By Lori Keong and Tembe Denton-Hurst
Dealing with red, reactive skin and rosacea — a chronic condition where skin is overly sensitive, often with visible blood vessels and raised bumps on the face — usually means tiptoeing around anything that could trigger a flare-up. The problem is that virtually “anything that makes the face flush can cause a rosacea flare,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Common triggers include stress, extreme temperatures, spicy foods, fragrance and alcohol in skin care, and alcoholic drinks (especially wine), says dermatologist Debra Jaliman, an assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine. Even hot showers and skin-care acids can worsen symptoms. Constant rubbing and friction (like from frequent mask-wearing) can also cause a flare-up, says Skin Wellness Dermatology founder and dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman, who has noticed an uptick in flare-ups since the beginning of the pandemic. But there are ways to tame outbreaks and lessen their effects, so we asked five dermatologists and an esthetician to suggest the products that might calm and camouflage inflamed skin, from creams and cleansers to tinted primers and sunscreen.