Let’s cut right to the chase. When it comes to how long rosacea flare-ups last, there’s no exact time—they vary from person to person! Rosacea flare-ups are cyclical, meaning that when something triggers a flare-up, symptoms like facial redness and flushing appear, disappear, or diminish, and reappear. Triggers may vary, so what causes rosacea to flare up for one person may differ for another.

For some, symptoms may last a few days. For others, they can linger for weeks or months. There’s no golden rule (yet!) for knowing how long rosacea flares last or how intense they’ll be. But there are ways to help prevent them from happening in the first place.

Here, our team of licensed dermatology providers explain what rosacea is, and what its symptoms are, and how you can help prevent flare-ups. Spoiler alert: A key factor is identifying and avoiding your specific triggers.

Defining rosacea, its signs and symptoms

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects nearly 16 million Americans.¹ It’s commonly seen in fair-skinned people. Based on the signs and symptoms, rosacea is categorized into 4 subtypes.²

Subtype 1: Facial redness, flushing, visible blood vessels

Erythema/facial redness in the face’s center is a common sign in this subtype. You may also experience visible blood vessels, sensitive skin, dry skin, or roughness. Your skin may also sting or develop a burning sensation.

Subtype 2: Acne-like breakouts

In this subtype, the skin may be sensitive, sting, or have a burning sensation. You may experience acne-like lesions (papules). We say acne-like because rosacea papules aren’t the same as pimples from acne—they just look like it. Notably, blackheads and whiteheads are not symptoms of rosacea—that’s acne.

Subtype 3: Thickening skin

In this category, phymatous changes (aka thickening skin) can occur. This is most commonly seen on the nose and is more common in men than in women. Skin thickening may also occur on the cheek, chin, ears, and forehead. You might notice the skin feels bumpier and oily when you touch it.

Subtype 4: Rosacea in the eyes (Ocular rosacea)

In this category, rosacea symptoms occur in the eyes. Eye symptoms, including dryness, irritation, and sensitivity to light, are possible. Visible blood vessels at the eyelid may occur. This rosacea may also lower your vision as you may notice some blurriness, and may exist alone without the other rosacea symptoms.

Common rosacea triggers

The first step in treating rosacea is identifying what triggers it.³ This helps you to develop strategies on how to prevent them. So, consult a licensed dermatology provider if you’re unsure of what may be triggering your rosacea. Here are some common triggers and tips for preventing them.

Food and drinks

Watch out for food triggers: Certain foods and drinks trigger rosacea. Adjusting your meals by limiting or moderating their consumption may help you manage rosacea. Food triggers for rosacea include spicy foods and histamine-rich foods such as aged cheese and processed meat. Foods rich in cinnamaldehyde, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, and chocolate, may also trigger rosacea. To avoid rosacea troubles, make your diet easily digestible, and rich in fiber, vitamin C, and B2.⁵ You may also supplement your diet with omega-3 acids to help reduce inflammation and prevent telangiectasias (visible blood vessels).

Avoid certain types of alcohol: If you feel like unwinding with a glass of wine or a cocktail at the end of the day, that may be okay—as long as it’s in moderation. Just know that certain types of alcohol, such as red wine, beer, bourbon, gin, vodka, and champagne, may trigger a rosacea flare-up.⁶ So, if you know alcohol is one of your triggers, consider a mocktail next time you’re out with friends.

Drink cold beverages: Hot beverages are a common trigger for some people, so stick with cold drinks instead.⁷ That’s another reason to stick to iced coffee!

Skincare routine

Adopting the wrong skincare routine or using the wrong products may trigger rosacea. Here are a few tips on ideal skincare practices for rosacea:

Use skincare products for sensitive skin: Rosacea often causes the skin to become sensitive and easily irritable.⁸ So, use skincare products formulated for sensitive skin that cleanse, moisturize, and photoprotect the skin. Avoid products that contain alcohol or skin-drying ingredients to avoid triggering further flare-ups.⁹ Moreover, swap out soaps for pH-based skin cleansers.¹⁰ Soap-based cleansers are alkaline and may damage the skin barrier role.¹¹

Choose rosacea-friendly makeup:¹² Show your skin some love by choosing rosacea-friendly makeup. Look for non-comedogenic formulas that are designed to be sensitive-skin-friendly.

Moisturize every day:¹³ Moisturizing your skin is essential if you have rosacea, regardless of whether rosacea makes your skin dry or oily. It helps lock water in your skin, reduces irritation, and makes your skin comfortable. In a study with rosacea patients using metronidazole gel treatment twice a day, they applied a moisturizing cream on one side of their face. And guess what happened after 15 days? The moisturized side of the face had more improved symptoms! So, treating your skin with a good moisturizer can be a game-changer in managing rosacea. For a top-notch choice for rosacea, consider Curology’s rich moisturizer. It is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and paraben-free.

Be gentle with your skin:¹⁴ It’s always the way to go when managing rosacea. Habits such as scrubbing may trigger rosacea flare-ups.

Wear sunscreen: Sun exposure is a common rosacea trigger,¹⁵ so apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day—even on cloudy days.* Choose one for sensitive skin, or try a mineral sunscreen (physical sunscreen) that uses zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both as active ingredients. If you are still undecided on which sunscreen to use on your skin, try Curology’s sunscreen—it’s SPF 30, non-greasy, and quick-absorbing. For sun protection, you may also wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing,¹⁶ and try to avoid the midday sun.

Stress

Living with rosacea doesn’t only cause physical symptoms—it may also take a toll on your emotional or psychological well-being.¹⁷ Due to the visible effects of rosacea symptoms on one's appearance, rosacea patients can experience depression, anxiety, social phobia, and low self-esteem. Unfortunately, this emotional toll may trigger even more rosacea flare-ups.¹⁸ Find ways to manage your stress levels. There are plenty of ways to manage stress and apps to help you. Try mind-body therapies such as meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, hypnotherapy, and guided imagery.¹⁹ Additionally, consider incorporating yoga exercises into your routine. In a nutshell, simply find your zen—your skin will thank you for it!

Medications

Some medications may worsen rosacea.²⁰ They include meds for migraines, glaucoma, high blood pressure, and anxiety. Vitamin B3 may also trigger rosacea flare-ups.²¹ If you are using medication that is worsening your condition, consult your healthcare provider. They may advise you on whether you may be able to consider try out a different medication.

Environmental conditions

Prolonged exposure to strong winds and cold, especially in winter, may trigger rosacea.²² To avoid this, always dress for the weather. You can use a silk scarf to help protect your skin from this potential trigger. Be sure also to sit far enough away from fireplaces and heaters, as this may cause you to overheat, which in turn may flare rosacea symptoms as well.²³

Your exercise routine

The National Rosacea Society has found that vigorous exercise can lead to flare-ups in some people.²⁴ That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook when it comes to working out—just take it easy. Consider dialing down the intensity of your workout or workout from a cool place.²⁵ Also, opt for a well-air-conditioned gym or schedule your exercise during the coolest part of the day. If possible, consider water-based exercises like swimming.²⁶

How to treat rosacea

While there’s currently no cure for rosacea, it is treatable. The treatment helps to improve signs of rosacea on your skin, ease discomfort, and help prevent rosacea from worsening.²⁷ If left untreated, symptoms can become more intense, resulting in permanent redness, spider veins across the cheeks, and acne-like breakouts.²⁸

Treatment options for rosacea include topical treatments, which are externally applied on the skin.²⁹ They include treatments like azelaic acid, ivermectin, and metronidazole.³⁰ If the topical treatments aren’t helping out, you may use oral medications such as doxycycline. A combination of oral and topical therapies may sometimes be used for their synergistic effects, such as combining azelaic acid or topical metronidazole with anti-inflammatory oral doxycycline.³¹

Curology can treat rosacea

Since no one really knows how long flare-ups last or how to stop a rosacea flare-up, the best thing to do is get a proper diagnosis, be conscious of your triggers, and follow your rosacea treatment plan.

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Curology can journey with you in managing rosacea. Our licensed dermatology providers will prescribe a personalized formula** using ingredients specifically proven to treat rosacea (including ivermectin, metronidazole, and azelaic acid). During your first month, you’ll also get other recommended skincare products to try.

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P.S. We did the homework, so you don’t have to:

1. Buddenkotte, J. and Steinhoff, M. Recent advances in understanding and managing rosacea. F1000Research. (2018, December 3).

2. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Rosacea: Signs and Symptoms. (n.d.).

3. Farshchian, M. and Daveluy, S. Rosacea. (2023, August 8).

4. Searle, T., et al. Rosacea and Diet: What is New in 2021?. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. (December 2021).

5. Nowicka, D., et al. Skincare in Rosacea from the Cosmetologist's Perspective: A Narrative Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. (2022, December 23).

6. National Rosacea Society. Factors That May Trigger Rosacea Flare-Ups. (n.d.).

7. Searle, T., et al. Rosacea and Diet: What is New in 2021?. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. Ibid.

8. Farshchian, M. and Daveluy, S. Rosacea. Ibid.

9. Nowicka, D., et al. Skincare in Rosacea from the Cosmetologist's Perspective: A Narrative Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. Ibid.

10. Farshchian, M. and Daveluy, S. Rosacea. Ibid.

11. Del Rosso, J.Q. and Baum, E.W. Comprehensive Medical Management of Rosacea: An Interim Study Report and Literature Review. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. (May 2008).

12. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to prevent rosacea flare-ups. (n.d.).

13. American Academy of Dermatology Association. 6 rosacea skincare tips dermatologists give their patients. (n.d.).

14. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Rosacea: Diagnosis and treatment. (n.d.).

15. Farshchian, M. and Daveluy, S. Rosacea. Ibid.

16. American Academy of Dermatology Association. 8 Tips to help prevent rosacea flare-ups. (2019, March 12).

17. National Rosacea Society. Stress. Rosacea Review. (n.d.).

18. Chen, M., et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anxiety and Depression in Rosacea Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in China. Front Psychiatry. (2021, June 16).

19. Graubard, R., et al. Stress and Skin: An Overview of Mind Body Therapies as a Treatment Strategy in Dermatology. Dermatol Pract Concept. (2021, October 1).

20. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to prevent rosacea flare-ups. Ibid.

21. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to prevent rosacea flare-ups. Ibid.

22. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to prevent rosacea flare-ups. Ibid.

23. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to prevent rosacea flare-ups. Ibid.

24. National Rosacea Society. Factors That May Trigger Rosacea Flare-Ups. (n.d.).

25. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to prevent rosacea flare-ups. Ibid.

26. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to prevent rosacea flare-ups. Ibid.

27. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Rosacea: Diagnosis and treatment. Ibid.

28. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Do you have to treat rosacea?. (n.d.).

29. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). What are the treatment options for rosacea?. (2020, September 10).

30. National Rosacea Society. FDA Approved Treatments For Rosacea. (n.d.).

31. Kennedy Carney, C., et al. Rosacea: a review of current topical, systemic and light-based therapies. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. (December 2009).

32. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Rosacea: Who gets and causes. (n.d.).

33. Farshchian, M. and Daveluy, S. Rosacea. Ibid.

34. American Academy of Dermatology Association. 6 Rosacea Skin Care Tips Dermatologists Give Their Patients. (n.d.).

35. American Academy of Dermatology Association. 6 Rosacea Skin Care Tips Dermatologists Give Their Patients. Ibid.

36. National Rosacea Society. Frequently Asked Questions. (n.d.).

37. National Rosacea Society. Frequently Asked Questions. Ibid.

38. National Rosacea Society. When To See A Doctor About Rosacea. (n.d.).

39. National Rosacea Society. When To See A Doctor About Rosacea. Ibid.

Elise Griffin is a certified physician assistant at Curology. She received her Master of Medical Science in physician assistant studies from Nova Southeastern University in Jacksonville, FL.

*PSA for your future skin: sunscreen alone cannot prevent all UV damage.

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***Cancel anytime. Subject to consultation. Results may vary.

Written by

Curology Team

Medically reviewed by

Elise Griffin, PA-C