All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Rosacea is one of the most common skin conditions treated by dermatologists, and despite appearances, it's much more than just a flushed face. Other symptoms of rosacea can masquerade under the guise of other common conditions, including skin allergies. What's more, while there are a number of different treatment options, every case of rosacea is unique.
That said, it always pays off to know and understand all the facts. Here, experts break down everything you need to know about rosacea, including the most common (and uncommon) symptoms, potential triggers, suspected underlying causes, and the best treatment options.
Symptoms, treatment options, and personal experiences for various physical, mental, and health conditions and concerns.
What are the symptoms of rosacea?
"Rosacea represents a group of related characteristics, and different individuals may have different combinations of symptoms," explains board-certified dermatologist Daniel Belkin of Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York City.
The most common, and perhaps noticeable, symptom of rosacea is facial redness, acne-like breakouts, and the appearance of broken blood vessels on the skin. "These are not really broken, but they are small visible blood vessels close to the surface of the skin," Belkin explains.
Other, less common symptoms typically present as pimples on and around the nose, inflammation, and swelling of the eye and eyelid area. "Swelling of [the] face and eyelids, stinging, itching, [and a] burning sensation on the skin," can also be traits of rosacea, according to Sapna Palep, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. These symptoms, she says, are "often mistaken for acne, eczema, or a skin allergy."
In more severe cases, and more commonly seen in men, the skin around the nose can thicken and become permanently red and bulbous-shaped.
What causes rosacea?
As with many other skin conditions, the causes of rosacea, unfortunately, aren't yet fully understood, although "it may be a combination of hereditary and environmental factors," Palep says. "You are more likely to develop rosacea if you have a family history of the condition, or if you have Celtic or Scandinavian ancestors. Women are also more likely to develop the condition than men, however, men who develop the condition often have more severe symptoms."
That said, rosacea is more common in people who are fair-skinned or with blonde hair and blue eyes, although it can occur in any skin type and tone.
Other possible causal factors include "ultraviolet radiation and [an] increase [in] the normal skin microbes compared with non-affected individuals," explains Deirdre Connolly, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
And according to Palep, rosacea usually develops later in life and is most common in people between the ages of 30 and 50.
What triggers rosacea?
Although the underlying causes of the condition aren't totally clear, certain triggers that exacerbate symptoms are well-known, though they differ from person to person. Palep says the most common culprits include eating spicy foods and foods that contain a compound called cinnamaldehyde (found in cinnamon, chocolate, tomatoes, and citrus), drinking hot beverages and alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and unprotected exposure to UV rays.
Even stepping outside when the weather is extremely hot or cold, or experiencing general feelings of stress, can be enough to trigger an onset of facial redness or an acne-like breakout.
"Those with rosacea are also more sensitive to irritation from topical products," Belkin explains. Though topical ingredient sensitivities also vary from case to case, common irritants for those with rosacea include alcohol, fragrance, glycolic and lactic acids, and sodium lauryl sulfate, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
On the flip side, those with rosacea often benefit from using gentle and mild (oil-free and non-comedogenic) facial cleansers and moisturizers, and a mineral-based sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher, on a daily basis.
Whatever the trigger, for those who have rosacea, "the immune system reacts to a normal facial environment and blood vessels dilate more easily than usual," Belkin says. "These dilated blood vessels are either a response to, or a cause of, increased inflammation."
How common is rosacea?
Simply put, "rosacea is one of the most common conditions dermatologists encounter in daily practice," Connolly says. "[It] is one of the top five most commonly diagnosed and treated rashes by dermatologists."
Although current statistics indicate that around 16 million Americans have rosacea, Palep estimates that this number is probably much higher in reality "because it goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as something else," What's more, although it is most common in lighter skin types, it does occur in all skin types and tones, although darker skin types can be "trickier to identify," Palep says.
What are the treatment options for rosacea?
Rosacea treatment plans depend largely on the type and severity of symptoms. "For patients who suffer from flushing, persistent redness and prominent blood vessels, symptoms can be temporarily relieved by topical creams [or] lasers offer a more permanent solution," Connolly explains.
- FragranceBella Hadid’s Big New Life In Texas
A variety of different topicals are used to help treat rosacea, including azelaic acid and topical antibiotics. "For patients who experience bumps of the central face, topical antimicrobials can help in mild cases and oral antibiotics can offer relief in more severe cases," Connolly says. "In both cases, sun protection is critical as it can exacerbate rosacea."
For the most extreme (although rare) cases, specifically wherein the nose because red and bulbous-shaped, surgical intervention is often needed in order to reshape the nose. For eye-based symptoms, such as swelling, redness, and general irritation, over-the-counter and prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops and artificial tears may alleviate symptoms.
One of the most rosacea-friendly over-the-counter ingredients to look out for include sulfur, which "helps calm the skin from the irritation and inflammation that takes place in rosacea," explains Nava Greenfeld, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "I also love azelaic acid, which acts as an antibacterial agent, [since bacteria] is thought to play a role in the disease development." We like Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster, which can be used as a spot treatment for redness, breakouts, and dark spots.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
More on rosacea:
- Drinking Coffee May Reduce Rosacea Symptoms, New Study Says
- How to Wear Blush If You Have Rosacea
- How to Tell If Your Bloodshot Eyes Are Actually Ocular Rosacea
Now, see how skin care has evolved over the last 100 years:
You can follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.
