Rosacea is a disorder of the skin that causes an inflammation, which gives people the characteristic red, thick blotches on the face. It is more common with people as they age, but now more and more people in their teens and twenties get it.
While not nearly as serious or even life threatening, rosacea certainly affects people’s confidence with themselves. Is there an easy way to cure this? Do people who suffer with rosacea still have hope?
Luckily, there are a number of natural, home treatments that can help alleviate or even remove symptoms entirely. This, plus some lifestyle changes, can do wonders for people suffering from the condition.
What Causes Rosacea?
While the root cause of rosacea is largely unknown, there are a number of factors that cause a trigger and might increase your chances of getting it. These include:
- Drinking alcohol
- Drinking coffee
- Too hot / too cold temperatures
- Eating fatty or spicy foods
- Exposure to the sun
- Negative emotions like stress
- Certain medication that causes blood vessels to dilate
Natural Remedies for Rosacea
There are certainly a number of home remedies available for those suffering from this ailment. What’s great about this is that since they’re natural, there are minimal side effects, if any.
As always, consult with your doctor first before trying any of these remedies, as you might have a deeper underlying problem you didn’t know about that can get worse if you try any one of these.
Aloe Vera
It is a known fact that aloe vera does great things for your skin. It’s a natural moisturizer and helps repair wounds and tissues faster that makes it a good cure for another common skin problem – acne.
While you can use any number of aloe vera based moisturizers and ointments out there, its cheaper to just use the plant itself. To use, cut a leaf of the aloe with a clean knife along the base. What you want is the gel inside. It would be wise to apply a small amount to your wrist or hands first and wait for 30 minutes, just to see if you’re allergic to it.
Assuming everything’s OK, apply the gel to the affected area in a circular motion. You can then let this rest for an hour or, better yet, even overnight. The long duration gives the aloe plenty of time to act on your skin and do its magic. Rinse afterward with warm water and you’re good to go!
Chamomile
Another herbal remedy, chamomile is typically used for its anti-inflammatory properties. There are a lot of chamomile oils and extracts available, but the real thing works just as well.
Chamomile tea bags are fantastic and convenient when used as a warm compress. To use, get two bags of chamomile tea and steep them in warm water for around 30 seconds. Quickly pat them dry but not so much; they still need to be a bit damp. Press on the affected area for around 10 minutes and gently wipe afterwards.
Or you can alternately make chamomile tea as directed, allow it to cool, and then use it as a face wash every night.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a fantastic moisturizer for your skin and is an effective cure for inflammatory skin conditions, rosacea being one of them. It’s a great anti-oxidant and contains lauric acid, which can alleviate irritated skin.
It’s pretty simple to use. Just apply a small amount of oil in the affected area overnight. Be sure to use a high quality, cold-pressed virgin oil to make sure it’s natural and free of any additives.
Oatmeal
Now here’s a use for your favorite breakfast staple. Oatmeal has been used as a cure for rosacea for a long time. It strengthens the skin and helps it retain moisture, which can help soothe and calm itchy skin.
To use, grind about a ½ cup of oatmeal in a food processor or blender and mix with around ¼ cup of water to make a paste. Adjust water to achieve the right, thick consistency as necessary. Apply to affected areas on your face and let stand for 20 minutes, then rinse with water and pat to dry (don’t scrub!)
Honey
Honey is a humectant, which basically means it aids your skin retain moisture. This makes it an excellent remedy for rosacea, which worsens with dry skin.
Use a high quality raw honey, such as Manuka or Kanuka honey, as it is more effective than the processed stuff. Gently massage and lather the honey onto the affected area in your skin and let it stand for around 20 minutes, before rinsing with warm water.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This natural, wonder vinegar has many health benefits and is flexible for both external and internal applications.
You can drink apple cider vinegar every morning, around 1 teaspoon, mixed with 1 cup of water. Apple cider vinegar helps maintain your body’s pH balance, which is thought to reduce rosacea symptoms.
Apple cider vinegar can be applied directly to the affected area as well! Mix apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:4 ratio. Apply this solution to your face using a small towel and leave for 10 minutes, then rinse after with warm water.
Preventing Rosacea
A good long-term strategy to prevent rosacea is to reduce your exposure to the risk factors. Small changes in lifestyle can do wonders in slowing down or halting the progression of the disease.
- Avoid drinking excessive coffee and alcohol. If you can avoid it entirely, so much the better!
- Protect yourself from the sun whenever you’re going out. Use sunscreens with the appropriate SPF rating.
- Eat food high in antioxidants such as ginger and kale as these have excellent anti-inflammatory properties, perfect for combating rosacea.
Avoid eating excessively fatty food. - Don’t eat spicy food.
- Manage your stress levels by being more mindful or engaging in relaxing activities like meditation.