As the holiday season approaches, those with rosacea may be worried about holiday rosacea triggers.
Holiday stress, rich foods, and cold weather can all come together to increase rosacea flare-ups, making it tough to keep redness and irritation at bay.
We have some simple strategies you can use to keep your skin calm and glowing throughout the season.
11 Common Holiday Rosacea Triggers and How to Avoid Them
Learn about your triggers is crucial to help keep your skin free of rosacea breakouts.
It’s also important to use quality, fragrance-free skincare that won’t exacerbate your symptoms. CV Skinlabs products were specifically designed to help skin conditions like rosacea. All of our formulas are clinically proven to reduce redness, irritation, inflammation and itchiness.
Try applying our Rescue & Relief Spray, followed by Calming Moisture to soothe skin and reduce redness, irritation, and small bumps that are a telltale sign of rosacea. You will see a noticeable transformation in your skin!
1. Holiday Stress
The excitement and stress of planning holiday gatherings, shopping, travel, meeting with family, and more can trigger rosacea symptoms. Stress is one of the biggest rosacea triggers, leading to more redness and flare-ups.
Tips to Help:
Incorporate some kind of stress-relieving activity into your daily routine. Try a few minutes of deep breathing, 5-10 minutes of meditation, exercise and a daily walk, music and art therapy, or anything that helps you relax. (I’ve been doing sound baths to help reduce stress!)
Set aside “me time” somewhere in the week to help keep stress levels under control. The more you can even out your stress, the better your skin will be.
2. Rich, Spicy Foods
Holiday foods are often rich and spicy. Unfortunately, spicy foods commonly trigger rosacea flare-ups, as they can cause blood vessels to dilate and worsen redness.
Tips to Help:
Identify and try to avoid foods that you know affect you. Spicy foods, tomatoes, and chocolate are some common ones for those with rosacea. If you’re at a party, try smaller portions if you’re not sure. Pair spicy dishes with cooling cucumbers and salads to minimize their effects.
3. Alcohol
Alcohol, particularly red wine, is a well-known rosacea trigger. It can dilate blood vessels and lead to flare-ups, making redness worse.
Tips to Help:
Opt for non-alcoholic beverages most of the time. Choose sparkling water or mocktails instead. If you do indulge, choose a lighter alcohol option, like white wine or a light cocktail, and drink water in between to stay hydrated.
4. Hot Beverages
Hot tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and other hot drinks are all comforting in the cold weather. Unfortunately, that heat can trigger a flare-up. The heat from the drink warms your face and may result in redness.
Tips to Help:
Let your drink cool a little before you drink it.
5. Cold Weather and Wind
Cold air, particularly when it comes with wind, irritates sensitive rosacea-prone skin. Low temperatures also sap moisture from the skin, while the wind leads to further irritation and redness.
Tips to Help:
Protect your skin from the elements by wearing a scarf and hat when you’re outside, covering as much of your face as possible. Apply our Calming Moisture before you head out, as it will act as a healthy, protective barrier and help keep skin calm.
6. Overheated Indoor Spaces
Going from the cold outside to a heated indoor room can cause blood vessels to expand, leading to facial flushing.
Tips to Help:
Try to keep your indoor environment at a moderate temperature. If you’re visiting someone else’s home or a public building and feel yourself getting overheated, step outside for a few minutes of fresh air. Staying hydrated and avoiding hot beverages can also help.
7. Heavy Holiday Makeup
It’s fun to get all dolled up for a party, but heavy foundations and blushes can irritate sensitive skin. Certain makeup products may also contain fragrances and harsh chemicals that can aggravate rosacea.
Tips to Help:
Choose makeup products that are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and designed for sensitive skin. Mineral-based makeup may be a good option, as it tends to be gentler. Use our Rescue & Relief Spray as a toner, and then apply our Calming Moisture before makeup. It can serve as a barrier between your skin and your makeup, protecting the skin and keeping it moisturized.
Then be sure to always clean your face before bed, removing all makeup with a mild cleanser and perhaps a soft cleansing brush.
8. Holiday Desserts and Sugary Treats
Diets high in sugar have been linked to inflammation, which worsens rosacea symptoms. Even if you don’t usually eat a lot of sugar, it’s tough to avoid it during the holidays when there are so many tempting treats.
Tips to Help:
Enjoy sweets in moderation. Whenever possible, choose desserts with less sugar. Better options include fruits, dark chocolate, gingerbread, figs, bread pudding, baked apples, and any low-sugar recipe treats.
9. Lack of Sleep
It’s often harder to get your 7-8 hours of sleep per night during the holiday season. A lack of sleep can weaken the skin barrier, increase inflammation, and exacerbate rosacea symptoms.
Tips to Help:
Try to go to bed and get up at the same time, even during the weekends. Create a calming bedtime routine that helps you relax after a stressful day. Turn down the lights at least an hour before bed, and avoid taking any technology—including your phone, tablet, and television—into your bedroom. The light can interfere with your sleep hormones. Make sure your bedroom is cool and dark, and if noise interferes with your sleep, try a white noise machine or fan.
10. Traveling and Climate Changes
If you travel to another area where the climate is different, that can shock your sensitive skin. Maybe you’re going from a typically humid area to a dry one. Without some extra care, your skin may flare up with redness and inflammation.
Tips to Help:
Do everything you can to prepare your skin for the change. Start by moisturizing with our Calming Moisture before you leave. Carry our travel-sized Rescue + Relief Spray with you and mist on your skin whenever it starts to feel dry. Then do your best to stick with your regular skin care routine at your new destination.
11. Scented Holiday Candles and Air Fresheners
Scented products can help create a holiday atmosphere in a room, but many contain chemicals that can irritate rosacea-prone skin, particularly if you get too near the source.
Tips to Help:
If you’re hosting, opt for fragrance-free or lightly scented candles, or use essential oil diffusers with soothing oils like chamomile and lavender. If you’re visiting others, try sitting farther away from any strong-smelling candles or sprays to reduce potential irritation.
Do you struggle with holiday rosacea triggers?
Featured image by Kaboompics.com via Pexels.