How to Build a Rosacea & Planet Friendly Skincare Ritual
Rosacea is a common yet highly neglected skin disorder that often causes flushing on facial skin and a burning sensation underneath it. Although symptoms and treatments may vary from one person to another, there are as many as 415 million people affected by rosacea worldwide, and most of them are not even aware of it according to the National Rosacea Society.
Surely neglecting skin care or leaving out seemingly flawless body parts unattended until something shows up are familiar stories to most of us. Unpredictable flare ups of acne, psoriasis or other chronic skin conditions like rosacea require consistent attention to stay in remission. Given that facial skin being the most visible part of our bodies, rosacea can be really challenging mentally and emotionally, too. Creating a sustainable skin care ritual while minding the changes of the environment and the mind-body connection can be powerful tools to keep your psycho dermatological state at peace.
In any case, whether you have a skin sensitivity or not the character of the skin is affected by environmental conditions; therefore protecting it from extreme changes in temperature in a rapidly warming world is essential for all of us. Because, over exposure to heat and cold not only triggers Rosacea flushing and burning sensation, but it can also simply be the reason why you experience dryness or oiliness on your face.
This article aims to encourage you to develop a skin-care ritual that is not only good for your skin but also for our warming planet; and it is not intended to substitute for medical advice or treatment. The dermocosmetics featured in the article are by environmentally conscious and planet friendly brands which thrive to reduce their carbon footprint while providing clean skin care products.
Give Mineral Sunscreens a Shot
Exposure to UV radiation is known to be the leading cause of melanoma, one of the most common forms of skin cancer worldwide. If you already have sensitive skin or rosacea, using a full spectrum, water resistant and at least 30 SPF sunscreen daily is a must. How do you choose the best sunscreen for your skin and for the planet, though?
Chemical or commercial sunscreens can often feel like wearing heavy make-up on sensitive skin, or worsen the burning sensation in case of rosacea. It is probably because active chemicals such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, or octinoxate found in commercial sunscreens work by absorbing the radiation first, and converting it to heat. The heat then dissipates from the skin which makes the process not necessarily a pleasant one for those who are already looking for a soothing sensation.
Moreover, chemical sunscreens are banned in several destinations around the world for containing the mentioned chemicals that endanger marine flora and fauna.
On the other hand, mineral aka physical sunscreens are optimal for sensitive skins, since they work like a shield that reflects UV rays, reports AAD (American Academy of Dermatology). Also, although further research is required, nanosized zinc oxide or titanium oxide found in mineral sunscreens seem safer for humans and the environment for their inability to penetrate skin in significant amounts according to EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) report; thus replacing their chemical counterparts wherever they are banned.
So far, one of the mineral sunscreens that has been on Primal’s radar is Bade Natural’s 30 SPF mineral sunscreen. Despite the light residue it leaves on the skin, it does not feel heavy at all; and its roll-on design makes it fairly easy to apply. The brand is inspired by nature’s true beauty and committed to its regeneration, therefore uses 100% natural ingredients only. It is a woman owned business operating in Turkey, that strives to protect nature, conducts cruelty free production processes, and educates other women on natural cosmetics and aromatherapy.
Nonetheless, if you are more of a DIY kind of person, you can check out Kathryn Kellog’s mineral sunscreen recipe instead.
Keep Your Skin Nice and Clean
Is there anything better than a refreshing facial wash after a long day? Clearing of the particles accumulated underneath your face before you go to bed definitely contributes to the healthy glow on facial skin. Also, to maintain any skin condition at remission it is important to let your skin breathe during sleep, especially if you are using sunscreen or other facial products.
Perhaps many of us are familiar with the experience of chemical tonics and toners either aggravating acne or leaving our skin tight and sticky even after multiple rinse-offs. On the contrary, Ren Skin Care’s Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel leaves the face feeling like silk and soothes the redness during flare-ups, according to customer reviews. Besides, we also love their zero-waste initiative where instead of working against their competitors, they have decided to work with as allies -#WeAreAllies against packaging waste. This is a ground-breaking consumerist example of what our world calls for today. As an intentional and regenerative community, Primal is excited to see if this collaboration, will really stand in integrity with it’s expressed values.
Moisturise Your Skin Frequently to Reduce Skin Problems
Even if you have normal or oily skin, the need for a certain amount of humidity is ever present, since our bodies need water inside out to function properly. Exposure to extreme hot and cold removes the moisture and natural oils out of our outer layer, leaving it irritated and dry. Environmental conditions such as hot or dry weather like in arid areas can cause our skin to dry out and develop flakiness. Furthermore, existing skin conditions combined with lack of moisture may result in flare-ups rapidly and frequently.
There is no doubt that we all need to keep our skin adequately moisturized regardless of its type or the different ecosystems we live in. Dermatologists suggest that a 30 to 50 percent range of humidity level works best for most people.
When it comes to rosacea or overall sensitive skin, not every moisturizer is good, since harsh substances like fragrances tend to aggravate dryness further. Even if natural, fragrances that appear in most facial products react with skin, and potentially weaken its inner layers or cause inflammation. In fact, to maintain moderate levels of moisture in any kind of skin, the simpler are the ingredients in a moisturizer the better. So in any case, weeding out harsh substances from your skin care routine and opting for fragrance-free products can go a long way in sustaining healthy levels of moisture in your skin.
If experimenting with naturally fragrant and hydrant plants to create your own moisturizer intrigues you, aloe vera gel, peppermint water and chamomile floral water are some of the ingredients you may include in your own potion. All three of them are known to hydrate and soothe the skin while cleansing it at the same time.
Listen to Your Body
There is no one fits all kind of solution to rosacea or any kind of skin condition; and finding relief may take time. As we age and evolve so do our skin, therefore it’s okay to experiment and readjust regularly. While following your health-care provider’s guidance should be prioritised, developing the habit of observing your body closely can be an invaluable asset as well. If you are suffering from a skin outbreak at the moment, make sure to notice what you have been consuming and ingesting recently. NRS’s Guide to understand what triggers your condition can be helpful, and would remind you that you are not alone.
Primal Gathering is an environmentally, socially, and psychologically regenerative gathering empowering people with skills to be self-sustainable in their day-to-day lives. Our mission is to restore people, forests, and ecosystems all over the world. Leaving both people and places better than how we find them. Join us at the next Reforestation Gathering here or sign up and receive more content like this in a monthly newsletter here