Rosacea affects as many as 45 million people worldwide but if you suffer from a constantly red face, it is easy to feel alone, embarrassed and just totally out of place. Perhaps it might help to know that some of the most popular celebrity faces, some of whom might be your favorite, in fact battle with rosacea.
Like these celebrities, you too can overcome the flare-ups and manage your rosacea so that it never holds you back again.
Princess Diana of Wales
Princess Diana remains one of the most famous people in the world. As a popular princess, she inevitably attracted a lot of public attention but what many did not know was her struggle with rosacea since childhood.
Even then, Diana always managed to keep her facial complexion looking extremely good that no one would suspect she suffered from flare-ups especially under extreme weather conditions. How did she do it? According to reports, Diana’s daily facial routine included:
- Cleaning her face with a gentle glycerin soap which helped to soothe and purify her sensitive skin
- Applying a mild toning lotion that contained glycerin and rosewater
- Using one drop of rose oil mixed with two drops of geranium oil to keep her face moisturized
- Using a concealer to hide any inflamed spots and witch hazel to get rid of pimples
- Using sea salt in boiling water to exfoliate and steam her face
In addition to following this facial regimen, Princess Diana also had support from makeup artists and aestheticians to ensure her appearance was always in top condition. As a regular mortal, you should seek a dermatologist’s support to find the best way to manage your rosacea.
Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon is arguably one of the better TV actresses in Hollywood and it seems like the older she gets, the better she looks so much so you wouldn’t guess that she suffers from rosacea.
Nixon says that although her childhood acne cleared out, she began battling with annoying red patches and spots on her face in her 30s.
Like most people, she used numerous products in a desperate attempt to clear her face but all this time she had been treating acne instead of the rosacea she never knew she had. Here’s how Nixon managed her acne:
- Get professional help -
She consulted a dermatologist and found she had rosacea and not acne. To manage rosacea, you need to fully understand this condition and find out what your triggers are. - Eliminate triggers-
When you have rosacea you need to be diligent about triggers that could be causing flare-ups and inflammation. Triggers vary from one person to the next; for Cynthia Nixon it was red wine but it could be anything from extreme weather to spicy foods for other people. Identify these and eliminate them. - Choose your skin products wisely-
Rosacea-prone skin is already sensitive so you do not want to irritate it further with harsh skin products. If you choose to use makeup, avoid the temptation to pile it on, as this will certainly aggravate your skin. There are even facial cleansers, toners and foundations that play well with rosacea. - Water, water, water-
Water not only allows your body to function at its best, it also prevents your skin from becoming too dry therefore worsening rosacea symptoms. In addition to drinking plenty of water, always keep your skin well moisturized throughout the day. - Avoid over-washing-
In spite of common myths, rosacea is not a result of poor hygiene so you do not need to over clean your face. Over cleaning will only leave your face dry and irritable. - Stay positive-
Nixon recommends that you maintain a positive state of mind in spite of your skin condition. Positivity will empower you to deal head on with your angry skin.
Sam Smith
Sam Smith, the young British musician who became popular from his 2014 "Stay with Me" song seems to have a pretty, smooth and non-blemished face. However, in an interview, they revealed his struggle with rosacea.
Like Cynthia Nixon, Smith found that red wine was a big trigger for his flare-ups and inflammation. As much as they love their wine, they have had to cut it down, which they say has really helped with calming his skin.
What can you learn from Sam Smith? Identifying your triggers is so important if you are going to treat your rosacea.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz has never been shy to talk about her delicate skin and the ways she has managed to keep rosacea and acne in check. Her other skin problems include hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone but these have not stopped her from being one of the most beautiful faces in Hollywood. Here’s what Diaz recommends to keep rosacea under control:
- Mix 3 drops of lavender oil, tea tree oil and frankincense oil with 2 teaspoons of raw honey.
- Use light therapy to control inflammation of the skin
- Use skin products that don't aggravate your rosacea
- Exfoliate the skin with lactic acid peel
- Protect your skin from direct sunrays to minimize redness
Mariah Carey
Who can deny Mariah Carey’s exuberance? In spite of her flawless beauty, Mariah is actually a rosacea sufferer who has learnt how to manage her skin condition. She revealed her secrets:
- Avoid harsh products and facial regimens that may cause flare up
- Using natural remedies at home can help soothe the skin and minimize symptoms. For example, Mariah uses ice and milk to make face packs to soothe her inflammation.
Celebrities who Use Light Therapy
Light therapy is now a popular, noninvasive method for treating skin conditions such as rosacea. It is no wonder that this treatment is quite the sensation among celebrities including:
Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba has been especially vocal about her use of light therapy for her skin. The beautiful Latina and mother of two has posted several photos of her light therapy mask.
Here is what Jessica Alba uses:
Angel Kiss LED Photon Therapy Mask for Home use
This admittedly creepy-looking device packs a surprising punch of effectiveness and customer satisfaction. Used daily for about 20 minutes, users have reported noticeable results in just 3-5 weeks. It ships with interchangeable inlays for Red, Green and Blue Light treatments.
- Helps reduce and prevent wrinkles
- Boosts Colagen and tightens skin
- Promotes skin elasticity
- Helps fight fatty areas and minimizes pores
Jessica Alba is not the only one...
Jessica commented that her therapy entails both blue and red light treatment, which helps to kill acne-causing bacteria and to eliminate deep wrinkles respectively. Alba credits her flawless skin to her light therapy mask, which she uses at least once a week.
We recently reviewed a bunch of light therapy masks. Take a look here to get informed!
Katy Perry
Katy Perry also loves to post about her use of light therapy. In her thirties, Perry says her skin looks and feels way better than it ever has and attributes this to using red light therapy to tighten her face, reduce the appearance of fine lines and minimize acne.
Jennifer Lopez
J Lo is one of those celebrities to whom the adage ‘age is just a number’ aptly applies. The 47year old has enviably flawless skin and when asked to reveal her secret, she said her daily routine involves using light therapy, which has greatly helped to reduce the appearance of fine lines on her face.
If there is anything to be learnt from these celebrities is that they put great effort in caring for their skin. An especially important lesson is that less is better in terms of the products you use to treat skin conditions such as rosacea.
Like your favorite celebrities, work closely with your dermatologist to find effective ways to combat rosacea and to acquire the clear skin you have always dreamed of.
For more Rosacea-related content, please take a look at our recommendations for makeup for Rosacea, the best lotion for Rosacea or our review of the best supplements for Rosacea.