What is Rosacea?
Rosacea - also called copper rose or face rose - is a non-contagious, chronic skin disease. It mainly occurs on the cheeks, nose and forehead. The disease usually begins in flares - most frequently between the ages of 30 and 50 - somewhat more frequently in women than in men. Younger people are also more and more frequently affected by a preliminary stage. Rosacea is accompanied by enlarged capillaries, persistent redness, inflammation, small nodules or pustules and even visible tissue changes.
Unlike acne, the skin does not appear oily or greasy and there are no hormonal shifts. The blackheads typical of acne are also missing. However, there is also a mixed form of acne and rosacea, in which the symptoms of both skin diseases occur at the same time.
How can I tell if I have rosacea?
Not every reddening is a precursor to rosacea. However, there are some symptoms you should look out for with your skin type:
- Persistent redness on the face, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose, cheeks)
- small, red, swollen pimples, papules, or bumps on the skin
- red, sore eyelids or eyes
- dry or scaly skin
- a burning or tingling sensation in the face
Note, however, that these symptoms can also occur in connection with other skin diseases or allergic skin reactions. If in doubt, you should get medical advice and have the precise diagnosis clarified by a dermatologist.
What are the causes of rosacea?
The exact causes of rosacea have not yet been researched, but there seem to be risk factors that often apply to rosacea:
- a genetic predisposition, such as weak connective tissue or high blood pressure
- a weakened immune system, possibly associated with excessive colonization of the skin with demodex mites. The skin reacts to this with an increased immune response, forms antibodies and thus triggers a chronic inflammatory reaction in the skin with burning, stinging and itching.
- an excessive reaction to certain triggers such as heat, cold, alcohol, increased UV exposure, spicy food or emotional stress
- a disturbed skin barrier that promotes inflammation, pimples and redness
In general, fair or thin skin allows redness and small veins to show through more than a dark complexion and thicker skin.
What is the difference between couperose and rosacea?
Both couperose and rosacea are common non-contagious skin conditions on the face. They are often confused with each other as they share similar symptoms and both result from hypersensitivity of the skin.
In the case of couperose, the fine, copper-red veins with increased blood flow are visible and can appear as spots on the face. A weakened connective tissue with so-called flushes occurs. These are sudden, fleeting reddening of the skin in the area of the cheeks, nose, chin and central forehead area. Couperosis occurs mainly in people with sensitive and fair skin. It is made worse by improper facial care, extreme heat, cold, UV radiation, coffee, nicotine or alcohol consumption. Couperose is often considered a precursor to rosacea. However, with proper care, couperose does not lead to rosacea.
Unlike couperose, rosacea is a more serious chronic inflammatory skin condition. The symptoms of rosacea are persistent redness or bluish discoloration, vasodilation, pustules, papules and inflammatory nodules on the face. In addition to a coarser skin surface, nodular skin growths can also occur at a later stage and cause a great deal of psychological stress for those affected. Rosacea is more common in middle-aged women and less common in men.
Proper care and an adapted lifestyle can alleviate the symptoms of rosacea and reduce flare-ups.
Magnolia Calming Serum for couperose and rosacea
The Magnolia Calming Serum based on organic aloe vera gel is usually completely sufficient as a light facial care alone instead of a day cream in summer. The active ingredient complex of the Magnolia Calming Serum made from green tea and licorice root extract calms and improves the condition of rosacea skin after just a few applications. Cold-pressed grape seed oil strengthens the connective tissue, while beta-glucan from oats strengthens the skin barrier and antioxidant magnolia bark inhibits inflammation.
Grape seed day cream for couperose and rosacea
In winter, the active ingredient serum is enriched with the grape seed day cream. In general, rosacea facial care products should not be too greasy. For more skin care tips, check out our next blog post on couperose and Rosacea.
Click here for the Skin needs for rosacea
