Protection from the weather/elements

When you have rosacea, one of your worst enemies is the weather. Spend time in the sun - enjoy a red face. Walking outside on a windy, cold day - your face will turn scarlet red. Bitter cold temperatures - expect rosy cheeks that are kicked up more than a notch. A hot, humid day may have people asking if your blood pressure is too high and if you need to sit down. The bottom line is that you need to figure out which atmospheric or weather conditions trigger rosacea and learn how to help your skin adjust.

Coping With Heat and Humidity

While taking a tour of a local college with my daughter on an 85 degree F, hazy, humid day, it wasn't long before my cheeks looked scarlet red. At one point, the student ambassador asked if I needed to sit down and rest. I felt fine, but heat and sun get me every time.

The truth is that there is little you can do to avoid the heat. However, carrying ice water with you can help cool your face down. Make sure you have ice and suck on the ice chips to help cool the inside of the cheeks, which can help lessen some of the flushing your face is going through. Evian Natural Mineral Spray or a facial water mist fan are equally helpful to carry. Quickly spray your face with the cool water and it can help cool the face and stop the rush of blood to the blood vessels under the skin.

Protect From the Sun

Sun screen is a must. If you're not wearing a facial sun screen, you're making a huge mistake. Not only is skin cancer a big risk, but you're also not helping your red face. A solution is to put on a gentle, unscented facial sunscreen 10 minutes before you head outside. Carry the bottle with you so that you can reply as necessary. Worried about shiny skin, clogged pores, or breakouts from the oils found in sunscreen? Colorescience makes an excellent powdered sunscreen called Sunforgettable (50 SPF) that protects against UVA and UVB rays. I highly recommend it. I also recommend purchasing a sunhat and wearing it when you're outside. You want a hat with a wide brim that shades your entire face and neck.

The Bitter Cold of Winter

Winter is another time when people with rosacea dread the change their skin goes through. Red Face solutions become necessary for many, especially those in colder climates. Woodstoves dry rosacea skin out and can lead to dry, cracked, peeling red skin. Bitter cold winds have the same drying effect. A heavy rosacea-friendly moisturizer is essential in the winter months. You may find you have to switch to a formula that's meant for nighttime use during the day. I have had good luck with CeraVe PM in the winter months. There are many other options, however. Finally, use a humidifier inside your home to alleviate any issues of rosacea triggered by dry air.