EXPERT SHARES HOW TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROSACEA AND ACNE

Rosacea is a skin condition that affects around one in 20 people and while it's different for everyone, it's important to know how to treat the condition.

Often misunderstood, rosacea is a inflammatory skin condition that mostly affects the face, causing persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and, in some cases, acne-like bumps.

But unlike acne and spots, which can come and go, and depend on skincare products and environmental exposure, rosacea follows a flare-up pattern and is most commonly occurs on the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin.

Many people confuse rosacea with sensitive skin, and Helen Green, Clinical Services Lead Nurse at sk:n has shared some insights on how to spot the condition.

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She said if you notice persistent flushing that doesn't subside, visible thread veins or a burning sensation on your skin, it could be signs of rosacea. She explained: "The exact cause of rosacea isn't fully understood, but it's believed to be a combination of genetic, vascular, and inflammatory factors."

The expert said people with fairer skin, and particularly of Celtic or Northern European descent, are more likely to develop it, and there is often a family history of the condition. "Triggers can include sun exposure, alcohol, spicy foods, hot drinks, extreme temperatures, stress, and even certain skincare ingredients. Unlike acne, rosacea is not caused by clogged pores but by an overactive response of the immune system and blood vessels in the skin."

Rosacea and acne can look similar, but they do have differences. While acne is caused by excess oil, clogged pores and bacterial overgrowth, rosacea is linked to inflammation and vascular dysfunction. It doesn't produce blackheads or whiteheads and Helen said it tends to cause "persistent redness and flushing" but because of these differences, typical acne treatments such as strong exfoliating acids or retinoids can often worsen rosacea, so she said it's essential to use targeted treatments designed specifically for rosacea-prone skin.

So when it comes to the most common symptoms, Helen said to look out for "persistent flushing of the face where redness will most commonly appear around the nose and cheeks, as well as thread veins which will be visible blood vessels around the same areas of the face and will not disappear without laser treatment."

She also said there can be red spots filled with puss which can often be misdiagnosed if not seen by a dermatologist, as well as thickening of the skin which can also appear as excess, bumpy tissue, particularly around the nose although this is a rare complication of rosacea known as rhinophyma rosacea and is mainly seen in male patients.

While there is no cure, clinical facialist, Kate Kerr said: "Stress can be a trigger, as can the sun, as well as diet, alcohol, and hormones, although everyone’s triggers are different."

She added: "Many people with rosacea have reported feelings of low self-esteem, embarrassment and frustration. Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory condition of the hair follicle, its sebaceous gland and blood vessels. It’s characterised by facial flushing, skin hyper-sensitivity, persistent redness, broken capillaries, papules and pustules."

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2025-03-13T05:02:24Z