Eczema vs. Rosacea: Know the Difference

Trying to determine if your red, irritated skin is just sensitive or something more can be a challenge. Eczema? Rosacea? An allergic reaction? Super picky skin? If you really want to get to the bottom of the issue and treat if properly, understanding the difference between Eczema and Rosacea is a good place to start. Let’s break down the symptoms, causes, and how to treat each so your skin is restored to its natural glow.

Eczema

If you have dry, itchy skin with a rash that feels scaly chances are you have Eczema. More common than Rosacea, Eczema is often found as a rash all over the body. It can be a seasonal issue too, as people often suffer outbreaks in the fall and winter months when the skin barrier dries out and becomes more reactive to allergens. A flare up will typically begin with itchy skin and when scratched creates red, scaly rashes that sometimes can lead to blisters.

A chronic, inflammatory skin disease that is reoccurring, eczema requires ongoing management to prevent flare ups. A regular skincare routine for the entire body is important in taking care of the issue long term. Caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, many people diagnosed have a gene mutation that keeps the skin from maintaining a healthy barrier.

Treating Eczema can be challenging, but if you are looking for an all-natural approach for an ongoing skincare routine, try these suggestions:

• For the Face: Start with a calming milk cleanser designed to gently dissolve irritating surface debris and impurities, calms, strengthens and moisturizes reactive skin, and cools and infuses skin with antioxidant protection. Incorporating an essential oil made with antioxidant-rich plant extracts will help reduce inflammation and promote healing. Don’t forget a super hydrating mask to leave skin cool, relieved and supple. The Tuel Skincare Super Soothe mask can be used in two ways—for maximum relief apply a generous coating to the face and neck, leaving on for ten minutes before rinsing with warm water, or use it as a cream for a quick fix on center spots on the face and body. Just gently rub some in and leave it on. And don’t forget the sunscreen.

• For the Body: A little extra care will go a long way if you are suffering from eczema on your body as well as your face. Look for a body wash with all-natural ingredients that will nourish and gently exfoliate while purifying the skin of toxins. Follow with a hydrating body serum that will replenish the skin and lock in moisture (perfect for those scaly arms). You can also treat the rash on your body with the Super Soothe

Rosacea

Rosacea is a pretty common diagnosis, especially in women as they age. You may have rosacea if you have redness (and some swelling) at the center of your face, forehead and cheeks, sensitive skin that can’t handle harsh anti-aging products, and broken capillaries on your skin creating a “ruddy appearance.” Some may have Papulopustular Rosacea which is also a very common type of rosacea which is acne-based. Often if you had acne when you were younger you will transition to acne rosacea.

Rosacea is a vascular response and like eczema comes from an internal inflammation often cause by the skin’s response to the bacteria in the intestinal tract. Symptoms usually come and go, with remissions followed by flare ups which are usually only on the face or neck.

Treating rosacea through your skincare routine starts with understanding your skin type. We’d also recommend sticking with gentle plant-based products with ingredients such as lavender, chamomile and geranium to help soothe, calm, and heal the skin. The Super Soothe mask also works well for rosacea thanks to its ability to improve redness by 40-60%. An absolute must for rosacea suffers? A vitamin C serum. This can help ward off free radicals in the environment that penetrate through already inflamed skin.

For acne rosacea, try a skincare line designed for acne issues. All-natural products will not only heal and prevent breakouts, but fight bacteria naturally using tea tree, eucalyptus, and clary sage as active ingredients. Don’t be afraid to use a serum when you have acne rosacea either. Try one that will clear active acne breakouts, soothe redness and irritation, and conditions the skin. A blemish control gel can also do wonders for any acne rosacea breakouts.