Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness in the face, sometimes accompanied by small irritated bumps localized to the cheeks. Rosacea can have a variety of causes. Bacterial or viral infections, food allergies or sensitivities, hormonal, adrenal, and stress related problems can cause rosacea, as well as neurovascular problems. Treatments include topical creams and washes, usually in combination with supplements, and possible dietary changes.

The Evan Healy line of body care products is appropriate for the treatment of Rosacea. Evan Healey developed these products to treat her own rosacea naturally. There are different lines of her products that are for different skin types, indicated by the color of the box:

Pink – used for dehydrated skin in need of moisture, with rose hip seed oil and vetiver

Blue – used for combination, oily and reactive skin types, with rose hip seed oil and lavender for a soothing effect

Orange – used for acne prone skin, with tea tree oil

Green – suitable for all skin types

In some cases Rosacea responds best to oil free moisturizers.  The following oil free products may be used:

Andalou Naturals Acai & White Tea Oil Free Moisturizer

Derma E

The Soothing line is for anyone with sensitive skin who may be reactive to products that are too concentrated in botanical ingredients.

The Hydrating line is for mildly sensitive skin, and contains naturally occurring Hyaluranic Acid. This acid bonds the skin’s oil to moisturize, while helping in the production of collagen to retain elasticity and firmness, making it a great line for those who want an anti aging product that will not irritate sensitive skin. Uva Ursi brewed as a tea and then applied to the skin as a toner may also greatly reduce inflammation.

Internal Treatments for Rosacea

Oregon Grapefruit is a supplement that should be taken to eliminate any bacteria that is causing rosacea

Monolaurin is a supplement that can be taken for rosacea caused by a viral infection – this is to be taken after a bacterial cause is eliminated

Rutin is a bioflavonoid that reduces inflammation in veins and capillaries, making the skin feel more comfortable for anyone suffering from rosacea. There is also a topical cream with rutin in it called ‘bioflavonoid cream’ by Cosmesis.

Saccharomyces Boulardii is a probiotic supplement that heals the intestinal walls and rebalances the intestinal flora as a treatment of SIBO, Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth which could be another cause of rosacea. To be tested for SIBO, a simple urinalysis or breath test can be done.

Food allergies and sensitivities could be a cause of rosacea. Two methods of finding food sensitivity are blood tests done by a doctor, or by elimination diets. The first step of an elimination diet is writing down everything that is eaten daily, and weekly. Next, each staple food would be removed from the normal diet for a week or two and then reintroduced. If the food that was eliminated from the normal diet upsets the skin or stomach, it means that you are most likely sensitive to that food.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness in the face, sometime accompanied by small bumps localized on the cheeks, that can be caused by a variety of factors. Bacterial or viral infections; food allergies/sensitivities; nerovascular problems; and hormonal, adrenal and stress related problems can cause rosacea. Available treatments include topical creams/washes, usually in combination with supplements and dietary changes.

At Chamomille we carry many products that can be used to treat rosacea, with both topical and internal options.

Topical:

Evan Healy

The entire line of Evan Healy body care products is appropriate for rosacea-afflicted skin, as it was developed by Evan Healy to treat her own rosacea naturally. There are four lines for different skin types within the Evan Healy brand, with their type indicated by the color of the box:

• Pink- Hydrating, for dehydrated skin in need of moisture; made with rose hip seed and vetiver.
• Blue- Soothing, for combination/oily/reactive skin; made with rose hip seed oil and lavender.
• Orange- For acne prone skin; made with tea tree oil.
• Green- Suitable for all skin types.

Oil-Free

In some cases rosacea-afflicted skin responds best to oil-free moisturizers, such as the following:

• MyChelle Oil-Free Grapefruit Lotion
• Andalou Naturals Acai $ White Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer

Derma E 

There are several products from derma e that are specifically for the treatment of rosacea:

• Soothing Cleanser
• Soothing Toner
• Redness Reducung Serum
• Soothing Moisturizing Creme

 

Internal:

• Oregon Grapefruit- a supplement to aid in the elimination of any bacteria that is causing rosacea.
• Monolaurin- a supplement that is taken to treat rosacea cause by a viral infection, to be taken only after a bacterial cause is eliminated.
• Rutin- a bioflavonoid that reduces inflammation in the veins and capillaries,  soothing rosacea-afflicted skin. Rutin can also be applied in a topical form in the Bioflavonoid Cream by Cosmesis.
• Saccharomyces Boulardii- a probiotic supplement that heals the intestinal walls and re-balances intentional flora. This probiotic is used as a treatment for SIBO (Small Intentine Bacterial Overgrowth) , which can be a cause of rosacea; to be tested for SIBO, a simple urinalysis or hydrogen breath test can be performed.

Vitamin C Serum for Healing Sun-Exposed Skin

Vitamin C and Sun Exposure

The Benefits of Vitamin C

Over time, our skin becomes depleted of its naturally occurring Vitamin C, and the loss of this critical antioxidant with age contributes to a loss in firmness and an increase in wrinkles. Another way in which our skin is robbed of Vitamin C is through exposure to UV rays; over-exposure to the sun’s rays during the summer months can cause premature aging of the skin. But if you find yourself out on the beach without sunscreen this summer (which we hope would never happen!), there is a natural way to combat the damage done to your skin. Topical Vitamin C can be used to supplement what we lose from the sun, as it is a powerful antioxidant proven to reduce sun damaged skin cells and repair UV damage such as discoloration and fine lines. As a bonus, boosting your skin’s Vitamin C levels with a topical serum will also increase the skin’s production of collagen.

Vitamin C vs Retinol A

Vitamin C serum may be a better option for people with very sensitive skin than Retinol A because, while it is an antioxidant, it is less likely to cause the skin to peel. That being said, even though it is more gentle Vitamin C should be introduced to the skin gradually by those with sensitivities. However, once the skin adjusts to the Vitamin C its anti-inflammatory properties may in time prove very healing, even for individuals with rosacea. In addition, oil-free Vitamin C serums have been shown to balance oily and acne-prone skin.

Any new product should be introduced slowly. If you want to rejuvenate your skin at the end of the summer, add a few drops to your favorite night cream or apply directly to the skin (followed by a moisturizer) every other night, increasing amount/frequency as your skin adjusts. Vitamin C is best used at night, and if used during the day it must be covered by sunscreen.

 

Vitamin A Serum for Sun Exposure and Skin Maintenance

Vitamin A and Sun Exposure

How Does Sun Exposure Affect Our Skin?

UV rays rob the skin of its naturally occurring antioxidants, which results in a loss of collagen, wrinkles and uneven pigmentation/age spots. In short, too much sun exposure can result in premature skin aging.

How Can Topical Vitamin A Help Sun Exposed Skin?

Many natural ingredients may potentially correct the aging effect of UV rays, but no other ingredient has been scientifically studied and proven to be as effective in its age-reversing properties as topical Vitamin A. Also called retinol, Vitamin A  is considered to be a “cell communicator” because the receptor sites in skin cells respond so well to it.

Visible Benefits of Topical Vitamin A:

• Boosts skin’s collagen production
• Wrinkle reduction
• Increases skin hydration
• Thickens thinning skin
• Lightens discoloration/age spots
• Unclogs and eventually shrinks enlarged pores

Using Retinol Serums: Retinoid vs Retinol

Topical retinoid creams are available through prescription only and are sometimes made of a synthetic form of Vitamin A. Retinoids can produce results in a s little as six weeks, where natural retinols can take a s long as three months to show effectiveness. Retinols are found in natural, non-prescription serums, and while they work gradually they are less likely to irritate the skin.

Managing Skin Sensitivity

Upon initial use, retinols generally cause the skin to peel, which, while alarming, does not mean that using the retinol will lead to thin or weakened skin. In actually the opposite is true, as retinols will thicken the deeper layers of skin and smooth out wrinkles below the skin’s surface where they originate. Skin peeling is a side effect of the retinol’s ability to penetrate the skin and encourage the turnover of dead skin cells, and in most cases aany peeling or redness will subside over time. If these side effects persist, decrease the amount of retinol used or the frequency of application.

Gently Introducing Retinol to Your Skin Care Regimen:

If your skin is sensitive, retinol serum can be diluted by mixing it with your night cream every third or every other night, and if your skin is more tolerant it can be applied directly every other night. Once your skin has built up a tolerance to retinol, it can be used nightly.

Retinol A Serum and Day Time Use

There are conflicting opinions on using retinol during the day, as it has been said to increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Some manufacturers of natural retinol serums disagree with this common belief and say that day time use does not pose harmful risks, but does make their serums less effective; in the same way that the sun reduces the antioxidant properties naturally occurring in the skin, it damages the antioxidant properties of the serums and reduces their potency. Whichever theory rings true to you, if you do choose to use retinol serum during the day applying sunscreen over is a must.