Dermatologists Incorporating Natures Ingredients Into Natural Rosacea Treatments
Topical extracts have long been used to treat sensitive skin, rosacea skin and many other forms of inflammatory skin disorders. Until recently, most dermatologists have focused on using prescription topical treatments for rosacea. However, with proven efficacy and patient’s insisting on more natural treatments, dermatologists have started researching and treating rosacea sufferers with a combination of Western Medicine and Naturopathic Medicine.
In 2010, Dr. Fowler and colleagues published an article in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, “Innovations in Natural Ingredients and their Use in Skin Care”, that focused on the top natural treatments for rosacea and other skin disorders. Dr. Wu also published an excellent article highlighting natural extracts that had potent anti-inflammatory qualities and reduced many of the vascular symptoms of rosacea:
Treatment of rosacea with herbal ingredients. Wu J., Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2006 Jan;5(1):29-32.
Since rosacea is a chronic disease and many patients find prescription therapies unsatisfactory, they frequently turn to herbal ingredients for relief of their persistent facial redness. The most useful and frequently used herbal compounds include licorice, feverfew, green tea, oatmeal, lavender, chamomile, tea tree oil, and camphor oil. The utility of most of these herbs is based on their purported anti-inflammatory properties. Some of these herbs have proven effects, many have potential benefits, and some may aggravate rosacea. Due to the fact that many patients fail to inform their physicians about their use of herbal ingredients, dermatologists should be aware of what patients may be using and be able to advise them about the efficacy of these ingredients or the potential for adverse effects.
Natural Rosacea Treatments with Proven Effectiveness and Safety
Since the release of Dr. Wu’s publication in 2006, many rosacea sufferers have turned to all-natural topicals in an effort to find more effective symptom clearance and in order to stay away from topical and oral antibiotics. While natural alternatives are not necessarily better than medicinal pharmaceuticals, they do have a place in the treatment of rosacea…. alone or in combination with prescription-grade treatments.
Rosacea Soothing Tea’s
Roobois Tea (Aspalathus Linearis: Red Tea)
Rooibos tea has long been used in traditional South African medicine, where it is claimed to treat all manner of inflammatory skin problems, especially rosacea. Roobois Tea has a strong anti-inflammatory effect through high concentrations of zinc and hydroxyl acid, a potent antioxidant. An additional unique feature of Robbois Tea is that it also dissolves sebum, black heads and white heads for an excellent anti-acne effect. Its cleansing effect of can also help to minimize pore size as well
In major US salons, a favorite treatment for skin inflammation is the Roobois Tea Anti-inflammatory Mask .
DYI your own Roobois Tea Mask for rosacea:
- Mix half a cup of strong, plain Rooibos tea (fairly warm and let steep for at lest 5 minutes)
- Add a half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons of colloidal oatmeal.
Allow the mixture to cool until it’s lukewarm; apply it over your face and neck; lie down and relax for about 15 minutes; rinse off with lukewarm plain Rooibos tea, then press to dry.
Roobois Tea Applications: Cleansers, Moisturizers, Anti-inflammatory Serums, Facial Masks and Tea Bag Therapy
Japanese Green Tea (Green Camellia sinensis)
Topical Japanese Green Tea lotion and cream are among the favorites for rosacea sufferers. The green tea derivatives epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate possess well-documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that reduce blotchiness, facial redness and hyper-reactive skin. Japanese Green Tea at 2% or higher also helps repair the rosacea epidermis, strengthen and thicken this important outer barrier.
Japanese Green Tea Applications: Cleansers, Moisturizers, Anti-inflammatory Serums, Facial Masks and Tea Bag Therapy
Japanese White Tea (White Camellia sinensis)
Japanese White Tea is very similar to Japanese Green Tea except for the fact that they contain higher concentrations of catechins and polyphenols — both responsible for their strong anti-inflammatory actions on rosacea skin. This may also explain why Japanese White Tea not only treats rosacea redness but reduces the size and number of inflammatory papules (acne rosacea). Top quality cosmetic companies are now combining all three teas into serums (Rooibois, Green Tea and White Tea) in order to increase the overall effectiveness of these tea’s unique anti-inflammatory profile.
Japanese White Tea Applications: Cleansers, Moisturizers, Serums, Facial Masks and Tea Bag Therapy
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Chamomile is one of the most popular anti-rosacea treatments. Most use the German Chamomile because it does not contain allergens as do the other forms of Chamomile. The active constituents of chamomile include the terpenoids (bisoprolol, matricin, chamazulene) and flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin). Studies have documented the anti-inflammatory and soothing effects of creams containing chamomile in patients with various inflammatory dermatoses and rosacea. Chamomile instantly soothes rosacea-inflamed skin and with continued use can improve overall skin health and help reverse inflammatory symptoms.
Chamomile Applications: Cleansers, Gentle Toners, Gentle Astringents, Moisturizers, Creams, Lotions, Facial Masks and Tea Bag Therapy
Colloidal Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal has many beneficial actions on rosacea skin. First, oatmeal is a potent remedy for anti-itching (antipruritic). The moisturizing properties of colloidal oatmeal alleviate itch due to dry skin. These properties, in turn, promote protection of barrier function, which is often impaired in rosacea patients. Oatmeal also works as a skin protectant and enhancer of barrier function as the proteins and polysaccharides bind to skin to provide a protective barrier, while proteins buffer both acids and bases to protect sensitive skin.
Colloidal Oatmeal Applications: Cleanser and Facial Mask
Beneficial natural extracts to look for in your rosacea skin care
* caution do not place pure extract on skin.
Over the last 20 years, clinical and laboratory studies have identified the benefits of an array of natural ingredients for skin care. Consequently, a number of these ingredients and compounds are today being developed, used or considered not only for anti-aging effects, but also for use in dermatologic disorders. Certain ingredients, such as colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera, have been identified as beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, respectively, due to their anti-inflammatory properties. For combating acne and rosacea, green tea, niacinamide and feverfew are considered efficacious.
Licorice Extract (Glycyrrhizin)
Licorice extract must be important — Dr. Oz recommends it for rosacea treatment. Licorice extract’s key ingredient, Glycyrrhizinic acid has been shown to improve many rosacea symptoms; in a study by Dr. Saeedi and colleagues, 2% glycyrrhizinic acid gel was reported to significantly decrease scores for erythema, edema, and itching over the 2-week treatment period.
Eucerin, a popular cosmetic brand, has recently extracted and concentrated the anti-inflammatory components of Licorice Extract and named it Licochalcone A. A recent study by Dieck and colleagues found that licochalcone A exhibited potent anti-inflammatory actions in cell cultures and human clinical studies.
Licorice Extract Applications: Cleansers, Facial Serums and Creams
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi )
The uva ursi herb, which is more commonly known as bearberry, is a small evergreen shrub that grows in cool temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. The leaves of the plant are used in herbal medicine. The key active ingredient in Bearberry is Arbutin (6%) which has direct constricting actions on microvessels and tones down facial redness and flushing when used at 6% or greater concentrations in small pilot studies. Bearberry continues to help strengthen blood vessels due to its high content of vitamin C. This is an excellent choice for rosacea treatment that is now getting a lot of attention.
Bearberry Applications: 6% Arbutin Facial Serum
What is your Favorite Natural Rosacea Treatment? Do you find that it works better than prescription medications or do you combine the two?
