Rosacea Skincare: Incorporating Face Oils into Your Rosacea Skincare Routine

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterised by redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and sometimes small, red, pus-filled bumps on the face. While there is no cure for rosacea, its symptoms can be managed through acombination of skincare, lifestyle adjustments, and, in some cases, medical treatments. Among the plethora of skincare options, face oils have gained attention for their potential benefits for rosacea-prone skin. In this post, we delve into the world of face oils, explore which oils may be beneficial for rosacea, and introduce you to our very own award-winning rosacea-friendly face oil.

The role of face oils in rosacea skincare routine

Face oils offer a range of skin benefits, including hydration, nourishment, and protection. Contrary to common misconceptions, they can suit all skin types, provided the appropriate oil is chosen.

Research indicates that individuals with rosacea often exhibit dry skin and a compromised skin barrier. A damaged skin barrier allows irritants and bacteria to penetrate easily, exacerbating inflammation. In rosacea skincare, it's best to select oils with anti-inflammatory properties to soothe redness, while also fortifying and safeguarding the skin barrier. Face oils containing omega fatty acids not only provide moisture and maintain hydration, but also help to repair and strengthen the skin barrier.

Choosing the right face oil for rosacea

When choosing face oils for rosacea-prone skin, it's best to select oils suitable for sensitive skin that are non-comedogenic, meaning they won't clog pores, and possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory/soothing properties.

Numerous plant oils meet these criteria. These are some commonly recommended options for individuals with rosacea: Jojoba, Apricot, Argan, Rosehip, Olive Squalane, Raspberry, and Pumpkin seed oils.

How our face oil can help rosacea

Our award-winning natural face oil is a carefully curated and lightweight blend of soothing, nourishing and moisturising botanical oils. Due to the anti-inflammatory nature of these natural oils, our face oil can help soothe rosacea redness.

The combination of seven anti-inflammatory oils (Argan, Jojoba, Raspberry, Pumpkin, Lavender, Frankincense and Geranium) work in synergy to give a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, soothing inflammation.

Our natural face oil's botanical oils are rich in linoleic fatty acids, deeply moisturising dry skin and aiding in repairing the skin barrier. Olive Squalane and Jojoba act as occlusives, forming a protective layer that helps prevent moisture loss.

Research indicates that individuals with rosacea may have imbalances in fatty acids, including lower levels of specific types like cis-11-eicosanoic acid found in Jojoba oil, which is the base of our face oil.

Essential oils and rosacea‍

While some dermatologists caution against essential oils for sensitive skin, it's important not to dismiss them entirely, as many offer soothing and potentially healing properties. With careful use, they can help alleviate inflammation and reduce rosacea-related redness. For instance, recent research highlights the suppressive effects of citron essential oils on pro-inflammatory mediators involved in rosacea's pathophysiology, suggesting their potential benefit (1). Examples of other skin friendly and soothing essential oils are Lavender, Frankincense and Chamomile.

However, caution should be used with strong oils like Peppermint or Tea Tree, which may cause sensitisation or trigger rosacea flares despite their anti-inflammatory properties. When selecting skincare products for rosacea-prone skin, opt for those containing non-irritating and non-sensitising essential oils. It's crucial never to apply essential oils directly to your skin and to ensure proper dilution, as skincare products on the market undergo safety assessments to determine safe concentrations.

Our face oil incorporates a blend of gentle, anti-inflammatory oils, carefully chosen to soothe rosacea-related redness. Moreover, its aromatic profile promotes relaxation, offering holistic benefits that can reduce stress, a known rosacea trigger.

How to include face oil in your rosacea skincare routine:

1. Conduct a patch test: Before applying any new product to your face, it’s important to do a patch test first. This will help you determine if you have any sensitivities to the product. To do a patch test, apply a small amount of the product to your inner forearm and wait 24 hours. If you experience any redness, itching, or burning, then the product is not for you.
2. Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser: Once you’ve confirmed that you’re not sensitive to the face oil, you can start incorporating it  into your skincare routine. Begin by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin. This will help remove any dirt, oil, pollution and make-up.
3. Apply the face oil to slightly damp skin: After cleansing, apply a few drops of the face oil to your slightly damp skin. This will help the oil absorb more easily and lock in moisture.
4. Consider using mini-sized products: If you’re new to using face oils, it’s a good idea to start with a mini-sized product. This will allow you to experiment with the oil and see how your skin reacts before committing to a full-sized bottle.

While managing rosacea can be challenging, incorporating the right skincare products, such as face oils, can help soothe symptoms and improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. With the right approach to skincare, individuals with rosacea can achieve a calmer, more radiant complexion.

Amaranthine’s rosacea-friendly face oil is certified palm oil free, certified cruelty-free, certified CosmEthically active and suitable for vegans. Their award-winning natural skincare products are handmade in their boutique studio in Glasgow. Visit their range of rosacea skincare products, including a cleansing balm, face mask and face oil (available in mini trial sizes and as a rosacea skincare minis set).

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You may find these articles interesting: face masks for rosacea and how to manage rosacea flare-ups naturally.

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References:

1) Jean, Na, Sun, Lee and Lee 2018 “Citron Essential Oils Alleviate the Mediators Related to Rosacea Pathophysiology inEpidermal Keratinocytes”

2) Lin, Zhong and Santiago 2018 “Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of TopicalApplication of Some Plant Oils”