Coping with Rosacea

There are several triggers of rosacea. To name a few, the triggers include alcohol, chocolate, cold weather, facial scrubs, hot baths, saunas, hot beverages, spicy food and sun exposure. I read several forums and articles (e.g. livestrong.com,  and I have summarized the items below. Although I may list some of the items to avoid, I clearly understand how difficult it is to abstain from them. I love spicy sour kimchi soup and it will be terrible to totally not be able to have them. But of course, being aware of the triggers can moderate your intake which will limit the outbreaks of rosacea.

Food To Avoid

1. Spicy Food - red/white/black pepper, chili
2. Sweet Snacks - chocolates, sugary drinks such as bubble tea, aspartame (artificial sweetener) 
3. Hot Drinks - hot tea, hot coffee (let drinks cool down is a way to mitigate)
4. Alcohol
5. Citrus Fruits - pineapples 
6. Dairy products - cheese

Food To Take More

1. Anti-inflammatory - almonds, dark leafy greens
2. Anti-oxidants - grapes, apples, beetroot, broccoli, onions, green-tea
3. Omega 3 Fatty Acids - salmon, sardines

Products To Avoid

1. Irritants - fragrance 
2. Facial scrub
3. Oil-based make-up
4. Toners that contain astringents or alcohol
5. Hydroxy acids (while it may be good for acne, it is not good for rosacea)

Products To Use

1. Mild facial cleanser/soap (wash gently without scrubbing or rubbing) - Livestrong.com indicated "New Jersey dermatologist Dr. Coyle S. Connolly recommends over-the-counter cleansers Cetaphil and La Roche-Posay, while noted skin care expert Paula Begoun gives high ratings to Olay foaming face wash for sensitive skin, the B.Kamins Booster Blue Rosacea Cleanser and the Pevonia Botanica Rosacea line. Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash and Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser are also often recommended by dermatologists." I am using Nivea Baby Gentle Head-to-toe wash which is very mild and hypoallergenic to the skin and has natural chamomile and soothing bisabolol. It is free of parabens, alcohol, is skin-friendly pH and makes my skin feel clean and soft after use. 
2. Moisturizers (make sure to keep moisture content on skin >10%) - I use Niks Maple Clinic's Skin repair cream (~ $91.50 for 4.4oz) and Intensive Barrier Repair Cream (~ $45 for 4oz). I love using these as there are no tinging feeling. I kinda love them. The differences in the prices is because the former is made in the US and the latter from Korea. The Skin Repair Cream contains Aloe Barbadensis Leaf that soothe the skin. The Intensive Barrier Repair Cream contains glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) which reduces inflammation and soothes irritation, stimulates adrenal gland to remove bacteria that causes rosacea bumps. 
3. Oil-free Sunblock (at least SPF 15) 
4. Oil-free and Noncomedonegic makeup (list of comedonegic and irritant that you should avoid in products.)

Despite all these measures, Rosacea can be cyclical, such as flaring up before/during menstruation or when one is stressed. Taking flaxseed oil supplements may be good measure because not only it regulates the menstrual cycle and balances hormonal levels, it contains essential fatty acids that contribute to healthy glowing skin and reduces inflammations.