Redness & Rosacea

What are the symptoms of rosacea?

Not all redness is associated with rosacea; our skin also flushes around acne breakouts, allergies and sunburn. But, the most common symptom of rosacea is its redness. It can be localised (i.e. in one particular area, like your cheeks) or all over. It is almost always on the face, and can be accompanied by a burning or stinging feeling, tiny red bumps that look like acne (but aren't), obvious capillaries, dry skin and even swelling. Yeah, it's not fun!

Skincare for rosacea: does it actually work?

While there's no magic pill for curing rosacea, the good news is that the right skincare can be highly effective at reducing redness and senstivity. First, always consult your GP or dermatologist - particularly if you have severe symptoms. There are a range of treatments you might be advised to try, and a qualified physician can help you identify any potential lifestyle triggers. When you're ready to embark on a skincare journey, come and see us! Rosacea will worsen without treatment so don't leave it hoping it will go away by itself (have tried this and yep - not a good strategy). 

Rosacea causes

The exact causes of rosacea are still unknown and continue to be researched. But, we do know some of the common triggers. Using harsh skincare (e.g. acid exfoliants that are too strong without proper barrier care), UV exposure and skipping sunscreen, alcohol, spicy foods and stress are some of them. Keeping a food/activity diary can help determine what your triggers are.

What is the best rosacea skincare?

What constitutes the best anti-redness and rosacea skincare is of course, highly subjective. But there are some go-to products to try. For instance, SVR Laboratories has its Sensifine AR (AR stands for 'anti-redness') range, which is skincare par excellence for red skin. It's a great starting point. Barrier-repairing skincare also presents solid options, because as we all know, a lot of skin issues can start from having a compromised or weak skin barrier. SKIN&LAB's Barrierderm series is worth trying, as are Dr. Jart's Cicapair products. There's also one product you should never skip: a sunscreen for sensitive skin is a must! The best sunscreen for sensitive skin will generally be mineral, but if you're not a fan of physical sunscreens, try a clean chemical SPF without essential oils or fragrances. 

What products should you not use if you have redness?

Generally speaking, the best redness skincare is gentle, with simple and soothing ingredients. Abrasives (e.g. facial scrubs), strong active ingredients (like AHA exfoliants above 5%), fragrances, harsh cleansing agents and even essential oils should be avoided. Instead, embrace a routine that goes hard on hydration and SPF. Does this mean you can't use any exfoliators for sensitive skin? Not necessarily! When you think your skin can handle it, try an ultra gentle toner or serum with a very gentle concentration of chemical exfoliants - such as the COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner. 

How can I reduce my skin redness with makeup?

Because makeup generally contains several ingredients necessary for its optimal application rather than your skin's health, the best type of makeup to use for concealing redness will tend to be on the natural side, with plenty of anti-inflammatory extracts. Some great options are Dr Jart's Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment, which acts as a redness color corrector, SPF and BB Cream (a veritable 3IN1). Purito's CIca Clearing BB Cream is also packed with Centella and on top of that, is vegan-friendly and suitable for a wider range of skin tones. For a pure colour corrector, it's hard to go past Journ Beauty's Correct and Perfect Color Correctorin Dew, which was specifically formulated to offset red tones on both dark and fair skin. At the same time, it also hydrates and soothes with traditional Auyurvedic ingredients like neem extract. In terms of a suitable foundation for sensitive skin, we love Lily Lolo's ultra-clean and moisturizing Cream Foundation. 

What skincare to use if you have rosacea or redness?

Some of Kanvas Beauty’s favourite anti-redness products are:

1. SVR Laboratories - Sensifine AR Cream: One of the best products we've tried for soothing a heated flare up, this instantly cooling, green-tinged cream relies on the heat-regulating properties of licorice extract and endothelyol to bring immediate relief.
   
   
2. Beauty of Joseon - Calming Serum: Soothing Panthenol and green tea extract are the two main stars of this lovely, viscous serum. Consistent use will calm redness and deliver hydration.
   
   
3. SKIN&LAB - Barrierderm Mild Foam Cleanser: A foaming facial cleanser for sensitive skin free of artificial fragrances. It'll leave your face clean without irritation or drying is precisely what redness-prone skin needs. 
   
   
4. Dr Jart - Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment: This green-tinged best-seller from the Cicapair range acts as a colour-corrector, BB Cream, SPF and redness treatment all in one!
   
   
5. Etude House - Soon Jung pH 5.5 Relief Toner: An ultra-simple toner with panthenol and madecassoside, this tonic is made for super sensitive skin which is at the stage where it can tolerate little else. This toner will bring the calm, and gradually reduce that burning feeling.