6 Winter Skin Care Tips for Rosacea & Sensitive Skin

How to keep Rosacea prone skin healthy during winter

Did you know winter can be just as hard on Rosacea prone skin as it is in the summer?

As I write this, (2/11/2019) we are currently under a rare winter storm advisory in Seattle. We have almost a foot of snow outside, with more coming down, and the school closures just keep coming.

Even spending 20 minutes outside can make or break my face if I'm not taking precautions. Don't let winter unleash havoc on your Rosacea.
*Please note, we have included helpful links to recommended products and if linked as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

6 Winter Skin Care Tips to protect your rosacea-prone sensitive skin from flushing, burning, and stinging:

1. Cover Up

Windburn is a real thing, have you had it? I used to get it after a day of skiing. After 8 hours or more, of cold wind hitting my cheeks, I was left with redness, burning and dryness.

Whether it's windy or not, just being outside in cold temperatures can chap your skin. Shield exposed areas with a light-weight scarf or other cover-up to protect your skin from windburn and chapping.

2. Wear Sunscreen

No matter what your skin type, "Sunscreen 365" should be your motto. Sun still shines its rays through clouds and loves to bounce off of snow and water. Whether it's cold and cloudy or hot and balmy, sunscreen will protect your skin from the elements and keep it healthier. I love the lightweight Eucerin Daily Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen and wear it every day of the year.

3. Dress in layers

I run hot by nature, so the minute I'm in a hot room, I get nervous that my face will start to flush and result in a Rosacea flare.

The best solution for keeping your temperature at bay in the winter, is to dress in layers. If you're in a cool room, you'll stay comfortable, if you're in a cozy room with the fireplace blazing, you can shed a few layers before you start to over heat. Try to keep your body temperature as even as possible so you don't get flushed. Your face will thank you.

PS Wearing these soft merino wool socks that I love from Costco on my feet, help to keep my temperature more even too! You can buy them through the link or pick some up at Costco.

4. Temperature Matters

It's normal to climb out of a warm bed and want to jump into a hot shower to combat the shock of a cold house. Hot temperatures, however, especially hot water running over your face, can result in flushing and can cause sensitive skin to react. Keep the shower water temperature comfortable, but don't go overly hot.

Also watch out for hot tubs, saunas and hot drinks. Anything that causes your body temperature to rise and your face to flush can be problematic for sensitive skin and rosacea. Be aware that for some, alcoholic drinks like red wine, and foods like hot salsas can also have the same affect on your face.

5. Wash gently

Another one of those mottos you should adopt, especially if you have Rosacea or sensitive skin, is "Wash gently 365". Especially during the winter months when your skin is prone to irritation, always treat it gently. If you do slip-up and get windburn, (or even sunburn during a day out in the snow), it's important to pamper your damaged skin to get it healthy again. 

Always wash with a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin and always opt for a soft face cloth to protect your skin from harsh textures that can damage your skin barrier. I LOVE Vanicream Gentle Cleanser  and will forever only use Fairface soft flannel face cloths on my face! Protect that sweet skin barrier of yours!

6. Don't get too dry

We all know that indoor heaters and outdoor cold temperatures can cause extra dryness (and even micro-cracking) to our skin during the winter. According to the National Rosacea Society, using a moisturizer every day is key for building a strong moisture barrier and preventing burning, stinging, itching and irritation.  I, personally, opt for a bit heavier moisturizer during the cold months. I LOVE Cerave Moisturizing Cream, tho truth be told, I love it so much I use it all year round!

And always remember to stay hydrated! This is something I need to work on. Drink more water even when you don't feel like it to keep your body and skin hydrated. You will feel it in your skin if you don't.

*This post contains product links, added for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through Amazon.com.

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Do you have any skin care advice to keep Rosacea skin calm during the cold winter months? We'd love to know!

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Shannon Sorensen is the Founder and CEO of Fairface Washcloths. All expressed opinions are personal and are not meant to substitute a physicians care. Please seek the help of a dermatologist to get the help you need.

Do you have Rosacea and not know it?

Tell tale signs of Rosacea
Do you have it?

Before I was diagnosed with Rosacea, I was really confused about what my skin was doing.

The heat

My face would get hot and flushed, but strangely, it was most often only on one side of my face. I couldn't stop myself from touching one cheek, and then the other, to verify the temperature difference. 

In an attempt to make the heat go away, I would get cold drinks from the water fountain or take ibuprofen to see if that would help, but the strange half-faced heat wave remained. 

I was totally self-conscious. I had to keep dashing to the bathroom mirror or hiding in a stall to sneak a peek at my face. Was it as obvious as I thought it was? It wasn't normal to have half of your face red, or was it turning slightly purple?

And then there was the inevitable itch that followed.

The Itch

It was like a tickling under my skin that made me want to lose my mind. I would hold out for as long as I could, but once I scratched, ahhhhh total pleasure zone. The problem was, once I scratched that itch, there were many more to follow because not only had I made my initial spot worse, I spread it.

The welts and pistules

I knew within minutes of hot spots and itching, it was only a matter of time before welts and pistules would form on the top of my skin like an erupting volcano. My skin, being very fair, looked like I had rolled in a bush full of poison ivy. It was so humiliating.

Relief from my Rosacea symptoms

Topical medication

Washing harder to "get rid of the bacteria" didn't work. Don't do it. It made my face much worse and spread the redness like wildfire. The cycle I started was hard to stop. The itching and redness just got worse with every wash, and it wasn't just something I could "wash away".

What did work, was going to a dermatologist, who diagnosed me with Rosacea. I had already googled the heck out of my symptoms and assumed that's what it was, but it wasn't until the doctor gave me his diagnosis that I felt I had really found an answer. I finally had an end to this war with my skin.

He prescribed me Metrogel, a topical antibiotic that was supposed to decrease redness and swelling and help to get rid of the pistules. For me, it helped.
But then there was washing my face.

Soft washcloths for Rosacea

I knew I had to treat my face differently. I had been causing more damage to my sensitive skin by washing harshly. Each time I scrubbed, I caused micro-tears in my skin that created a vicious cycle of redness and irritation that had to be stopped.

Even washing gently with regular washcloths was like sandpaper to my face. I began looking for soft cloths to use that wouldn't irritate my skin, but there weren't any to be found. So I sourced materials I could use instead of a standard washcloth and that's how the first Fairface Washcloths were made. They saved my skin and once I started making and using them I've never looked back.

These soft washcloths are what helped to heal my Rosacea plagued skin. Do I still have Rosacea? Yes, but you wouldn't know it now. My skin is clear. I still have my moments, like when I break from my regular routine, but I make it a priority to take good care of my skin, and it shows.

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If you struggle with sensitive skin issues like Rosacea, Eczema, Dermatitis, or Psoriasis, our washcloths are made just for you. The gentle properties of Fairface Washcloths can soothe sensitive skin and help break the cycle of redness and inflammation. Please visit us to learn more.

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Written by Shannon Sorensen, Founder and CEO of Fairface Washcloths. The experiences and opinions expressed here are not meant to substitute a physicians care. Please seek the help of a dermatologist to get the help you need.