Some Like It Hot

Summertime heat triggers Rosacea flares fast. Time to chill out. Here are some great ideas:

EXERCISE: Because heat is the number one trigger of Rosacea, the best thing is to stay out of the sun. Not an easy task for those of us who are active. Change your exercise routine to the early morning or evening.

THE BIG CHILL: Ice is a miracle cure for over-heated, over-stressed skin. Gently rub your skin with an ice cube afterworkouts or exposure to heat, stress, any trigger. Sucking on an ice cube cools down the heat.

MILK: everybody needs it. Milk is one nature's best calming agents. Think of babies and small animals. Topically there is nothing better for red, inflammed skin. Gently pat cool milk on the skin with a cotton ball and let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with cool water. Do this morning and night to keep your skin soft and smooth.

PEACHES AND CREAM: For a beautiful creamy complexion, use Heavy Whipping Cream to soothe irritated skin. Gently smooth cream on skin and let it sit for a few minutes and rinse with cool water. Your skin will look soft and radiant.

ALOE: Aloe juice or gel applied topically is extremely cooling and soothing to irritated or sunburned skin. Drinking aloe juice is a great way to chill out.

SOYLENT GREEN: A shot of wheatgrass, or eating green leafy vegetables, spinach, romaine lettuce, celery are anti-inflammatory. Not as scary as the movie!

BEAUTIFUL SKIN TEA: This tea is especially good for rosacea, either as a tea or cold compress. It is also good for acne, eczema, psoriasis and burns or sunburn. Ingredients: 1-1/2 parts dried nettle , 1 part dried red clover flowers ,1 part dried calendula flowers ,1 part dried comfrey leaf
1/2 part dried lavender buds. Boil one quart of water, remove from heat, add 4-5 teaspoons of tea mixture, and steep for 30 minutes. Sip tea all day, or apply a cold compress to irritated skin. It is a good idea to make an infusion the night before, and drink it during the day.

WHITE OUT: Use lots of sunscreen/sunblock with zinc oxide. The zinc oxide acts as a protective barrier for the skin and is soothing and calming. Use SPF 30+ . For Sensitive Skin use Children's sunblock.

BABY'S BOTTOM: Desitin, the diaper creme, is a great calming balm. Use it at night or apply when exposed to heat.

LESS IS MORE. . that is the rosacea mantra. The less I do to my skin (keeping hands off!) and only using natural ingredients, the happier my skin is.