April is Rosacea Awareness Month, and with the excitement of all of those beautiful, spring cosmetic collections, we can lose sight of what is most important for making our makeup application look good: taking care of our skin first. BeautyStat was able to get in touch with Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Mt Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, to tell us some important facts about rosacea. Dr. Zeichner has been quoted in various media outlets including Women’s Health Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes and Gardens, Elle, Health Magazine, Women’s Day and many more. Read on to find out what exactly rosacea is, how you can control it and which soothing skin care products to use.

KEY FACTS

· An estimated 16 million Americans have rosacea and most of them don’t even know it
· Rosacea affects upwards of 45 million people worldwide

Universal Tests To See If You Suffer From Rosacea:

– If you have a glass of red wine (or two) and your face flushes or feels warm, you have (or will develop) rosacea
– If you exercise or are out in the cold and your face stays flushed for 15-30 minutes after you are resting or back inside, you have (or will develop) rosacea

Dr. Joshua Zeichner

What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects the face. Some patients suffer from facial redness and easy flushing. Others have red bumps and pus pimples. The eyes are commonly affected with eyelid redness and itchy eyes.

What Causes It?

The exact cause of rosacea is unclear. Current theories include a weakness of the skin barrier as well as a hypersensitivity of the body’s innate immune system. This combination results in the skin over-reacting to environmental triggers, such sunlight. Other triggers are factors that cause blood vessels to dilate, such as spicy food or alcohol.

Does It Get Better Or Worse As We Age? Why?

Rosacea tends to get worse with age. Chronic exposure to sunlight leads to dilation and proliferation of blood vessels along with chronic inflammation. Long-term, untreated rosacea can be a challenge to get under control.

What Can Help?

TOPICAL TREATMENTS:

NEW SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer

· Designed for sensitive rosacea skin types, this lightweight gel cream strengthens the skin’s protective barrier, reduces redness and flushing, and alleviates irritation

· Specifically formulated with patent-pending NeuroMed Complex, an innovative combination of biomimetic peptides and natural actives to combat the key steps of the inflammation cascade responsible for vasodilation (the main cause of redness and flushing)

· This neuropeptide and antioxidant combination regulates inflammatory mediators and reduces skin’s temperature while bisabolol, zinc glutonate, and shea butter further soothe and comfort irritated skin

· Redness Neutralizer is efficient alone and is clinically shown to provide incremental benefits to patients already on a rosacea drug
– A Clinical Study found that after 12 weeks, redness and flushing were reduced 30%
– Price: $63, Available at SkinCeuticals.com

Darphin Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum

· This high potency, soothing Darphin serum is dedicated to sensitive skin prone to irritations; helps diminish the appearance of redness and quiets the appearance of irritations as it softens skin.
· Price: $85, Available at Darphin.com

Sadick Dermatology Group PM Rejuvenation Cream

· From world-renowned dermatologist, Dr. Neil Sadick’s Park Avenue Prescription starter kit, this PM Rejuvenation Cream is a calming and relaxing formula with pigment and redness-fighting agents targeting melanin (melasma, age spots) and hemoglobin (redness, irritation, rosacea) to reduce inflammation and dark spots while hydrating skin and improving overall skin tone.

· Price: $38, available at Sephora.com

CAMOUFLAGING PRIMER:

L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Anti-Redness Primer

· Studio Secrets Professional Color Correcting Primers glide on smoothly to immediately neutralize color imperfections, like redness as a result of rosacea.

· The moisturizing formula blends effortlessly into skin and can be worn alone or under makeup.

· Price: $12.95, Available at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers

Tell, us, do any of you suffer from rosacea? What do you use to soothe your skin?

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