Rosacea Treatments That Actually Respect Your Skin

Rosacea treatments shouldn’t leave your skin feeling raw, stripped, or worse than when you started. I’m Lori Legaz, a licensed esthetician with over 20 years of experience helping clients with sensitive, reactive, and rosacea-prone skin feel confident again. 
At Simply Skin in San Diego, I take a holistic, ingredient-conscious approach that respects your skin’s limits and works with it, not against it.

If you’ve been told there’s nothing you can do for your rosacea symptoms, I want you to know that’s not true. 
Rosacea isn’t something you “cure.” It’s something you learn to manage. With the right education, products, and professional treatments that actually support your skin’s natural healing process.

In this post, we’ll walk through the most effective ways to treat rosacea, from gentle facials like the DermaSound to clinical options like IPL, azelaic acid, and more.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or just tired of constant flare-ups, this guide is here to help you understand what’s possible and what’s worth avoiding.

Clinical Manifestations

Rosacea isn’t just redness. And it’s not always easy to recognize, especially in the early stages.
For some, it shows up as flushing that sticks around. For others, it looks more like acne or even watery, irritated eyes. 
Everyone’s triggers are different, but common ones for rosacea patients include spicy foods, alcohol, heat, and stress.

If you’ve noticed your skin flaring up after that extra hot salsa or a spicy curry, it’s probably not your imagination. Spicy foods are a known trigger for rosacea flare-ups and can make visible blood vessels more pronounced.
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Rosacea has several subtypes, and understanding what’s actually going on with your skin is the first step in choosing the right treatment.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: This type is marked by persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and flushing.
  
• Papulopustular rosacea: Often confused with acne, this includes bumps and pimples along with redness.
  
• Ocular rosacea: This one affects the eyes with dryness, itching, and swelling around the eyelids.

Rosacea is often mistaken for other skin conditions, like acne or dermatitis. Getting an accurate diagnosis is key to choosing the right treatments.

In more advanced cases, rosacea can cause thickened skin, especially around the nose. This is called phymatous rosacea, and it’s often misunderstood or missed. If you’re noticing texture changes or a bumpy surface, that could be a sign of thickened skin developing.

Left unmanaged, thickened skin can lead to the buildup of excess tissue, especially around the nose. This can cause visible changes in texture and shape, which may require medical treatment down the line.

Each type of rosacea comes with its own set of skin conditions and challenges, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment plan. But when we understand what’s happening under the surface, we can treat it with more precision.

Ocular Rosacea

Ocular rosacea is one of the most overlooked forms of rosacea and it can show up before any redness on your face ever does.
It often looks like chronic dry eye, but the symptoms can go deeper: burning, stinging, watering, redness, and even blurred vision in some cases. with ocular rosacea, you might also notice swollen eyelids or a gritty feeling, like there’s sand in your eyes.

Because ocular rosacea is tied to inflammation, ocular rosacea needs to be treated gently and consistently. And that starts with eyelid hygiene.
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At Simply Skin, I don’t treat the eyes directly but I do help my clients with product recommendations and supportive routines that won’t make things worse.

The skin around your eyes is thin and extra sensitive, so it’s important to use non-irritating cleansers and avoid anything with harsh surfactants or fragrance.

If you’re dealing with ocular rosacea, I always recommend partnering with a dermatologist or eye doctor alongside a licensed esthetician. When we work together, we can support your skin, and your eyes, from both angles.

Facial Redness and Facial Erythema

Let’s talk about the most visible rosacea symptom: facial redness. Or in clinical terms, facial erythema.

There’s a big difference between occasional flushing and the kind of redness that sticks around. 

With rosacea, that redness is often chronic. It can feel hot, tight, or even painful. And over time, it’s not just the color that changes. Tiny blood vessels can become more visible, especially around the nose and cheeks.

Using the wrong products or pushing your skin too hard can lead to worsening rosacea symptoms, especially if you're already dealing with redness or visible blood vessels.

If you’re dealing with moderate rosacea, not quite severe, but not mild either, it’s especially important to avoid over-the-counter exfoliants that can make things worse.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is clients using harsh scrubs or exfoliants to “clear it up.” But aggressive exfoliation only damages your skin barrier more, which leads to more redness, more sensitivity, and more flare-ups.
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This is where a gentle, intentional approach matters most. At Simply Skin, we focus on calming inflammation, strengthening your barrier, and supporting your skin’s healing, not stripping it down and hoping for the best.

DermaSound Facial: The Unsung Hero of Rosacea Treatments

When it comes to rosacea treatments, most facials are too harsh.

The DermaSound facial isn’t one of them.
This treatment is gentle enough for even the most reactive skin types and helps reduce skin irritation without causing new flare-ups.
That's why DermaSound is my go-to treatment for clients with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin because it delivers results without triggering a flare-up. 
There are no acids, no scrubs, and absolutely no drama. Just distilled water, ultrasonic technology, and professional-grade products chosen specifically for your skin.
The treatment works in three phases: exfoliation, penetration, and healing. During exfoliation, the DermaSound uses low-frequency sound waves and distilled water to gently remove dead skin cells. No stinging. No irritation. Just a clean slate without compromising your barrier.
From there, we infuse calming serums designed for sensitive skin, followed by microcurrent to reduce inflammation and boost circulation. It’s one of the only treatments I trust to visibly calm facial redness while strengthening your skin.
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If you’ve been told exfoliation is off the table because of your rosacea, this facial is a game-changer.

Learn More About the DermaSound Facial

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is one of the few ingredients that’s both effective and gentle enough for rosacea-prone skin when used the right way.

Azelaic acid helps reduce inflammation, unclog pores, and fade post-flare pigmentation without the harsh side effects you might get from traditional exfoliants. That’s why it’s often prescribed for severe rosacea, especially the kind that comes with bumps or breakouts (papulopustular rosacea).

Unlike harsher treatments used for other skin conditions, azelaic acid can work well for rosacea, when used strategically.

But here’s the catch: not all azelaic acid products are created equal. 

Over-the-counter versions of azelaic acid can be too strong for sensitive skin and make your symptoms worse, especially if your skin is already inflamed. This is one of those ingredients I recommend using at home, not in the treatment room and only under professional guidance.

Azelaic acid is a common topical treatment for rosacea and works best when introduced gradually. It’s often combined with other calming ingredients in a full routine, not used on its own.
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If it’s the right fit for your skin, I’ll walk you through exactly how to use it, when to use it, and what to pair it with to keep your barrier intact.

Oral Antibiotics and Oral Isotretinoin

Sometimes, rosacea needs more than topical treatments. That’s when dermatologists may step in with prescriptions.

Oral prescriptions are often used alongside a topical treatment plan to help control symptoms from multiple angles.

Oral antibiotics like doxycycline are commonly used to calm inflammation and reduce pustules, especially in more severe cases. For stubborn or treatment-resistant rosacea, oral isotretinoin (you might know it as Accutane) can also be prescribed. It’s strong and not the right choice for everyone, but for some, it can make a real difference.

That said, both of these medications come with side effects like dryness, skin irritation, and increased sun sensitivity.
That’s where holistic support matters.
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If you’re taking a prescription, I work alongside your care plan to help protect your skin barrier, soothe irritation, and keep your skin as comfortable as possible throughout treatment.  

Final Thoughts on Treatments for Rosacea

Rosacea isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. What works for one person might make things worse for another.
If you're seeing signs of excess tissue or worsening texture, it’s a good time to reassess your current routine and seek professional guidance.

Some rosacea patients benefit from clinical options like laser treatment to target persistent redness or visible blood vessels, but it’s not the first step for everyone. I only recommend laser treatment when we’ve tried gentler approaches first and the skin is ready.

I help clients identify lifestyle triggers like spicy foods, weather changes, and stress so we’re supporting the skin from every angle.

The right plan strengthens your skin barrier, calms inflammation, and helps you feel in control again. Your most effective rosacea treatments start with understanding your skin type, your triggers, and your tolerance.

The best way to treat rosacea isn’t with a one-size-fits-all product. I’s with a plan that respects your skin’s limits and supports its healing over time.

I’ve worked with a wide range of skin conditions, and rosacea remains one of the most misunderstood. My goal is to simplify the process and help you find what actually works.

At Simply Skin in San Diego, I specialize in supporting sensitive, rosacea-prone skin with a calm, customized approach. Whether you’re looking for in-studio treatments or a homecare routine that actually works, we’ll build it together based on what your skin needs, not what the internet says you should be doing.

Ready to calm your rosacea?

Click here to editStart with a complimentary consultation at my studio in downtown San Diego. We’ll map out exactly what your skin needs and whether DermaSound is the right fit for you.
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