Pronounced roh-zay-sha, Rosacea is a skin condition that affects many millions of people around the world. It is a condition that leads to the appearance of redness around the cheeks, forehead, chin and lower nose. It often resembles acne, and as such it is often confused for this (and is sometimes referred to as Rosacea Acne). However, it is an important distinction to make that Rosacea is not acne. It does not have the same causes, effects, treatments etc and as such should be treated differently.
Rosacea Triggers Survey
While the list of potential rosacea triggers in various individuals may be endless, a survey of 1,066 rosacea patients found that the most common factors included the following:
| Factors | Percent Affected |
| Sun exposure | 81% |
| Emotional stress | 79% |
| Hot weather | 75% |
| Wind | 57% |
| Heavy exercise | 56% |
| Alcohol consumption | 52% |
| Hot baths | 51% |
| Cold weather | 46% |
| Spicy foods | 45% |
| Humidity | 44% |
| Indoor heat | 41% |
| Certain skin-care products | 41% |
| Heated beverages | 36% |
| Certain cosmetics | 27% |
| Medications | 15% |
| Medical conditions | 15% |
| Certain fruits | 13% |
| Marinated meats | 10% |
| Certain vegetables | 9% |
| Dairy products | 8% |
| Other factors | 24% |
Alkaline and Rosacea Diet
Due to its cleansing nature, many people have turned to the alkaline diet as a way to combat Rosacea. The alkaline diet consists almost entirely of cleansing vegetables, low sugar fruits, pure water, soups and juices, salads, omega oils etc and as such it provides the skin with all of the nutrition it needs to remain healthy, making alkaline diet also tagged as a rosacea diet.
Natural Treatments for Rosacea
Essential Oils: Pure, therapeutic grade essential oils can be applied directly to the skin or they may be blended with sweet almond or jojoba carrier oils. Poor grade, impure essential oils can aggravate rosacea.
The best essential oils to use for rosacea treatment include lavender; tea tree oil; eucalyptus; chamomile; frankincense; sandalwood and cedarwood.
Green Tea Cream: Dr. Tanweer Syed, a dermatologist at the University of California in San Francisco, reports that a cream containing a green tea extract called polyphenone produces a 70 percent improvement in rosacea compared with an inactive cream.
B Vitamins: Inadequate riboflavin, caused by insufficient dietary intake or poor absorption in the digestive tract, may be associated with rosacea. Natural food sources of vitamin B2 include nuts, green leafy vegetables, fish, legumes, whole grains and probiotic yogurt.
Niacinamide Cream: Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, has been used topically for rosacea. It is thought to improve the skin barrier, improve the skin’s moisture level and reduce inflammation.
Rosehip Seed Oil: This gentle oil is said to strengthen broken and damaged capillaries and acts as an astringent to heal and reduce redness.
Licorice: Glycyrrhizin, one of the main ingredients in licorice, is believed to contribute to the herb’s many healing properties. Laboratory studies have shown that glycyrrhizin reduces inflammation and soothes skin irritation.
Rosacea sufferers should avoid foods that may trigger the condition such as spicy foods, coffee and alcohol. A diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and a lot of water is recommended.
Before administering any product, rosacea patients should seek the advice of a skin care specialist.
Sources:
Gehring W. Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 3.2 (2004): 88-93
Rosaceasupport.org, information retrieved 21 September, 2009
http://www.internationalrosaceafoundation.org/nonprescription_1.php4
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/030424_rosacea_essential_oils.html#ixzz2NdnW8qMU