Natural Remedies for Rosacea

My husband suffered for years from red, itchy face and scalp in the summer and the worst hair, beard, and eyebrow dandruff imaginable in the winter. Our doctor prescribed all kinds of meds for what he said was rosacea. Well, nothing helped for long and the meds were expensive. I stated to search and experiment for a way to cure or at least control whatever was happening to my husband.

Octagon soap/white vinegar controls the problem. Unfortunately, Colgate Palmolive stopped making Octagon soap several years ago. I found that Colgate Palmolive Original Green dishwashing soap has much of the same ingredients as their discontinued bar soap. http://www.palmolive.com/ingredients

Use the Palmolive "Green" dish washing soap as you would a shampoo and body wash. Do not add to bath water as it will be too diluted to work. Rinse with white (less expensive) or apple cider vinegar cut 50% with water. You must shower/wash affected areas EVERYNIGHT BEFORE BED as mites breed in darkness. You can break the chain of infestation by washing every night.

Also, we switched to a waterbed with a regular vinyl water mattress. Mites cannot live on vinyl. I wash our white sheets, blankets in any laundry detergent with a cup of bleach per load.

It's been 5 years since he started this regimen. It worked immediately and continues to work. My husband doesn't suffer anymore. This regimen controls the problem so well that he no longer has any rashes or dandruff.

Please give this a try. It's inexpensive.

What is the solution used? Any other ingredients, ie water, how much Borax and water...... Is mixed together. Thank you!!

Hello to all!!

I am so happy because I have been using coconut oil with lavender essential oil mixed in and using it every night to remove my make up. In a very short time my rosacea has been starting to lessen!! What I do is use a small bowl with about 4 Tablespoon of oil and 6 drops of lavender, mix well, take a little bit and smear it all over my face and neck. (I keep this in the bathroom and it lasts a few weeks) Then use a wash clothe that is pretty warm and place over my face and wipe off my makeup. I then use a little more for moisturizing around my eyes. Sometimes I add frankincense around my eyes too. I am really loving essential oils.

Hi Teresa! How is your rosacea? Still under control? I want to try what you did and see how it goes! Thanks Colleen

Rosacea or Mites?

Hi, I had a flare up twice now within a year and each time I feel something crawling and/or tickling my left eyebrow!! It's all day for a few days after my flare up's subside. Not itchy, no flacks, just like it's something crawling around and it's just my left eyebrow! Do I have mites? Does anyone have eyebrow crawling issues? Maybe mites are my rosacea issues? And why not the right brow? lol

Also since I'm asking questions: My rosacea first came out in February of last year and now again February of this year. In between my skin is great, so great people don't believe I have rosacea! Do I have winter skin rosacea skin?

Also the burning on my face at first flare up moves around. First it's my entire face to--> my forehead to-->in between my eyebrows to--> my upper back. What is that about? My back?

I want to get my skin tested but my dermatologist wouldn't do it so I want to get a second, maybe third opinion.

Thank you!!!! Jma

If you need more info this is my background.

I'm 35 years old, live in NY and my first outbreak was February of last year. It started at night, my face became very pink/red fast, had a burning feeling on my face and I saw red like hives on my face (I see you all call them P&P's). I took a Benadryl thinking it was allergies and off to sleep.

The next day the redness turned to pink but the burning and red like hives stayed. Then I started to see a clear liquid coming out of the “P&P's” and then they turned to whiteheads. As my face redness got better and P&P's cleared up…. the burning stayed for days maybe even two weeks as well as a tingling feeling all my face. But the burning went from all over my face to just my forehead and then just between my eyebrows. But on top of this I had a crawling feeling and it was mostly in my left eyebrow. I know weird!!! It felt like something was tickling my left eyebrow for hours and days. The redness left, the burning subsided but the crawling stayed for a while. I wanted to shave my left eyebrow off! ALSO the burning went from my face--> to the forehead to --> above and in between my eyebrows to-->my upper back.

It was like this heat moving around as well as something crawling around my left eyebrow. Also to end it all my scalp was red and started flaking. Just around the hairline and in a little.

Anyway, within that 2 weeks I changed my eating, did my research and got on a regimen that I think helped. All naturally. My face and skin went back to normal. I even got complements on my skin. No one believed I had rosacea. From April- now (Feb) no problems. I thought I was cured, I got off my routine, started getting off track end of summer and stayed off track. BAD!

Last weekend I noticed my face flushing more and more after a hot shower. My skin was dry as ever and the winter was harsh. Then one day became very upset with a good friend of mine and was very hurt. I went home took a shower and was talking about it with mutual friends for hours, then I started drinking. I felt my face get hot. I looked in the mirror and BAM…..same as above from last year.

It's my 5th day and the redness is now pink. I'm on my routine again. The burning is on my upper back and my left eyebrow feels like something is crawling around on it.
HELP!

I USE:
Eucerin Redness Relief Cleanser (LOVE! )
ACV toner
Eucerin Redness Relief Lotion spf 15 (Great! ) or I use coconut oil or jojoba oil mixed with Cerave Lotion
TTO on occasion

FROM MY HOLISTIC DOC:
High potency Probiotics (AWESOME)
Betaine HCI Pepsin Gentian Root Extract (AWESOME)
Vitamin D
Curcumin 7x strength complex for inflammation (my inflammation on my blood work was high)
Omega 3's

THANK YOU AGAIN, JMA

I suffered Rosacea for nearly a year. I wish I could post photos to show the extent of it. I suffered dreadfully. Some days, on the way to work, I'd look at myself in the rearview mirror, turn home and call in sick. I tried everything - researched for months.

In the end, this is how I healed: it seems generally acknowledged Rosacea if an illness of the gut (it is 'triggered' by foods). It seems generally acknowledged that some types of Rosacea have an overgrowth of mites.

Depending on the extent of your illness you can heal by getting the mites under control. There are many ways of doing this, as per this site.

However, if your illness doesn't respond (and mine didn't) - perhaps the issue is more serious. You may need to look at your gut. There is a correlation between SIBO (bad bacteria overgrowth in the small intestine) and Rosacea. You can research this correlation easily.

As much as I am careful about the use antibiotics, I did use one antibiotic - the only one that seems to cure Rosacea - Rifaximin. (Here in Australia it is terribly expensive - around $690.) There's lots of research being done in this area. Essentially what I had to do was get the bad bacteria overgrowth in my gut under control, then work on getting the good bacteria into my gut. It takes months, if not years, to heal the gut.

Perhaps your rosacea isn't as dramatic as mine and you can heal your gut by using peppermint capsules (again - you can research this on the net).

Its been nearly one year now... I only used one course of the antibiotics - 10 days 3 x per day (again, there are lots of medical research articles about this, just google it). I'm still on a very restricted diet - no grains, no sugar- it seems to work. My rosacea is gone... keeping fingers crossed...

Dear Jillery,

I haven't seen the post you mention, but what you described about the poster saying her rosecea seemed to "morph" struck a cord with me.

For the last several years, I have had a bit of skin trouble on and off. What might start out as nearly nothing would become red and itchy. The first couple of times it happened, I thought it was ringworm. It looked like ringworm to me. I have treated that in the past on a child and on cats. But nothing would work on me. I spent 7 months trying different natural remedies (and finally tried something OTC) and nothing was working. I did finally find a GSE cream that got rid of it after 7 months of different remedies. Each thing I tried seemed to be helping, then suddenly the patch would become larger and what was seeming to help would not. I went through this a couple of times with spots on my legs and it was frustrating. (The next time the GSE stuff didn't work.) Last year this happened on my arm. But it didn't look as much like ringworm and I didn't connect this to the previous problem. It seemed more like eczema. But again, nothing worked for long and after some improvement, it would become worse and the spot would get bigger. I kept trying different EC remedies. Finally I tried Borage Oil. 3 capsules a day. It totally worked! As long as I kept taking it, I had no trouble. If I ran out of Borage, the spot on my wrist would begin to return. Well, I ran out of Borage a couple of months ago and decided to test it. The spot did not seem to be returning.

However, a couple of weeks ago, I started with a spot on my ankle. It reminded me of the other spots on my legs and I thought, Here we go again! It looked like ringworm, like before. Nothing was helping, like before. Suddenly, a light bulb went on. I thought, maybe this is the same thing I had on my wrist! I ordered some Borage Oil and started to take it. (3 per day.) Within a couple of days I could tell it was working. It has been maybe a week and the spot is almost 100% better.

So, I have no idea what I had on my wrist or leg. Ringworm? Eczema? Something else? Now I think they were all the same thing. In any case, it appears that Borage Oil is very helpful for skin issues. It makes me think I am missing something nutritionally that Borage is supplying. I was pregnant and/or nursing for years and think I am got pretty depleted.

Borage Oil can also be used topically. Castor Oil may also be helpful topically. I love to use it on my face at bedtime.

Anyway, I thought I would pass this information along as I also seemed to have a "morphing" skin issue.

Let us know what you try and how it is going!

~Mama to Many~

I suffered from rosacea for many years and finally got rid of 90% of it by taking Blackstrap Molasses every day - about a tablespoon and followed that with a glass of water. Although about the same time, I was also regularly having MSM (powdered sulphur) each day, about 1/4 tsp and still do. My rosacea seemed to disappear within about 24-48 hours. Have you tried oil pulling? I did this also for about 8 months and loved what it did for me but then just suddenly stopped and haven't done it since. I believe that could also have a marked effect on your rosacea. Worth a try.

So I can't truthfully say which of those alleviated it, but I think it was the molasses.

Spent nearly a month drinking this horrid stuff 2tbsp in 8oz water twice a day in effort to rid myself of this horrid disease. Was so disgusting I wanted to puke, but I kept going because I thought it could help me, even just a little. Saw zero improvement. Same with using it externally. Burned TERRIBLY and made things MUCH worse. After this experience I truly don't understand the hype for this stuff.

How did you use the blackstrap molasses? internally or apply it to your face? Thanks!

Diatomaceous earth really should be dry to work. When you wet it, it is much less effective. Apply it at night with a giant poofy face powder applicator brush or poof to dry skin. If you can, don't apply lotion for the hour or two before bed, then apply DE. be sure to rub into your scalp as well and be careful to apply only a light layer as it can irritate your eyes if it gets into them during or immediately after application or later is rubbed into them.

I never used to have rosacea except the last two years and I am over 60. I thought it came as a result of severe trauma and stress. But then again, I have pets that are itchy and I am still persevering with their problem.

Last time I used the colloidal silver I made at home and I never go so scientific, just use a cotton ball and as I sit at the pc do the dabbing for a good 30 mins.

Skin turns out perfect. But this year, again severe stress and trauma, I find when I am in the garden I must wear a hat. It seems the sun causes it in part. I have had the pinkness and itch for years on my scalp and lost much of my hair. Then, when I used straight ACV this took a turn for the good. I alternatively use ACV and coconut oil on my hair. Having a fine, fair and dry complexion, for many years I have used Mahanarayan oil which is sesame oil which added minerals. Even though I am on the wrong side of years, I get compliments for my fine and flawless skin. Coconut oil is for skin with good oil content. The shampoo I use is Dr. Bronner's which is pure kastile soap with a choice of essential oils, from the health food store. I use this also for cleaning my mouth and teeth and it is pleasant and really shines the teeth.

My thinking is the ACV is too hot for a hot condition except if there are lesions. In that case it really works well on them. Coconut oil, aloe vera, are cool and seem to counteract the heat and redness. I can go for many months, even a year and then it makes its reappearance.

As to colloidal silver. Especially if it is a case of mites, CS really kills them. I know in case of bed bugs, they drop dead instantly upon contact. So with other mini monsters. I never spend much money on all kinds of products as God's pharmacy has much to offer. It just requires time for research. I am vegan and have a very healthy regimen with green drinks, lots of veggies and no bread except rye crackers at times or crepes with barley flour, chia seeds and hemp nuts, and coconut products.

Elimination is perfect as I have used Triphala for years which rejuvenates the digestive tract as well. So, I think it can't be the diet - maybe mites. Mites are also in pillows and so one has to throw them out periodically.

It is the experimentation which helps us to get in touch with our bodies as our chemical composition varies from person to person. So one shirt does not fit all. I thought I might try a borax paste as well as it kills mites. Love to all. Om

For some reason, I was looking at my rampant rosacea and thought, "this is all red, itchy, flaky, why don't I try dandruff shampoo since these are the symptoms of dandruff. " Immediately, I noticed a difference in my skin. The redness diminished tremendously as well as the pustules, flakiness and all. My skin almost looks normal, and it's soft again. I thought I'd invented the wheel or something! Good to know I was on the right track. I don't know what is in the shampoo, probably some sort of sulfide.

Going completely gluten free had a huge impact on my rosacea. It cleared it up at least 75%. I didn't go gluten free for the rosacea, that was just one of the great side effects for me. It's hard to go gluten free, but give it a try. It surely won't hurt you. Good luck!

I recently googled rosacea and there was a current study suggesting that some rosacea could be caused by a mite under the skin that when it poops caused the topical part of the reaction and then the treatments people try can deal with the reaction to the poop symtoms but not get rid of the mites.... Don't lose your HOPE.... LOVE , JOY

I don't know what Ted's remedies for rosacea were but I suffered from rosacea for years and honestly, I never noticed it until it was pointed out to me. At that point, I was so humiliated that I was self conscious and tried to cover it up with makeup but really, that was futile.

It wasn't until I started taking blackstrap molasses that I noticed a difference pretty much straight away. Now I've stopped taking it (must get back on for other benefits) and it hasn't returned at all and it's been over a year. I recall thinking that when I looked at the molasses closely, it had almost a green tinge to it as it was so black - if that makes sense.

It's also well known in the cosmetic industry that redness is combatted with green, so there are cover foundations specifically designed for those with red tinges in the skin. I feel that the molasses worked it's magic from inside and perhaps the green hue had an effect after all! Worth a try because it's so inexpensive. Don't give up.....xx

I'd like to know what happened in the end to your skin. I think you were trying too many things at once. I would stick to teds remedy. It worked for me. I was clear for five years. It's creeping back again and I am starting the regime again.

Hi Mary. You might want to try going gluten free. Take wheat, barley, rye and oats out of your diet. You might notice your symptoms diminishing within a week or two. Also, consider supplementing with a good quality multi vitamin/mineral supplement and a good quality essential fatty acid supplement (fish oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil) so you can provide your body with all of the essential nutrients that it needs. A good book to read is The Wheat Belly Diet. It might help you understand why it is necessary for you to be gluten free so your immune system can heal. God Bless.

My perhaps mild previously unnoticed undiagnosed Rosacea reared its ugly head when I got pregnant in 2014. I always had the occasional pimple(s). This is so different though. It's always bad imo but sometimes it's clearer than other times. I wonder if it was also hormonal for you since menopause. And my hormones in preg. What works for me: jojoba oil at night. Wash with Epsom salts. I'm always trying to hand slough off a gross amount of dead skin on my face in he shower which helps. I've tried a million natural things. Milk of magnesia also helps. But can be irritating. Also I do diatamaceous earth masks. And yogurt sugar masks. They all help to an extent but my Rosacea is stubborn and I want to conquer it completely. It's hard keeping up with such a regimen especially being a busy mom. I'm about to try oil of oregano hence finding your post in my search for the oregano Rosacea does it work connection. I want to get in touch with more ppl and share what works. It's a hard thing to go through.much love and support to you! Maybe I will try cohosh. I take a bunch of herbs and supplements as it is but always willing to try new. I haven't noticed any dietary triggers so have said EFF it I'm going to eat what I want which is generally all organic but I do eat chocolate and sweets and bread etc. I took a break for a bit with no change so... Who knows - also I never experienced the crawling sensation I don't think- weird... What's that like??

Patricia, I have mild rosacea and feel these creepy crawling around my left brow and eye lashes. Is the selsun blue safe to run over eye area? I see you use it for eyebrows and lashes. Thanks.

Ivermectin. Sesame Oil. Lactoferrin. Enzymes, Probiotics. Antibacterial hand sanitizer. Providone Iodine.

Ivermectin. Topically applied every three days, for as long as you need to. You will know when to stop. Use it for at least two weeks to be sure. Buy it at a farm or animal store. If you tried everything else, then at least try ivermectin. It could be mites or a nanoinsect deep in the skin. Just a note, if it is mites or insects, it will look a bit worse before it gets better, the insects will fight the medicine. Use at least three times, spaced two or three days apart to kill the ones that hatch. This is essential if you have the little white dots and pimple-like rosacea that appears rapidly and does not respond to any other treatments.

Sesame Oil. Antibacterial and antimicrobial, kills staph, strep and other bacteria. Applied topically. Controls the flaky skin, and the little red dots of infection, which is what I believe is caused by a secondary bacterial infection due to staph or strep. Use the unprocessed, golden kind. This is a good choice to try for children, or if the skin is very tender and irritated. Sesame oil will take at least three days to work, but if it is going to work for you you'll see gradual improvement.

Lactoferrin. Enzymes, Probiotics. The only helpful thing my doctor said to me was, "perhaps your flora has changed". I'm positive there is a something going on in the immune system of anyone with skin conditions. Lactoferrin will help knock out the mycoplasmas that may be overwhelming your system.

Antibacterial hand sanitizer will control the flaky, red skin and make your skin look more normal, but must be used everyday a few times a day. Providone iodine, not a cure, but may help some of you.

This is for all of you who may have tried everything, and nothing has worked for you. It worked for me, and believe me, I tried everything.

Best Wishes.

Hi' I've never been quite sure if I actualy have rosacea, but it seemed to be the only thing I could come up with. Anyway I spent a lot of time reading and thinking and tried lots of supplements and creams but honestly I think I have cracked it within my diet. I dont know how but I somehow joined the dots and came up with an intoralance to CITRIC ACID. It seems simple but if you check its in everything. As well as naturally occuring in fruits its a preservative in tons of foods. A small amount is ok but if I over do it then I glow like a light bulb. Because I can take a small amount it took ages to make the connection. Its also used in the food production end of things so its not always listed as an ingredient for example-I read its used in low fat milk production but because its not actually added to the milk its not listed on the carton. Anyway avoiding this simple thing has helped me hugely and I simply ask that anyone with rosacea at least consider it, thanks.

Try equate diaper rash ointment, works for me. P.S. I use a light baking soda wash on my face, and don't rub hard, it can burn slightly, don't panic, it tingles some. The ointment is 13 percent zinc oxide, so a little goes a long way. It works for me.

My daughter and a dear friend of mine which had a very severe case of Rosacea. Have you heard of Organic Sulphur you can look it up on line. When you dilute 1 tbsp. In 5 oz. of distilled water it cools it down and it is done in a few days. You can take it orally and it does wonders for sore joints and arithritis. It is wonderful stuff. I take a tbsp. in water every morning on an empty stomach and wait 20 minutes you will be amazed how well you will feel. Lorraine

Afh from Abq., Nm: Although I never really had the broken veins, I did have some form of Rosacea on my face - mainly nose - to the extent that it was almost glowing! I reported on EC a few weeks back that when I started taking Molasses (with copper in it), it has disappeared completely almost straight away and I'm soooo much more confident out in public and now need no make up to cover this horrible problem. I'm taking 2tsp morning and 2tsp evening. I hope this goes some way towards reducing the redness in your skin.

Dodofi, I feel your pain! I don't have any experience with your problems but I have just read a little book called Skin Fitness, safe and healthy skin care! The authors have some good tips also for rosacea and the main thing is not to use anything abrasive on the skin. They talk about tea tree oil...... They also talk about the importance of not overheating during the night (or the day for that matter.... ). Maybe worth reading!

I have been using a honey and milk mask on my cheeks for Rosacea. I leave it on for about an hour. It has really helped calm the redness and breakouts on my cheeks. My Rosacea is worse in the winter months, so I am glad to have found this remedy now.

Hi, I wanted to share with you some products which I have come across which are simply fantastic in reducing rosacea.

I have always suffered from red cheeks and flushing plus the broken capillaries, but in the last few years have been troubled in the Winter by these annoying little spots on my nose and sides of my nose. They are tiny (size of a dot - with a little white centre) They were really bothering me and no matter what I tried on my face more seemed to pop up all the time.

From what I have been reading and researching it seemed to me to be classic rosacea caused by the Demodex mite. Also in the last few weeks my spots had been accompanied by an itching feeling on my nose and sometimes on my scalp too.

So- I tried the following and the results are AMAZING. My spots are gone and my red blotchiness on the sides of my nose and cheek area has faded and looks really nice now.

This is what I did...

I bought some shampoo meant to be for Dandruff called Oilatum Scalp intensive. I put this on my face for 1 minute neat then washed it off. I did this every night for 3 nights. The itching on my face stopped and the spots were reduced but not totally gone- my face was a bit red still.

I followed up with (and am using religiously every day now) acne/ rosacea products. I began washing my face with their Calmin mild cleanser, followed by their EPC cream with spf 15 very morning. At night I use the nightcream with Seabuckthorn oil.

I literally could see my face becoming clearer and the redness fading the minute I put these on my face- they are wonderful!! I also tried these on my Dad who suffers from the red nose/spottiness and the results were just great.

I hope this is of help to anyone who like me suffers from this annoying and upsetting skin problem.

I want to say very big thank you to people here who recomended using Sebiprox shampoo for rosacea. I have rosacea and stopped taking all antibiotics almost a year ago. Instead I wash my face with BICARB SODA and Sebiprox shampoo and my rosacea is almost gone! My skin looks so much better and healthier! I wash my face with sebiprox 2-3 times a week just before I go to bed. The rest of the week I wash it with bicarb soda (mix with a drop of water) also before I go to sleep. I don't use any other products. If you need to moisturise your skin I would recommend mixing a teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of milk and apply it on your face as a mask. My skin looks better than ever! Thank you!

Hi Mark, Just to let you know I have just purchased Stieprox(Sebiprox) off eBay. Comes from Canada. £25.00

Ok, I was in Wal Mart and was reading different ingredients in Equate Diaper Rash Ointment, and it contains `13 percent Zinc Oxide. I tried olive oil, Vaseline mixture, but to no avail. Today I applied the zinc oxide product( diaper rash ointment ). In 8 hrs my face showed signs of healing and redness disappearing. I will continue using it for my rosacea. ( I have also used the homemade yogurt and honey mix and I will still use it, love the cold yogurt and honey mix, a real feel good feeling and it also clears redness, but the zinc was faster and it is healing my face.

I have read a lot on here on remedies for face skin problems and this site has me reading ingredients and learning the definitions of chemicals in our shampoos, face creams and so called factory made meds. Its a continuing education to say the least.

Inactive ingredients in Equate diaper rash ointment: Aloe barbadensis leaf juice( wow, now thats a mouth full, lol, beeswax, dimethicone, fragrance, magnesium sulfate, methylparaden, microcrystaline wax, ( another mouth full), plus 8 more 10 dollar words. I will not give a spelling test on the ingredients, because I can't spell them. I will google them and probably scare myself to death, but at least the rosacea will be gone, yea.