Rosacea & Couperose: Our Tips for Soothing Skin!
Clémence LE SOLLIEC
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects the small blood vessels of the face. It affects approximately 4 million people in France, frequently those with fair skin. Women are also more affected than men (2 women for every 1 man). The condition rarely begins before age 30, and its frequency gradually increases, peaking around menopause.
There are 3 types of rosacea:
- The vascular form or couperose. This is the most common form, characterized by redness primarily on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. It is accompanied by exacerbated skin sensitivity due to a high number of nerve endings in the dermis and a more abundant secretion of a molecule called "substance P," leading to local inflammation. Overactive facial blood vessels can also be linked to blood stagnation in them, causing their dilation and an alteration of the thin membrane lining the inside of facial veins.
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The papulopustular form. This form includes both redness and papules (pimples without pus surrounded by an inflammatory halo) and/or pustules (pus-filled pimples) that can resemble acne lesions.
- Recurrent papulopustular rosacea, despite treatments and cosmetic routine adjustments, can sometimes indicate an overabundance of Demodex Folluculorum, a small mite naturally present in small quantities in pilosebaceous follicles. If it proliferates excessively, it can lead to inflammation coupled with papules. This is not always the case; a consultation with your doctor will help detect this and implement appropriate treatment.
- The hypertrophic form (or rhinophyma): a rare form affecting less than 5% of patients, predominantly men. It manifests as a red and swollen appearance of the nose, a thickening of the skin sometimes associated with papulopustules, dilation of sebaceous gland openings, and unsightly fleshy protuberances. This form has significant repercussions on psychological well-being and self-acceptance, particularly because it relates to a popular belief of chronic alcoholism, although alcohol is not the cause of the disease's onset.
Factors promoting rosacea
Various factors can worsen rosacea due to their role in vasodilation of blood vessels, accentuating redness and inflammation:
- Climatic factors such as exposure to wind, cold, sun, and especially sudden temperature changes like alternating between hot and cold in winter.
- Spicy foods or hot drinks that promote hot flashes.
- Alcohol consumption which, in addition to causing vasodilation of blood vessels, increases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Strong emotions or repeated stress.
Tips to soothe rosacea
Caution with Cleansing
Regardless of the type of rosacea, it is recommended to opt for a very gentle and low-detergent cleanser, only in the evening, so as not to disrupt the skin microbiota and further aggravate inflammation.
Prefer cleansing milks or oils which will remove impurities and traces of pollution without aggressing the good bacteria present on the skin. Apply the product by massaging it with your fingertips, then rinse with clear water and dry gently.
After cleansing, you can apply a floral water mist to soothe the skin.
Reduce redness
Protecting your skin from weather conditions is important to minimize inflammation.
For all cases of rosacea, we recommend opting for hemp oil. Thanks to its content of Zinc and omega 3 and 6, it will help calm inflammation, regulate papules, and strengthen blood capillaries. It can be used morning and evening as a serum.
Not used to using oil? Go here
French Organic Hemp Oil
Reduce redness
Protecting your skin from climatic conditions is important to minimize inflammation.
In all cases of rosacea, we advise you to opt for hemp oil. Thanks to its Zinc and omega 3 and 6 content, it will help calm inflammation, regulate papules, and strengthen blood capillaries. It can be used morning and evening as a serum.
Not used to using oil? Go here
Soothe and protect
Our Rose Cream, composed of 51.9% rose alba hydrosol, hemp oil, and a probiotic, will help soothe the skin by strengthening its natural defenses while leaving a protective film.
It should be applied at least in the morning for its protective effect, but can also be used in the evening if you wish to enhance its soothing effects.
In winter, you can also add a butter to your routine.
Richer and more film-forming than a cream, it will act as a shield, providing greater protection against harsh weather conditions for the skin.
It can be applied instead of or on top of the cream.
Sources:
French Society of Dermatology – Rosacea – Dr Fabienne TROUCHE https://dermato-info.fr/fr/les-maladies-de-la-peau/la-couperose-et-la-rosacée
JOHNSON A. M. & al. Comorbidity of rosacea and depression: an analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey—Outpatient Department data collected by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics from 1995 to 2002. British Journal of Dermatology (2005).
LI W. Q. & al. Alcohol intake and risk of rosacea in US women. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2017).