin longevity.
CLEANSERS
The first step is the most important one, cleansing the skin. Look for cleansers that are gentle and hydrating, this will balance the PH of the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Tata Harper’s SuperKind Softening Cleanser has a soothing effect and leaves the skin hydrated and calm. This cleanser can be used morning and night to jump start your skincare routine.
TONER/ESSENCE/MIST
One of the most common questions I get is, “do I need to use a toner (aka essence, mist, tonic, etc.)?” ABSOLUTELY! A toner will once balance your PH (so you’re not too acidic and too alkaline) and prepare the skin to receive the following products and keep them locked in. Pai Skincare’s Century Flower Lotus & Hyaluronic Acid Barrier Support Mist is a best seller amongst those with sensitive skin and even those without. The smell is subtle and fresh, this product helps calm and hydrate post-cleanse.
EXFOLIANTS
Most people who have rosacea are too sensitive for a physical exfoliant (scrubs), which is why I recommend opting for a chemical one. When looking for chemical exfoliants, it is better to use ones that contain AHAs to help renew and regenerate the skin. Tata Harper SuperKind Radiance Mask is a mask that exfoliates the skin gently, once again helping strengthen the skin barrier. You can use this product twice a week to see a noticeable difference in reduced redness and overall glow.
OILS
Using oils on the skin is highly recommended to help balance your skin’s oil production. Whether you’re dry, oily or dehydrated, there is a face oil for you. The Light Fantastic by Pai Skincare is a morning and night time oil made with ceramides to help strengthen the skin. This light odourless oil is best for sensitive and reactive skin, making it a must as your last step in your routine.
SUNSCREEN
As previously mentioned, sun exposure can trigger rosacea. Everyone needs to be using a good sunscreen, no matter where you live or what time of year it is. Colorescience’s All Calm SPF 50 is a great way to treat the rosacea, balance complexion and protect the skin from environmental damage. For those who are looking for a lighter transparent sunscreen, try Coola’s Fragrance Free Classic Face SPF 50.
TREATMENTS
Tata Harper’s SuperKind facial is specifically created for those with rosacea and sensitive skin. During the treatment, we use the entire Tata Harper Superkind line, reflexology and gua sha spoon lymphatic draining massage to bring life back to the skin.
Shop this rosacea skincare routine online at etiket.ca or stop by the store!
