The long, hot, and humid days of the summer months are here again, bringing lots of fun physical activities in the sun. However summer can be a difficult time for many who live with skin disorders. Those otherwise long-awaited revitalizing effects of the warm weather can bring on a nightmare, characterized by flare-ups that result in avoiding outdoor activities altogether.

Rosacea is one such skin condition that could significantly worsen during the warm months of the year, and many might experience the appearance of symptoms -facial redness or burning that come and go- the very first time in the summer. To understand how to spot this disorder and what you can do to keep those bothersome symptoms under control, first, let’s take a look defines rosacea.

What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is an extremely common chronic skin disorder, with millions of sufferers in the United States alone. Typically affecting individuals in their 40s or beyond, rosacea is a far more common problem amongst women than men.

An inflammatory disorder with symptoms that come and go seemingly randomly, rosacea is somewhat of a mystery in the medical community even today. There is no treatment that will cure rosacea, and once it appears, it is likely to last throughout life, requiring several different approaches in treatment to achieve lasting improvement.

What Are the Symptoms of Rosacea?

Rosacea is often referred to as the adult acne, as many of its symptoms seem remarkably similar to those experienced during the teenage years. This skin disorder usually affects the face and primarily the cheeks; however, in many cases, it could spread to the nose or the eyes, or even the neck, as well.

What Are the Causes of Rosacea?

Scientists have a hard time to pinpoint the exact cause of rosacea. The general consensus mentions a hereditary origin. Other theories include the presence of Demodex mites, those microscopic and harmless insects living on our everyone’s skin, or even normal bacterias; it appears, certain individuals might just have more of these than others.

If you are fair-skinned and light-haired, you are predisposed to rosacea. Stress, consuming overly spicy food regularly, summer heat, high humidity, heavy exercise, alcohol or even smoking are also associated with a stronger likelihood of experiencing this disorder.

What Are the Treatment Options for Rosacea?

Unfortunately, rosacea has no known cure. This, however, doesn’t mean that your skin condition cannot be managed to the point of being symptom-free. Rosacea is a highly treatable condition, and likely won’t worsen over time if you have a good skin care regimen. Learn to notice and record triggers of symptoms and develop a solid skin regime that will help with your rosacea symptoms.

The most important steps to take daily in your skincare routine are the following:

Before applying any creams, lotions, or serums to your skin, read the labels: some ingredients, such as alcohol, menthol, eucalyptus oil, or additives like propylene glycol can dry out your skin, further contributing to roughness, burning, redness, and peeling. Keep it simple; avoid fragrances and complicated ingredients; the more natural products you choose, the better for your skin.

Summer is such a difficult time for you because even a few minutes in the sun can aggravate your symptoms and a good old-fashioned sunburn is likely to cause a severe case of a flare-up. Always use a generous amount of sunscreen, preferably made with niacinamide, an ingredient that reduces facial redness.

Facial cremes that prevent the loss of moisture are your best friend as hydration will keep your facial skin plump, fresh, and irritation-free. Choose one with mostly natural ingredients, free of fragrances, and don’t be afraid of using richer formulas over easy-to-absorb lotions.

While makeup definitely helps to hide that bothersome redness, many foundations are known to have skin-drying ingredients. Aim for natural products, such as mineral makeup, since these contain a minimal amount of additives. Silicone-containing foundation is another good choice as it adds a protective barrier to your skin.

Forget washing your face with overly hot or too cold water to prevent the flare-up of your symptoms. Always aim to use lukewarm water that’s gentle on your skin. Don’t forget to be gentle with your skin yourself; use your fingertips instead of rough washcloths. Avoid products or ingredients that could remove too much of the natural oils from your skin.

Rosacea is likely to flare-up during these summer months, thanks to the heat and spending plenty of much-needed time in the sun. With the help of these skin care tips, however, you can be sure to retain a beautiful complexion and glowing skin year-round.