bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Carolina Malis

Contributing writer for Style by SCMP, specialising in beauty, wellness and lifestyle


Rosacea is a common but also very misunderstood skin condition that goes way beyond rosy cheeks.
It can manifest itself in many different forms, which is why it can be misdiagnosed or dismissed as else.
It starts with a tendency to blush or your face getting red. As time goes by, the redness covers more areas of your skin, commonly starting on your cheeks and then spreading to nose, forehead, chin, ears, and even eyes and chest, which can feel overwhelming.
However, with the proper diagnosis and treatment, rosacea can be tamed in the long run.

What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin disease that causes persistent redness and often small, acne-like bumps. It’s a chronic skin condition so you can treat it and keep it under control, but there’s no cure.
It may appear in different forms and start at different ages. It typically begins around age 30, but those younger can also experience it.
No matter when or how it initiates, it’s crucial to see a dermatologist as soon as you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms, as with time, the redness gets more intense and recurrent. This can lead to visible blood vessels, inflammation, pimples and bloodshot eyes.

What causes rosacea?
Unfortunately, there’s no exact answer to this question.
“It may be a combination of hereditary and environmental factors,” says dermatologist Sapna Palep. “You are more likely to develop rosacea if you have a family history of the condition or if you have Celtic or Scandinavian ancestors.
“Women are also more likely to develop the condition than men. However, men who develop the condition often have more severe symptoms.”

What are the symptoms
There are different types of rosacea but redness is the most common sign.
“Some of the early signs are facial blushing or flushing, typically in the centre part of your face, as well as more visible capillary veins – the small blood vessels around your nose and cheeks that break and become more visible,” says Dr Deanne Robinson, chief medical officer of aesthetics brand Ideal Image and co-Founder of medical group Modern Dermatology PC.
Other typical rosacea symptoms include small, acne-like pimples on your cheeks and/or nose, eyelid swelling, a burning sensation and an enlarged nose. In many cases, these symptoms get mistaken for skin conditions such as acne, eczema or allergies, which is why it is crucial to have a specialist examine your skin to diagnose it properly.
Robinson says there are four types of rosacea: erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (persistent redness); papulopustular rosacea (redness with small papule/whiteheads); phymatous rosacea (skin thickens and becomes lumpy and swollen); and ocular rosacea (watery, bloodshot, burning eyes).

Knowing your triggers
While the causes of rosacea are still to be determined, a few specific triggers may aggravate rosacea symptoms.
Some of them can be connected to lifestyle – like eating spicy meals, ingesting cinnamaldehyde (a compound found in cinnamon, tomatoes, citrus, and chocolate), smoking, exposure to UV radiation, and drinking hot drinks and alcohol.
Others may be linked to environmental conditions – extreme hot/cold weather, dry air, wind, sunlight and dust – or even emotional components, like stress or anxiety.

Rosacea was the most-searched-for skincare concern in 2021, according to online beauty retailer LookFantastic’s latest Skinfluencer Report, and Covid-19 may have something do with it.
“[Rosacea] can be worsened by lifestyle habits,” says dermatologist and dermatological surgeon Dr Dennis Gross. “In fact, we may be seeing a huge spike in the issue as a result of people having to wear masks. Recent studies have found that masks can cause those with pre-existing rosacea to flare up as the fabric rubs and irritates the skin.”
People with rosacea may also be more sensitive to certain skincare ingredients, including alcohol, tea tree oil, lactic and glycolic acids, eucalyptus oil, colourants, fragrances, and chemical sunscreens.
Remember, everyone experiences rosacea differently. Triggers may not affect some individuals at all while causing intense flare-ups for others.
Treatments and care
For those dealing with flushed skin, persistent redness and visible blood vessels, topical ointments or laser treatment can help. Skincare ingredients such as azelaic acid and topical antibiotics can also help manage symptoms for those who struggle with bumps and pimples.
“It is important to stay consistent with your prescribed topical skincare products as well as to avoid triggers,” Robinson says.

She adds, however, that if you suddenly find yourself experiencing a flare-up, certain topicals such as Afrin or Rhofade can help reduce redness for a while. “Both of these medications work to shrink and tighten the blood vessels contributing to the redness – both offer temporary relief, but are not a long-term cure.”
Keeping your skin hydrated is another must-do, as moisturisers create a barrier that keeps irritants away.
Finally, remember that no matter your type of rosacea or what triggers it, daily sunscreen use is a must to avoid flare-ups caused by UV radiation. To avoid possible triggering of symptoms, experts recommend sunscreens formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, silicones such as dimethicone, or cyclomethicone, no fragrances, and SPF above 30.


How Dr Nigma Talib keeps Hollywood A-listers looking youthful through naturopathy

China’s cosmetics brands, stepping out of K-beauty’s shadow, set sights on global markets

How celebrities are reshaping self-care with wellness brands, from Hailey Bieber to Kourtney Kardashian

Her grandmother used kombucha as a face toner. This US-based fermenter does the same today

Skincare

What is rosacea? Causes, symptoms and treatments of a disease that causes red skin, spots, lumps and rashes

Woman with Rosacea

There are different types of rosacea but redness is the most common sign. It typically begins around age 30, but those younger can also experience it.

A woman with rosacea with make-up on half her face.

Masks can cause those with pre-existing rosacea to flare up as the fabric rubs and irritates the skin, a dermatologist says. Photo: Shutterstock

Daily sunscreen use is a must to avoid flare-ups caused by UV radiation.

People with rosacea may be more sensitive to skincare ingredients such as alcohol, tea tree oil and, lactic and glycolic acids. Photo: Shutterstock

Using moisturisers to keep your skin hydrated can help fight rosacea as they create a barrier that keeps irritants away.

Skincare ingredients such as azelaic acid can help manage symptoms.

The TCM beauty clinic that Donnie Yen’s sister goes to in Hong Kong – why this could be the city’s best kept beauty secret

TCM skincare products from Sonkei. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Rainbow Wong is the owner of Sonkei, a TCM beauty shop in Fortress Hill. Her skincare spa uses pastes made from medicinal herbs. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Pastes can be made up of over 70 medicinal herbs that have been crushed into powder. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Wong opened Sonkei in Fortress Hill around 18 years ago. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Clients often tell Wong she should open more shops, but she prefers to keep it to just the one. Photo: Jonathan Wong

The best red lipsticks, from Chanel and Hermès to Fenty Beauty and Nars, according to our fashion and beauty writers

Rihanna knows the power of a bold red lip colour, and we know you do too. Here are our favourite red lipsticks.

A lipstick from Hermès Rouge Bleu.

A lipstick from La Bouche Rouge.

A 22R Rosso Valentino lipstick.

A Rouge Louboutin lipstick.

Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color.

Shampoo’s ‘bad’ ingredients: the truth about keratin, parabens, silicones and sulphates and what they really do when they’re in your hair

We take a look at some of the “bad” hair ingredients we’re told to avoid and others that are praised. Photo: Shutterstock

Oxyglow Keratin hair products. If your hair is naturally parched or feels damaged, it may benefit from an extra shot of keratin.

The Ordinary Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair and the Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner are among the brand’s haircare products.

If you struggle with sensitive skin, sulphates may trigger inflammation. Photo: Shutterstock

Together Beauty hair products.

Function of Beauty hair products.

Sulphates create a lathering, foaming effect, dissolve oils and leave surfaces feeling squeaky clean.

Lifestyle

Fashion & Beauty


Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes persistent redness and often small, acne-like bumps, for which there is no cure
Topical ointments or laser treatment can help, as can keeping your skin hydrated and daily sunscreen use



Rosacea is a common but also very misunderstood skin condition that typically manifests as a red face but can spread to other parts of the body. We look at its causes, symptoms and treatments.


Beauty

Disease

Provide background, definition and detail of a specific topic, helping the reader understand how something works or what has happened in the past.  (Eg. What is Nafta? US and Mexico are on the verge of revising trade deal.)


Explainer