Acne rosacea is not a form of acne, rather it is a condition which reddens the face, especially over nose and cheeks, and mostly affects fair-skinned, middle-aged women.

Eventually, the skin can thicken, in some extreme cases ending up with a bulbous W.C. Fields nose, without the years of drinking pleasure.

Why Me?

This mysterious condition has everyone baffled, but there appears to be a link between low stomach acid and acne rosacea. It may also be due to an allergy to salicylates or some other food chemical. Possible triggers include stress, extremes of temperature (including heavy exercise), spicy food, alcohol and hot drinks; although they are not the cause of the condition. The small blood vessels under the skin become dilated and damaged.

What To Do

Diet

• Avoid food and drink that dilate blood vessels and cause flushing such as very hot drinks, ginger, chilli, curry, coffee, cola, chocolate, alcohol and spicy food.
• Try cooling foods such as cucumber, fruit, salad and melons.
• Foods high in antioxidants that strengthen blood vessel walls include berries, grapes and beetroot.
• Investigate the possibility of a food allergy. Yeast and salicylates are two possiblities. (See Food Allergy.)

Herbs and Supplements

• Herbs and nutrients that help strengthen blood vessel walls is very useful, although may take some time to have an effect. Nutrients including resveretrol and rutin. Herbs including rosehips and hibiscus are very good too. (See Longevity)
• Stimulating the production of stomach acid seems to work in practice. Take one hydrocholoric acid and one digestive enzyme tablet with each meal. (The following remedies may be taken in conjunction.)
• An old American remedy, apple cider vinegar and honey, will slowly improve digestive insufficiency. Take one teaspoon of each in a large cup of warm water, each morning before breakfast.
• Sip one teaspoon of herbal bitters in water before dinner, to improve digestion.
• Take a Vitamin B group complex tablet daily. B2 is particularly recommended, however avoid large doses of B3 in the form of nicotinic acid, as it will cause flushing.
• Take 6 g of evening primrose oil daily for a month, then 3 g daily for another two months.

Other Steps

• I have found that the product Imedeen (the good complexion one) works wonders. Two a day. Unfortunately, this product is very expensive ... but don't buy the cheaper alternatives for some reason they don't work as well.
• Avoid scented facial soaps and lotions. Use hypoallergenic cosmetics.
• Avoid toners or aftershave containing alcohol.
• Wash your face with an oat sock.
• Avoid extremes of temperature.
• Avoid very hot showers.

At a Glance

Good food

Bland, cooling foods such as salads, fruit (particularly melons).

Food to avoid

Very hot drinks, ginger, chilli, curry, coffee, cola, chocolate, alcohol and spicy food.

Remedies to begin

Hydrochloric acid tablet with each meal, herbal bitters before dinner, apple cider vinegar and honey. Evening primrose oil. B complex and B2.

Lifestyle

Avoid extremes of temperature, hot showers. Use hypoallergenic skin care.

MindBody

Acne rosacea is a condition that is highly reactive, and usually affects the hypersensitive and shy. Working on issues of shame may prove useful.