One in 10 of us suffers from rosacea – yet how much do we know about the condition? April is Rosacea Awareness Month, meaning there’s no better time to address the common skin disorder, including how to treat it.
‘Rosacea is a common, but poorly understood, long-term skin complaint which mainly affects the face, says nutritionist Cassandra Barns, ‘Symptoms often begin with the skin appearing flushed (where the skin turns red for a short period), but other symptoms can develop as the condition progresses.’
READ MORE: Rosacea: the most common skin disorder you’ve never heard of
These symptoms include:
- burning and stinging sensations
- permanent redness
- spots (papules and pustules)
- small blood vessels in the skin becoming visible
‘Rosacea is a relapsing condition,’ Barns adds, ‘so there are usually periods when symptoms are particularly bad, followed by periods when the condition appears less severe.’
For those seeking natural remedies to relieve their symptoms, Barns had recommended the following ingredients:
1 Green tea
Substances called catechins in green tea have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This is the primary reason for its amazing health benefits! Studies suggest that green tea in topical treatments may also be helpful for a variety of skin conditions including rosacea, acne and eczema.
2 Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a popular ingredient in skin treatments, thanks to its moisturising, anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties. It’s been found to be helpful for inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, and could also be helpful for rosacea.
READ MORE: 7 reasons to make the switch to organic beauty
3 MSM
Methylsulfonylmethane or MSM may sound like a nasty chemical, but it’s actually a natural sulphur compound, which can also be taken as a nutritional supplement. Using MSM in a topical treatment has been found to improve the condition of skin affected by rosacea, including reducing redness and itching.
4 Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that may be helpful for those with rosacea. As essential oils can have a very strong effect, it’s recommended to dilute it well with a base oil, such as coconut oil (e.g. 2–3 drops to half a teaspoon of coconut oil), and apply once or twice a day.
5 Turmeric
Turmeric is an amazing spice with confirmed anti-inflammatory benefits. Curcumin – the compound in turmeric thought to be responsible for most of its health benefits – has also been shown to have skin-healing and wound-healing properties [4]. Although little research has been carried out on turmeric specifically for rosacea, it has shown promise for relieving skin conditions thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
Learn more about natural plant ingredients at www.whatskinneeds.co.uk.
What’s your favourite natural skin ingredient? Tweet us @healthymag – we love to hear from you!