Red, Reactive Skin? It Could Be Rosacea
Rosacea is a common skin condition that can cause persistent redness, flushing, sensitivity and sometimes small bumps or visible blood vessels. While there is no cure for rosacea, the right approach can help calm inflammation, strengthen the skin barrier and minimise triggers that may worsen redness.
At Upgrace, we take a gentle, personalised approach to rosacea-prone skin. We focus on calming treatments, supporting the skin barrier and choosing carefully selected skincare to help your skin feel calmer, more comfortable, balanced and resilient.
what causes rosacea?
The exact cause of Rosacea is still unknown. Research suggests that it may develop from a combination of factors involving the skin's immune response, inflammation, blood vessels and nervous system. Certain people may also be more predisposed to developing rosacea due to genetics or family history. Demodex mites, which naturally live on human skin, have also been found in higher numbers in some people with rosacea and may contribute to inflammation. While triggers don't necessarily cause rosacea, they can cause existing rosacea to flare. Common triggers include, excessive sun exposure, heat and overheating, spicy foods, alcohol, particularly red wine, hot drinks, stress and emotional changes, exercise, cold weather and wind, hot showers and baths, as well as certain skincare and cosmetic products. Triggers are highly individual, so what causes one person's flare-up may not affect someone else.
is rosacea the same as acne?
Rosacea and acne are different skin conditions, although they can sometimes look very similar. Both can cause redness, inflammation, bumps and pustules, which is why it can be difficult to tell them apart- particularly when you're looking at your own skin.
So what's the difference?
Acne is primarily associated with blocked pores, excess sebum, dead skin cells and inflammation. You may see blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, pustules, cysts and congestion. Rosacea, on the other hand, is primarily an inflammatory condition that commonly affects the central face. It can cause persistent redness, flushing, warmth, burning or tingling, visible blood vessels and, in some cases, small red bumps and pustules.
One of the biggest clues is how the skin feels and behaves.
With acne, the skin may be oily or congested, but it doesn't necessarily feel extremely sensitive.
With rosacea, clients often tell us:
- "My face feels hot."
- "My skin flushes really easily."
- "Everything seems to irritate me."
- "My moisturiser suddenly stings."
- "My SPF makes my face burn."
- "My cheeks are always red."
- "I get little red bumps but no blackheads."
At Upgrace, we generally start by asking, "How is the skin behaving right now?"
If the skin is red, burning, tingling or reacting to products that would normally be considered gentle, our first priority is often to reduce irritation and support the skin barrier. Once the skin is comfortable and stable, we can progressively introduce active ingredients and treatments based on the individual skin. And if we see signs that suggest a medical condition requiring diagnosis or medication, we'll recommend seeing your GP or dermatologist. Not every red bump is acne and not every red face is rosacea. Understanding what is actually happening in your skin is the first step towards treating it well.
can rosacea be cured?
There is currently no permanent cure for rosacea, but it can often be managed very effectively. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can move through periods of flare-ups and calmer skin. While we can't promise to make rosacea disappear permanently, the right approach can help reduce inflammation, support the skin barrier, minimise sensitivity and manage triggers. At Upgrace, we take a slow and gentle approach, focusing first on calming and restoring the skin before progressively introducing active ingredients and treatments. For some people, medical treatment and guidance from a GP or dermatologist may also be an important part of managing their rosacea.
We take a slow and progressive approach:
Calm → Restore → Stabilise → Progress
We first focus on reducing unnecessary irritation and supporting the skin barrier with gentle, restorative skincare. Once the skin is comfortable and tolerating a consistent routine, we can gradually introduce carefully selected active ingredients and treatments based on your individual skin.
What o cosmedics products do we use for rosacea?
Cleansing is the first step in caring for rosacea-prone skin, but it is also one of the easiest places to accidentally cause irritation. When the skin barrier is compromised, harsh cleansers, over-cleansing or scrubbing can leave the skin feeling tight, dry, stinging or even more reactive.
O Cosmedics Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser is a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser designed to effectively cleanse the skin without leaving it feeling stripped or overly dry. It helps remove impurities, makeup and daily buildup while providing antioxidant support.
At Upgrace, we often begin with a gentle cleanser as part of our calm and restore approach to reactive skin. The goal isn't to make the skin feel “squeaky clean” - it's to keep the skin clean while respecting its natural barrier. For very reactive or actively flaring skin, we may simplify the cleansing routine even further depending on how the individual skin is responding.
Medi-Soothe is an ideal calming step for our rosacea and reactive-skin facials. When skin is experiencing redness, sensitivity or inflammation, our priority is to reduce stimulation and give the skin the support it needs to settle.
Medi-Soothe is formulated with soothing and barrier-supportive ingredients, including beta-glucan, aloe vera and calendula, helping to hydrate and comfort skin that feels hot, tight or irritated.
During our Signature Facial, we can use Medi-Soothe as a calming treatment step after cleansing and gentle massage. Rather than adding aggressive exfoliation or stimulating active ingredients, we allow the skin to receive soothing hydration while the client relaxes.
For rosacea-prone skin, we believe calming the skin is just as important as treating it. Once the skin is comfortable and its barrier is stronger, we can progressively introduce more active skincare and treatments according to the individual client's needs.
When skin is affected by rosacea, it can become dry, tight, sensitive and easily irritated. Supporting the skin barrier is an important part of helping reactive skin become more comfortable and resilient.
O Cosmedics Comfort Cream is a rich, nourishing moisturiser designed to support compromised and sensitive skin. It helps replenish moisture and provides nourishing lipids to support the skin's protective barrier, helping reduce that feeling of tightness and dryness that can accompany reactive skin.
At Upgrace, we often use a restorative moisturiser like Comfort Cream as part of the “calm and restore” stage of caring for rosacea-prone skin. Rather than immediately introducing lots of active ingredients, we focus on giving the skin the hydration and barrier support it needs first. As the skin becomes more comfortable and less reactive, we can then gradually introduce more active skincare and treatments where appropriate.