Winter can take its toll on us all, but if you experience rosacea, those cold months can make your skin feel especially sensitive.
Chilly winds, dry indoor heating and sudden temperature changes can all trigger flare-ups of rosacea in winter, leaving skin red, irritated and uncomfortable.
With the right routine and a few protective measures, however, you can keep your skin calm and healthy all winter.
At Green People, we offer rosacea-friendly, scent-free skin care for the most sensitive skin.
Read on to discover how to care for your rosacea in winter naturally.
At a glance:
- Cold weather, wind, indoor heating and temperature changes can trigger rosacea flare-ups.
- Best rosacea-friendly cleanser for winter: Green People Scent Free Cleanser
- for hydration
- Best rosacea-friendly moisturiser for winter: Green People Scent Free 24-Hour Cream
- Best rosacea-friendly SPF for winter: Green People Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30
- Steer clear of hot showers, spicy foods and alcohol-based products that can exacerbate rosacea symptoms
Why is rosacea worse in winter?
Cold weather, wind and dry air are well known triggers for rosacea. According to the National Rosacea Society[i], 88 per cent of people living in areas with harsh winter conditions noticed their symptoms worsening outdoors, while nearly half in milder climates experienced flare ups too.
Although that statistic comes from the US, which may experience lower temperatures than the UK, it is no surprise that even here that many find their rosacea is worse in winter.
But it is not just the temperature that causes problems. Sudden shifts from cold outdoor air to warm indoor environments make blood vessels expand and contract rapidly, which can trigger flushing and irritation.
Winter air tends to be dry, and indoor heating can make it even worse. When the skin loses moisture, its natural barrier becomes compromised, leaving it more sensitive to irritants and more prone to redness and burning sensations.
Wind exposure can also physically irritate skin, stripping it of natural oils and making it feel tight or itchy. This can make your skin more vulnerable to rosacea flare-ups during windy weather.
For many, winter also coincides with lifestyle changes that can worsen rosacea. Shorter daylight hours may mean less time spent outdoors, which can reduce exposure to natural sunlight that helps regulate skin health, while heavier clothing and scarves can rub against the face, causing further irritation.
Hot drinks or warming foods can dilate blood vessels or increase inflammation, both of which can lead to redness and rosacea flare-ups. Common triggers which we may encounter more during winter are:
- Spicy foods
- Alcohol, especially red wine
- Hot beverages such as coffee and tea
- Aged cheeses and fermented foods
- Chocolate and caffeine in some cases
Even things like stress can trigger flare ups because they dilate blood vessels. When we are stressed, the body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can increase inflammation and can trigger or worsen rosacea.
All these factors combined explain why rosacea in winter is such a common issue.
Common winter rosacea triggers
Winter can be full of surprises for rosacea-prone skin. While the cold itself can be an obvious culprit, other factors often make flare-ups of redness more likely. Common triggers include:
- Chilly winds that strip the skin of moisture
- Dry indoor heating that can dehydrate sensitive skin
- Sudden shifts from cold outdoors to warm indoors, causing flushing
- Hot showers or baths that dilate blood vessels
- Hot drinks and spicy foods that can trigger redness
- Heavy clothing or scarves brushing against the face
- Lifestyle changes like reduced sunlight exposure, tiredness or stress
Step-by-step rosacea-friendly skin care routine for winter
A consistent skin care routine can help with your rosacea during cold weather. Here’s a simple, effective skin care routine that’s rosacea-friendly, starting with your morning routine:
Cleanse: Begin with the Scent Free Cleanser. This gentle, fragrance-free cleanser effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin's natural oils, leaving your skin calm and clean.
Scent Free Cleanser 150ml
This fragrance-free cleanser is a sensitive skin essential
272,00 kr
Moisturise: Apply the Scent Free 24-Hour Cream. This rich, unscented moisturiser hydrates and nourishes the skin, providing long-lasting moisture throughout the day.
Scent Free 24-Hour Cream 50ml
Healthy skin starts with our bestselling moisturiser for sensitive skin
253,00 kr
Calm: Smooth on 1-2 Anti-Redness Booster Drops to areas of redness or mix with your moisturiser and apply to your skin.
Age Defy+ Anti-Redness Booster Drops 10ml
Soothe and calm sensitive skin with our anti-redness skin drops.
300,00 kr
Protect: Finish with the Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30 50ml. Even in winter, it's crucial to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. This high-factor SPF30 sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection while being gentle on sensitive skin.
Scent Free Facial Sun Cream - SPF30 50ml
Shield and hydrate with this facial SPF. Ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
272,00 kr
In the evening, use the Scent Free Cleanser again to remove any makeup, sunscreen, and impurities accumulated throughout the day. Then reapply the Scent Free 24-Hour Cream to nourish and repair the skin overnight.
Layer your products gently to avoid overloading your skin and contributing to a flare-up. Avoid using water that’s too hot too, instead use lukewarm water during your skincare routine to avoid irritation.
Consistency matters when it comes to calming, soothing and protecting your skin. Keep up with your routine all year round for skin that feels more comfortable and looks less red.
Winter skincare tips for rosacea
Start with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser that removes impurities without stripping the skin’s natural oils. Avoid hot water, which can aggravate sensitive skin.
Moisturising regularly using a fragrance-free moisturiser will help maintain the skin’s barrier and prevent dryness. Look for formulas that are alcohol free and designed for sensitive skin, like our entire Scent-Free range.
Use sunscreen daily. UV rays are still present in winter, so apply a broad spectrum fragrance-free facial sunscreen with SPF30 or higher. Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide formulas are less likely to irritate rosacea-prone skin, as are scent-free, natural sunscreens.
Protect your skin outdoors. Cover your face with a soft scarf or soft fabric mask to shield it from cold winds, but make sure you choose a gentle fabric that won’t irritate your skin or cause a rosacea flare-up.
Using a humidifier at home can help counteract the drying effects of indoor heating and keep your skin feeling more comfortable. Dress in layers to manage changes in temperature without overheating too, keeping you at a more regular temperature.
While tempting when the winter chill sets in, it’s best to avoid hot drinks and spicy foods as these can trigger flare ups. However, it’s still important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water to support your skin.
Rosacea-friendly organic skin care
Our Scent Free Cleanser is a gentle, rosacea-friendly cleanser that effectively removes impurities without upsetting sensitive skin. Made with soothing Calendula, vitamin-rich Shea Butter, balancing Inulin Prebiotics and protective Rosemary, it’s free from drying alcohol and harsh ingredients that can contribute to a flare-up.
Scent Free Cleanser 150ml
This fragrance-free cleanser is a sensitive skin essential
272,00 kr
Scent Free 24-Hour Cream is a rosacea-friendly, rich moisturiser that supports the skin’s barrier and keeps it hydrated throughout the day. Made with anti-ageing Baicailin, Inulin Prebiotics, vitamin-rich Cacay Oil and rejuvenating Primrose Oil.
Scent Free 24-Hour Cream 50ml
Healthy skin starts with our bestselling moisturiser for sensitive skin
253,00 kr
Age Defy+ Anti-Redness Booster Drops are ideal for skin that may be prone to redness during winter. Enriched with soothing, protecting actives that target dryness and irritation, 78% of our tester panel agreed their skin felt much less irritated after 2 weeks.
Scent Free 24-Hour Cream 50ml
Healthy skin starts with our bestselling moisturiser for sensitive skin
253,00 kr
Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30 provides broad-spectrum protection in a non-irritating, unscented formula that’s rosacea-friendly and ideal for winter sun protection. Made with gentle Aloe Vera, plus protective Green Tea, Edelweiss and Cocoa.
Scent Free Facial Sun Cream - SPF30 50ml
Shield and hydrate with this facial SPF. Ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
272,00 kr
Ingredients to look for and avoid if you have rosacea
Choosing the right products can make a huge difference in winter. Gentle, soothing ingredients help protect and hydrate rosacea-prone skin, while certain ingredients can trigger irritation.
Look for:
- Hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerine and Aloe Vera to help lock in moisture and keep skin comfortable
- Barrier-supporting ingredients such as Ceramides and Squalane to strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier
- Soothing ingredients including Chamomile, Calendula and Northern Truffle to naturally calm redness and irritation
- Fragrance-free and ethyl alcohol-free formulas to prevent irritation, drying out the skin and disrupting the natural skin barrier.
Avoid:
- Irritating alcohols like ethyl alcohol, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol that can dry out and inflame sensitive skin
- Strong essential oils like Peppermint, Eucalyptus and Tea Tree as these may trigger flare ups in rosacea-prone skin
- Harsh acids or exfoliants such as high concentrations of Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid or retinoids as these can aggravate redness
- Artificial fragrances and colourants that can irritate sensitive skin
Would you like help choosing the right rosacea-friendly products for winter? Our friendly UK customer care team is happy to help with any questions about ingredients and can be contacted on 01403 740350
If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to 'Rosacea in winter.' Please do not use an affiliate link.
REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
