How to Get Rid of Rosacea with Top 10 Home Remedies

Rosacea is a common skin condition, most often seen in people who blush or flush easily. While the tendency to turn red may be appealing when it lends you a rosy glow, this condition becomes problematic when you develop persistent facial redness, pimples, dry and itchy eyes, and an enlarged or swollen nose.

It can affect anyone at any age, but it is most commonly found in middle-aged women who have fair skin. This condition typically affects the facial skin, especially around the nose, cheekbones, chin and forehead.

Rosacea can have a serious impact on your self-confidence and social life. If you are over age 30 and frequently get angry-looking red patches on your face, see a dermatologist to evaluate and diagnose the problem.

Once you know that you’re dealing with rosacea, you can start taking steps to get rid of rosacea with home remedies.

Causes of Rosacea

Rosacea is primarily caused by genetic, diet and environmental factors. The main factors that can trigger or aggravate rosacea include:

• Hot beverages
• Alcohol, especially red wine
• Spicy foods
• Extreme temperatures, either extreme heat or cold
• Exposure to sunlight or wind
• Emotions like anger, embarrassment, etc.
• Physical exertion
• Cosmetics
• Blood pressure medication or any other drugs that dilate your blood vessels.

Symptoms of Rosacea

• Recurring or long-lasting redness of the skin, accompanied by irritation and a burning or stinging sensation.
• Increased visibility of small red blood vessels on the face.
• Swollen red bumps or pimples on the skin.
• Flushing
• Facial swelling
• Raised red patches or plaques on the skin.
• Coarser and thicker skin with a bumpy texture.
• Eye dryness and irritation, often accompanied by red, swollen eyelids.

Risk Factors for Rosacea

You are at higher risk of developing rosacea if you:

• Are a woman
• Have fair skin that is easily damaged by exposure to the sun
• Are over age 30
• Smoke
• Have a family history of rosacea

Preventing Rosacea

• Figure out your triggers. Make a note of what you ate or drank on the day of a flare-up and avoid those things in the future.
• Maintain a regular journal or diary of your outbreaks and the corresponding diet. This will help you manage and control your condition.
• Protect your face from the sun by using a high-strength sunscreen or make your own skin-safe sunscreen at home.
• Use skin care and cosmetic products for sensitive skin to avoid any adverse reactions.
• Take special care of your eyes. There are many natural remedies to treat dry, itchy eyes.

Home Remedies for Rosacea

While you should go to a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment for severe outbreaks, rosacea cannot be cured. However, you can better manage it by controlling your diet and using natural home treatments.

Long-term complications of rosacea include rhinophyma, in which your skin’s oil or sebaceous glands become enlarged, causing tissue buildup on your nose and surrounding areas.

Another serious consequence of leaving this condition untreated is the development of ocular rosacea or rosacea affecting the eyes, which can lead to dry, irritated and bloodshot eyes, as well as blepharitis in the short run. Long-term complications include damage to the cornea and vision deterioration.

Here are 10 home remedies that will help you get rid of rosacea and avoid long-term complications. 

Method 1: Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Using anti-dandruff shampoo to wash your face can greatly help reduce and control the redness and acne-like outbreaks on your skin. Make sure the shampoo contains selenium sulfide, as this compound has strong antifungal properties that can clear up rosacea and keep it at bay.

One of the most effective products, widely endorsed by a large number of rosacea sufferers, is Selsun Blue Dandruff Shampoo - Moisturizing with Aloe. The aloe vera makes this product less harsh on your skin, keeping it healthy and clear.

You can use any anti-dandruff shampoo that contains selenium sulfide and aloe vera. Always do a patch test before using any new product on your face.

Single-Step Treatment: Use anti-dandruff shampoo to wash your face

• Buy an anti-dandruff shampoo that has aloe vera and 1% selenium sulfide.
• Squeeze out a small amount in your hand.
• Gently wash your face with it, then pat dry your skin.
• Follow it with a light, non-scented moisturizer to keep your skin well-hydrated.

Use the shampoo to wash your face 4 times a week. Regular use will ensure that your rosacea symptoms stay away.

Method 2: Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree essential oil has potent antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that can help get rid of rosacea outbreaks. However, since this is a very strong ingredient, always dilute it and do a patch test first to check for any adverse reactions.

Topical application of tea tree essential oil can reduce redness, inflammation and also eliminate any Demodex mites. Demodex mites are tiny microorganisms naturally found on skin, but people suffering from rosacea have a greater concentration of these mites, which leads to inflammation and flare-ups.

Things you’ll need:

• Tea tree essential oil (antimicrobial) – 5 or 6 drops
• Olive oil (carrier oil) – 1 tablespoon

Single-Step Method: Mix tea tree oil in a carrier oil & apply on skin

• Put 1 tablespoon of any carrier oil, such as olive oil, in a bowl.
• Add 5 or 6 drops of 100% pure tea tree essential oil.
• Mix the ingredients well.
• Use your fingers to apply the oil blend directly on the affected areas.
• Massage it into your skin using circular motions for a few seconds.
• You can wash it off with warm water after 20 to 30 minutes, or leave it on overnight and rinse your face in the morning.

For severe outbreaks, do this every day. Otherwise, use this blend 4 or 5 times a week to manage rosacea.

Method 3: Borax

Borax contains boron that is highly effective at eliminating fluoride and candida fungus from the body. This is both beneficial and important for the treatment and management of rosacea.

Food-grade hydrogen peroxide also helps clear your skin of Demodex mites, which are responsible for the increased redness and irritation associated with rosacea.

Note: Do not use any borax substitutes, especially not boric acid.

Things you’ll need:

• Borax (contains boron) – 1 teaspoon
• 3% hydrogen peroxide (cleanses skin and kills Demodex mites) – 1 tablespoon
• Water – 2 tablespoons

Step 1. Combine water, hydrogen peroxide and borax in a bowl

• Pour 2 tablespoons of water into a bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide.
• Add 1 teaspoon of borax powder as well.

Step 2. Mix well and apply on your skin daily

• Stir the solution until the borax is completely dissolved.
• Apply it directly on your skin with a cotton ball.
• Leave it on overnight and wash it off in the morning.

Repeat once daily for at least 7 to 10 days to get rid of rosacea.

Method 4: Zinc Oxide

You can also use zinc oxide powder to make your very own DIY rosacea cream with beeswax, coconut oil and lavender essential oil.

Note: Adding lavender essential oil is optional. You can skip this step if you have highly sensitive skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Non-nano zinc oxide powder (acts as a sunblock) – 1 teaspoon
• Beeswax (forms a protective layer on skin) – 1 tablespoon
• Extra-virgin coconut oil (antimicrobial and nourishes skin) – ½ cup
• Lavender essential oil (anti-inflammatory) – 2 or 3 drops

Step 1. Blend beeswax and coconut oil in a double boiler

• Set up a double boiler.
• Put 1 tablespoon of beeswax in the bowl.
• Add ½ cup of extra-virgin coconut oil to the bowl.
• Allow the ingredients to melt and blend on low heat, then remove it from the heat.

Step 2. Add zinc oxide powder and essential oil, apply on your skin

• Add 1 teaspoon of non-nano zinc oxide powder. Keep whisking the mixture continuously to prevent clumps from forming.
• Add 2 or 3 drops of lavender essential oil.
• Whisk it well and transfer the cream into an airtight container.

Apply it on the red and swollen areas of your skin daily, especially at night, to keep your skin clear and healthy.

Method 5: Sulfur

Organic sulfur powder is also highly effective at killing cutaneous Demodex mites that cause rosacea breakouts.

Sulfur powder has long been used in medicine as an antiseptic, due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties also enable it to successfully treat red, inflamed skin that is characteristic of rosacea flare-ups.

Caution: Do not use sulfur powder if you are pregnant or suffering from kidney disease.

Single-Step Treatment: Use sulfur-based products to wash your skin

• Wash your face with 10% sulfur soap twice daily.
• You can also use flower of sulfur or sulfur-based cleansers and ointments to get rid of rosacea symptoms.

Method 6: Apple Cider Vinegar

Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar helps restore the skin’s pH balance, and it has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it highly effective at reducing rosacea symptoms, including persistent redness, raised red bumps or patches, and acne-like breakouts.

When taken internally, apple cider vinegar also helps improve digestive health by enhancing the level of healthy bacteria in the gut. This further helps reduce the occurrence of rosacea, as your gastrointestinal health is directly responsible for causing rosacea breakouts.

Single-Step Treatment: Apply diluted apple cider vinegar topically

• Mix 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in ½ cup of water.
• Give it a stir and dip a cotton ball into the solution.
• Apply it on the red and inflamed areas of your skin.
• Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with water.

Apply diluted apple cider vinegar on your skin every other day for at least 2 weeks to clear up red patches and acne-like breakouts.

You can also start consuming diluted apple cider vinegar daily in the morning. Begin by adding 1 teaspoon to a glass of water. Gradually increase it to 2 teaspoons, and finally 1 tablespoon per day. Drinking this apple cider vinegar tonic will improve your overall health as well.

Method 7: Aloe Vera & Manuka Honey

Aloe vera gel has natural antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties that make it an ideal remedy for various skin conditions like acne, a suntan or sunburn, and for use in skin-lightening face masks. It is also used to treat minor burns and wounds.

Combining it with manuka honey, which contains antioxidants and hydrogen peroxide, makes it particularly effective at reducing rosacea-related redness and irritation.

When buying manuka honey, make sure to get honey that has a UMF of between 10 and 18. UMF stands for the unique manuka factor of the honey, which is an indicator of its quality and the level of it's non-peroxide antibacterial component.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (antimicrobial and soothing properties) – 1 tablespoon
• Manuka honey (antibacterial and healing properties) – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Combine aloe vera gel and manuka honey

• Put 1 tablespoon of manuka honey in a small bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel as well.

Step 2. Whisk and apply it on your skin

• Whisk the ingredients to blend them thoroughly.
• Apply the blend on the affected areas for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Wash it off with warm water and gently pat dry your skin with a soft towel or flannel cloth.

Apply the blend once daily until the symptoms subside. It could take at least 2 weeks.

Method 8: Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil contains fatty acids that have strong antimicrobial properties and help minimize the symptoms of rosacea, even as they moisturize and nourish the skin.

This is an incredibly simple and effective technique to get rid of rosacea and keep its symptoms under control.

Single-Step Treatment: Apply virgin coconut oil on the affected areas

• Apply virgin coconut oil directly on the affected skin to get rid of red and blotchy patches.
• Keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash it off.
• Gently dry your skin and use a light moisturizer.

Apply coconut oil twice daily for 7 to 10 days to treat and manage rosacea symptoms.

Optionally, you can mix 2 or 3 drops of tea tree essential oil in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and apply it twice daily.

Method 9: Magnesium or Epsom Salt

You can also use an Epsom salt solution to clear away angry-looking, red patches of irritated or inflamed skin caused by rosacea.

Single-Step Treatment: Apply an Epsom salt solution on the affected skin

• Mix about 2 teaspoons of Epsom salt in ½ cup of warm water.
• Stir it until the salt dissolves completely.
• Dip a cotton ball in the salt solution and apply it on areas affected with rosacea.
• Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then sponge it off gently.
• Do not use soap or face wash on your skin afterward.

Continue with this treatment for 10 to 12 days to clear up your rosacea symptoms.

You can also take magnesium supplements to control rosacea. Consult your doctor to determine the appropriate dosage.

Additionally, you can apply milk of magnesia on your face every night before going to bed. Your rosacea will be cleared up in a week.

Method 10: Green Tea

Green tea is rich in antioxidants as well as anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps reduce photosensitivity to sunlight in rosacea sufferers.

This is another incredibly simple home remedy for the treatment and management of rosacea.

Step 1. Brew a jug of green tea and let it cool

• Pour 2 cups of hot water in a jug and add 2 green tea bags.
• Let the bags steep for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool down.

Step 2. Spray the tea on your skin twice daily

• Transfer the now cool or cold tea into a small spray bottle.
• Spray the tea on your face and wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes.

Do this twice daily for 7 to 10 days to get rid of rosacea flare-ups.

As a preventive measure, you can apply green tea on your skin 2 or 3 times a week to prevent the formation of pimples and pustules on your skin.

Tips

• What you eat becomes very important when dealing with rosacea. To prevent flare-ups or acne-like breakouts, do not eat certain foods like beef, seafood, sour or pungent vegetables like tomatoes, hot peppers, carrots, beets, onions, radishes, eggplant and spinach. Also avoid citrus fruits along with foods containing sugar and starch.
• Warm spices like ginger, cumin, black pepper, cloves and fenugreek seeds should also not be consumed if you have rosacea.
• You can enjoy certain foods that actually help alleviate the symptoms and complications of rosacea. For example, salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce redness and inflammation; lean meats like turkey or chicken; turmeric powder that has antibacterial and healing properties; soothing spices like coriander, cardamom, fennel and saffron; fruits like melons, grapes and mango.
• You can also eat bland vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, okra, celery, green beans, zucchini, pumpkin, cauliflower and leafy greens like lettuce.
• Take care to use skin-friendly cosmetic products made with mild or preferably natural ingredients.

Summary Of How to Get Rid of Rosacea

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