Rosacea and adult acne are two different skin conditions. Learn more about 6 distinct differences between the two.
Rosacea is a common skin condition that can involve acne-like blemishes and tends to not develop until adulthood. Sometimes, because of these features, rosacea can sometimes be mistaken for adult acne or even erroneously referred to as “adult acne”.
But, in reality, these conditions are pretty different from one another. Acne and rosacea have different root causes and treatments, so making sure that you know which one you are dealing with is important. (Although, it is also possible to have both of these skin conditions at the same time.)
Below, we will highlight 6 of the main differences between rosacea and adult acne, so you can better understand which one you may be dealing with.
Both rosacea and adult acne come along with blemishes, of course, but the kinds of blemishes that develop tend to be different.
With rosacea, you normally expect very tiny but numerous pus or clear-liquid-filled blemishes that are easily popped. With adult acne, there are normally also comedones and blackheads that develop.
Reddened, flushed skin is kind of a mainstay presentation of rosacea. And, this flushing can even develop without any blemishes at all, or seem to be in entirely different locations than where the blemishes pop up. Dilated reddish or purplish capillaries are also sometimes visible on the face with rosacea.
With adult acne, there can be some redness and irritation, but will tend to stay directly around the area where there are blemishes and be related to the pimples. It is also unusual for straightforward acne to come along with visible capillaries.
At least 50% of people with rosacea will develop eye issues from the condition at some point. This is commonly referred to as ocular rosacea, and can present along with the other rosacea “types”. The symptoms of ocular rosacea may include swollen and red eyelids, bloodshot and red eyes, conjunctivitis, redness and swelling around the eyes, crusting, tearing, burning, itching, a feeling of something being in your eye, and a sensitivity to bright light.
It is much more unusual for adult acne to cause eye issues, unless the pimples are very close to the eye area and causing lots of inflammation.
Rosacea tends to begin in mid-life, generally after the age of 30. Whereas acne is in its prime usually beginning after puberty in the teen years, and can continue being an issue into adulthood.
Rosacea is almost exclusively a facial issue, especially around the central area of the face and diffusing outward.
However, with acne, it is common for the acne to not only be present on the face but also on the back, neck, chest, jawline, and shoulders.
Thickened and bumpy skin can be a later-stage development of severe, often untreated, rosacea. This thickened skin tends to occur on the nose leading to a bulbous look to the nose.
Thickened skin on the nose with a bulbous appearance is not a known feature of run-of-the-mill acne vulgaris.
Here at Strut, we understand the frustration and confusion that can come along with skin conditions like rosacea and adult acne.
For that reason, we developed a secure online telemedicine platform to make acne and rosacea diagnosis simpler, and access to prescription treatments easier -- all from the comfort of your home.
We utilize the benefits of compounding pharmacies to be able to supply acne and rosacea prescription creams with multiple active ingredients contained in one simple formula.
If you learn more about or order our Acne Formula or Rosacea Formula, simply select your desired formula and complete a free online questionnaire and image-based telemedicine consultation in under 15 minutes.
Our U.S. doctors will review your information and put together a formula and treatment plan for you, if you are a good candidate for treatment.
Then, a U.S. compounding pharmacy will put your medication together and ship it to your front door with our free shipping.
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