Step 1
Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap before you begin any skin-care routine. This is good advice for everyone, not just those with rosacea. Oil and dirt on your skin can further irritate sensitive skin.
Step 2
Apply topical medications as prescribed by your doctor. The first step in caring for skin when you have rosacea is to calm the inflammation that's making you burn, sting and turn red at the drop of a hat. Prescription steroid or antibiotics are effective and will still work even after long-term use.
Step 3
Choose unscented, alcohol-free cosmetic products and makeup. It's hard to resist the yummy-smelling body washes and moisturizing lotions that crowd drugstore shelves. But be aware that the chemicals that create the scents and the alcohol that dries oily skin can be a common trigger for rosacea patients. Stick to plain and simple and your skin will thank you later.
Step 4
Overexposure to the sun damages your skin and can cause a flare-up in rosacea symptoms. Wear sunscreen to cut down on potential skin damage and irritating exposure. A great hat and oversized celebrity sunglasses can't hurt either.
Step 5
Wash your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser before you apply makeup. Blot your face dry with a cotton towel to avoid irritation. When you've got rosacea, even the slightest little thing can make your skin angry and might cause a flare-up. Be gentle to keep the symptoms at bay.
Step 6
Go green — with your makeup choices. Choose green-tinted foundation and concealers. The green undertone combats the redness of your skin to give you a more natural look.
Step 7
Put your makeup on with a brush instead of a sponge or your fingers. A brush has a lighter touch than a sponge, and doesn't transfer potentially irritating oils from your fingers to your rosacea-prone skin.
Step 8
Remember that less is more when doing your makeup. Too many cosmetic products may overload your troubled skin and make you feel — and look — worse instead of better. Pare back to the bare essentials and go for the dewy, natural look. If that's not your style, glam it up with accessories instead of cosmetics.
