April is National Awareness Month. The purpose of this month is to educate people of the impact of this chronic disorder that is affecting more than 16 million Americans.
It is important for people who have Rosacea to seek medical attention before the condition worsens. Many people overlook the first signs of Rosacea because they assume it will go away. It is extremely important to receive medical attention because the symptoms do not go away and only become severe.
Gentle skin care and makeup can make a marked visible difference in the appearance of your skin and boost your self-confidence.
Before applying makeup, be sure to cleanse and moisturize your face with non-irritating skin products. Avoid products which contain alcohol, fragrances, and exfoliating agents. Treat your skin gently; never rub with sponges or washcloths.
Try to use products with multiple functions, such as moisturizers that contain sunscreen. This is because the more products you apply to your skin, the higher the probability that one of them may irritate your face. Test products out on a patch of skin, such as your neck, before applying to your entire face. This way, you can avoid any product that may cause an irritating reaction.
Green tinted creams and primers are wonderful choices for a makeup base as they help minimize the redness and even out your skin tone. Oil-free, or non-comedogenic, products will help prevent clogged pores. Foundations should match your natural skin tone and concealers should be one shade lighter.
Use a light touch when applying your makeup. Dab a small amount of concealer directly on to each visible blemish and then gently blend with foundation to create an even tone. Use broad strokes for large areas and the brush edge for narrow areas near the nose and eyes. With moderate to severe rosacea, you may need to use additional cover-up. These products come in a wide array of colors to match your natural skin tones and can conceal many imperfections.
Mineral powder is often a wise choice of product for people with rosacea because it generally doesn’t contain irritating ingredients. Many mineral powders have color-correcting formulas to help minimalize facial redness.
Use blush sparingly because the skin typically already has a lot of color. Apply blush from the apples of your cheek sweeping up toward your temples.
If you have signs of ocular rosacea, be sure to use allergy-tested and fragrance-free eye products. Do not pull the eyes when applying liner and mascara. Pick eye makeup that can be easily removed with warm water and not harsh products.
Avoid red lipsticks as this may intensify the redness in your skin.
Although medical therapy will treat the underlying features of rosacea, makeup can help instantaneously improve the look of your skin and raise your self-confidence about your appearance.
Article By:
Rebecca Sklar, RPA-C
Physician Assistant at Advanced Dermatology, P.C.
To learn more about Rebecca, and our other physicians click here.
What can you do?
If you think you may have Rosacea, seeking medical attention is the surest way of finding a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Click here to book an appointment with one of our board certified dermatologists in New York or New Jersey.
If you have Rosacea, share your story and let others know how you deal with this fairly common skin condition. Have you found important information or studies? Share them with your family and friends! A dermatologist you trust to treat your condition? Recommend them!