How to Manage Rosacea in the Winter

If you’ve been noticing a change in your skin over the past couple of months, you’re not alone. Winter’s harsh weather can trigger a number of skin conditions. Rosacea is particularly irritated by all the fluctuations in temperature, dry indoor heating, and those bone-chilling gusts of wind that hit your exposed cheeks as soon as you walk outside. 

What is rosacea? 

Rosacea is a common condition that is visible on skin as a flush, blush, or visible blood vessels. While the exact cause is still uncertain, most who are affected are middle-aged white women, though anyone can develop it. Flare-ups — when skin gets tight, red, flushed, itchy, or even bumpy — can be caused by a number of triggers from stress to the environment, including weather. 

There are a few things you can do to help your rosacea in the winter and help minimize the appearance or visibility of flare-ups. Give us a call to book a consultation, and check out some of our tips that will help get you started managing your wintertime rosacea: 

Turn down the temperature. This goes for both your shower and your indoor heating system. Hot water and dry indoor heating systems can have an impact on your skin due to the way these elements constrict your blood vessels. This can cause moisture to evaporate from your skin, which is part of what makes it irritated and red. We suggest bundling up versus raising the heat and use lukewarm water for shampooing and washing.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize... This is the time to invest in a rich cream day and night moisturizer rather than thinner formulations.  

…and put down the perfume. Fragrances can irritate your skin, making itchy, sensitive skin even worse. Swap out your lotions and skincare to fragrance-free formulas and avoid scents until your skin is calmer. 

Wrap up outside. Give your face a little extra coverage this winter by getting a soft scarf (made from super-soft wool or cashmere) to wrap around your otherwise-exposed cheeks, nose, and mouth when you’re outdoors. 

Get a humidifier. This literally puts moisture in the air, which then soaks into your skin to add much-needed hydration. If your skin feels all tight and dry, plug one of these in ASAP. 

Avoid scratchy, coarse fibers. Put away your big wool sweaters for now and swap to cotton or cashmere for something soft against irritated skin. 

Talk to your dermatologist about more permanent options to reduce discomfort from rosacea. Oral antibiotics, topical treatments that target rosacea, and laser therapy are all options for treating rosacea on a more day-to-day basis for continued relief and reduced flare-ups. 

If you have been struggling to manage your rosacea and need a little help managing this condition, we encourage you to call our office to schedule an appointment with our skilled dermatologist! Our goal is to help you feel confident, vibrant and comfortable during any season this year.