Rosacea Skin Care And Sun Safety

Complete skin care and rosacea treatment involve much more than treating the damage that has already occurred. Effective rosacea treatment and skin care also involves preventive rosacea skin care. The use of sun screens is just one way to practice preventive rosacea skin care.

Sunscreens protect against sunburn caused by UVB rays and generally provide little protection against UVA rays. Sunscreens work by reacting chemically with the skin cells to protect them from the UVB rays of the sun. Unfortunately for those who suffer with rosacea, the ingredients in protective sunscreens can actually cause a sunburn-like photosensitive reaction. This reaction includes a rash or itchy red breakouts that can persist for days giving an appearance similar to rosacea. Studies by the Australian Journal of Dermatology indicate that 81% of the reactions caused by photosensitive persons were caused by two primary ingredients- oxybenzone and butyl methoxydibenzoyl methane.

Chemical sunscreens contain chemicals such as benzophenone or oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) as the active ingredient. They prevent sunburn by absorbing the ultraviolet (UVB) rays. Most chemical sunscreens contain from 2 to 5% of benzophenone or its derivatives (oxybenzone, benzophenone-3) as their active ingredient. Benzophenone is one of the most powerful free radicals generally known to science. It is used in industrial processes to initiate chemical reactions and promote cross-linking. Benzophenone is activated by ultraviolet light. The absorbed energy breaks benzophenone's double bond to produce two free radical sites. This explains why most chemical sunscreens cause various degrees of redness and sensitivity to rosacea sufferers.

Pre-Rosacea

Dermatologists now recognize an early prelude to rosacea called pre-rosacea. Pre-rosacea is the earliest noticeable stage of rosacea. Signs of this early stage of rosacea include frequent episodes of flushing or redness of the face and/or neck that come and go. Things that can cause an episode are exposure to the sun, emotional stress, alcohol, spicy foods, exercise, cold wind, hot foods and beverages, and hot baths. Again, each person is different and what might affect one person's rosacea might not bother the next person with rosacea.

Hiding Rosacea Facial Redness

Mineral Make ups, although slightly more expensive offer an excellent alternative to rosacea sufferers. Mineral makeup is as pure as it gets -- void of talc, chemical additives, fragrance, fillers, preservatives and dyes, it’s an excellent choice for rosacea skin care. Growing from a need for cosmetics gentle enough to use on skin after chemical peels or resurfacing treatments, mineral makeup is made from finely crushed, high pigment minerals. It has virtually no allergy risk and will not clog pores or irritate sensitivities. And because minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are used as the base, these cosmetics are loaded with natural UV protection. "The beauty of mineral makeup is that it can be used by all ages and all skin types,"explains Kathy Krakora. The light-reflective properties of the mineral powders actually draw attention away from fine lines. Zinc oxide, one of the base minerals, is anti-inflammatory, which means it calms the skin down. So it's perfect for people with blemishes, rosacea, oily skin, dry skin or for immediate post-treatment use." And because it is talc-free, mineral makeup actually holds in moisture, keeping sKin hydrated and averting wrinkles. A little goes a long way All makeup is not created equally and because mineral makeup is in such a pure form, there's no need to use as much of it as regular makeup.

 "Three words," Krakora says, "Less is more."

Tips for flawless application:
1)To avoid a streaky or blotchy appearance, allow your moisturizer to completely absorb before applying mineral foundation powder. If necessary, apply a thin layer of mineral rice powder first to absorb any extra moisturizer.
2) When applying cream or liquid foundation, most of us start with a lot and then blend most of it off. With mineral makeup, the minerals are pure, concentrated pigment. Using downward strokes, start with a light dusting and add layers until you achieve the desired coverage.
3) For a dewy look, create a tinted moisturizer by mixing a bit of powder foundation in the palm of your hand with your favorite moisturizer. Apply evenly as you would a moisturizer
.4) Apply mineral eye shadows dry for a soft, airbrushed effect. For a more intense and longer-wearing look, dip a wetted brush into the powder and then sweep it across the lids. The wet look is also good for events like weddings and chick flicks because it's crease and tear proof.
5) Because mineral blush contains no synthetic dyes, use it on eyes and lips for a dash of sheer color.
6) Finally, invest in good makeup brushes. As with applying any cosmetics, quality brushes make all the difference. Some popular mineral makeups include: Jane Iredale, Bel'Image Skin Care & Make-Up, Scosh Mineral Makeup, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, Mineral Secrets.
 Rosacea can be greatly improved by rosacea Lifesyles.