In this blog post, we’ll dive into how these tiny mites affect rosacea and share some natural solutions and botanical skincare tips that will help restore your skin barrier integrity.

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin imbalance that causes redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps. While there can be multiple causes at the root of rosacea, research shows that Demodex mites might be a part of the problem.

What Are Demodex Mites and How Do They Affect Rosacea?

Demodex mites are tiny parasites that live in your hair follicles and oil glands. There are two main types found on humans: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. Normally, these mites don’t cause any trouble, but if they start to overpopulate, they can worsen skin conditions like rosacea.

Studies have found that people with rosacea often have more Demodex mites on their skin than those without it. These mites can cause inflammation, irritation, and block hair follicles, leading to the redness and bumps typical of rosacea.

Natural Solutions for Demodex Mites and Rosacea

Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca): known for its potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, Melaleuca offers significant benefits for managing rosacea and Demodex mites. Its active ingredient, terpinen-4-ol, helps reduce inflammation and redness, providing relief from Demodex. Additionally, tea tree oil has been shown to be highly effective against Demodex mites, which are often linked to rosacea symptoms. By reducing the population of these mites on the skin, tea tree oil helps alleviate irritation and prevent further breakouts. When formulated and used below the dermal limit, tea tree oil is safe to use on rosacea skin and can improve overall skin health, making it a valuable addition to a rosacea skincare regimen.

Aloe Vera: Celebrated for its soothing and healing properties, Aloe vera offers significant benefits for managing rosacea and Demodex mites. Its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing qualities help reduce redness and irritation associated with rosacea, providing relief and promoting skin healing. Aloe vera’s natural antiseptic properties also aid in combating Demodex mites, which can exacerbate rosacea symptoms. By reducing mite populations and soothing inflamed skin, aloe vera helps to alleviate discomfort and improve overall skin health. Regular use of aloe vera gel can lead to a calmer, clearer complexion, making it a beneficial addition to a rosacea treatment regimen.

Black Cumin Seed Oil: Also known as Nigella sativa, Black Cumin Seed Oil has powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Rich in thymoquinone, Black Cumin Seed Oil offers notable benefits in tackling breakouts caused Demodex mites or hormonal imbalances. By addressing both inflammation and mite infestations, Black Cumin Seed Oil helps to alleviate discomfort and promote overall skin health. Incorporating this oil into a skincare routine can lead to a clearer, more balanced complexion. You’ll find Black Cumin Seed Oil in our best-selling Radiantly Clear Face Oil.

Neem Oil: Neem oil has been extensively studied for its effectiveness against Demodex mites due to its potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Rich in compounds like azadirachtin and nimbin, neem oil disrupts the life cycle of Demodex mites, significantly reducing their population on the skin. Research has shown that neem oil not only helps to eliminate these mites but also soothes the skin, alleviating irritation and inflammation often associated with mite infestations. By addressing both the cause and symptoms, neem oil serves as a natural and effective treatment option for managing conditions linked to Demodex mites, such as rosacea.

Botanical Skincare Tips for Demodex Mites and Rosacea

Chamomile: Chamomile is known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties. Skincare products with chamomile such as Skin Blessings extract can help reduce redness and soothe irritated skin.

Calendula: Calendula has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It’s gentle on the skin and can help manage rosacea symptoms effectively. You’ll find Calendula flowers infused in many of our products mainly GLOW, Adoration Balm and Radiantly Clear Face Oil.

Plantain (Plantago major),is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, can offer notable benefits for managing rosacea. Their bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and tannins, help reduce skin inflammation and redness associated with rosacea flare-ups. Additionally, plantains are high in vitamins A and C, which promote skin healing and protect against oxidative stress. Incorporating plantains into a skincare routine or diet can thus provide soothing and protective effects, potentially alleviating the discomfort and appearance of rosacea symptoms.

White willow bark, known for its natural salicylic acid content, offers several benefits for managing rosacea. Its anti-inflammatory and exfoliating properties help reduce redness and inflammation, making it an effective treatment for rosacea flare-ups. The salicylic acid gently exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells and preventing clogged pores, which can exacerbate rosacea symptoms. Additionally, white willow bark contains tannins that have astringent properties, helping to tighten pores and improve skin texture. Regular use of white willow bark in skincare can lead to a calmer, clearer complexion for those with rosacea.

Rosacea can be tough to deal with, but understanding the role of Demodex mites and incorporating natural solutions and botanical skincare products into your routine can help a lot. By taking a proactive approach and using gentle, effective botanicals, you can improve your skin’s health and appearance.

Staying consistent with a skincare regimen proven to address Demodex mites is key but give yourself time. Demodex mites have a lifecycle and healing your skin barrier will not happen overnight.

Adopting a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of rosacea, while using pure botanical skincare, will give you the best chances of regaining clear skin.

HEAL ROSACEA NATURALLY

For more natural solutions to heal rosacea please visit healrosaceanaturally.com

SHOP BOTANICAL SKINCARE FOR ROSACEA 

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UPDATED May 2024

The Gua Sha has recently exploded in the beauty market, so I wanted to share a few thoughts and resources.

First, I want to stress the importance of investing in a high-quality tool bought from a trusted company.

Ever since writing my post on Gua Sha the Glow blog, I’ve been bombarded with emails from Chinese companies wanting to wholesale me their Gua Sha tools. 

Upon further research into these companies, I could not verify the quality of the stones or find any “real humans” behind the business, people who would talk to me, answer my questions and provide answers to my concerns about sustainability and best practices when it comes to mining crystals.

A high-quality Gua Sha stone is supposed to be made of real quartz or semi-precious stone but you’ll likely find that the cheaper tools are made of plastic. We don’t want that.

So, with the rise of this trend, I have concerns about quality and sustainability.

The Gua Sha Technique

Angling the Gua Sha tool as close to parallel with your skin as possible (you don’t want to dig the edge straight in like you’re chopping), place the fingers of your free hand close to the tool’s edge to provide some resistance, and then gently sweep the tool up and out toward the perimeter of your face.

At the end of each stroke, give the tool a little extra wiggle to help release the tension.

Repeat each stroke at least three times, concentrating on puff-prone areas, like the cheeks and under-eyes. The key is to be gentle, especially where the skin is thinner, like around the eyes.

Gua Sha & Rosacea

Since my journey to glow is all about healing my rosacea naturally and holistically, I researched to see if anyone was documenting the benefits or side effects of gua sha for rosacea.

As you know, going down the Google rabbit hole means you’ll find contradictory information. So, as always, you’ll have to use your judgment and listen to your intuition once you’ve done your own research.

If you find science-backed articles, please share! I will add them to this article.

Here’s what I found on Gua Sha and rosacea…

In a recent Vogue article, Britta Plug was quoted saying that she “has been using Gua Sha tools in her holistic facial practice for years, helping clients relieve nearly every skin condition from rosacea to dryness and adult acne.” She says, “With this type of treatment, we’re moving lymph, which carries away toxins or, in this case, blackheads, and stimulating the chi or prana.”

However, she advises against Gua Sha for anyone with inflamed skin (a.k.a. those with acne, rosacea, or sunburn). Likewise, she recommends that sensitive skin types and those prone to breakouts stick to less intense roller massages or seek out a pro to get personalized instructions for how to treat their skin properly with gua sha.

I’ve also heard Britta say in one of her tutorials on Instagram that it’s best to avoid areas with inflamed cystic acne, which is common sense really.

Intuitively, I have a feeling that gua sha would help relieve redness and stuck energy, which, for me, is on my cheeks. However, I would not gua sha on areas where my rosacea was unusually inflamed. Again, it’s common sense.

A Chinese Medicine Approach To Gua Sha For Rosacea

One of the more interesting articles I found on Gua Sha and rosacea was written by Diana Hermann, owner of Zizai Dermatology, a Chinese medicine clinic specializing in skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema.

In her article, Diana Hermann, a licensed acupuncturist and board-certified Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioner, explains that, when the technique of Gua Sha is used on the face, a much lighter pressure is applied than on the body to not raise the “sha” (the redness that appears when you Gua Sha the body vigorously).

The skin on our face is much more delicate and has more capillaries than elsewhere on the body, so there’s a greater risk of bruising, which we obviously want to avoid, especially with sensitive, rosacea-prone skin.

When performed correctly, facial Gua Sha is said to have wonderful, lasting benefits for the face and complexion such as reducing redness, inflammation, and blemishes.

Skin Types That Should Steer Clear of Gua Sha

Anyone with dermatitis or easily irritated, hyper-sensitive skin should be careful with Gua Sha, such as those who often break out in rashes or dermatitis-like skin irritation as a result of using new products or from their skin being touched or massaged.

Is Gua Sha Appropriate If You Have Acne, Eczema, Dermatitis Or Psoriasis?

If your skin is currently reactive — if you have dermatitis, eczema, inflamed acne or psoriasis on your face — it is recommended to wait until the skin is brought into a more stable state before trying Gua Sha.

Also, people who have had fillers or Botox should wait at least three months after their procedure to do facial Gua Sha on those areas where they received injections. They can do Gua Sha on other areas, or at least the neck. Releasing the neck is essential for facial work and can even help to create change and improve skin health.

The Gua Sha Experts

As with any skin care, you’ll want to be mindful of doing a little research or at least watch a few videos so that you know what you’re doing to avoid damaging or bruising the skin. Also, make sure you’re learning from trustworthy experts who’ve been using gua sha tools effectively and can guide you on how to gua sha safely.

I’m following Britta Plug, the creator of the Lanshin Pro, Sandra Lanshin Chiu and Cecily Braden. Cecily is definitely one to follow as she’s an American Spa Finalist, the originator of Gua Sha Facial Fusion, an expert in herbal poultice facial and a Gua Sha tool designer. 

The Radiantly Clear Rosacea Skincare System contains 5 products which can be used in 5 simple steps. Once you’re familiar with the products and how they feel on your skin,  adjust based on your needs which will change with the season.

In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be uploading new videos on rosacea skincare as well as interviews with happy customers who want to share their skin transformation. Sign up for the Glowletter at the bottom of this page to be notified when new videos come out. I also suggest watching the FREE Rosacea Masterclass which will guide you in your next steps in healing rosacea naturally and holistically.

Please visit healrosaceanaturally.com for free articles on healing rosacea naturally or if you’d like to work with me 1×1.

Shop all products featured in the videos on shop.journeytoglow.com

Video#1 How to use the Rosacea Skincare System (all 5 products)

Step 1: How to use the Exfoliating Botanical Powder

Step #2 How to use the Soothing Flower Water

Step #3 How to use the Aloe Vera & MSM Sulphur Serum For Rosacea & Demodex Mites

Step #4 How to use the Radiantly Clear Essential Oil (EOS) Blend

Step #5 How to use the Radiantly Clear Face Oil

Rosacea Articles

Natural Treatment For Demodex Mites & Rosacea

If you’ve just learned about the link between Demodex mites and rosacea and are looking for a natural treatment, you’re at the right place.

In this article, we’re going to go over what Demodex mites are, why they affect rosacea skin, and how to treat Demodex mites naturally.

What are Demodex mites?

Microscopic Demodex mites are a natural part of the human microbiome — the ecological community of microorganisms that live within and on the body. There are two species of Demodex mites found in humans: Demodex folliculorum which live in hair follicles, primarily on the face as well as in the meibomian glands of the eyelids and Demodex brevis which live in the sebaceous glands of the skin.

Demodex folliculorum’s true connection to rosacea may be linked to a distinct bacterium associated with the mites, called Bacillus oleronius.

Not everyone with rosacea has an overabundance of Demodex mites so if you’re reading this and you’re unsure if you struggle with these buggers, read on to determine if that’s the case for you or not.

Why are Demodex mites more prevalent on rosacea skin?

While Demodex folliculorum are found on the skin of all humans, they frequently occur in greater numbers in people with rosacea. There has been much debate as to whether their increased numbers are a cause or result of rosacea. However, evidence appears that an overabundance of Demodex may possibly trigger an immune response in people with rosacea, or that the inflammation may be caused by certain bacteria associated with the mites.

From rosacea.org:

“Rosacea is currently considered by most authors as a disease of the immune system, an inflammatory process including innate and then adaptive immune responses, which gets out of control resulting in vascular, inflammatory, and hypertrophic symptoms.

While it likely induces immunotolerance, Demodex is also able to stimulate the immune system’s defense reaction [34, 43, 57, 58, 104, 110]. It stimulates Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) [58], resulting in an increased production of LL-37, with the subsequent angiogenesis and inflammation that are described in rosacea [15–18]. This implies the existence of a vicious circle including ETR, mite proliferation, and inflammation [10].

Demodex proliferation, therefore, seems to contribute to the continuum process in rosacea across all phenotypes.”

How do you know if you have Demodex mites?

You’ll know you have Demodex mites if you have red, blotchy breakouts every 3 weeks or so (this is the living cycle of mites, more on that below). Sometimes these breakouts will show up in strange patterns like a zig-zag or will occur at the same spots on your face.

You may also feel an itching, crawling sensation on the face, scalp, or other parts of the body. Usually, this is felt at night (the mites are said to be more active at night) but I’ve also heard people report that their skin would itch when their skin feels “hot” mid-day.

Another unfortunate side effect of Demodex mites is enlarged pores and you may also see pustular papular rosacea with damaged capillaries and thickening of the nose.

Although again, we’re not sure which one comes first, the Demodex causing the initial inflammation or the Demodex being attracted/finding it easier to thrive on inflamed, rosacea skin.

Photo from rosacea.org

Diagnosis of Demodex mites

Definitive diagnosis of Demodex involves viewing an epilated eyelash under the microscope or scraping of the skin. An ophthalmologist, dermatologist, or Naturopathic practitioner equipped with a good microscope would be able to do this for you.

Dr. Sharol wrote on her blog You are The Healer: “You can see the mites with a good 10X magnifying glass in the skin if you tease them out with tea tree oil. It usually works best to put some diluted tea tree oil on the skin and wait for 5 minutes and apply again. Wait a couple of minutes and look. Be aware it is hard to find them and see them. You have to purchase a high-quality hand lens to see them. “

Why it’s difficult to get rid of Demodex mites (but still possible)

Because they spend most of their time tucked inside the pores and only come out at night to mate and then lay back inside sebaceous gland/follicles to lay their eggs (sorry, I know it’s disgusting) which will create the next round of mites, it’s a little challenging to get rid of them, in a short period of time at least.

Patience (and not losing hope!) is key as you will most likely need to stay the course with your Demodex / rosacea skincare regime for 2 to 3 months, maybe longer.

Tackling rosacea & Demodex mites from the inside-out

Even the best, most effective skincare products or Demodex mites treatments will not work if you do not address the inflammatory response in your body that’s causing rosacea in the first place.

Unfortunately, in our society where allopathic medicine dominates, we are told that rosacea is incurable (not true) and prescribes pharmaceutical quick fixes always end up making things worse. Suppressing symptoms only has your body speak louder trying to get your attention on what’s going inside that needs healing. The popular medications given to rosacea patients such as antibiotics destroy the gut microbiome, which you need for optimum digestion AND to have clear skin. Pretty much everyone that I’ve spoken to that was prescribed medications report temporary relief or worsening of symptoms in the long run.

Remember, rosacea is not a skin condition, it is the result of inflammation in the body. 

Your skin is a mirror showing you what needs to be addressed on a deeper level, the problem is most people are trying to “fix” their skin, never looking at the root cause. Rosacea is not a curse, your skin is not angry and it’s not her fault. Your skin is trying to tell you something, your job is to investigate to get to the root cause. 

In client’s sessions, I always make sure they have a clear plan to heal their gut, support their liver’s detoxification process, lower histamine and inflammatory foods, and lower the overall inflammation in the body which is one of the culprits causing rosacea in the first place. Looking into immune response, hormonal imbalances and stress is also key to getting to the root cause.

As you investigate the root cause, you may need to invest in functional testing in order to pinpoint specifically what’s going on in the body, especially if elimination diets haven’t worked.

Functional testing will help identify:

• Pathogens in the gut that may be causing dysbiosis
• Food sensitivities
• SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
• Hormonal imbalances
• Heavy metal toxicity

This is a functional approach to healing that ensures long-term success.

Making the terrain inhospitable for Demodex mites by lowering systemic inflammation and supporting your body’s overall health

As I just mentioned, to fully heal rosacea and achieve a healthy skin microbiome, going to the root cause is key.

While you are working with a Functional or Naturopathic practitioner, consider also supporting your body and skin health by ensuring that you have adequate levels of vitamins and minerals.

You may need to add Vitamin A, vitamin D, E, B vitamins, vitamin C (a building block for clear skin), magnesium, zinc, selenium, and high-quality omega 3 fatty acids. A probiotic can be a good idea to help restore the gut microbiome (assuming you’ve removed inflammatory foods in the first place) however since SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) is present in a large number of rosacea patients, you’ll want to rule out SIBO before adding MORE bacteria to your gut microbiome or you’ll make things worst.

Low stomach acid (low levels of HCL) is also an issue, and addressing that can have an immediate effect on your skin.

I’ve mentioned the link between low HLC (hydrochloric acid) and rosacea and the need to restore the proper function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach: a good Super Enzyme formula with ox bile and HCL can make a huge difference in your digestion and ultimately the look of your skin. Before we even look at healing gut dysbiosis, we need to optimize digestion via the stomach. I’ve seen so many people go through SIBO treatments (including myself) only to have the protocol fail because not enough focus was put on stomach acid.

A reminder here that we are not after supplemental quick fixes but that knowing what to look for will have you be better prepared in future conversations with a holistic practitioner.

If this feels like too much information and you’d like some guidance on where to start you can book a rosacea consult with me. We’ll create a clear map with simple action steps so that you do not feel overwhelmed nor waste your time and money on supplements or treatments that you may not need.

Natural Treatment For Demodex Mites & Rosacea

*Please be discerning with essential oils if you have rosacea. Most rosacea skin is already sensitized and fragile, it may be a better option to opt for a face oil that does not contain essential oils such as Calm Skin Calendula and Radiantly Clear Face Oil.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil 

One of the most studied natural solutions for Demodex mites in rosacea is tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) in the form of essential oil.

Although tea tree oil likely has multiple modes of action and likely contains multiple molecular species with antimicrobial properties, since it has an action against bacteria, fungus, and parasites terpinen‐4‐ol is the most active tea tree oil molecular compound against Demodex. [Source]

“Australian tea tree oil (TTO) and its extract terpinen-4-ol (T4O) are found to be effective in moderating demodex-related diseases. Their possible effects are lowering the mite counts, relieving the demodex-related symptoms and modulating the immune system especially the inflammatory response.” [Source]

These are just a few of the studies you’ll find when you Google “benefits of tea tree oil in killing Demodex mites.”

But before you run out and get yourself a bottle of Melaleuca, I must warn you that tea tree oil is EXTREMELY potent and can burn your skin!

Essential oils are very effective plant medicine but why are VERY potent and can cause skin sensitivity. Knowing how to use them safely is paramount otherwise you risk damaging your skin barrier further.  This blend is formulated with essential oils and will work for most rosacea skin, including sensitized skin.

Other Essential oils for Demodex mites

Although tea tree oil is the most studied, there are a number of really effective essential oils that can make the skin microbiome unfavorable to Demodex mites as well such as:

Frankincense (from Boswellia carterii, frereana, sacra and papyrifera)

Frankincense contains a complex mixture of monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene, Limonene, alpha-Thujene, and beta-Pinene. Frankincense has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic properties. Frankincense benefits include the ability to strengthen skin and improve its tone, elasticity, and defense mechanisms against bacteria. Frankincense’s cytophylactic properties stimulate cell regeneration and also protect older cells from free radical damage.

Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium)

Manuka essential oil has a unique chemical composition, including several volatile aromatic compounds that are rarely found in other essential oils. These compounds are triketones: molecules containing three ketone groups in their chemical structure. By concentration, the most present triketones in Manuka essential oil are sesquiterpenes, E-calamenene, and leptospermone.

Manuka oil has antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiparasitic, medicinal, therapeutic properties. [Source]

We use Manuka essential oils in our Radiantly Clear EOS formulation.

Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

Roman chamomile’s main chemical components (4-methylamyl angelate, isobutyl angelate, isoamyl tiglate) contribute to the oil’s calming, cooling and soothing properties for the skin. The biological effects of EOs cover a wide range of effects, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activity. [Source]

If you are sensitive to essential oils, look for a face oil that uses an infusion of chamomile and other medicinal plants such as The Appease Anti-Itch Face Oil.

Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)

Helichrysum is supportive of aging, damaged, and inflamed skin. helichrysum significantly enhances the rejuvenation process of cells which supports skin health. It has an overall cleansing effect while uplifting the mood and lowering stress. Due to its cooling action, helichrysum is beneficial for inflamed skin.

Helichrysum is used in our ultra-popular skin-saving balm.

Copaiba (Copaifera reticulata, officinalis, coriacea,and langsdorffii)

Copaiba help clarify the skin and reduce the appearance of acne and blemishes.

Beta-caryophyllene, a major constituent of copaiba oil, has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Dilute a few drops in a carrier oil and massage onto your skin to help reduce swelling and redness. It can also help with skin conditions like Rosacea and Eczema.

Copaiba essential oil and oleoresin contain large amounts of beta-caryophyllene, a molecule that interacts with cannabinoid receptors in your skin. This causes skin cells to produce beta-endorphin, one of the happiness hormones.

Beta-caryophyllene is also a potent anti-inflammatory agent and copaiba is one of the safest oils to use on the skin. It can be very useful in healing, soothing irritation and treating chronic skin disease. [Source]

Combining these oils to Melaleuca can make the formula that much more effective to combat Demodex mites. You’ll find this blend already made for you in the Radiantly Clear Botanical Rosacea / Demodex Skincare system.

Antibacterial carrier oils

When choosing a carrier oil for skincare products, you’ll want to look for carrier oils that have a potent anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect.

Carrier oils that will make the terrain inhospitable for mites are:

Black Cumin Seed oil (Nigella sativa) 

Used topically, Black Cumin Seed Carrier Oil hydrates, soothes, smoothes, and nourish the skin, addresses fungal infections and blemishes, promotes the skin’s reparation and regeneration, thus facilitating a smoother, clearer, and brighter complexion

Black Cumin Seed Carrier Oil eliminates harmful topical bacteria, stimulates a strong immune response, facilitates skin’s healing process, and eases muscular aches and joint pain.

Black Cumin Seed oil is the main oil I used in the Radiantly Clear Face Oil formulated to tackle Demodex mites while reducing redness and keeping the skin hydrated and plump.

Neem oil (Azadirachta indica)

Neem Oil is rich in fatty acids (oleic acid and linoleic acid), limonoids, vitamin E, triglycerides, and antioxidants. All of these ingredients provide immense benefits for the skin.

Neem oil is also medicinal. Due to its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, it’s used to treat many skin diseases and infections.

Organic Neem Oil is used in the Radiantly Clear Essential Oil Blend.

Hydrosols to balance the PH of your skin

While using a hydrosol will not kill Demodex mites, it will help maintain a healthy skin barrier. The healthier your skin barrier is, the better equipped she is to fight off the mites.

Using a pure flower hydrosol can also do wonders in maintaining an optimum PH balance as well as gently nourishing the skin when using hydrosols made with pure plant botanicals. In the Radiantly Clear Botanical Skincare System, I specifically selected pure organic rose, melissa, helichrysum italycum, and carrot seed oil hydrosols. Combined together, these magnificent flower waters hydrate, nourish and calm stressed, inflamed skin.

*Finding a pure hydrosol that does not contain alcohol is extremely hard to find. For my Radiantly Clear system, I’m working with a local master distiller that only uses and bottles pure hydrosols.

Learn more about hydrosols for sensitive, rosacea-prone skin here.

Other plant compounds that may help tackle Demodex mites:

• Aloe is a natural moisture retainer and has antibacterial properties. Ever since adding aloe + MSM to my skincare routine, my skin is less dry, especially in winter.

• MSM sulfur (used in my Aloe & MSM Serum) has been shown to kill Demodex mites when used consistently. From JAAD (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology): “These antibacterial properties have been demonstrated against Propionibacterium acnes, some Streptococci, and Staphylococcus aureus. Sulphur has also been shown to kill Demodex mites, which have been implicated as a possible causative factor in rosacea.”[Source]

Demodex mites and rosacea skincare ritual

If you are currently battling with Demodex breakouts you’ll want to be very consistent with your skincare regimen.

Here are my top tips to make the most of your skincare ritual:

#1 Once a week, use a gentle botanical exfoliating powder that will deeply cleanse and get rid of dead skin cells. Do not overuse exfoliants though, as they may aggravate your skin.

You may also want to look for a non-foaming tea tree oil cleanser (foaming cleansers are notorious for drying out the skin.)

#2 Use pure flower hydrosol to calm and soothe your skin throughout the day. I leave a few hydrosols in the frig and it’s wonderfully cooling and soothing! A pure hydrosol can be used even if you’re wearing makeup although you will get the most benefit on clean skin.

#3 Leave your face oil or EOS roller bottle by your bed at night so you can reach it easily if your skin starts to itch.

#4 A honey mask has natural antibacterial properties. You can DYI this by blending a teaspoon of the Botanical Cleansing & Exfoliating Powder with local organic honey to make a mask 2 or 3 times a week. This mask is deeply soothing and nourishing to dry, itchy skin.

#5 Change your pillowcase every day and wash your hair often. You don’t want to sleep on a dirty pillowcase or have greasy hair rub on your face during the night. We’re not aiming for perfection or obsession here so do what makes sense.

#6 If your skin is super dry, opt for a nourishing balm at bedtime. You can help the balm penetrate deeper by massaging your face with your fingers or using a gua sha or Kansa wand tool. It’s a beautiful ritual to do before bedtime. Learn more about gua sha and rosacea.

#7 Taking some time to rest and rejuvenate will do wonders for your skin by supporting your body in entering a parasympathetic state. A constant “on the go” stressful state can keep healing at bay, as the body cannot heal when stressed. So make sure you integrate self-care practices in your everyday life such as sophrology, meditation and yoga nidra.

#8 Be kind to yourself. There’s nothing worse than negative self-talk, especially when we look in the mirror and are unhappy with our skin. Change your inner dialogue and be kind to yourself. Our skin and body are constantly trying to get back into an optimum state of balance and health. Our language and thoughts play a key role in our healing. Being aware of negative self-talk and stopping it dead in its tracks is crucial if you’re ever going to experience full and complete healing.

How to use the Radiantly Clear System formulated for Rosacea / Demodex

In the morning, start with the Botanical Cleansing & Exfoliating Powder (which I leave on my face to “act” for at least 5 minutes) followed by the Aloe & MSM Serum.

Next, abundantly mist your face with Soothing Flower Water (inhale deeply, it smells so good!) following up with the Radiantly Clear Face Oil. Mist the hydrosol again and press the pure plant water molecule into your skin. You will love how plump and hydrated your skin feels!

If you have Demodex or rosacea breakouts, roll the Radiantly Clear Essential Oil Blend on targeted areas, and feel free to repeat throughout the day if you’re not wearing makeup.

Leave the products to work before putting on any SPF or makeup. If you can, allow for 10 / 15 minutes.

If you do not wear makeup you can use your hydrosol and Radiantly Clear Essential Oil Blend throughout the day if needed.

I hope this article was helpful, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions and most of all, don’t give up! Getting rid of Demodex mites and healing rosacea is absolutely possible and it’s possible for you too!

Healing rosacea is possible!

Getting rid of the overabundance of Demodex mites and healing rosacea is absolutely possible. As you’ve read today, it involves a holistic, mind-body approach.

Wherever you are on your journey to glow, please don’t give up. As someone who’s been on the journey myself, I know how challenging it can be. But if you take one step at a time and stay consistent and apply a functional approach to healing, you will see results.

Healing rosacea is possible!

Getting rid of the overabundance of Demodex mites and healing rosacea is absolutely possible. As you’ve read today, it involves a holistic, mind-body approach.

Wherever you are on your journey to glow, please don’t give up. As someone who’s been on the journey myself, I know how challenging it can be. But if you take one step at a time and stay consistent and apply a functional approach to healing, you will see results.

If you need extra guidance, visit my new website healrosaceanaturally.com

How do UV rays work?

Humans need a healthy amount of sun daily to ensure an adequate amount of Vitamin D, a vitamin necessary for cellular function. Overexposure to UV radiation, however, can bring its fair share of problems. That’s why we need to consider using a clean, non-toxic sunscreen. (More tips on safe sun exposure below…)

There are two types of ultraviolet rays: UVA and UVB.

UVA comprises UVA1 & UVA2. UVA rays are the rays that tan your skin. They’re the deeper penetrating rays responsible for long-term damage such as skin aging, wrinkles and cellular damage.

Overexposure to UVA rays is now believed to be a key contributor to the most aggressive and potentially deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma.

UVB rays are primarily responsible for reddening or “burning” of the outer layers of skin. UVB damage and sunburn can also cause skin cancer. Each incidence of burning to a peel is believed to increase one’s risk of skin cancer by 50%.

To easily remember the difference between the two, UVA is related to aging/tan, and UVB is related to burning/sunburn.

How does SPF work?

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a relative measure of how long a sunscreen will protect you from ultraviolet UVB rays.

As the experts at Raw Elements USA explain, this amount is measured in percentages and is not a linear scale. For instance:

SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays,
SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays,
SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays,

Therefore, SPF 50 only provides 1% more protection than SPF 30.

What most people don’t know (heck, I didn’t know) is that SPF alone will not protect you from the deeper penetrating UVA rays (the rays thought to be the main cause of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer).

So, how do we protect ourselves from both UVB and UVA? A broad-spectrum sunscreen.

What does broad-spectrum mean & why do we want it?

Broad-spectrum is defined as an overall protection from both UVA and UVB rays. In order to have true broad-spectrum protection, the UVA protection should be at least 1/3 of the UVB protection.  

What is a mineral sunscreen and how does it work?

Sunscreens that use mineral filters as the primary active ingredient are called physical, inorganic or mineral sunscreens. The active mineral ingredients in sunscreens are zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Zinc oxide is a naturally occurring mineral formed from the metal zinc. Titanium dioxide is also a naturally occurring mineral that is formed from the metal titanium.

These mineral filters create a physical barrier on the top of the skin. The mineral filter sunscreen molecules reflect and scatter both UVA and UVB rays from the skin. Unlike chemical sunscreens, the mineral filters do not break down and release heat into the skin.

Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are said to be safe and very stable in formula as well as when exposed to the sun. Since they’re not absorbed by the skin, they will not cause an allergic reaction, which is key for people (like me) who have sensitive skin.

The safest sunscreen filters are non-nano zinc oxide (non-nano means that it will not be absorbed; it will sit on top of the skin) and titanium dioxide.

What you need to know about sunscreen application

First, don’t be fooled by the SPF.

An SPF 30 does not mean that a sunscreen protects your skin for 2xs longer than SPF 15. It does not measure a product’s ability to protect your skin from UVA rays, which are also damaging. So, applying an SPF 50 sunscreen doesn’t mean you get to stay in the sun for hours in the middle of the day when the rays are at their strongest.

Re-apply often

A general rule is to re-apply often. All sunscreen, whether SPF 15 or 70, needs to be applied and reapplied to fully protect our skin. That means you’ll need to reapply every few hours and if you’ve been swimming, exercising and sweating.

How to choose an effective non-toxic sunscreen for rosacea

Raw Elements USA suggest we look for Non-Nano Zinc Oxide percentages over 18% to be fully effective. Titanium dioxide does not cover the full range of UVA radiation by itself, so it must be paired with Non-Nano Zinc Oxide to be broad-spectrum.

Use Broad-Spectrum SPF 30

Beware of lower or higher numbers. It is a widely accepted that Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 is the benchmark needed to provide adequate UVB & balanced UVA protection. Remember that a higher SPF does not give you much more protection, so a high SPF of 50 or more provides a false sense of security.

Choose ʻWater-Resistant 80 Minutesʼ

Water-Resistant 80 Minutes has a proven track record. The term ‘Water-Resistant 80 Minutes’ is regulated by the FDA and represents a sunscreenʼs ability to remain effective after 80 minutes of exposure to water.

A product that is Water-Resistant 80 Minutes will likely offer better sweat resistance as well.

Avoid sprays or powder sunscreens

Avoid sprays or powder sunscreens as these applicators expel excess amounts of chemical ingredients, which immediately become lung inhalants and pose a health hazard. These chemicals become airborne and indiscriminately pollute the environment.

Rose & Helichrysum Soothing Flower Water

Made with pure, organic Rose, organic Wild Carrot Seed, organic Helichrysum italicum, and organic Melissa (Lemonbalm). 

This hydrosol is made from 100% pure plant & flower distillate and does not contain alcohol. Please use this beautiful flower water within 2 to 3 months to experience its most potent botanical properties.

The Rose Soothing & Hydrating Rose & Helichrysum Hydrosol leaves the skin feeling supple and nourished, ready to receive the benefits of the Aloe Vera & MSM Serum, Calendula Face Oil, or Radiantly Clear Face oil.

Evening skincare ritual with hydrosol for rosacea and sensitive skin

For more skincare tips for rosacea, please visit shop.journeytoglow.com/pages/skincare-tips

Organic Skincare for Rosacea

balms for sensitive & rosacea-prone skin

In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite balms made with natural, skin-soothing ingredients for rosacea.

Although this is a round-up of balms for rosacea-prone skin, these products are also great for sensitive, thirsty skin, especially if you need extra hydration in cold winter months.

Quick tips to shop smartly:

✩ Talk to your holistic facialist and ask what she recommends for your skin
✩ Always patch test
✩ Read the ingredients, organic and natural doesn’t mean “gentle” especially if you have sensitive or rosacea-prone skin

02

Functional Nutrition & Herbal Medicine For Rosacea

As a Functional Nutrition Practitioner, Skin Herbalist, Certified Advanced Transformative Coach, and someone who’s personally been on a rosacea healing journey, I’m equipped to work with clients in a unique capacity.

My approach – which is personalized and designed to support each of my clients’ bio-individuality – enables me to get to the root cause(s) that brings about skin inflammation.

Once we’ve pinpointed the possible root causes (emotional, physical, or environmental), we work to support the body back into balance, so it can heal itself.

The result? Clear, glowing skin.

Rosacea Skincare Advice From A Skin Expert

Written by René Serbon, Corneotherapist

Rosacea is a multi-faceted skin condition triggered by different aggravating factors for individuals who suffer or have suffered from it.

To start with, I always advise my clients to keep a journal and see if they can identify foods, emotions, and activities that may be triggers for them. Identifying them is a great starting point to healthy glowing skin.

In my over two decades of helping clients with their skin concerns, a few ingredients have come to the surface that I encourage all clients with more delicate skin to avoid. I follow the principles of corneotherapy, which in short means that as a practicing corneotherapist, my goal is to protect the epidermis at all times.

As such, this list of ingredient categories to avoid is valid for all skin types.

Ingredients to avoid in rosacea skincare

• Preservatives
• Emulsifiers
• Colorants/Dyes
• Perfumes
• Mineral Oils
• Silicones
• Amines

Under the emulsifier category, two ingredients, in particular, that cause irritation are Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate.

Emulsifiers belong to the surface-active substances family. When used for skin cleansing purposes, they are called tensides or surfactants. When used to combine the water and oil phases of cream, they are called emulsifiers.

The skin tolerance of these substances may vary. Anionic short-chained combinations like lauryl sulphates and also lauryl ether sulphates may cause skin irritations. They are widely used among others components of food and cleaning agents, lubricants, and colour cosmetics.

Emulsifiers will not lose their emulsifying properties in the skin. The lasting emulsifying capacity of the emulsifiers penetrated into the skin causes an increased transport of skin-own protective substances out of the skin, especially when the skin comes in contact with water.

In addition, emulsifiers have been found to be higher irritants than fragrance or preservatives because they are proved to cause modification in the stratum corneum multilamellar lipid structure. And their use is largely unregulated and considered an easy and inexpensive way of combining the oil and water phases of an emulsion.

For this reason, conventional creams (and cleansers) frequently are not tolerated by consumers with more delicate skin.

Recommended ingredients for rosacea skincare

My recommendation is to use products with a formulation that mimics the skin barrier and restores skin barrier function. It will include ingredients such as Phosphatidylcholine, Ceramides, Triglycerides, Squalane, Phytosterols.

Now that we have some basics out of the way let us come back to the multifaceted rosacea.

I mentioned that rosacea has many triggers, and it best to look at those that are extrinsic and then those that are intrinsic.

Extrinsic rosacea aggravating triggers include:

UV radiation
Heat
Cold
Wind
Stress
Sweat
Pain
Secondary infection
Demodix follicularum mite
Spicy food
Acidic food groups
Alcoholic drinks
Sugar
Emulsifiers: PEG’s 200-400 daltons
Surfactants: Anionic negatively charged
Fragrance
Preservatives
Alcohol concentrations of more than 10%
Mineral oils
Harsh water
Garden sprays/chemicals

Intrinsic aggravating triggers in rosacea include:

Impaired acid mantle
Poor quality and quantity of multi lamellae lipid structure (ceramides)
Incomplete corneocyte compaction
Filaggrin gene-deficient and genetic origins (Typically individuals of Celtic origin)
Poor quality cell membrane of keratinocyte (Due to Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency)

The more intact our skin barrier function is, the more we minimize potential flares. When we pair that with identifying those things that trigger rosacea for the individual, the healthier and happier the skin ultimately becomes.

It goes without saying that the extrinsic ones are easier to control than the intrinsic ones, but improving both sides will lead to better homeostasis for the skin.

Inside the skin, recent studies suggest that known clinical trigger factors of rosacea such as Toll-like receptor signaling, elevated levels of stratum corneum tryptic enzymes such as serine, including Pro-inflammatory forms of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin production.

Cytokines and chemokines then start an inflammatory response that leads to the characteristic histopathological features of rosacea. Endoplasmic reticular stress and unfolded protein response and finally, the uncontrolled release of catecholamine’s due to adrenal stress or fatigue and finally the endocrine system. Each of these leading causes deserves its own explanation to fully understand how they as part of our understanding of rosacea.

Still, for the purposes of this article, I will leave it here as food for thought.

The role of demodex mites in rosacea

Aside from ingredients, another common aggravators to the rosacea skin is the demodex mite.

This is a topic that comes up a lot in consultation. Demodex mites are present on all skins and are commonly found in the follicles of terminal hairs. They are more active at night as they target corneocytes. However, they usually stay close to the site (hair follicle) where they reside)

In some individuals with an abundance of vellus hair, the mites may try and make their home in the incomplete follicles of the vellus hair. It is when this occurs that the can cause skin to become itchy.

For people with Rosacea Subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic rosacea or rosacea tarda), which is typically lipid dry, the skin is susceptible to stimulus across the skin surface even the persons own hair touching their skin, wind, and of course the mites. Enough so that it can trigger the innate immune system and activate the adaptive immune system resulting in an inflammatory.

For people with Rosacea Subtype 2 (papulopustular rosacea), which often occurs at the same time or after subtype 1, is that these skins have high amounts of the stratum corneum tryptic enzyme (SCTE), which can trigger the immune system causing puffiness, swelling, and the ‘wet’ look, typical of this subtype.

When the immune system is compromised, the demodex mites are even more aggravating to the skin. Rosacea subtype 2 has very rapid water loss, there is almost too much water in the skin, so water-retaining ingredients such as hyaluronic acid often exasperate the skin. I recommend focusing on repairing the lipid phase of the skin barrier first, using essential lipids such as phosphatidylcholine, ceramide, squalane, and triglycerides.

Vitamin deficiency and rosacea

Research shows that rosacea sufferers deficient in vitamin D may not fully express cathelicidins, making them increasingly susceptible to infection secondary to barrier dysfunction.

So what helps with demodex mites outside of medicine?

How to protect and repair the skin barrier when aggravated by demodex mites

Vitamin D, as mentioned. Also, there is abundant evidence that Vitamin C has a positive role in maintaining skin integrity and wound healing. Calcium is vital for cell strength, and azelaic acid for repairing skin barrier protection and cell membrane strength.

The order of application for products should be from lighter water-based products first, followed with richer lipid-based products, except for sun protection that is applied last. Sun protection can be a challenge for rosacea skin, and I prefer a dry, mineral-based sunscreen for clients with rosacea or otherwise more sensitive skin.

Another question I get asked a lot is, ‘what products would I recommend for anti-aging if my skin cannot tolerate Retin A?’.

First, I want to encourage you that vitamin A can likely be reintroduced into an antiaging regime. I would recommend encapsulated retinyl palmitate. Other collagen synthesizing ingredients that could be considered include Boswelia, Vitamin C, and Green Tea Extract.

With the corneotherapy approach, my focus is to work from the outside-in with the skin. My goal is to repair the acid mantle (and therefore microbiome) first, then work on the corneocyte health, followed by the multi-lamellae structure.

A holistic approach to treating rosacea

The skin has a gut/mind connection that is undeniable, and clients suffering from rosacea will often report gut health and challenges (temporary or permanent) with mental health as well. These are often described as irritable bowels, gluten intolerance, stress, anxiety, depression.

When treating skin, it is imperative to consider everything about the person. Good health includes all three; Skin, Gut, and Mind.

Written by: René Serbon
Dermal Systems Inc | René Serbon Skin Expert
reneserbon.com

References:

Florence Barrett-Hill Lecture on the subject of Rosacea Triggers and Treatments: Presented in Germany 2016

Corneotherapeutic skin care for the Rosacea Skin. Dr. H Lautenschläger; Published in Asthetische Dermatolie (mdm) 2010.

Rosacea: the Cytokine and Chemokine Network; Peter Arne Gerber, Bettina Alexandra Buhren, Martin Steinhoff and Bernhard Homey. Current Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings (2011) 15.

The emerging roles of serine protease cascades in the epidermis; Petra Ovaere, Saskia Lippens, Peter Vandenabeele. Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, BelgiumDepartment for

Molecular Biomedical Research, VIB, Zwijnaarde, Belgium. Trends in Biochemical Sciences Vol.34.
Standard classification of rosacea: Report of the National Rosacea Society Expert Committee on the

Classification and Staging of Rosacea. Committee members: Jonathan Wilkin, MD, Chairman, Lynn Drake, MD, Alvan Feinstein, MD, Mark Dahl, MD, Richard Odom, MD, Michael Detmar, MD, and Frank Powel, MD.

Crossing borders – on the boundaries of Cosmetic skin care; published in Beauty Forum 2010 (8), 27-29. Dr. Hans Lautenschläger

About our guest

René Serbon is an international skin expert. She started her education focusing on business studies (marketing) and then moved to aesthetics. She began studying in New Zealand and completed training in Beauty Therapy (called Aesthetics in Canada and the US) as well as Electrolysis through the New Zealand Institute of Electrolysis and Beauty Therapy.

Serbon sat for international exams and is a Diplomat of CIBTAC, and a CIDESCO diplomat as well. She completed post-graduate training in Laser, IPL, and the Pastiche Method of Advanced Skin Analysis, for which Serbon was later an honoree as a Pastiche recognized educator. She also serves on the board of education for the International Association For Applied Corneotherapy.

Visit René’s website reneserbon.com

Functional Nutrition & Herbal Medicine For Rosacea

As a Functional Nutrition Practitioner, Skin Herbalist, Certified Advanced Transformative Coach, and someone who’s personally been on a rosacea healing journey, I’m equipped to work with clients in a unique capacity.

My approach – which is personalized and designed to support each of my clients’ bio-individuality – enables me to get to the root cause(s) that brings about skin inflammation.

Once we’ve pinpointed the possible root causes (emotional, physical, or environmental), we work to support the body back into balance, so it can heal itself.

The result? Clear, glowing skin.

The Glow Blog