Sensitivity. Flushing. Redness. Heat… Do any of these sound familiar? Most of us experience blushing at some point, perhaps because we're embarrassed, nervous, or, best of all, in love! However, persistent facial color may have nothing to do with our emotions and everything to do with the condition of our skin. It can become a frustrating and even painful to live with, both figuratively and literally.

What is Rosacea?
In short, rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition closely associated with sensitivity, redness, broken veins, and capillaries. If left uninterrupted, pimples can show up too. The earliest signs of pre-rosacea include sensitivity and occasional flushing. A compromised barrier means the skin is reactive to external environments (wind, heat, cold) and flushes easily. This flushing can also occur after known triggers like spicy food or alcohol that amplify blood circulation; this process is called vasodilation.

This consistent flushing puts pressure on the capillaries, delivering reddening blood to the skin. Like party balloons that have been filled up one too many times, they can eventually "pop" and become a permanent fixture. The skin still needs a blood supply, so the body makes replacement capillaries – if they burst too, the cycle continues. This can lead to permanent redness and flushing with stubborn red wiggles across the cheeks, nose, and chin, introducing inflammation and hello rosacea.

This complex condition is also closely associated with the delicate balance of the trillions of microbes in our body, known as the microbiome. Scientists are still unsure whether a disrupted microbiome is a cause or effect of rosacea, but the link is undeniable.

It’s important to know that you're not alone if you recognize your skin in these words. Rosacea impacts 5% of the world's population. It's more prevalent among women than men, and while it's more often recognized in people with lighter skin, this might simply be because it's more challenging to see redness in darker skin tones.

Things can only get better….right?
Unlike acne, which might flourish and wane (luckily for us, painful pubescent breakouts balance out along with teenage mood swings and the desire to slam doors, and even the most volcanic menstrual breakout rarely lasts all month), rosacea is known as a progressive skin condition, which means that with no intervention, it won't self-soothe.

Taking Action
We believe in skin positivity and celebrate those who feel powerful while living with rosacea. For those rosacea is having a negative impact on (it can be physically uncomfortable and impact confidence and self-esteem), the good news is that there are proactive steps you can take today:

• Keep a skin diary and get familiar with your flushes; identify and avoid triggers such as alcohol, spicy foods, hot drinks, and stress.
• Opt for warm showers and gentle skincare products suitable for sensitive skin and rosacea.
• Consult a professional for personalized skincare advice; select from our range of products tailored to soothe redness and support sensitive skin:

1. SensiCalm Cleanser: A gentle cream cleanser that purifies and eases redness.
2. Calm-R® Serum: Reduces redness and promotes a balanced complexion.
3. HydraCalm Moisturizer: Nourishes and soothes sensitivities.
4. Clear Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 42: Quick-drying, hydrating, broad-spectrum sunscreen.
5. Calming Collection: A comprehensive solution for redness-prone skin.

Your medical professional may suggest prescription treatments and skincare to create a holistic plan. Regardless of the route you choose, our qualified skincare experts are here to help you unlock your skin's potential and feel truly powerful in your skin.