Rosacea Skin Tips: How to Protect Your Skin While on Vacation

Your skin is already more vulnerable to sensitivity when you travel because of the difference in climate, lack of sleep, change in diet and even the water you wash your face with (which may be treated with softeners or other chemicals your skin isn't used to).

Here are- 

4 of the BEST tips for keeping your Rosacea-prone skin free from flares 

so you can look and feel your best and enjoy your vacation!

4 Tips for protecting your Rosacea prone skin on vacation

1. Bring your own washcloths and drying towels for your face

Did you know that using the washcloths and towels supplied by your hotel, Airbnb or even family or friends, have the potential to cause irritation to your skin? 

Your face, in particular, may be triggered by the textures, laundry detergents, bleaching agents or even fabric softeners used when laundering the washcloths and towels, that can lead to redness and irritation to your skin. 

Protect your Rosacea prone skin by controlling the unknowns. 

Bring your own soft Fairface Washcloths, which are super gentle to Rosacea and sensitive skin, so you can wash your face and not have to worry about anything. It can also be helpful to bring some extra small towels or drying cloths as well. 

2. Bring your own skin and hair care products

Free hotel shampoos, lotions and soaps may be tempting because they're FREE but they can also cause irritation to your skin. 

Swap out the free hotel toiletries for your own. 

Stick to your regular Rosacea skin care routine by bringing your own skin care products, as well as travel size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that your skin is already accustomed to. 

And don't even think about using those awful waxy hotel bar soaps. 

TIP: Use your body wash or facial cleanser to wash your hands.

3. Bring your own tissue

I think we can all agree that the tissue and toilet paper in most hotels is far from soft. With sensitive skin, and Rosacea in particular, using abrasive tissue on your nose can lead to unwanted redness and irritation.

While bringing tissue might seem like an unnecessary addition to your vacation toiletry bag, having soft tissues on hand can help protect your skin, alleviate redness, and make a big difference to your Rosacea prone skin.

4. Bring your own pillow and/or pillow cases

Not only can hotel pillows or pillows from other accommodations cause allergies to flare, the pillow cases that cover them can also cause irritation to sensitive skin.

Laundry detergent, fabric softeners and pillow case textures can cause redness and irritation to Rosacea and sensitive skin. 

By bringing your own pillow and/or extra, soft pillow cases, you can sleep on a clean pillow case as often as possible, and protect your skin by controlling what your face is pressed against for 8 hours.

It may take a little extra work and a bit more luggage room, but following these 4 travel tips can really help protect your Rosacea prone, sensitive skin while you are on vacation!

Rosacea & Sensitive Skin Tips

If you enjoy learning about gentle skincare for rosacea and sensitive skin, you might like Fairface Insider — a quiet monthly note with sensitive skin tips, early access to new launches, and occasional private offers.

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Am I at greater risk for skin cancer if I have Rosacea?

With a skin condition like Rosacea, it's normal to also worry whether we're more vulnerable to things like skin cancer. 

I have been living with Rosacea for the last 13 years. I also have fair skin and have gotten more sunburns throughout my life than I can count, including one that blistered when I was 7 years old.

I just watched a video from the American Academy of Dermatology that said 1 in 5 Americans will have skin cancer in their lifetime. Those statistics feel a little daunting. Am I at greater risk for getting skin cancer because I also have Rosacea?

Is there a connection between rosacea and skin cancer?

According to skincancer.org, living with Rosacea (or other types of skin diseases) does not necessarily mean you have an increased risk of developing skin cancer. So you can let out a big sigh of relief.

Something to keep in mind though, is that if you have certain skin conditions, like Rosacea, it can make skin cancer harder to identify. 

For example, (from skincancer.org), just as Rosacea can appear as red patches on the skin, so can certain forms of skin cancer and it can be a little hard to distinguish between the two, without having your skin checked closely by a licensed dermatologist.

I hope it's a relief to know that just because you have Rosacea, does not mean you are more likely to get skin cancer. 

Just so we're covering all our bases, let's take a look at what the risk factors are that contribute to getting skin cancer.

Risk Factors for getting Skin Cancer

source: CDC.org

• Exposure to UV rays
• Older in age
• Skin color that is naturally lighter
• Skin that gets burned, freckled, gets red easily or becomes painful when in the sun
• Eyes that are green or blue
• Natural red or blond hair
• Moles that are of a certain type or large number
• Skin cancer in your family history
• You have had skin cancer before

Rosacea aside, if you are someone like me, who has fair skin, blue eyes, blond hair, and is just on the other side of 50, you might be at a higher risk of getting skin cancer. 

We can't change what we did in the past, but we can start doing better today.

Learn more in this post, about what's covered in a full body cancer screening 

And here's a beach day check list you may find helpful, so you can enjoy being outside, without the worry of getting sun damage.

Do you have any favorite tips or products that help you stay safe in the sun? Let us know in the comments below!

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This post is brought to you by Fairface Washcloths, the best washcloths for Rosacea and Sensitive Skin!

Our soft, soothing flannel face cloths glide across your skin without the risk of redness or irritation so your skin can stay clean and calm. 

Pictured here, with my favorite Rosacea friendly Vanicream gentle cleanser. 

Grab a set today!

  FairfaceWashcloths.com 

or FairfaceWashcloths.etsy.com

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Best Showering Routine for Rosacea and Sensitive Skin

Is there such a thing as showering in the wrong order? It turns out, with sensitive skin conditions like Rosacea, Eczema, Psoriasis and even acne, the order in which you wash does make a difference to your skin.

Sensitive skin conditions can be easily irritated by skin care products used while showering, from the type of body wash you use, to your facial cleansers and even shampoos and conditioners.  

For this reason, the order in which you wash your face, body and hair matters, so you don't leave behind anything on your skin that can be potentially irritating.

If you are using products for your body, face and hair that are ALL made for sensitive skin, you'll have less worry about possible residue irritation.

If your hair products are not made specifically for sensitive skin, your body or face may not tolerate any residual product left behind and result in itching, redness or even a rash. 

Showering Routine for Sensitive Skin

1st Wash your hair

Just because you use your shampoo and conditioner on your hair, doesn't mean you want to use it on your face or body. Facial skin can be particularly sensitive to chemicals used in hair care products. By washing and conditioning your hair first, you'll be able to rinse off any shampoo or conditioner left behind on your face or body. However, just because it's rinsed off, doesn't mean it's totally gone.

2nd Wash your body

After washing your hair, wash your body. This will allow any remaining shampoo or conditioner that may have been left behind on your skin, to be washed away by your body wash, and then rinsed off. 

By washing your body 2nd, and before washing your face, it will also give you extra time in the water to ensure all your body wash is rinsed off. Although body wash may be gentle to your skin in the shower, if it's not rinsed off completely, the residue may have the potential to irritate your skin.

3rd Wash your face

Because your face is generally the most sensitive skin, over body and scalp, it's important to wash it last, so the last thing you have on your skin is your sensitive skin face wash. We love Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser and Fairface Delicate Flannel Facecloths for Rosacea, Eczema and other sensitive skin conditions.

Be sure to completely rinse off your facial cleanser before stepping out of the shower, and seal the moisture into your clean skin with a soothing face cream while your skin is still moist. We love CeraVe moisturizing cream.

This sensitive skin showering routine has helped me a lot. Having Rosacea and sensitive skin, myself, I am always looking for ways to prevent irritation to my skin. I have to admit, there have been a few times that I have hurried through showering and haven't completely followed these steps and have had itchy spots on my face and body. So stick to it, and you won't be sorry!

Have you tried these sensitive skin showering routine tips? How did it work for you? Let us know in the comments below!

xo Shannon

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SHOP our favorite soft face cloths for sensitive skin

Fairface Washcloths Delicate Washcloths on Etsy

OR

Fairface Washcloths Delicates on our website

 

Diagnosed with Rosacea? 4 Simple next steps to help your skin

Being diagnosed with Rosacea can be a bit overwhelming. I remember what it felt like the day my Dermatologist verified what I'd already googled (I know, I couldn't help myself). 

My red, itchy, acne-like skin was indeed mild to moderate Rosacea. And although I had a new topical prescription in hand, I didn't really know what else to do once I walked out that door. 

He hadn't recommended anything else. 

Was I supposed to use a certain cleanser? 

Could I still use the skin care products I was using on my skin?  

He didn't tell me any of that. 

I was so relieved he'd given me a prescription to help clear my skin but I didn't really know what to do next.

If you've recently been diagnosed with Rosacea by a skin care professional, I want to share with you what I learned so you don't have to stumble around in the dark trying to figure out what to do next.

Just Diagnosed with Rosacea? 4 Simple Next Steps to help you care for your skin

1. Create a new gentle Rosacea-safe skin care routine

This was the BIGGEST thing I needed help with after walking out of my appointment. How was I supposed to wash my face now that I had Rosacea? What face wash was I supposed to use? What about a Rosacea-safe moisturizer? Help! 

Thanks to the recommendation of a dermatologist and my own trial and error over the years, I have found the holy grail of Rosacea skin care, or as I also like to call it: 

The Rosacea Skin Care Dream Team

ROSACEA SAFE CLEANSER 

My favorite: Vanicream gentle cleanser. It is so gentle and creamy on my skin, without any irritation at all and cleans really well without stripping my skin's natural oils. I can often find it at Target or Walgreens.

ROSACEA SAFE FACE CLOTHS 

My favorite: Fairface Soft Flannel Face cloths. These are the only face cloths I will use on my Rosacea prone skin. I need more than just my fingertips to clean my skin, and these are the next best thing! They are so soft and gentle, and don't cause any irritation to my sensitive skin. Find them at FairfaceWashcloths.com and FairfaceWashcloths.etsy.com.

ROSACEA SAFE MOISTURIZERS 

My favorite: CeraVe moisturizing cream OR Vanicream lite lotion I have used both moisturizers safely on my Rosacea prone skin. I tend to use CeraVe because I love its thicker, creamier coverage, but Vanicream is a very nice lighter-weight option if you don't want something very thick. 

I can safely say I use all of these sensitive skin products every day and have had no irritation from them whatsoever. It is so important to wash your face gently morning and night and always moisturize. Also be sure to use any topical medications as prescribed by your dermatologist and for daytime, sunscreen is a must (as we discuss in #3)! 

2. Sleep on the right pillow case and change it often to help decrease Rosacea flares

This is such an easy way to keep your skin cleaner (and clearer)! After all your effort to keep your skin clear and calm, you don't want to "undue it" by sleeping on a dirty pillow case. Plus, sleeping on a clean, cooling pillow case can be so good for Rosacea by keeping your skin cooler at night with less flushing. 

Best pillow cases for rosacea, eczema and sensitive skin Photo ©Fairface™

ROSACEA SAFE PILLOW CASE 

My favorite: Silk-Cotton Pillowcases from Fairface. These pillow cases not only feel soft and silky against my skin, it also reduces heat on my face through the night which means less flushing (so important for rosacea!). Plus, the glide of the fabric reduces friction to my skin and hair throughout the night, decreasing new fine lines and hair breakage. I'll take 2 please!

3. Apply sunscreen daily to protect Rosacea prone skin

I haven't always had the best relationship with sunscreen, but once I did, there was no looking back. There is no better way to protect your skin from aging and damage than wearing sunscreen AND it is vital for keeping your Rosacea prone skin protected and healthy. 

According to the National Rosacea Society, exposure to the sun is named as one of the top triggers for rosacea flares and can also cause severe redness and visible blood vessels on the skin. Protect, protect, protect!

ROSACEA SAFE SUNSCREENS - My favorite: I have been using Eucerin Daily SPF 30 on my face, neck, chest and arms for years and my skin tolerates it well.  

It is often recommended that those with Rosacea choose a UVA/UVB protecting, non-chemical sunscreen (those that reflect sunlight, rather than absorbing UV rays) containing zinc or titanium dioxide, to lessen the possibility of irritation.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50 comes highly recommended but I haven't tried it myself.  

4. Choose make-up that is safe for Rosacea and sensitive skin  

Once you calm, protect and manage your skin (steps 1-3) you can celebrate it! I think of make-up as the "cherry on top" of healthy skin. 

The key to wearing make-up if you have Rosacea, is choosing make-up that won't irritate your skin. Honestly, finding the right make-up can feel like starting at step 1 again and be very overwhelming. So many choices, and the last thing you want to do is spend a bunch of money on products that might not be right for your skin, or even worse, irritate it!

Choose brands made for sensitive skin and/or Rosacea for the best chance of finding products that won't irritation your skin.

ROSACEA SAFE FOUNDATION MAKE-UP 

My favorite: I have been using Mary Kay Medium Coverage Foundation for years and my skin has tolerated it well, HOWEVER, that's all about to change. This particular foundation has been discontinued and I will be looking for a new foundation. Ugh.

My next "Rosacea friendly" foundation to try is from It Cosmetics, because it was initially created by someone with Rosacea herself (Jamie Kern Lima). Fingers crossed. I will share my experience once I've used it.  Have you tried it?

OTHER MAKE-UP FOR ROSACEA PRONE SKIN

I, personally, only wear foundation, eye liner and mascara (Maybelline eye liner and Loreal mascara). I also have Ocular Rosacea (read more about Ocular Rosacea ) so sometimes eye make-up can sting my eyes. My eyes have tolerated these products well, so for now they are what I use.

I found a Rosacea forum where people discuss products they've tried, so you could check that out.  

Do you have any Rosacea safe recommendations for eye make-up or other make-up? Please share in the comments!

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Getting diagnosed with Rosacea doesn't have to feel overwhelming or scary if you find the right products and routines to keep your skin stay calm and clear. I hope this has helped!

I'd love to hear your own experience with Rosacea and any products or favorite tips you'd like to share! Comment below, or reach out to me on Instagram or Facebook @FairfaceWashcloths - I'd love to hear from you!

xo Shannon

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Shannon Sorensen is the Founder and CEO of Fairface Washcloths for sensitive skin

SHOP: 

Fairface Washcloths, the softest washcloths and face cloths for sensitive skin:

FairfaceWashcloths.com or FairfaceWashcloths.etsy.com

What's the best moisturizer for Rosacea?

I have Rosacea and am very proactive and intentional about taking good care of my skin. Lately, I don't know if it's just the cooler weather or what, but my skin has been feeling dry, like I'm just not getting "enough" from my moisturizer. 

What's more, a few weeks ago, I started seeing tiny specs of blood on my cheek as I was blotting on my foundation with a sponge. Like I had a microscopic cut on my cheek.  What I have since learned, is that such problems are a tell-tale sign my Rosacea prone skin was lacking hydration, and my skin barrier was in trouble.

Why you need a Rosacea moisturizer that protects your skin barrier

"A healthy skin care routine is really about taking care of your skin barrier (the outer layer of your skin)." - Tom Allison, a founder of CeraVe

Rosacea prone skin is much more susceptible to sensitivity and irritation, so keeping that protective outer layer, or barrier, in tact and healthy is crucial. 

Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD FAAD, said often times with her Rosacea patients, she finds the first step of treatment is getting them on a moisturizer, cleanser and sun protection and off offending products that have been causing more harm than good. Simplifying a Rosacea skincare routine and protecting the skin barrier is really important. -via @CeraVe Instagram #Skinchat with @drmarisagarshick

What's the best moisturizer for Rosacea?  One that hydrates your skin.

I decided to reach out to Dr. Marisa Garshick and ask her questions about moisturizers for Rosacea. Even with her over 4,000 followers, she was kind enough to personally respond to my message.

She said the Vanicream moisturizer I had been using (Vanicream Lite Lotion) should be good for Rosacea as the ingredients are both hydrating and support the skin barrier. For those with Rosacea, she also recommended La Roche Posay Double Repair Toleraine or CeraVe, and she concluded that the most important thing for Rosacea, especially this time of year, is feeling hydrated.

Her last sentence was key for me. 

My rosacea prone skin, was in fact, NOT feeling hydrated enough with the Vanicream Lite Lotion I had been using, so I was ready to turn up my moisturizing game, and give my skin barrier the extra TLC it needed. (and PS, no offense to Vanicream, I still love their products and use their gentle cleanser every day)

How does CeraVe protect your skin barrier?

With Ceramides.

According to CeraVe, ceramides are lipids that form at least half of the natural skin barrier. Their moisturizers contain 3 of those essential ceramides.

What Do Ceramides Do?

Dr. Donna Tran said, in another Instagram skin chat with Tom Allison, you can think about your skin like the bricks on a house. Your skin cells are the bricks and ceramides are the mortar that helps to cement these bricks together. 

Ceramides are great because you want to keep the things in that you want in your skin like water, you don't want it to evaporate out of your skin. 

And you don't want things from the environment, the pollution, products, i.e. "the bad stuff", to get into your skin. That's why it's very important to have the ceramides.

If you don't tend to your skin it's going to start leaving little cracks and that's how things from the inside of your skin get out and how things from the outside that you don't want to get into your skin, get in.  - via @CeraVe #skinchat with @drdonnatran 

Eeek! Did you catch that? Flash back to those little microscopic cuts on my cheek I was telling you about? She just summed it up.

Upgrading my Rosacea skin care moisturizer

Best gentle skin care products for Rosacea: Fairface Washcloths,
Vanicream cleanser, CeraVe moisturizer | photo ©Fairface™ Washcloths

You had me at Ceramides

Armed with everything I had learned about Rosacea and the healing powers of CeraVe's moisturizers, I got in the car and drove to Bartell Drugs. To my disappointment, they were all out the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion I wanted to try, but they did have a tub of CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream, so I snatched it up.

After washing my face that night, I unscrewed the plastic lid and dipped my clean fingers down in the creamy mixture. As I gently glazed the CeraVe moisturizer across my face, it felt just as I hoped it would. If my skin could talk, it would have let out a big sigh. It felt very dewy and moisturizing, but not the least bit greasy, and before I screwed the top back on, I even slathered it on my arms and hands.

In the morning, my face and hands felt much more hydrated.  My skin didn't feel as tight or dry at all and since then, 2 weeks later, my skin feels much more hydrated. Those little microscopic cracks on my face are a thing of the past. 

So if you're like me, and your Rosacea-prone skin is feeling a little dry and not getting what you need from your current moisturizer, follow the advice of Dr. Garshick and remember, the most important thing for rosacea is feeling hydrated.

Must-have skin care products for Rosacea:

Protect your skin barrier with gentle skin care products (that even babies could use!)

Soft washcloths - ditch those traditional scratchy old washcloths. Fairface Delicates, double-sided soft, flannel face cloths are dreamy and gentle to the skin, without any irritating textures.

Gentle face wash - toss anything that has fragrance or irritating ingredients. Vanicream gentle face wash is smooth and creamy on the skin and free of any irritants. 

Hydrating Moisturizer - stop using anything with fragrance, a top skin irritant! Use CeraVe moisturizing cream. No fragrance and stacked with 3 ceramides that can protect your skin barrier, keep the moisture in and the bad stuff out. 

Sunscreen -  always use a broad spectrum SPF on your face and neck every day of at least 30+ . The best sunscreen is the one you'll wear! I use Eucerin Daily SPF 30, but there are many recommended for Rosacea and sensitive skin. Find one you like the best and wear it religiously. 

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People and Products Mentioned - give them a follow on Instagram!

@drmarisagarshick 

@drdonnatran

@CeraVe

@OfficialVanicream

@EucerinUS

@FairfaceWashcloths

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Did you miss our last post? Read how Haley, a fellow Rosacean, found relief after an unfortunate incident with a microfiber cloth

Best Skincare Washcloths: Fairface Washcloths Editor's Pick! from Into The Gloss

To find our Fairface Washcloths as a TOP PICK by IntotheGloss.com's associate editor Emily Ferber, was to say the least, VERY EXCITING!

Be sure to check out the full article entitled, The Best Washcloths, at Into the Gloss! Hooray!

To learn more about how Fairface Washcloths can soothe your Rosacea-prone / sensitive skin, visit  FairfaceWashcloths.com!

*Into The Gloss (ITG) is a NY based beauty website loaded with interesting interviews with models, make-up artists, product reviews and more. Though based in New York, it has contributors stretching from Paris to Singapore.

A Fairface Washcloths gift set for Oprah and Gayle King

After delivering our gift // friend & daughter w/ Gayle King

We had the rare and exciting opportunity of giving Fairface Washcloths gift sets to Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey, during their Live the Life You Want weekend here in Seattle!

Our washcloth sets were hand-delivered to Gayle King, thanks to my friend (pictured here). >>>READ MORE ABOUT GETTING OUR WASHCLOTHS TO OPRAH AND GAYLE

Stop the redness: Rosacea Washcloths that soothe sensitive skin

Review: Fairface Washcloths™ package of 8

The term "facial redness" makes those of us with Rosacea squirm. We try everything to prevent it, to tame it, and to hide it. And we certainly don't need any more of it.

And while a visit to the dermatologist is imperative to get the help and the medication you need to get your Rosacea under control, there's something you can do at home to help prevent further redness and irritation while you wash your tender face.

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Fairface Washcloths™, known to many as Rosacea Washcloths, are the 

best choice for cleansing Rosacea-prone skin because of their soothing, gentle, 

non-irritating properties.

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Our newest 5 star review on Fairface Washcloths™ package of 8

"These are the best! I can wash my face without it going beet red. I find that my face is less prone to breakouts and broken skin since I started using them. A must have for anyone with very sensitive or thin skin."

*Read more Fairface Washcloths™ reviews here and here

Stopping the cycle of redness, irritation and inflammation is key to healing your skin. So along with your dermatologists prescribed treatments, add Fairface Washcloths™ to your sensitive skin care routine. With the soothing, calming, soft flannel of Fairface Washcloths™, each wash is gentle and non-irritating, leaving skin feeling calm and peaceful instead of agitated and red. No harsh textures, just smooth softness for tender faces.

Stop the cycle of redness and irritation to your sensitive skin. Try a set of Fairface Washcloths™ today!