Home remedies are also sometimes called ‘folk remedies’ because of their ‘unproven effectiveness administered without prescription or professional supervision’ as defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary. However, there is a reason why those folk remedies have existed till this day! Some of these home remedies do have a basis in science although they remain ‘unproven’ by research, and some even go on to become a proven remedy for particular diseases.
For example, recent clinical trials are being done testing the ability of milkweed sap (that was used in the 18th Century to treat warts) in preventing skin lesions from turning into skin cancer, and some medical hospitals still keep leeches on hand. That being said, there are some home remedies for rosacea in Singapore that don’t involve poisonous plant saps or leeches which are simple enough to do and can help to soothe inflamed skin!
When the temperature rises and we start to feel hot, the sweat glands in our skin begin to release sweat which wets our skin and evaporates into the air. Blood vessels or capillaries in our skin also become wider to allow for more blood flow to our skin. This functions to transfer the heat from our skin to the environment and to cool our bodies down. For those with rosacea, showering, washing our faces with hot water, or even just walking outside in a warm environment can make our skin flush and turn red easily. Washing your face or showering for an extended period of time under hot water can also strip natural oils from your skin, leaving it vulnerable to dehydration, increased itching, and redness. One home remedy for rosacea is to wash your face with cold water instead. This helps to constrict the capillaries in your face, reducing the chances of redness after a shower. It can also help to cool down your face after you’ve been out in the sun!
A lot of us might use toner the way that we’ve typically seen on advertisements in the past – pour it on a cotton pad and swipe it all around our face to clean up any residual dirt or sebum that might be lingering on our face after we’ve washed it. For those without sensitive skin, this might serve its purpose for cleaning and also act as a mild exfoliating step after each wash. However, those with sensitive skin experiencing conditions like eczema or rosacea, using toner in this way may be too harsh. These conditions already experience changes to the skin barrier and excessive abrasion (even with a cotton pad!) can cause more damage.
Instead, soak your cotton pad with a calming or hydrating toner and place them on your face for a few minutes to deliver extra hydration while soothing your skin. Bonus tip: Put your toner in the fridge for an extra cooling effect!
Fragrance-free products are a given when looking for skin care products that don’t aggravate rosacea-prone skin. The addition of artificial fragrances into skin care products which are used regularly can contribute to the development of a contact allergy, especially in females who may gravitate towards scented products. Essential oils are sometimes added into products as a substitute for artificial fragrances. This can also trigger flares in those with sensitive skin, and a patch test should always be done on the underside of the jaw when testing out new products.
Because we know how difficult it can be to find the right skin care products for your particular concerns, SL Aesthetic Clinic is committed to identifying and prescribing skin care products that are formulated specifically for skin suffering from rosacea! Our in-house products include a medical cleanser, medical hydrator intense, and medical sunscreen that is designed to bring the risk of skin irritation and sensitivity down to a minimum. Contact us for more information.
The number of sheet masks available on the market means that there is bound to be one suitable for your skin type! Look out for sheet masks that include calming and soothing ingredients and aim to hydrate your skin instead of brightening it. Brightening or whitening sheet masks may contain harsher ingredients. Some ingredients to look out for: Green tea extract, aloe vera, oat amino acids, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. Applying them before makeup can help to create a smoother, more hydrated base, giving less chance for makeup to irritate your skin.
Sheet masks and fragrance-free products aside, your skin care routine can be more important in your daily life than anything else! Buying too many products because of its ‘hype’ or popularity can lead to overuse, and some combination of products might cause more irritation instead of soothing your skin. Having a solid and simple skin care routine consisting of a toner, moisturiser, and sunscreen might be more than enough for most people.
As mentioned above, even excessive swiping of cotton pads on your skin can be considered as over-exfoliation. Other exfoliating methods to keep an eye out for are physical and chemical exfoliators which can further thin out your skin barrier and inflame your skin further.
Physical exfoliators – These are any form of particles or equipment that ‘brush’ dead skin cells off, like ground nut shells (think the classic St. Ives Scrub) or even loofahs
Chemical exfoliators – This includes any sort of acid in your skin care such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) like lactic acid and glycolic acid, or beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) like salicylic acid. The appropriate use of such skin-renewing chemicals should always be recommended by a dermatologist if you have sensitive skin.
There is definitely something to be said for a plant that Cleopatra rubbed on her skin daily! Aloe vera is a plant which contains a clear, gel-like inner layer consisting of 99% water and the rest is made out of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols, and vitamins. Glucomannans and amino acids help in wound healing, especially in papulopustular rosacea, and also helps to inhibit inflammation. Studies done in the lab and in real life populations show that aloe vera is proven to help in all those benefits, but keep an eye out for the presence of alcohol, artificial fragrances, or other known irritants if you are buying skin care that has aloe vera in it.
Sunscreen isn’t just necessary for those with fair skin – it’s for every skin type, including rosacea! It might be odd to add on sunscreen as a home remedy for rosacea, but daily application of sun protection helps to prevent rosacea flares and reduce damage to your skin barrier whenever you come into contact with UV rays. Rosacea is a condition characterised by excessive sensitivity to inflammatory triggers, and UV rays are a known trigger of skin inflammation in all the skin layers. To wear sunscreen is to protect yourself in the long-term.
Rosacea home remedies can be something fun to try out, like looking for an aloe vera plant, but we understand that not all rosacea conditions can be helped with a home remedy. If you need a consultation of other prescription-strength creams or laser treatments for rosacea, book an appointment with us today!
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