Rosacea isn’t just a little redness—it’s a stubborn skin condition that can leave you frustrated and wondering what’s causing those unpredictable flare-ups. One day your skin looks calm, and the next? Boom—flare city. The good news? Once you understand your triggers and find the right treatments, you can finally get your skin under control.
Let’s break down the most common rosacea triggers and, more importantly, what you can do to keep your skin happy.
What’s Triggering Your Rosacea?
Rosacea triggers can be different for everyone, but there are a few repeat offenders that tend to cause the most trouble:
- 🔆 Sun Exposure – Even a little unprotected sun can send rosacea into overdrive. UV rays are a major trigger, so wearing sunscreen daily isn’t just a good idea—it’s a must.
- 🍷 Alcohol (Especially Red Wine) – A glass of wine might be relaxing, but it also increases redness for many. Alcohol boosts blood flow to the skin, which can lead to flushing and flare-ups.
- 😰 Stress & Anxiety – Ever notice your skin acts up when life gets chaotic? Stress might not be visible, but its impact on rosacea is real. Finding ways to unwind—reading, walking, or deep breathing—can help calm your skin.
- 🧴 Harsh Skincare Products – Strong exfoliants, alcohol-based toners, and heavily fragranced products can aggravate sensitive skin, causing irritation and inflammation. Opt for gentle, soothing skincare instead.
- 🏃 Intense Exercise – We love a good sweat session, but high-intensity workouts (hello, hot yoga!) can lead to flushing and irritation. Instead, try lower-intensity options like swimming, walking, or yoga in cooler environments.
How to Keep Rosacea in Check
Because rosacea has so many unpredictable triggers, managing it requires a mix of the right skincare, treatments, and lifestyle changes. Here’s what helps:
Treatments That Work
- BBL (Broad Band Light) Therapy – Uses light energy to target redness and visible blood vessels, improving skin tone over time.
- Cutera Laser Treatments – Helps shrink excess blood vessels, reduce redness and promote collagen production.
Skincare Essentials:
- Gentle Cleansers – Ditch the harsh scrubs! Your best bet is a mild, sulfate-free cleanser (like EltaMD’s Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser).
- Antioxidant Serums – Protect your skin from inflammation and environmental stress with antioxidants like SkinBetter’s Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum.
- Hydrating Moisturizers – Strengthen your skin barrier with rich, ceramide-packed moisturizers to reduce sensitivity and flare-ups.
- Sunscreen (Every Single Day!) – Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ is non-negotiable. Some top picks? Elta Clear SPF 46 and Sunbetter Tone Smart Sunscreen.
Lifestyle Tweaks
- Watch Your Diet – Certain foods—like spicy dishes, alcohol, and even tomatoes—can trigger rosacea. A diet rich in probiotics and anti-inflammatory foods may help calm your skin from the inside out.
- Opt for Low-Intensity Exercise – Stay active, but avoid overheating. Swimming, walking, gentle yoga, or tai chi are great options.
When to See a Dermatologist
While there’s no cure for rosacea, the proper routine and treatments can make a huge difference. If you’re tired of the redness, irritation, and unpredictability, it’s time to get expert help. We take a holistic approach to your skin—helping you find a personalized, long-term solution that works.
Let’s get your skin back to feeling its best. Schedule a consultation today!