Grabbing a cup of coffee used to be a staple part of my daily routine but, in the search to pinpoint the root cause of my rosacea, I tried cutting it out of my diet. I’m so happy that I did because I started to notice a visible difference in my skin. This is why I’ve been avoiding coffee entirely in recent months.
If you struggle with rosacea you need to be really careful with stimulants. Caffeine may not be a trigger for everyone with rosacea but, if you do notice that you become red or flushed after drinking it, it might be helpful to try cutting it back or cutting it out completely from your diet.
A survey from the National Rosacea Society showed that 36% of participants found that hot beverages triggered a symptom flare-up. This could be because having a hot cup of coffee can dilate your blood vessels. Or, that the dehydration from coffee can lead to skin redness or inflammation. A hot drink also makes you sweat more, clogging your pores and increasing stress - all of which are likely to trigger rosacea.
Rosacea is thought to be driven by both genetics and the environment, but just because something is genetic doesn’t mean that it’s automatically going to play out in the way you think it is. You often can control which genes express themselves through your diet and lifestyle choices but, to do so, you really need to understand the root cause of what you are dealing with. If you’re unsure as to whether coffee could be a trigger for you, try keeping a diary and noting when your symptoms flare up and what might be causing it.
The initial root causes and drivers of rosacea can be driven by:
- An inflammatory immune response that can show up as inflammation in the skin, or the face
- Gut dysbiosis - a study showed that patients with rosacea were 13 x more likely to have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) than the control group in the study
- Microbe exposure - it is hypothesized that inflammation in the gut (often provoked by the overgrowth of microbes that shouldn’t be there) will show up as inflammation on the face and in other areas of the body. The presence of H. pylori in particular stimulates the production of inflammatory mediators in large numbers, leading to the development of rosacea inflammation.
- Low stomach acid - which can be caused by high stress, worry, and common nutrient deficiencies like zinc.
- Low pancreatic enzyme function - particularly lipase which is the fat splitting enzyme.
- Emotional stress - an NRS survey showed that 79% of people were triggered by emotional stress
Food sensitivity triggers of rosacea can also include:
- Cinnamaldehyde-containing foods like chocolate, tomatoes, and citrus fruits
- Histamine-rich foods (processed foods, processed meats, aged / old cheese & wine);
- Spicy foods - the National Rosacea Society survey of 1,066 rosacea patients showed that 45% were affected by spicy foods;
- Alcohol - particularly wine, dilates blood vessels. It is also dehydrating, leads to poor sleep and increases stress.
If you’re struggling with rosacea, read on to find out my tips for managing this chronic inflammatory skin condition.
Centella Asiatica Extract: see all products with this wonderful ingredient
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can be found on the cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. There are four types (subtypes 1, 2, 3, and 4). Just like acne, chronic skin conditions have a root cause. I always say that if your traditional dermatologist has recommended topical cream, any type of steroid, an oral antibiotic, or really any medication at all for rosacea, you should quit working with them and look for a practitioner that can look into the root cause alongside them.
Once you’ve looked deeper into the root cause of your rosacea, you can begin to manage the symptoms and flare ups through your skincare routine. Alongside dietary changes, it’s important to use a skincare routine that can help this condition - and this is where The Skin Counter comes in.
One of my favorite ingredients for improving rosacea is centella asiatica extract as it has an incredibly soothing and protective properties, which contribute to its skin-enhancing qualities. This multitasking antioxidant helps to calm the skin. Due to these actions, centella asiatica skincare may help treat the appearance of rosacea. You are about to see centella asiatica blow up in the beauty industry over the next year. I can't get enough of this ingredient.
If you suffer from rosacea, traditional exfoliators will only irritate the skin further, as the natural skin barrier is already weak, but lactic acid (shop here) is a great alternative. It breaks down the connections that bind dead skin cells together in a more gentle way. Lactic acid also helps to increase collagen and tighten the skin.
For rosacea, I also always recommend vitamin B5: Panthenol, Allantoin, Niacinamide & Azelaic Acid
One of the most prevalent signs of rosacea is itching. By deeply hydrating the skin and calming the skin topically, panthenol aids in the reduction of itching. As pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is created when panthenol is absorbed, it can reach deep within the lower skin cells. The vital moisture added by vitamin B5 to the skin later lessens the irritating and stinging sensations brought on by dryness.
All skin types need cell recovery, but rosacea sufferers particularly benefit from a healthy cell turnover since it prevents skin thickness. By promoting the growth of new skin cells, panthenol aids in the skin's ability to recover. These processes also aid in lowering inflammation, which is another frequent problem in skin that is prone to rosacea.
People with rosacea frequently complain about breakouts of acne. Because to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, panthenol is a potent blemish-fighter. Because it penetrates the skin so deeply, it aids in the prevention and internal healing of acne outbreaks.
Allantoin is a versatile ingredient with a wide variety of skills and the ability to multitask. Allantoin acts as an emollient that keeps your skin moisturized and prevents dryness and irritation. It has the additional functionality of being a calming agent. It soothes and protects the skin
Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties and may aid in the relief of redness associated with acne, rosacea, eczema, and other inflammatory skin conditions. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, niacinamide is increasingly being used as a first-line treatment in Rosacea, alongside other ingredients such as azelaic acid.
Laser Genesis
I don’t love lasers as they thin the skin and instead prefer a Radiofrequency facial or microneedling. If I’m going to choose a laser, the only one I like is Genesis. It’s an amazing treatment for capillaries, redness and rosacea.
Laser genesis is the best treatment for rosacea, in my opinion. Lasers stimulate collagen production and new skin growth. They can also help with fine lines and wrinkles, but, most importantly, the lasers work to close the tiny capillaries that cause the redness of rosacea. This therapy can help constrict the blood vessels, so this will help if you are suffering.
I hope you find this helpful! I’d love to know if coffee is a trigger for your rosacea too and if you’ve seen improvements when cutting coffee out of your diet.
***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA. WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST****