Help! I Have Rosacea and Dry Skin

In our series, Derm Appointment Tagalong, we join our editors on a trip to visit top New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman. In this episode with Jillian Selzer, former social media Editor for Makeup.com and Skincare.com, we tackle how to address rosacea and dry skin. 

Rosacea, which presents as redness or flushness on the face, is a persisting skin condition that can go hand-in-hand with a dry skin texture. While there’s not a quick-fix to remedy dry skin and rosacea, there are a handful of ways to even out your skin tone and balance your skin’s texture. With help from board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant Dendy Engelman, we’re sharing expert skincare tips and tricks for addressing rosacea. Read on and watch our video for more information.

What Is Rosacea? 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, rosacea is a chronic skin condition associated with facial redness, flushing and visible blood vessels. While the tell-tale sign is redness, rosacea can present in a multitude of ways. Some may experience red bumps on the skin’s surface or redness around the eye, while others only present with facial flushing and redness due to underlying inflammation. The latter is a specific type of rosacea is called Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea. 

What Causes Rosacea? 

Time of year, temperature, food and your emotional state can play a role in rosacea flare-ups. “Those are things that can cause us to vasodilate, meaning that the superficial vessels are getting wider and reading as more red,” says Dr. Engelman. Anything from alcohol intake to exercise to stress can impact your skin’s tone. If you have fair skin, your vasculature will be more noticeable, and as a result, so will redness. 

How to Treat Rosacea?

Minimizing redness, hydrating the skin and smoothing out your texture is possible. Ahead, find Dr. Engelman’s recommendations. 

Consult Your Dermatologist About Prescription Medications   

Some prescription-strength topicals are helpful in fighting redness and underlying inflammation. It’s important to consult with your dermatologist or doctor to figure out a proper skin-care regimen. Dr. Engelman recommends azelaic acid, a skin-care ingredient that treats acne and rosacea, as well as Soolantra Cream, which is a medicated moisturizer designed for morning use. 

Look for Color-Correcting Products  

Try incorporating redness relief products on top of prescription medication.“Red and green are across from each other on the color wheel, so they cancel each other out and helps to minimize the underlying redness in the skin,” says Dr. Engelman. A few of her favorites include the SkinCeuticals Phyto Plus Serum, which helps address redness, sun spots and hyperpigmentation, and the SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask, which should be used once or twice a week when redness is at a high. Both are green in color. 

Use an Oil-Based Cleanser for Hydration 

“Oil-based cleansers are really good for people who have mature skin or really sensitive skin because it’s helping to dissolve away makeup, New York City pollution and whatever else is on our skin,” says Dr. Engelman. “It doesn’t have any kind of detergent or any kind of soap, so it’s a gentle way to get the day off, so we can get our products on.” Using gentle, hydrating products will help moisturize the skin and work to get rid of underlying inflammation, which in the long-run can help improve skin tone and texture. 

Sleep With a Humidifier by Your Bed 

To combat dry skin, Dr. Engelman recommends sleeping with a humidifier by your bed. “If we’re increasing the humidity in your ambient environment, then that helps our skin to maintain its hydration,” she explains. 

Always Apply Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen 

No matter your skin tone, applying broad-spectrum SPF every day is a must. This will help prevent sun spots, hyperpigmentation and burns from UVA/UVB rays. Sunscreen should be applied every morning as the final step in your skin-care routine and reapplied throughout the day every two hours or as directed. 

Think About Laser Treatments 

When it comes to combating redness, less is more. Dr. Engelman recommends starting with topical products, but if that doesn’t work, there are in-office laser treatments that can help even out your tone. Consult with your dermatologist before trying anything new.

Photo: Chaunte Vaughn

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