I’m So Sorry, But Your Coffee Might Be Triggering Your Rosacea

About 16 million Americans have rosacea, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. For those unfamiliar, the skin condition is “a common chronic inflammatory condition” that tends to mostly affect the skin around the brows, cheeks, chins, and nose, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Shereene Idriss, MD, says to begin the latest videos of Allure‘s Skinfluencer series.

In the first video, Dr. Idriss gives a breakdown of the four types of rosacea — erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular — and their effects with the help of images. The causes of rosacea are still not fully known, but she says that “genetics definitely plays a role, so if your momma got it, you’re probably going to get it, too.” She also explains how the sun and a broken skin barrier can worsen symptoms. 

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After she covers the basics, Dr. Idriss lists rosacea’s triggers, which include some beloved items and activities, such as coffee and hot yoga — she reveals the rest in the second video below. Overall, try to avoid anything “that can vasodilate your blood vessels, meaning expanding the blood flow to your face,” she notes. She also explains how sun damage can worsen symptoms and the best ways to protect yourself — hint: it includes a little something called SPF.

Dr. Idriss’s last video features four over-the-counter products that can help counteract some of rosacea’s symptoms. She first pulls out Eau Thermale Avène’s Soothing Radiance Mask. “Avène is a French pharmacy brand that gets its waters from its springs loaded in minerals to help minimize redness overall,” she says. Next, she suggests using Panoxyl Acne Creamy Wash because the benzoyl peroxide in the formula can help minimize flare-ups and breakouts.