Products to Help Control Rosacea

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By Rachel Nelson
eHow Contributing Writer

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Rosacea is a common disease that causes redness and swelling of the face and bumps that may resemble acne. Rosacea can be painful and cause extreme irritation. Because rosacea becomes progressively more difficult to treat as it advances, it is important to use products to control rosacea as early as possible.

Proper Diagnosis

Your physician or dermatologist must first evaluate the type of rosacea in order to best treat your specific case. The symptoms vary, and include extreme redness or "flushing" of the skin; bumps and pustules on the face; thickened skin; and eye problems.

Redness Treatments

For rosacea sufferers who constantly appear flushed or have visible blood vessels, rosacea should first be treated with a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. People with this type of rosacea should use sunscreen regularly to help prevent further redness due to adverse sun reactions.
Additional products that may alleviate redness include topical medications containing active ingredients such as azelaic acid, metronidazole, retin-A (also known as retinoid) and sulfacetamide combined with sulfur.

Treatments for Bumps

Bumps and pustules associated with rosacea may resemble acne. This type of rosacea responds well to treatment, particularly topical medications such as antibiotic creams that contain clindamycin, erythromycin and metronidazole; azelaic acid; benzoyl peroxide; retin-A; and sulfur products.
Rosacea that causes bumps often responds best to a combination of products. Typically one of the above-mentioned products is used with glycolic acid, which is available in peel or cream form. While the peel can cause initial redness, it is worthwhile for its ability to reduce visible pustules on the skin.

Thick Skin

While the skin may appear swollen to the untrained eye and facial pores are very visible, thickened skin due to rosacea can also take on a cauliflower-like appearance, particularly on the nose. While most treatments involve removing excess tissue, a dermatologist will likely also recommend applying sunscreen daily.

Ocular Rosacea

Ocular rosacea occurs when there is swelling and redness under the eye. The best products for this type include a mild baby shampoo used to cleanse the eyelids. Eye drops to reduce itching or scratchiness may also be indicated.

Over-the-Counter Products

Because the key to treating rosacea is to avoid irritating the skin, it is important to use a gentle cleanser, such as Dove or Cetaphil, to cleanse the skin.

Steer Clear

Products that contain alcohol, witch hazel, and other astringent ingredients may be too irritating for use by people with rosacea. These can be present in face washes, creams and lotions, so check the labels carefully.