The most fundamental and significant cause is… genetics! We all inherit certain “flaws” and predispositions to various conditions. The same goes for rosacea. You are predisposed. Rosacea can progress. Initially your skin may simply be prone to redness, but over time it may evolve into the papulo-pustular form. Like any chronic disease, rosacea also has periods of remission and flare-ups. The aim of treatment is to bring you into remission. Rosacea cannot be “cured” by a cream, a magic pill, or even systemic retinoids. We can only induce remission. The rest is your task: maintain it. And to do so you must know what not to do if you have rosacea.

1.Avoid using aggressive cleansing products, also micellar waters and hydrophilic oils. They  damage the skin barrier and worsen vascular inflammation. In rosacea, the skin barrier is already compromised, so these products strip lipids, increase transepidermal water loss and leave the skin reactive, hot and prone to flare-ups. Micellar water, even when advertised as “gentle”, contains surfactants that remain on the skin if not rinsed properly, causing irritation over time. Hydrophilic oils are also problematic for rosacea-prone skin: they emulsify too aggressively, trap heat and may trigger redness and pustules. Using barrier-friendly gel cleansers keeps the skin calm and significantly reduces the frequency of flare-ups.


2.Do not neglect home skincare. The skin needs calming and restoration. You cannot just cleanse and apply nothing. You must use care designed both to reduce inflammation and to rebuild.

3.Everyone says that skin with rosacea needs azelaic acid and BBL; no one says that you must not perform that procedure on damaged, inflamed, exhausted skin without restoration first. Azelaic acid alone is rarely enough; in my practice I always add multiple active ingredients to support a comprehensive approach. And BBL should not be done during a flare-up of rosacea. First you must eliminate inflammation, calm the skin, then later address residual redness with IPL or laser therapy. No traumatizing procedures should be done during a rosacea flare-up — no aggressive peels, no RF, no PicoSure, no BBL (during the flare-up!).

4.Avoid saunas and high-temperature dry steam sessions — these stress the blood vessels extremely. Choose gentle low-temperature steam if needed. And of course avoid very hot showers at home.

5.Do not neglect sun protection. Blood vessels categorically do not like ultraviolet light: the sun is the enemy! However I won’t just shout “use SPF”, because not every skin with rosacea tolerates every sunscreen. Of course you must find your suitable cream, and you should not go outdoors without SPF when UV index is 2 or higher. But what’s even more important is minimising sun exposure itself. Meaning: when sunlight is intense, use mechanical protection.

6.Avoid scrubs, facial brushes and aggressive cleansing gadgets. Physical exfoliation creates micro-tears in the epidermis, disrupts the skin barrier and instantly triggers neurogenic inflammation — something that rosacea-prone skin reacts to much more aggressively than healthy skin. These tools overstimulate superficial blood vessels, increasing redness, flushing and the risk of new flare-ups. Even “gentle” scrubs or sonic brushes can push inflammation deeper and worsen sensitivity over time. For rosacea, preserving the skin barrier is the priority, and physical exfoliation does the opposite — it thins the barrier, irritates nerve endings and fuels chronic redness. That’s why dermatologists consistently recommend avoiding these devices altogether and switching to non-irritating, barrier-supporting cleansing gels.

7.Regarding food: if your body and gut are healthy, one glass of dry wine per week, a delicious tomato or other “red” foods will not necessarily trigger the skin. Of course, everything is individual. If you feel a reaction, remove that product. For skin with rosacea I recommend limiting (not excluding and not being afraid of) tomatoes, red wine, very spicy food, very hot dishes.

8.Stress is one of the triggers of rosacea. I would call it the strongest. And the most destructive impact is from chronic, constant stress. When work is no longer a joy but a burden, when your relationship causes irritation, when you are overly emotional or nervous — that will trigger your skin. Work with a psychologist, use meditation, treat anxiety, change your job and eliminate triggers.

9.Do not experiment with over-the-counter pharmacy ointments. Many people try Rozex (metronidazole gel) or Soolantra (ivermectin cream), but that is not the full story. Rozex is not suitable for everyone and may be risky. Soolantra is an antibacterial agent that kills microflora. OTC ointments contain aggressive actives and very limited, one-dimensional formulas.