Red, inflamed skin and broken blood vessels are all signs of rosacea. A difficult to manage skin condition, rosacea is prone to flaring up during winter. Particular triggers such as cold, dry weather, heating, hot showers and drinks may all make rosacea worse.
Even during the winter months, rosacea can be managed effectively:
Zinc and Grape Seed support skin integrity and capillary health. While you can get zinc through your diet during times of stress, both physical and emotional the body has a greater need for nutrients. The body uses more nutrients during stress. This can lead to a worsening of any skin condition. This is even more true with skin issues as the body channels nutrients go to the essential organs first (heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, brain) and lastly the skin.
Improve your circulation. Frequently rosacea sufferers have poor circulation in their hands and feed and ironically too much blood flow in their faces. The result of gentle exercise is both a reduction in stress and an increase in circulation with increased blood flow to the hands and feet but not necessarily the face. Strenuous exercise is not advisable as it may increase blood flow to the face so choose something gentle. To avoid getting overheated while exercising, choose an activity that is gentle in nature such as yoga or walking.
Have shorter, warm showers instead of long, hot showers. Avoid getting hot water on your face, instead use a flannel to clear off makeup.
Minerel make is is preferable to liquid make up. Liquid makeup makes it harder for skin to breathe. Mineral makeup also provides better cover and has less additives such as fragrances which may irritate sensitive skin.
Leave the windows open or a fan on. Air flow will minimize the risk of overheating either from a stuffy room or heating.
Use a light gel with centella topically. The herb centella has been shown to reduce blood vessel reactivity and increase vascular strength when applied locally to the area of the skin affected by rosacea.
Take some B vitamins to help support my nervous system and consider addressing any digestive issues. Low hydrochloric acid levels may be an underlying factor in both the initiation and progression of rosacea by may encourage the overgrowth of certain bacteria on the face. A doctor, skin specialist or naturopath may be able to help you identify if this is a cause.