Top 5 Face Masks for Rosacea
I had clear skin all through puberty, but in my 20s, I suddenly developed severe rosacea. My doctor prescribed doxycycline and spironolactone, but the drugs were ineffective. Every day more red splotches appeared on my face. One day I overheard a classmate refer to me as: “the burn victim girl.” I was utterly devasted.
From that day on, I tried every treatment available to soothe my symptoms and reduce flare-ups. After years of experimentation, I’ve found a combination of treatments that work for me. Today, I’m going share the recipes for my favorite rosacea fighting face masks.
1. Aloe Vera and Chamomile Face Mask
Ingredients
- 1 cup of chamomile tea
- 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel
Benefits
This mask will soothe your skin. Chamomile tea is typically used to calm stomachs, but it’s also a great topical treatment.
You’re probably familiar with aloe vera as a sunburn treatment. Rosacea has a lot of the same symptoms as a sunburn, so it should be no surprise, that it works wonders on that as well.
2. Spicy Yogurt Mask
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon powdered turmeric
Benefits
So, let’s say you give in to temptation and picked at your dry, irritated skin. It happens to the best of us, but now you’re in danger of PIH, PIE, and acne scarring. This mask will help your scars heal quickly. Turmeric contains curcumin, which decreases inflammation and oxidation, helping to reduce scarring.
Now, on to the yogurt. When you have a skin condition like rosacea, your body perceives the bad microorganisms on your skin as foreign invaders and tries to fight them off. Unfortunately, this leads to even more inflammation. The probiotics in the Greek yogurt calm your skin and make it less reactive.
Side note: This face mask can leave you with a bit of a yellow tint but don’t worry, it’s temporary.
3. Exfoliating Oatmeal Cookie Mask
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons of milk
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- 1 1/2 tablespoon of dry oatmeal
- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
Benefits
Exfoliating and moisturizing are both vital parts of treating rosacea and this mask does both. The baking soda, oatmeal, and lactic acid gently exfoliate your skin. Shedding your damaged skin cells relieves the itching sensation that often accompanies rosacea.
Dryness exacerbates the symptoms of rosacea, so proper moisturizing is key. When you’re in the middle of an outbreak your delicate skin can’t handle the harsh chemicals in drugstore creams and lotions. You’re better off with a natural moisture like honey. Honey saturates your skin and helps it retain moisture.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar and Green Tea Mask
Ingredients
- 1 cup of green tea
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt
Benefits
This face mask tackles the underlying causes of rosacea head on. The acidophilus found in natural yogurt lowers your yeast levels, reduces your symptoms. Apple cider vinegar addresses another cause of rosacea by stabilizing your skin’s pH levels.
Dozens of high-end skin care products contain green tea extract. The key to its popularity is its potent combination of antioxidants and powerful anti-inflammatory.
5. Avocado and Coconut Oil Face Mask
Ingredients
- 1/2 of an avocado
- 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of honey
Benefits
This mask replenishes and revives your chafed and irritated skin. Both avocados and coconut oil are full of fatty acids that repair your skin barrier. The lauric acid and antioxidants in coconut oil combat the oxidative stresses that worsen rosacea.
Side Note: Some people with hazelnut and walnut allergies have a negative reaction to coconut oil. So, it’s a good idea to do a patch test on your arm before trying this mask.
