Natural Rosacea Treatments

1. Drink 'alkaline' water.

As we grow older, we often have a reduced "sense" of thirst and think we do not need more water to hydrate our body and brain; therefore, we deteriorate more quickly as our skin is the first organ of the body to inform us. We need to drink at least 10 eight ounce glasses (2.5 liters) of "alkaline" water per day if you are a smaller person! Considerably more is needed if one is larger, working outside, playing a sport, or doing something else physically taxing.

More water is needed if the rosacea sufferer has a higher metabolism, anxiety, or stress level, or if one lives in a dry climate such as the southwest U.S. or at "Lake Disappointment" in Australia. Likewise, people that live in colder areas where the humidity is "low", especially when the home is being heated during a long winter, need more water because the air absorbs moisture from the body’s skin. The skin also absorbs air pollution and whatever toxins are in the air environment just as it absorbs topical medications. Water is needed for skin tissue repair as well as nearly every body process including efficient digestion, absorption, circulation, and secretion. Water carries nutrients to the skin cells and all body cells and removes waste from the cell.

Professional models, who are usually between 17 and 29, drink an average of 12 glasses a day with a weight of 105-130 pounds. This not only helps them stay thin because they are drinking instead of eating, but also helps them keep their skin moist and beautiful the "natural way". As we grow older, our bodies tend to dry out and it is even more important for us to consume enough water. Most of us are above 130 pounds and need much more water than a smaller model. Christie Brinkley, a very well-known and attractive model with three children, (who made $23 million last year) consumes 12-16 glasses of water per day. Christie was born on February 2, 1954 and you can see Christie in 2011.

When a red blinking light on the instrument panel of a car tells us the car is over heating, we give the car some water (or fix the broken hose, fan belt, or radiator leak) but when our faces flash a "red blinking light" in the form of rosacea or other skin problems, do we give it the water it needs? Are we not much more valuable than our cars?

Since body heat relates to vascular dilation (also referred to as flushing) in most people, the rosacea sufferer needs even more water than the average person. The body and skin dilates when it is acidic from certain foods, drinks, and exercise (lactic acid.) Those with undesirable skin conditions should consume between 10 and 16 glasses (4 liters) of cold water per day to cool the face and body and to assist the body in proper excretion of oil, "acidic" waste, and toxins. We have long heard of humans being intoxicated with alcohol. Alcohol usually has an "acid" pH between 2.0 and 4.5 depending on the type of alcohol beverage. The water must be cold to help prevent flushing and to reduce it once it has occurred. Water should always be "alkaline" water with a pH that usually ranges from 7.2 to 7.8 in most places in the world to 'offset', 'buffer', or 'neutralize' the acidic foods and drinks. Bottled water is "almost always acidic" as it is needed to be to prevent bacteria from growing in the water.

Use pH paper strips to measure your water at home or at the office. You may purchase pH paper at most pharmacy or drug stores and many health stores such as Whole Foods with the average cost of about $12.00 U.S. dollars. If you can't locate pH test strips in your area, you can purchase them online at pH ion Balance The urine pH should be around 6.8 as an average ideal pH for normal body and brain function. Simply collect a small amount of urine twice per day at your leisure such as upon awakening and an hour or so before bedtime. You will find that urine is almost always acidic as urine is the waste product from the body, so obviously our foods and drinks need a much higher pH, such as water, to buffer or neutralize the acids of exercise (lactic acid) and stress (from adrenal hormones) and from the many acidic foods that we eat so quickly.

Here are some recommendations for increasing the pH of your drinking water.

Consider how hot coffee, hot soup, and many other hot foods can make you flush (vascular dilation.) By contrast, ice water curbs the flushing reaction by cooling the blood flowing to the brain's temperature center, which controls flushing (vascular constriction.) Water also moistens the skin, greatly reducing clogged pores. Most importantly, water helps relieve stress during the day and relaxes the body for sleep. We cannot stress enough how important it is to drink water, as water is usually alkaline (above 7.0 pH) from the tap of most homes. Please check your filtering system or reverse osmosis system to make sure that you are not changing the pH of your water to acid which is below 7.0 pH and causes us rosacea sufferers more than rosacea problems as "rosacea is more than a red face" as it is a signal that other organs are being affected which we can not see.

The hypothalamus is the body's thermostat which regulates temperature, but it cannot achieve this objective without adequate water. The body is approximately 70% water while the eye is approximately 96% water. Water is needed for skin cell regeneration and skin tissue repair, efficient digestion, absorption, circulation, and secretion.

A camel can go without water by allowing its body temperature to rise without sweating, and by tolerating extreme dehydration. Humans aren't camels; we can't survive such treatment. A small adult human with rosacea needs a minimum of 10 glasses of water daily in addition to other fluids (unless you're part camel.) As we get older, the sensation of thirst is the first sign of aging of an adult to exhibit itself. The rosacea sufferer benefits from more: 10 to 16 glasses of ice alkaline water each day help keep the condition under control.

Everyone can improve their skin by simply drinking the proper amount of 'alkaline' water for their lifestyle, size, humidity environment, exercise, and other requirements.

There are a many benefits of water for cooling especially during exercise and for aiding in metabolic waste and lactic acid build up during exercise to prevent the skin from becoming red. Water is absolutely necessary for strong, flexible plasma membranes of all cells to enable the skin cell regeneration.

Lifestyle Changes for Pregnant Rosacea Patients are of utmost importance, however these changes are the basis for any person with rosacea to be healthy.

2. Apply Jojoba Oil as the 'perfect moisturizer' - No other moisturizer is needed.

An excellent moisturizer can be most helpful in protecting the skin from dryness. We suggest 100% pure Jojoba oil with no preservatives which normally can be found at GNC stores in the United States and Canada and can be purchased in most health stores throughout the world.

The importance of Jojoba oil derives from its similarity to the natural restorative oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the dermal layers of the skin. Jojoba oil is non-allergenic and will not clog the pores. While we highly recommend Jojoba Oil, in the event that one can not find it, then use Safflower Oil found in most grocery stores. Purchase the smallest bottle as possible as it does go rancid (stale or decomposes) within a month or so as bacteria enters the bottle. True, your petroleum based moisturizer oils do not go rancid or stale as they are not natural and do not give good results but are part of the problem. Both Jojoba oil and Safflower oil are pure organic oils that are the most like natural human body oil and are very inexpensive. The sensitive or damaged rosacea skin needs small concentrations of Jojoba oil (or Safflower Oil) for the following reasons:

1. To help reverse damage to the epidermis caused in the past by harsh soaps, facial washes, and rosacea topical medications.
2. To help replace moisture lost from the use of facial washes as well as sun, wind and dry weather.
3. To help enhance skin healing (cell division and growth) within the middle layer of the epidermis.
4. To help penetration of topical Rosacea-Ltd IV through the epidermis.
5. To help normalize the production of prostaglandins in the dermis of the skin. Prostaglandins work as anti-inflammatory substances.

After washing the face with one of the four recommended soaps (see # 7 below), place one drop of Jojoba oil in your wet hands. Rub the hands together so that the one drop is equally divided or dispersed over both hands. Apply the oil equally to both sides of the face while the facial skin is 100% wet. After application of Jojoba oil, apply Rosacea Ltd IV according to the instructions that you receive from us with your Rosacea Ltd IV Order.

For those rosacea patients with dry skin or for women who need a moisturizer before applying their make-up, we recommend another drop of Jojoba oil approximately 2 minutes after the application of Rosacea-Ltd. And for those with extremely dry or damaged skin, apply two or three drops of Jojoba Oil before the application of Rosacea-Ltd IV. To learn more about jojoba oil and purchase online visit JojobaCare.

3. Avoid Stimulants

Stimulants such as coffee, tea, alcohol, cigarettes, and excessive sugar from sweets and soda are highly acidic and throw your body off-balance. They are also vascular dilators, which can directly cause facial flushing. Any chemical powerful enough to "wake you up" in the morning is obviously causing drastic changes in your body. Sufferers of rosacea need the opposite of these acidic stimulants. A good alkaline "rosacea diet" will help to buffer or neutralize the harmful effects of stimulants.

4. Steroids should never ever be used for rosacea

"Never, never, never, ever prescribe steroids for rosacea" Dr. Kligman (Dermatology-University of Philadelphia) and Dr. Plewig (Dermatologische Klinik Und Poliklinik der Universitat Munchen, Germany) state in their 1973 book, entitled Acne & Rosacea, First edition. Likewise, their second edition in 1993 harshly criticizes dermatologists that prescribe steroids for rosacea.

(Please review the list of steroids to learn the strength of the steroid that you may have used in the past. You will see the generic name in the first column and the brand name in the second column. Also you will learn more about the past use of more steroids)

5. Reduce or Eliminate Alcohol Consumption

It's best to avoid alcohol or at least minimize alcohol intake. Alcohol is a diuretic; that is, it pushes water out of body cells, causing increased urine production resulting in dehydration. Dehydration causes the skin's pores to shrink, making them more prone to clogging. Also, alcohol inhibits sleep, causing more fatigue and stress, which leads to more rosacea symptoms. A rosacea sufferer who drinks alcohol should follow it with plenty of water to hydrate the body and prevent rosacea flare-ups.

6. Avoid Hot Baths

Hot baths should be avoided, as should very cold water on the affected areas. To prevent vascular dilation, use warm water well below 98.5 degrees on the affected areas so as not to redden the face more. Scrubbing and abrasives should be avoided, as they irritate the skin, which should be left intact as a natural barrier against bacteria. Also, try to take a short bath of approximately five minutes and minimize facial washing.

Change wash cloths and body towels after each use. They are a great place for adult acne-causing bacteria to grow and be reapplied to the skin later. Wash facial wash cloths, pillow covers, and personal undergarments daily with Clorox to decrease rosacea-related bacterial growth. Change clothes and sheets frequently.

7. Use Gentle Soaps

Through many years of research and 12 years of experience with rosacea patients, we have found the following three soaps to have superior cleansing ability without causing further skin irritation while being at a very low price of about $3.00 in stores or they can be found on the internet. See you do not have to pay high prices or do exotic things for good skin health. You will find the following soaps easy to find: Neutrogena (the transparent facial bar) "dry skin formula - fragrance free" is very good. Likewise, the Dove 'Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar' that has been known for years for use on sensitive skin. Wash the face with any one of these two gentle cleansing soaps as needed which would be two times per day for dry or normal skin and three times daily for oily skin. You will also be very happy using any of these three soaps over the entire body area if desired. All three of these excellent soaps can be purchased at most pharmacies or drug stores as well as grocery stores and in retail stores such as Walmart, Target, etc. in the United States and likewise can be found conveniently throughout the world at a low price.

8. Food Allergy Flushing

In our experience, many patients with rosacea have other symptoms that suggest the diagnosis of food allergy. Food allergies are always caused by acidic foods and acidic drinks. A red nose, cheeks and red ears act like warning lights that turn on when a food reaction starts. Often, it is the symptoms of food allergy that motivate people to start diet revision (rosacea diet), and an improvement in their rosacea condition is noted along with improvement in other symptoms such as gastrointentestinal disturbances, migraine headache, sinusitis, and fatigue. Foods that are hot (either spicy or thermally) are often the culprit.

(more about food allergies)

9. Facial Exercise

The Sobye's Massage or 'non surgical face lift' is very useful as the face has many muscles which hold tension in many different ways for different purposes. If the muscles are not toned by exercise, the face will sag and portray an older look. Facial muscles don't all attach directly to bone like they do in the rest of the body. Instead, many of them attach under the skin. This allows you to contract your facial muscles in the smallest amount and make dozens of different kinds of faces as you have noticed in your past photos of the slightest 'time difference' in photo shots. If all the muscles are toned the face will have a natural 'face lift', the skin will be smoother and younger looking and the general appearance will be brighter and more pleasant. Frown lines are caused when we hold tension too long and too often; however, when your face relaxes deeply the muscles relax giving the skin of the red rosacea face a chance to smooth out and allows the restricted blood to 'flow out' resulting in a very useful function for the rosacea sufferer.

The Sobye massage is accomplished in three different ways as follows: 1) is to awaken the skin in the morning or upon arising by "rotating the finger tips on the skin" by holding the finger tips in one place and moving the hand for 10 to 15 seconds or more depending on the person's tolerance, 2) exercising the facial muscles by making many different facial expressions or exercises or contortions (twisted into a strained shape or expression) of "smiling, frowning, moving the facial muscles UP and DOWN and LEFT and RIGHT and a variety of exercises that you can choose from as to your personal choice and to those that could be watching you, and 3) the use of a wash cloth and soap which additionally cleans the skin as 82% of rosacea sufferers have both rosacea and acne.

And often or at least 5 times, inhale very deeply and likewise exhale five or more big breaths as facial exercise the allows. The goal is to relax all of the muscles of your face while encouraging better circulation into the skin of the face and for proper exiting through the veins. Thinking of positive things and smiling is relaxing and moves the brain out of the sympathetic nervous system mode of "flight or flight" that you read about on the Rosacea Cause/Etiology page regarding stress.

10. Exercise for Stress Reduction

Aerobic exercise is a great way to alkalize your body by replacing carbon dioxide with oxygen. However, any exercise should be moderated to prevent a build-up of lactic acid, an acidic byproduct of muscle activity. When your muscles begin to "burn," you know that lactic acid is building up. If you exercise regularly, try to break up your sessions for a maximum of thirty minutes at a time and remember to drink more water on days you are exercising. Otherwise, fifteen minutes of aerobic exercise each day would be a good start.

(more about exercise)

11. Avoid Astringent of all types ranging from soaps to after shave lotions, etc.

Astringent soaps and any astringent agents that shrink the skin pores such as witch hazel, alum, oatmeal, very cold water, after shave lotions, etc. and rubbing alcohol should be avoided, as they shrink pores, trapping more body oils in the skin and irritate the skin that is already sensitive.

12. Quit Smoking

Please do not smoke or "please stop smoking" as soon as you can slowly reduce your dependence on smoking. It is very addictive and very acidic causing more rosacea problems as well as the great potential of lung cancer. Smoking research has shown that smoking is very detrimental to the skin and overall health as it shortens the body of oxygen which is alkaline. You already know what happens when the body and brain do not get sufficient oxygen; if in doubt, hold your breath for 45 seconds while in front of a mirror, and observe how pink you become before you pass out due to the acidic build up of carbon dioxide. As smoking causes the body and brain to be more acidic while living tissue needs to be alkaline, skin cell regeneration is slowed down tremendously.

13. Manage Body Weight

Keep body weight as close to that prescribed for your age, height, frame size, and gender as possible. An overweight body puts a heavier load on the cardiovascular system which results in an increase in rosacea-related vascular dilation, facial blushing, and redness. A few thoughts on positive rosacea control, weight loss control, as well as mental hygiene is to think the following LIFESTYLE CREED: "I make time for myself each day, making sure that I identify and meet my personal needs. After unexpected set backs, I bounce back quickly to my healthful routines, I am patient with my rate of weight loss and I am motivated to continue healthful habits no matter how much I lose each week. As I evaluate my progress each day with a daily diary of foods, water, and other fluids, stress, allergy conditions, and sun exposure, I notice if my habits start to slip, and I take immediate action to get back on track. I take full responsibility for my health, fitness, and overall well-being and realize it is up to me and no one can do it for me. As I work out regularly and moderately in a cool exercise area while well hydrated, I reap the benefits of a slimmer, healthier body. My self-talk is positive, kind, gentle, and loving. My drive to reach and maintain my goals is inextinguishable. As I am in control of my meal plan, stress plan, and life plan as an adult, I know that I may choose to have and do whatever I wish as that will be responsible as the adult that I am. I courageously follow the path of change even in the face of new obstacles and new challenges". Eat three small meals rather than one big meal to help prevent rosacea flare-ups. Also graze between meals to keep the blood sugar level up. However. always consider calorie intake and weight control.

Be sure to balance your nutrition even if you are reducing your calorie intake. Many people are particularly deficient in the beneficial polyunsaturated fats provided by seafood, such as Omega-3 DHA.

14. Sleep

Always sleep at least 8 hours per night to prevent the body from being stressed. Some immune system protective functions do not even engage until one has had 7 or more hours of continuous sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation takes a toll on immune surveillance.

(more about curing insomnia)

15.Avoid Stress

Stress can be anything that disrupts your body's natural balance. Typically, we think of stress as a reaction to a perceived threat. The pulse rises, the muscles tense, and the immune system begins to shut down as the body prepares for "fight or flight." Many rosacea sufferers notice a flushing of the face as adrenal acid is added to the body system, but the harmful effects of stress go far beyond a red face. Those who can not relieve stress as needed may also experience fatigue, upset stomach, and frequent headaches. These symptoms get much worse over time if the body stays in a stressful state.

(more about stress management)

16. Avoid sun Over Exposure

Avoid the sun whenever possible. Though sunlight is important for production of Vitamin D, most of us receive a healthy amount of sunlight in our daily chores. There are many harmful effects of sun over exposure, and be aware that some drugs will increase sun sensitivity. Particularly, sunlight can be a factor in ocular rosacea.

(more about sun over exposure)

Good health for your skin as well as your entire body may require a permanent lifestyle change that will reward you with a longer life and more beautiful skin to wear during those extra years.