Minerals Can Improve Rosacea Skin

Topically applied zinc has been used by medical physicians for the treatment of inflammatory acne.  Zinc  is used either as the primary ingredient or in conjunction with other anti-acne medications. Currently, zinc is found in several different active forms in hundreds of over-the-counter skin care products and anti-acne medications. Topically applied zinc has been shown to have a potent anti-septic effect (Drs. Provost and Farmer). More specifically, evidence suggests that zinc has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal actions, as well as mild anti-inflammatory actions (Drs. Rock, Wilkinson, and Ebling).

For over two decades, sulfur has been used for the treatment of rosacea, and clinical studies have demonstrated that it is extremely effective in the treatment of rosacea-related papules and pustules (Drs. Ellis and Strawiski). Many dermatologists tailor rosacea treatments to the individual by varying the concentration of sulfur in a given preparation (from 2 percent to 15 percent sulfur). Because rosacea is a chronic disease, treatment must usually be continued for a long period of time. For this reason, Drs. Blom and Hornmark were interested in a non-toxic, topically administered treatment that would be as effective as orally administered drugs such as antibiotics. To date, these medical physicians use topical sulfur as their primary anti-rosacea treatment (Drs. Blom and Hornmark). In a double-blind clinical study of 40 rosacea patients, these physicians found that rosacea-related papules and pustules responded much better to topical 10 percent sulfur than to oral antibiotics. More specifically, they found that with four weeks of topical sulfur treatment, the average number of papules and pustules dropped significantly (from 213 pimples before treatment to 17 pimples after treatment), that this clearing was much better than that attained by treatment with oral tetracycline. In a separate series of clinical studies, similar results were found by Dr. Strauss and colleagues (Dr. Strauss).

Sodium Chloride is  well known for its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory actions, by which it can help reduce redness better than antibiotics, and its vascular constrictor action, which reduces overall facial redness.