6 Rosacea Myths: Learn the Truth Behind Rosacea

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Some of these myths can make proper treatment and understanding of this condition confusing for those dealing with Rosacea.

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Below, we tackle 6 of the most common rosacea myths that are commonly held, to help you have a more accurate understanding of this skin condition, and hopefully, set you on the path to a treatment that works well for you.

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Myth 1: Rosacea is just adult acne

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While some people experience small papules and pustules from having rosacea, it is not the same as straight-forward acne.

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The papules and pustules from rosacea tend to have a different root cause than your run-of-the-mill adult acne, and the treatments for rosacea blemishes are often different than classic acne as well.

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In fact, many of the popular over-the-counter treatments for general acne like salicylic acid and strong exfoliants could lead to the exacerbation of rosacea symptoms.

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And, while it is possible to be experiencing both rosacea and adult acne at the same time, it is still important to identify the root cause of the blemishes to choose a proper treatment. A healthcare provider or dermatologist should be able to help classify your blemishes and identify just what is going on.

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Myth 2: You can cure rosacea

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There is not currently a cure for rosacea. The root causes of rosacea may be due to a variety of underlying things including your genetics, inappropriate vessel dilation, inflammation, or even skin mites. Basically -- it is a complex condition potentially involving things outside of your control, and a fail-safe cure has not yet been developed.

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However, just because there is not currently a cure for rosacea, does not mean that many people do not find great ways to help keep symptoms and serious flare-ups at bay. There are definitely a variety of effective treatments available.

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Myth 3: Rosacea is just blushing

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Some people may try and downplay the situation when you mention that your red cheeks are due to a skin condition called rosacea. These people may think that facial redness is just blushing, and think that you are overreacting.

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Reddish, flushed, or “blushed” cheeks may look cute and appealing to some onlookers, and, it may even be a good look for you. But, the truth is that rosacea can be downright uncomfortable, causing hot, itchy, and irritated skin. Furthermore, untreated chronic rosacea can worsen and may lead to complications later on including eye issues or a red and enlarged nose.

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So, the next time someone comments that your rosacea is cute or that you don’t need to treat it, it is important to set them straight and let them know the discomfort and potential long-term effects that rosacea can bring.

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Myth 4: Rosacea isn’t that serious

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As we touched on above, there may be an attitude that rosacea is not a “serious” condition. But, we beg to differ.

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While rosacea is not life-threatening, some people experience a huge amount of skin discomfort from rosacea. Or, others may be so self-conscious about the appearance of their skin that they developed lowered confidence levels, or even avoid social situations due to rosacea. There can be deep and long-lasting self-esteem and social avoidance issues that developed from not feeling confident in your skin (literally).

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The bottom line is that any skin condition that is having a negative effect on your comfort or mental well-being is serious and is worth getting treatment for!

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Myth 5: You have to give up every potential rosacea trigger

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There are a lot of potential triggers for rosacea, ranging from UV exposure to hot beverages, red wine, spicy foods, and even vigorous exercise.

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However, you don’t necessarily need to look through the long lists of rosacea triggers and feel like you have to cut out everything mentioned once and for all. That is because just because something is a big trigger for one person with rosacea, it does not mean that it will 100% be a trigger for you.

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The best way to go about figuring out your triggers is to integrate or eliminate one trigger at a time, and pay attention to how your skin reacts. It just might turn out that you don’t have to cut out your favorite red wine after all, because it doesn’t seem to negatively affect your rosacea.

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Myth 6: People with rosacea should not wear makeup

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The final myth is that people who are dealing with rosacea should forgo all makeup altogether in order to get control of the condition. 

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And, while it may be true that certain makeup formulations are irritating for you, and should probably be left alone, it does not mean that make-up is a no-go.

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Make-up may help you provide a level of coverage for your rosacea that makes you feel better about yourself, or it may just be fun to play with various makeup looks -- and that is ok. Just try to pick out products that have more gentle formulations for the skin, some companies are even including skin-care ingredients as part of their formulations these days.

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The biggest issue that may crop up when it comes to makeup and rosacea probably lies more in the removal (or lack of) than the actual wearing of the makeup. 

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Since you are already dealing with a skin condition that can make your skin more sensitive, you need to be extra on the ball about cleaning your face each night and properly removing makeup before you go to bed.

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Strut Health customized rosacea formulations online

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Rosacea can be complicated, and sometimes needs a more complex solution than what is available over the counter.

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A clinician may prescribe a compounded rosacea formula containing selected prescription ingredients based on the information provided during your consultation.*

If you are interested in seeing if a customized Strut Rosacea Formula is a good fit for you, simply select the formula and complete a free online questionnaire and image-based telemedicine consultation with our U.S. providers in under 15 minutes. If you are a good fit for treatment, your formula will be made up at a U.S. compounding pharmacy and shipped to your front door with our free shipping.

*Compounded drug products are not approved or evaluated for safety, effectiveness, or quality by the FDA. Rx required.