Anyone who has rosacea knows how frustrating it can be to have flare-ups. While sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what caused a flare-up—most of the time it’s the same common culprits doing the damage. “Rosacea worsens with sun exposure, changes in temperature and anything that causes flushing, of course, like alcohol or spicy foods,” says New York dermatologist Orit Markowitz, MD.
If you haven’t been to a dermatologist for your rosacea, that should be your first stop. Although the condition is not curable, it is treatable. In addition to weather changes and spicy food, skin-care ingredients can also lead to more redness. When you have rosacea, the fewer ingredients on the label, the better, says Miami dermatologist Dr. Deborah Longwill. When you’re purchasing products in the store, be sure to look for the calming ingredients doctors advise using and stay away from anything that could aggravate your rosacea.