What We’re Getting Wrong About Rosacea—and How to Actually Calm It

April is Rosacea Awareness Month—a time to shed light on one of the most misunderstood skin conditions. If your face constantly looks red, feels irritated, or reacts to just about everything… you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: it might not just be “sensitive skin.” You could be dealing with rosacea—and how you treat it makes all the difference.

As a holistic esthetician, I see this all the time in my treatment room. A client comes in and says, “I think I have rosacea,” or “My skin is just always red and angry.” And my next question is always:
“Have you been officially diagnosed by a dermatologist?”
More often than not, the answer is no. Rosacea can be tricky to identify and even trickier to manage—but when you understand what’s happening beneath the surface, as well as triggers and how to rebalance it gets a whole lot easier to soothe.

So What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face—especially the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. The root cause isn’t fully understood (which makes treatment confusing), but we do know that both genetics and environmental triggers play a big role.

Common symptoms include:

• Persistent redness

• Visible blood vessels (telangiectasia)

• Bumps or pustules that resemble acne

• Sensitivity, stinging, or burning

• In some cases, ocular rosacea—affecting the eyes and surrounding skin

The Top Rosacea Triggers You Might Be Missing

Because rosacea flares can be triggered by everyday activities, many people don’t realize what’s making their skin worse.

Here are some common culprits:

• Hot beverages (yes, even that morning matcha)

• Spicy foods

• Alcohol (especially red wine)

• Intense sun exposure

• Stress and anxiety

• Extreme temperatures (hot OR cold)

• Over-exfoliating or using harsh skincare products

Sound familiar?

What We're Getting Wrong About Red, Reactive Skin

One of the biggest misconceptions is that rosacea is caused by poor hygiene or acne. In reality, it’s a vascular condition, meaning it’s rooted in inflammation and broken capillaries—not clogged pores. That’s why using acne products (like benzoyl peroxide or harsh exfoliants) can often make things worse.

Another common mistake? Skipping SPF. UV exposure has been proven in clinical studies to contribute 90% of redness in the skin and is one of the biggest flare-up triggers, so daily sun protection is non-negotiable.

My Go-To Product for Redness Relief: Colorescience® All Calm

Whether you’ve been diagnosed or just feel like your skin is constantly irritated, supporting your barrier is key. One product I’m loving right now (and recommending to my rosacea-prone clients) is Colorescience All Calm® Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50.

Here’s why it’s a game-changer:

• Soothes inflammation and redness instantly

• Mineral SPF 50 to protect against sun-induced flare-ups

• Hydrating, barrier-supportive ingredients for long-term skin health

• A tinted, breathable formula that doubles as makeup coverage

• Non-comedogenic and gentle for even the most reactive skin types
  
  

This fits easily into your morning routine and works beautifully under makeup—or on its own for that dewy, calm-skin glow.

How I Help Clients with Rosacea at Glow With Ida

As a holistic esthetician, I take a whole-picture approach when it comes to skin inflammation. That means we look at your environment, products, habits, and stress levels, then build a calming skincare plan from the inside out.

Whether that’s booking a sensitive skin facial, switching up your homecare, or finding a few go-to products you can trust—I’m here to help you feel confident and calm in your skin again.

Ready to Calm Your Skin—For Real?

If you’re dealing with redness, irritation, or flare-ups and don’t know where to start, I’d love to support you.

🌿 You can:
→ Shop the All Calm product
→ Book a consultation or sensitive skin facial
→ DM me with questions—I love connecting with you!

Your skin doesn’t have to stay in fight mode. There’s a better way to care for it—with the right support and a little bit of calm.