What Causes Rosacea?
Rosacea is one of those skin conditions that many people live with for years without fully understanding what’s going on with their skin. It can show up as persistent redness, frequent flushing, visible veins, sensitivity, or even little bumps that look like acne – and it can be incredibly frustrating. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Rosacea is very common, and while it is a long-term condition, it can be managed with the right approach, treatments and skincare support.
At Pure Emporium Skin & Laser Clinic Hereford, we work with rosacea-prone skin every day. In this guide, we’re going to talk you through what causes rosacea, what helps, what to avoid, and the treatments we offer that can make a real difference – including one of our most effective options.
What Actually Causes Rosacea?
Rosacea isn’t caused by poor skincare or anything you’ve done wrong. It’s a complex condition, and there’s no single cause – instead, it’s usually a combination of factors.
Over‑Reactive Blood Vessels
Rosacea-prone skin has blood vessels that dilate (widen) more easily than they should. This is why flushing and redness are so common. Things like heat, stress or spicy food can cause the blood vessels to rush to the surface of the skin, leading to that familiar warm, red feeling.
Over time, repeated flushing can lead to more permanent redness and visible capillaries.
A Weakened Skin Barrier
Healthy skin has a strong barrier that keeps moisture in and irritants out. With rosacea, that barrier is often compromised. This means skin becomes dehydrated, more sensitive and far more reactive to products, weather and lifestyle triggers.
When the barrier isn’t functioning properly, inflammation is more likely to flare.
Chronic Inflammation
Rosacea is an inflammatory condition. The skin’s immune response is often overactive, which can result in redness, swelling and, for some people, small inflamed bumps that can be mistaken for acne.
Genetics
If rosacea runs in your family, you’re more likely to experience it yourself. It’s particularly common in fair or sensitive skin types.
Lifestyle & Environmental Triggers
Triggers don’t cause rosacea, but they absolutely make it worse. Common ones include:
Heat and sudden temperature changes
Sun exposure
Stress and emotional flare-ups
Alcohol (especially red wine)
Spicy foods and hot drinks
Very intense exercise
Everyone’s triggers are different – learning yours is a big part of managing rosacea.
What Does Help Rosacea-Prone Skin?
The key to calmer rosacea-prone skin is consistency, gentleness and support.
Keep Skincare Gentle and Simple
If your skin is reactive, piling on lots of products can do more harm than good. Gentle cleansing, good hydration and calming ingredients are essential. Think barrier support rather than quick fixes.
Daily SPF Is Non‑Negotiable
Sun exposure is one of the biggest rosacea triggers we see. Wearing a broad-spectrum SPF every single day (yes, even in winter) can dramatically reduce flare-ups and long-term redness.
Strengthen the Skin Barrier
When we focus on improving the health of the skin barrier, skin becomes less reactive, less inflamed and more resilient over time. This is one of the most important long-term goals when treating rosacea.
Understand Your Personal Triggers
Keeping a note of when your skin flares can be really helpful. Food, stress, weather, workouts – once you spot patterns, you can make small adjustments that have a big impact.
What To Avoid If You Have Rosacea
Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what helps.
Harsh scrubs and strong exfoliants
Overuse of acids or active ingredients
Products containing fragrance or high levels of alcohol
Very hot showers, steam rooms and saunas
Constantly changing your skincare routine
Aggressive treatments that haven’t been tailored to your skin
If you’re ever unsure, this is where professional guidance makes all the difference.
It’s time to let our skin experts at Pure Emporium do the hard work for you. Our team of highly trained therapists can build you your very own personalised skin solution.
Rosacea should never be treated with a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. At Pure Emporium, every rosacea journey starts with an in-depth skin consultation so we can fully understand your skin, triggers and concerns.
illumiFacial – One of Our Most Effective Rosacea Treatments
The illumiFacial is one of our most popular and effective treatments for redness and rosacea-prone skin.
It combines advanced light-based technology with controlled skin rejuvenation to calm inflammation, reduce redness and improve overall skin tone – without overwhelming sensitive skin.
Benefits of the illumiFacial for rosacea include:
Reduced facial redness and flushing
Calmer, more comfortable skin
Improved skin clarity and tone
Gentle stimulation of collagen without irritation
Because it’s carefully tailored, it’s an excellent option for clients who want visible results while keeping the skin calm and supported.
Dermalux LED Light Therapy
LED light therapy is incredibly soothing for rosacea-prone skin. Its anti-inflammatory and healing properties help
to reduce redness, calm irritation and support skin repair. It can be enjoyed as a standalone treatment or combined with other therapies for enhanced results.
Personalised Skin Consultations
Rosacea management doesn’t stop in the treatment room. We’ll guide you on the right homecare, lifestyle adjustments and treatment plan to help keep your skin calm long-term.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start Treating Rosacea
This time of year is ideal for rosacea treatments. Cooler weather, lower UV exposure and fewer environmental stressors mean the skin is generally calmer and more responsive. Starting now allows us to strengthen and stabilise your skin before warmer months arrive – when heat and sun often trigger flare-ups. Treatments like the illumiFacial work beautifully during this period and set your skin up for long-term success.
So, if you’re struggling with redness, sensitivity or flare-ups, our team at Pure Emporium is here to help. Book a skin consultation and let us create a calm, confidence-boosting approach that truly works for your skin.