| | Observe alcohol’s effects When it comes to flare-ups from alcohol, red wine may be the biggest culprit. You may be able to reduce flares from alcohol if you: - Drink white instead of red wine.
- Add soda or lemonade to white wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages to lessen the amount of alcohol.
- Limit yourself to 1 or 2 drinks, and have a large glass of cold water after each drink.
Not drinking alcohol also works. |
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| | Dial down spicy foods If spicy foods leave your face red, you may be able to eat your favorites by: - Trying a mild version. Instead of eating hot wings that makes you sweat, opt for mild wings. Choose a mild rather than a hot salsa.
If your rosacea still flares, it’s best to avoid all spicy foods. |
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 | | Carefully select skin and hair care products Does your face burn, sting, or itch when you use certain skin or hair care products? Do any of these products cause your face to become dry and scaly? These are signs that they are irritating your skin, which can cause rosacea to flare. Here’s what you can do to avoid flare-ups: - See a dermatologist, who can give you a skin care plan for rosacea and recommend products.
- Stop using astringents and toners.
- Look at the ingredients in each of your skin and hair care products, and stop using ones that contain these common rosacea triggers — menthol, camphor, or sodium lauryl sulfate.
The last ingredient is common in shampoos and toothpaste. If you’ll use a product around your face, it’s best to avoid ones that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. |
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 | | Use rosacea friendly makeup If makeup seems to trigger your rosacea, you may still be able to wear some makeup. Dermatologists recommend: - Applying a mild, fragrance-free emollient to your skin before you apply makeup.
- Using a light, liquid-based foundation makeup that spreads easily and can be set with powder.
You want to avoid: - Waterproof makeup
- Heavy foundations that don’t spread easily or require makeup remover
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 | | Check out your medicines If you think a medicine could be causing your rosacea to flare, DON’T stop taking it. First, ask the doctor who prescribed the medicine if it could be triggering your rosacea. Medicines that can worsen rosacea, include those used to treat: - High blood pressure
- Many types of heart problems
- Anxiety
- Migraines
- Glaucoma
Vitamin B3 can also trigger a rosacea flare-up. If the medicine (or vitamin) could be turning your face red, ask if you could take a different one. |
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 | | Protect your face from wind and cold Windburn is common in rosacea-prone skin. A windburn can trigger a rosacea flare-up, especially in the winter. Cold can also trigger rosacea. The following can reduce flares from wind and cold: - Cover your face (up to just beneath your eyes) with a scarf. Silk or acrylic works best. Avoid putting wool and other rough-feeling fabrics next to your face, as this can trigger a flare-up.
- Protect your skin by wearing rosacea friendly sunscreen (see "Think sun protection") and an emollient every day.
- Limit your time outdoors.
- Follow your rosacea treatment plan.
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 | | Keep cool while exercising Anything that raises your body’s temperature, including exercise, can trigger rosacea. You can still exercise. Here are some ways you can work out without a flare-up: - Lower the intensity. You can still benefit from a low- or medium-intensity workout.
- Exercise where it’s cool. In the summer, try an air-conditioned gym or a shaded path during the coolest part of the day.
- Try exercising in the water. Aqua aerobics or swimming in cool water can limit flares.
- Keep supplies with you to help you cool down. A towel that you can dip in cold water and then drape around your neck, a bottle of cold water; or ice cubes can cool you.
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 | | Treat your rosacea By treating your rosacea and avoiding what triggers it, many people successfully prevent rosacea flares. A dermatologist can create a customized treatment plan that helps you control your signs and symptoms. |