Rosacea is a common skin disorder that often affects the face, but which may also affect other parts of the body. The nature of its occurrence means that it is not understood by many people. The condition typically begins with the reddening of the skin, also known as flushing. After a considerable period of time, other symptoms start to manifest. Patients may complain of a burning sensation on the skin, formation of pus-filled spots on the affected skin and the appearance of veins on the skin.

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One of the challenges that patients suffering from Rosacea is the fact that this condition has relapses. What this simply means is that there are periods when the condition seems to have healed, and the symptoms reduce significantly. During other periods, the symptoms worsen and the condition may have a great impact on one’s self esteem.

Some of the causes of Rosacea include stress, regular intake of hot beverages, extreme weather conditions as well as a reaction to specific (usually spicy, dairy or fatty) foods. Additionally, the condition is more prevalent in people with fair skin so that the condition is rare among Asians and Africans. The good news is that there are several natural remedies which you can use to treat Rosacea. These remedies go a long way in improving your skin as well as your social life.

NOTE: For all of the remedies listed below, make sure you wash your hands prior to application.

1. Honey:

Time Required: 40 Min
What You Need: 2 Tablespoons of raw honey, warm water to rinse and your preferred skin moisturizer.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Honey is used for the treatment of Rosacea because it is a natural antimicrobial. As such, it prevents the risk of infections on the skin. It also helps reduce the burning sensation by lowering the extent of inflammation. As a humectant, honey also ensures that the skin remains moisturized. This works well for those who suffer from Rosacea, and are prone to excessive oil production on the skin.

Directions:

  1. Place the raw honey on the palms of your fingers and massage it on your face in gentle circular motions.
  2. Leave the honey on the skin for half an hour for the benefits to take effect.
  3. Rinse the honey using warm water before applying your skin moisturizer.
  4. Do this at least once daily to help enhance healing and address the inflammation.

 

2. Licorice Powder:

Time Required: 40 Min
What You Need: 1 Tablespoon of Licorice powder, 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel, 1 tea spoon of honey and warm water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Licorice powder is a key element in this home remedy as it has been shown to effectively deal with the redness of the skin, perhaps the most obvious symptom of Rosacea. In addition to this, licorice is a potent anti-inflammatory remedy that reduces pain at the affected skin. Overall, when mixed with honey and aloe vera gel, both known for their their healing properties, licorice reduces the irritation of the skin.

Directions:

  1. Add the licorice powder to the honey and mix well before adding the aloe vera gel.
  2. Scoop some of the mixture and apply on the affected part of the skin.
  3. Leave the licorice mixture on the skin for half an hour.
  4. Rinse the mixture off the skin using warm water.
  5. Use this remedy at least twice daily for a couple of months until you get relief from the condition.

 

3. Chamomile Tea Bags:

Time Required: 40 Min
What You Need: 5 Chamomile tea bags, 2 cups of boiling water, ice cubes and a clean piece of cloth.
Difficulty: Easy

 

If you suffer from Rosacea, one of the best things you could do for yourself is use chamomile tea bags as a home remedy. This is recommended because it has anti-inflammatory characteristics that assist in dealing with the inflammation as well as reducing the redness at the affected site. In addition to this, chamomile is also rich in flavanoids and terpenoids, both of which are known to soothe the skin, thus providing relief from the burning sensation that is characteristic of Rosacea.

Directions:

  1. Place the chamomile tea bags in the boiling water and let them steep for 15 minutes to create an infusion.
  2. After the 15 minutes have elapsed, remove the tea bags from the water and set aside.
  3. Prepare a cold bath by placing cold water in a bowl and adding the ice cubes.
  4. You will then place the bowl containing the chamomile water in the cold bath so that it is cooled without the direct addition of water.
  5. Once cool enough, dip the cloth in the cold chamomile infusion and squeeze the excess solution.
  6. Place the cold cloth on the affected skin and allow it to remain there for 15 minutes.
  7. Use this remedy thrice daily until the skin condition eases.

 

4. Oatmeal:

Time Required: 40 Min
What You Need: 1 Cup of powdered oatmeal, 1/2 cup of warm water, a big bowl, cold water to rinse and a soft towel.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Oatmeal is known to reduce inflammation in a number of skin conditions, and this is not any different in the treatment of Rosacea. This remedy is also known to contain antioxidants that help manage the itchiness while reducing the reddening of the affected skin. A big bowl is used for the preparation of this remedy because oatmeal swells when added to water, resulting in a sponge-like mass.

Directions:

  1. Place the oatmeal in the bowl before adding the warm water.
  2. Mix the two ingredients well before applying to the affected part of the skin.
  3. Do this lightly, making sure you smooth the paste over the skin. Be careful, however, not to rub the skin aggressively as this could cause further irritation.
  4. Leave the mixture on the skin for half an hour before rinsing with cold water.
  5. Pat the skin dry using the towel.
  6. Use this remedy twice daily for a couple of weeks until you get relief from the symptoms of Rosacea.

 

5. Apple Cider Vinegar:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of Apple cider vinegar, 1 cup of warm water, a clean wash cloth and additional water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most versatile home remedies. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, this remedy is popular with Rosacea patients because it helps maintain the normal pH levels on the skin. Balanced pH levels are essential to the health of your skin. As a natural antiseptic, ACV also works to eliminate bacteria found on the surface of the skin.

NOTE: For the purposes of this remedy, it is advisable to use diluted ACV to prevent adverse reactions on the skin when used in its raw form. In fact, it is better to start with dilute ACV and then work towards less water until you get to a ratio that works comfortably for your skin.

Directions:

  1. Add the ACV to the water and stir to mix well.
  2. Soak the clean piece of cloth in the solution and apply it on the affected skin.
  3. Allow the solution to remain on the skin for 15 minutes before washing it off with the warm water.
  4. Use this remedy twice daily until the symptoms subside.

 

6. Green Tea:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 2 Cups of green tea and a clean piece of cloth.
Difficulty: Easy

 

If you are looking for a simple and effective remedy for the natural treatment of Rosacea, then look no further than the use of green tea. This remedy not only reduces the inflammation at the affected part of the skin, it also has phytochemicals that helps shield the skin from some of the triggers that cause the symptoms of this skin condition to flare up. By protecting the skin from these triggers, green tea also goes a long way in reducing the formation of the pus-filled spots found on the skin. When taken orally, the green tea also helps the body to stay hydrated, which in turn prevents the skin from further drying.

Directions:

  1. Refrigerate the green tea to lower its temperatures considerably so that you are able to soothe the affected skin.
  2. Soak the clean piece of cloth in the tea and wring to get rid of the excess tea.
  3. Place the soaked piece of cloth on the skin for 5 minutes at a go. This is done in order to sooth the skin.
  4. Use this remedy as often as is required to get relief from the symptoms of Rosacea.
  5. Alternatively, drink the green tea to ensure that you do not suffer from dehydration as this typically worsens the symptoms of the condition.

 

7. Aloe Vera:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Fresh Aloe Vera leaf and warm water to rinse. You may also use aloe vera juice.
Difficulty: Easy

 

It is almost impossible to list remedies for various skin conditions without including aloe vera. Aloe vera gel is loved for its immense healing powers, and more importantly, its soothing properties when applied on the part of the skin ravaged by Rosacea. Added benefits of using aloe vera include the rejuvenation of the skin, and speedy healing of the affected parts of the skin.

Directions:

  1. Squeeze the fresh aloe vera leaf to extract the gel before applying it on the skin.
  2. Massage the skin for a few minutes before leaving the gel to dry. Use this remedy twice every day in order to get rid of the symptoms of Rosacea.
  3. Alternatively, take aloe vera juice daily to assist with the healing process.

 

8. Cold Compress:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Ice cubes and a clean towel.
 Difficulty: Easy

 

The essence of using a cold compress in the treatment of Rosacea at home is to reduce the inflammation while decreasing the extent of the reddened skin. The best thing about this remedy is that it is very simple to prepare.

Directions:

  1. Simply wrap the ice cubes using the clean towel and rub the compress on the affected skin.
  2. Do this as often as is required, taking care not to touch the skin with the bare ice cube as this could lead to frost bites.

 

9. Lavender Oil:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Pure lavender oil (therapeutic grade) and cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Lavender oil has long been used to treat a wide array of skin disorders. This is attributed to its rich antiseptic properties which help cleanse the skin. It is important, however, to note that this oil must be used cautiously as those with sensitive skin may react against the oil.

Directions:

  1. Place the cotton wool in the oil and allow it to soak the lavender oil.
  2. Dab the wool on the affected part of the skin before massaging slowly.
  3. Use this remedy twice daily until the symptoms reduce.

 

Other home remedies that you can use to treat Rosacea at home include flax seed oil whose constituent fatty acids are anti-inflammatory in nature, feverfew which prevents pooling of blood underneath the skin as well as rose hip oil. It also helps to take healthy measures that will compliment the natural remedies included above. These entail avoiding foods that you are allergic to, fatty foods and typical dairy products.