Follow These Steps To Find A Face Wash That Works With Your Rosacea

Posted on: 15 June 2015

Does your rosacea act up every time you wash your face? Perhaps you experience a burning sensation, your face turns even brighter red, or you notice new pimples start to form. Every patient is different, so the face washing routine that works for your friend or sister may not be ideal for your skin. Following these steps will help you identify a face washing solution that works for you.

Step 1: Pare down to the basics.

Before you start experimenting with medicated washes, it's important to ensure you're not using any washes or techniques that are making your rosacea worse. Set aside any washes you've been using, and purchase a simple, gentle facial cleanser that contains no preservatives, dyes, or fragrances. For the next week or so, use just this cleanser on your skin. Make sure you apply it gently -- rubbing and scrubbing will only make rosacea worse. Do not use a rough washcloth; wash your face with a smooth sponge or your hands.

You should notice that your rosacea stops becoming so irritated after you wash it. The degree to which your symptoms subside will depend on your particular skin and the severity of your rosacea. Some patients experience great relief just by switching to a pure, natural cleanser. If you fall into this group, then feel free to stick with this skin routine. On the other hand, if you are still seeking greater relief, move on to step 2.

Step 2: Try your first medicated cleanser, and track symptoms.

Start with over-the-counter cleansers that state that they are made for sufferers of rosacea. There are two basic types of these. Some contain the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, and others contain sulfa. Choose a product to try first; you can choose something you think may have worked for you in the past or a medicated wash your doctor suggested.

Use the wash for 2 weeks, and during this time, keep a log of your symptoms. If you notice that your symptoms are improved compared to how they were when you were using just the pure cleanser, you've found a medicated wash that works for you! Stick with it.

Step 3: Try another medicated cleanser.

If you notice that your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 2 weeks, go back to the pure wash for a week to flush out your system. Then, move onto a different medicated cleanser, once again tracking your symptoms over a two-week period. If this one works for you, then stick with it. Otherwise, repeat this step again with a third medication.

If you try several over-the-counter medicated washes and none of them seem to make your rosacea symptoms better, then talk to your dermatology physician. There are prescription medicated washes that, while often more costly than over-the-counter preparations, may be the ideal choice for you.

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