WINTER SKIN CARE OF ROSACEA

From a blast of cold arctic air outside to the heat of the kitchen while baking holiday treats and meals, the winter months pose a host of special conditions that can worsen rosacea symptoms unless precautions are taken. Whether you live in the coldest areas of Minnesota or the milder areas of the South, the winter months can be especially challenging for people with rosacea. Various factors -- from wind and cold to sun exposure, indoor heat and low humidity -- all rank high on the list of common triggers for rosacea.

The desire for a long hot bath in the winter can be irresistible after being out in the cold. But the hot water can further dry and irritate already sensitive skin. Strive for lukewarm water and limit your shower to 4-5 minutes, at the most. Moisturizing comprises of one of the essential skin care elements in winters. The best time to use moisturizer would be within two minutes of coming out of the shower.

Exfoliation can keep your skin glowing in the winter season. Apart from helping you get rid of the dead cells on your skin, exfoliation will also prove effective in reducing lines and wrinkles, refining pore size and improving the overall texture of your skin. The best and gentlest way to exfoliate sensitive skin is to rub lightly using a washcloth. It is not necessary to chemically peel the skin. The harsh chemicals of retinols and exfolients can further damage and irritate already sensitive rosacea skin. But you don’t have to live with dead skin and wrinkles – moisture, hydrate and use a washcloth to gently tone the skin.

One of the body parts that are worst affected by the harsh cold of winters is your lips, which become dry and chapped. So, make sure to wear a lipstick when you go out in the winters. The brighter the shade of your lipstick, the better protection would it offer. Perioral dermatitis can become an issue in the winter months.

Ocular rosacea especially tends to get worse in winter as the eyes become more irritable due to cold and windy weather conditions. Common signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea include increased eye irritation, a watery discharge, eyes that feel gritty or very dry, a bloodshot appearance or the presence of a stye. It is important to protect your eyes from the effects of the wind and cold with UV protected glasses or sunglasses."

Since the snow reflects sunlight, the ultraviolet rays of the sun during the winter are just as intense. Use a sunscreen year round. Sun exposure is a common rosacea trigger, and can affect the face even in winter.

In winter, dryness is the main enemy of your skin. You can add humidity by making use of humidifiers. Regulating indoor temperature during changing weather conditions, as well as maintaining indoor humidity, can be difficult but well worth the effort to avoid flare-ups.

The holidays bring on indoor flurries of activity. Try to minimize the holiday stress, as stress is a potent rosacea trigger. Pace yourself, and do not over-commit to activities. Baking is a favorite holiday tradition but the heat from the stove and oven can trigger rosacea flushing. Take cool-off breaks from holiday baking or cooking. A hot toddy may be a wonderful way to end the evening, it is important to remember that heated beverages and alcohol are rosacea-flushing triggers. That doesn’t mean you have distance yourself from the festivities just practice moderation and let that drink cool before you sip it. Keep the body balanced and well hydrated and you can enjoy the festivities and keep your rosacea under control.