Suffers of rosacea know that it can be tricky finding the right products to calm inflammation and reduce redness. Though the cause of rosacea is unknown, it is treatable. At Aveda, we take a synergetic approach to healing and relieving the effects of skin conditions such as rosacea. Our customizable services, treatments, and products address imbalances in a person’s “elemental nature.”
Aveda, steeped in the wisdom of Ayurveda, not only treats the skin topically, but internally. This holistic approach brings the mind, body, and spirit into balance. We do this by coming to understand a person’s “elemental nature”—an imbalance in their constitution based on the elements, similar to doshas in Ayurveda. The elements fire, earth, ether, water, and air are expressed as:
- Fire: Sensitive, inflamed, irritated skin.
- Water/Earth: Oily, combination skin.
- Infinity/Air: Dry, dehydrated, combination skin.
When the skin is out of balance, it may exhibit any of the above traits. Rosacea, being “fire”, is characterized by dilation of blood vessels; redness; and dry, sensitive skin, that may sting or burn, on the nose and cheeks. It appears in adults over thirty. If severe, it is accompanied by papules and pustules. And, in rare cases, rosacea that is not treated may cause permanent effects, such as thickening of the skin or loss of vision. It may also cause knobby bumps on the nose, called rhinophyma. Over time, it can give the nose a swollen, waxy look. But most cases of rosacea don’t progress this far.
Aveda brings rosacea into balance in several ways: products, treatments, helpful tips, and recommendations. Aveda’s sensitive line is a great first step to balancing the condition. It has caprylic triglycerides, jojoba, and soy bean oils that leave the skin feeling moisturized without an oily feeling. And it doesn’t have essential oils and fragrances that may irritate the skin. Because rosacea’s elemental nature is fire, removing the product with a cool cloth is recommended.
The deep herbal cleansing clay mask blended with a liquid exfoliant should be used once or twice a month as a gentle refinement. It has herbal extracts of marshmallow root, and red clover leaf in the mask help to sooth and balance skin, while the kaolin clay—the gentlest clay that is good for all skin types—adds minerals to the skin while tightening pores. The liquid exfoliant gently removes dead cells helping to soften skin.
If the skin is very inflamed and irritated, I recommend using Aveda comforting tea as a cool compress daily to help reduce heat and irritation before applying the refinement mask. It contains licorice root that soothes and brightens the skin, helping to even out tone, while reducing redness. It also contains cooling peppermint, which calms inflammation. And, of course, enjoying a cup at home, or after each service, is a relaxing way to help bring down inflammation internally.
Which leads us to addressing external ways of bringing down inflammation.
While applying the compress, recommend that your client avoid spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine, as these things may trigger inflammation. And if they are finding avoiding these things difficult to do, suggest that they keep them to a minimum.
Stress may also trigger rosacea. In the spa, we take our guest on Aveda’s signature “aroma sensory journey,” inviting our guest to enjoy fragrant essential oils, bringing them into a state of relaxation. Your guest may repeat this at home. We offer single note essential oils that may be inhaled directly from the bottle or in the palm of their hand. The single note is blended with oil and can be worn as perfume, worn on skin or in hair, added to other Aveda products, or added to a bath.
As estheticians, using the balancing infusion oil for sensitive skin and the cooling treatment mask is the way to go. Use the balancing oil before the treatment mask to boost its effect. The oat, chamomile, and calendula extracts, along with the borage, sunflower oils, and lecithin, help to heal and nourish the skin. The balancing oil balances the skin, preparing it for the cooling mask, helping it to reduce inflammation. At home, however, if the client isn’t applying a mask, suggest they apply the balancing oil before using the comforting tea cooling compress.
The cooling mask is a combination of the herbal science remedy, a blend of millet seed flour, oat kernel flour, and lavender, combined with the intensive hydrating mask. The main ingredient is aloe. It is an amazing treatment mask that reduces inflammation and redness instantly. If their rosacea isn’t severe and they aren’t experiencing sensitives, the addition of Aveda’s lavender single note intensifies the masks effectiveness. The herbal science remedy isn’t sold to the public. To achieve similar results at home, suggest that they use the intensive hydrating mask. It is gentle enough to allow for daily use, or to use as an overnight treatment, until their inflammation subsides.
If their rosacea isn’t severe and they have no essential oil senstivities, the Enbrightenment line is amazing. It has a number of herbal extracts, and vegetable and essential oils that are known for relieving inflammation, exfoliating the skin, evening out tone, and moisturizing the skin. This line has no alcohol, which is great for those with rosacea, as alcohol may irritate the skin. Be mindful though that the Enbrightenment has salicylic acid and, if the rosacea is irritated, this can aggravate the condition.
Many people have combination skin and, if the person has rosacea with other skin conditions, the treatment and recommendations have to be customized. The use of steam or heat during facials should be minimized or avoided altogether when treating clients with fire elemental natures. Remind your client of this when they are caring for their skin at home.
Whether in the spa or at home, treating rosacea is made easy with Aveda.
