Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

Article: Treating Different Types of Rosacea

Advice

Treating Different Types of Rosacea

The four main Rosacea Subtypes:

Treating Different Types of Rosacea
Treating Different Types of Rosacea Flushing and Broken Blood Vessels

If your face frequently flushes red for more than about ten minutes after exercise, drinking alcohol, being outdoors in warm weather, or other common triggers, you may have what’s called erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR). This type of rosacea is characterized by facial flushing and broken blood vessels, which are likely caused by years of dilating and constricting.

Treating Different Types of Rosacea
Treating Different Types of Rosacea Papulopustular or Acne-Like Rosacea

Flushing and redness can also be present with papulopustular rosacea, but papules or acne-like bumps will also appear on top of redness. Some evidence suggests that this subtype could be associated with allergy-like responses within your body’s immune system. Other studies have shown an association with gut microbiota (bacteria). Additional research is still needed to uncover the exact cause of rosacea.

Treating Different Types of Rosacea
Treating Different Types of Rosacea Phymatous Rosacea

Rosacea subtype three is characterized by thick, red skin that usually develops on the nose but can also affect the chin, ears, forehead, and eyelids. Although rosacea is more common in fair-skinned women than in men, phymatous rosacea is most commonly seen in men.

Sun protection, trigger avoidance, and medical-grade treatment are the best ways to manage phymatous rosacea. As with other subtypes, catching it early is crucial for minimizing symptoms.

Treating Different Types of Rosacea
Treating Different Types of Rosacea Ocular Rosacea

Many people who struggle with red, burning, stinging, or uncomfortable eyes do not realize they could have ocular rosacea. This type of rosacea often occurs in conjunction with subtype 1—facial redness, flushing, and broken blood vessels. Sometimes, ocular rosacea develops before symptoms appear on the skin.

The four types of rosacea can be categorized into two basic complexion types.

Sensitive Type - Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea
  • The skin is very sensitive and easily irritated by normal to harsh products, environmental climates, etc.
  • Skin flushing and blushing often sting.
  • The skin is fine-textured with scale and roughness to the touch, and fine broken capillaries are visible.
  • Red pimples are often small.
  • These changes may be very dramatic or quite subtle.

Tolerant Type - Papulopustular Rosacea
  • This is the more classic type of rosacea with skin that may be sebaceous, oily, red, thick, and swollen.
  • Large pores are often present.
  • Pimples are often large and very red.
  • Broken capillaries are visible.
  • Skin is often not sensitive (It may also feel sensitive, especially if you tend to have accompanying dermatitis).
  • Flushing may or may not sting.

Rosacea with Seborrheic Dermatitis

People with rosacea often have facial seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) too. Both rosacea and seborrhea cause sensitive red facial skin and respond to some of the same treatments.

Here is how to tell if you have seborrheic dermatitis along with your rosacea:

  • Your Rosacea often involves the “apples” of the cheeks, mid-forehead, chin, and nose.
  • Seborrheic dermatitis of the face often involves the furrows of the face and hairy areas. It causes redness and a flaky scale in the eyebrows, the furrow along the sides and crease of the nose, and the sides of the chin. Facial seborrhea may accompany dandruff (redness and/or dry scaly flakes) on your scalp.

The Best Skin Health Treatment plan for Rosacea

  1. CLEANSE
  2. CORRECT
  3. HYDRATE
  4. PROTECT

Cleanse

Use a medicated pH-balanced cleanser that is free from harsh surfactants and fragrance. Medicated cleansers are a simple way to deliver treating ingredients to the skin. 

Avoid physical exfoliation and toners. 

For excessive facial scales and engorged/clogged pores, gently use a lukewarm wet facecloth to soften and remove the scales. Wait until the skin’s sensitivity and signs of rosacea are controlled before removing the scales and peeling the skin. An active flare-up of rosacea may not tolerate even gentle exfoliation and scrubbing.

DermExcel recommendation: Medi-Zinc Cleanser with 2% pyrithione zinc that also addresses seborrheic dermatitis.

Correct

Control redness, inflammation, and microbial overgrowth with effective anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial products. 

Proven effective active ingredients include Zinc pyrithione, Zinc PCA, Vitamin K, Argan, Niacinamide, Salicylic acid, and 4-ethoxybenzaldehyde.

DermExcel recommendations: Inflacin serum, DermRepair, and Salicylic acid gel.

Hydrate

The barrier strength of rosacea-prone skin is weakened. Help it heal by keeping your skin optimally hydrated.

Use hydrators free from fragrance and potential irritants like certain plant extracts. Proven active ingredients include argan, jojoba, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and ceramides.

DermExcel recommendations: DermRepair & DermNourish

Protect

Protect your vulnerable skin with Sunscreen SPF 50 every day. 

DermExcel recommendations: DermDefence SPF50

Active Ingredients Treating Rosacea

DERMAL DIAGNOSIS

DIAGNOSE YOUR SKIN TYPE

Assessment

Submit Your Free Online Dermal Diagnosis™ Assessment.

start

Treatment Plan

Receive your Free Personal Profile and Treatment Plan

start

Confident Skin

Start your Simple and Effective journey to Confident Skin!

start

Lifestyle Changes to Manage Rosacea

The steps to help manage your rosacea are primarily focused on reducing flare-ups. Several factors can cause your rosacea symptoms to flare up. However, these factors vary among people with rosacea. It is unlikely that every trigger will cause you to have a flare-up.

Rosacea Triggers

  • Emotional stress
  • Sun exposure
  • Hot weather
  • Alcohol or caffeine
  • Very hot or spicy foods
  • Exercise
  • Wind
  • Hot baths
  • Cold, windy weather
  • Hot drinks
  • Scrubbing, rubbing, or massaging the face
  • Irritating cosmetics, other toiletries, and skincare products

DermExcel Rosacea Treatment

Read more

DermExcel™ | Can Niacinamide and Vitamin C Be Used Together?
Active Ingredients

Can Niacinamide and Vitamin C Be Used Together?

Can Niacinamide and Vitamin C Be Used Together? Myth-busting! What the internet says: Combining Niacinamide and Vitamin C neutralize the effectiveness of both ingredients and might create a sub...

Read more
DermExcel™ | The Role Of Retinoids
Active Ingredients

The Role Of Retinoids

Read more