Rosacea and Sensitive Skin

Supporting the Skin Barrier with Gentle Skincare

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects the face and is characterised by redness, flushing, sensitivity, and periods of flare-ups. While rosacea cannot be cured, many people find that understanding triggers and choosing gentle skincare can significantly improve daily skin comfort.

This article explores rosacea from a skin-barrier perspective, explains why certain skincare products can worsen symptoms, and outlines how a calm, natural routine - including products infused with Mānuka oil - can support sensitive, rosacea-prone skin.

What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a long-term inflammatory condition that primarily affects the central face, including the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. It often presents as:

• Persistent facial redness
• Flushing that comes and goes
• Sensitivity, burning, or stinging
• Visible blood vessels
• Bumps or uneven skin texture

Rosacea affects people of all skin tones and genders and is most commonly diagnosed in adults over 30, though symptoms can appear earlier.

Why Rosacea-Prone Skin Is So Reactive

One of the key features of rosacea-prone skin is a weakened skin barrier.

The skin barrier is responsible for:
• Retaining moisture
• Protecting against environmental irritants
• Regulating inflammation

When the barrier is compromised, skin becomes more reactive to heat, friction, products, and environmental stressors - all of which can trigger rosacea flare-ups.

Common Triggers That Can Worsen Rosacea

Rosacea triggers vary between individuals, but commonly include:

Environmental Triggers

• Heat and sun exposure
• Hot showers or baths
• Cold wind or temperature changes

Lifestyle Triggers

• Stress and emotional flushing
• Alcohol
• Spicy foods
• Intense exercise

Skincare Triggers

• Harsh foaming cleansers
• Over-exfoliation
• Alcohol-based products
• Strong fragrances
• Products that strip the skin barrier

Identifying and minimising personal triggers is an important part of managing rosacea.

Why Gentle Cleansing Is Critical for Rosacea

Cleansing is often where rosacea-prone skin is most easily irritated.

Strong surfactants and over-cleansing can:
• Strip natural oils
• Increase transepidermal water loss
• Trigger burning or stinging sensations

A pH-balanced, gentle cleanser helps remove daily build-up without disrupting the skin barrier.

Our Foaming Face Cleanser, infused with Certified Organic Mānuka oil, is formulated to cleanse without stripping, making it suitable for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin.

The Importance of Lightweight Hydration

Many people with rosacea avoid moisturiser due to fear of flare-ups. However, hydration is essential for supporting the skin barrier.

Lightweight moisturisers can:
• Reduce dryness and tightness
• Improve skin comfort
• Support barrier recovery

Our Light Day Cream provides gentle hydration without heaviness, helping rosacea-prone skin stay comfortable throughout the day.

The Role of Mānuka Oil in Rosacea-Prone Skincare

Mānuka oil is distilled from the leaves of the Mānuka tree, native to New Zealand. It has been widely studied for its skin-supportive properties and has a long history of traditional use.

In skincare formulations, Mānuka oil is valued because it:
• Supports skin prone to imbalance
• Helps keep skin feeling calm and comfortable
• Is suitable for sensitive and reactive skin when used in gentle formulations

Using certified organic Mānuka oil ensures purity and consistency, which is particularly important for reactive skin types.

A Simple Skincare Routine for Rosacea-Prone Skin

Keeping routines simple reduces the risk of irritation.

Morning

1. Cleanse gently with a natural foaming face cleanser

2. Apply a lightweight moisturiser like the Light Day Cream

3. Use sun protection

Evening

1. Cleanse gently 

2. Moisturise to support overnight barrier repair

Consistency matters more than the number of products used.

Supporting Rosacea with Calm, Consistent Care

Rosacea management is not about aggressive treatments - it’s about supporting the skin barrier and reducing triggers.

By choosing gentle skincare formulated with Mānuka oil, many people find they can support skin comfort, reduce reactivity, and feel more confident in their daily routine.

SOURCES

1. Rosacea: Symptoms, Causes, and Management - DermNet NZ (detailed clinical overview and features)
   https://dermnetnz.org/topics/rosacea
   

2. What’s triggering my rosacea? And why? - DermNet NZ (common triggers and mechanisms)
   https://dermnetnz.org/topics/rosacea/whats-triggering-my-rosacea

3. Rosacea Overview - NCBI Bookshelf (chronic inflammation and symptom overview)
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279476/

4. Rosacea - Wikipedia (comprehensive condition description and subtypes)
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosacea

5. National Rosacea Society - official site (epidemiology and condition overview)
   https://www.rosacea.org/

6. Standard classification and pathophysiology of rosacea - PubMed/National Rosacea Society expert committee update
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29089180/

7. Essential oils from New Zealand manuka: Triketone and other chemotypes of Leptospermum scoparium - Phytochemistry
   

   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15184010/

    

8. Mānuka Oil - A Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties - Pharmaceuticals (Basel)
   https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/13/11/343