Rosacea: Are there natural treatments to consider?

While rosacea can never be completely cured, various treatments are available to improve the appearance of the skin by reducing redness and pustules. The options vary depending on the severity of the symptoms and the subtype of the disease. Among the most common treatments are anti-inflammatory gels, oral antibiotics, and surgical procedures (laser, dermabrasion...). Additionally, when rosacea is at an early stage, there are natural solutions for rosacea that can help reduce the appearance of redness and telangiectasias.

Licorice.

Licorice is a plant known to be particularly rich in flavonoids and saponins (glabridin, glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhizin, licochalcone, and liquiritigenin). These compounds are endowed with anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that licorice can inhibit the production of superoxide anions and the activity of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme involved in the pathogenesis of rosacea and catalyzing the oxidation of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins in the body.

A study specifically examined the effect of a gel containing 2% licorice on skin affected by atopic dermatitis. After daily applications for two weeks, scientists observed a reduction in erythema scores, edema, and itching. Considering that rosacea is also characterized by sensitive skin, erythema, and inflammation, it is reasonable to assume that licorice is an excellent candidate for combating this skin condition.

Chamomile.

Chamomile contains a unique combination of saponins, phenylpropanoic acids, and flavonoids. Thanks to this complex composition, this plant significantly enhances the permeability of the vascular wall as well as the mechanical resistance of capillaries. This helps to curb excessive dilation of blood vessels, a key element in rosacea.

Among the studies conducted on the effect of chamomile on rosacea, one can mention a double-blind clinical trial comparing the efficacy of a 1% chamomile cream to that of a placebo. For 12 weeks, 125 patients suffering from rosacea applied the chamomile-based cream twice a day, while 121 others used the placebo. At the end of the experiment, the patients using the 1% chamomile cream noticed a significant improvement in the severity of the erythema and the overall severity of the rosacea compared to baseline values and the placebo.

Aloe vera.

Aloe vera is highly valued in cosmetics and has numerous beneficial effects on the skin. Its properties are well-documented and have yielded excellent results in various studies. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antipruritic... Although the aloe plant is composed of more than 99% water, the remaining solid composition is complex and rich in active compounds such as enzymes, polysaccharides, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids.

Furthermore, aloe vera contains anthraquinones, which are structurally similar to tetracyclines, antibiotics regularly prescribed for rosacea. In addition, several case reports have noted an improvement in itching, burning, and even scarring associated with dermatitis following the application of an aloe vera gel. This natural ingredient notably works by reducing vasodilation and the permeability of the vascular wall, and plays a significant role in inflammatory skin conditions. Considering all these factors, aloe vera extract is a good alternative for soothing skin affected by rosacea.

Green tea.

The leaves and buds of the tea plant contain a significant number of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective polyphenols known as catechins. From a mechanistic perspective, these molecules inhibit nitric oxide synthase, an enzymatic system that catalyzes the production of nitric oxide, a free radical. Additionally, catechins downregulate the activity of lipoxygenase, which catalyzes the oxidation of fatty acids, and cyclooxygenase, thereby achieving both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Some studies also show that green tea extract has a beneficial effect on rosacea by suppressing the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor and the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1), thereby inhibiting the angiogenic process of rosacea.

The yuzu.

Citrus fruits are well-known for their nutritional virtues and health benefits. The consumption of yuzu is widespread in Asian countries, particularly in Korea and Japan. This fruit is very rich in antioxidants and it has been shown to have a anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. Indeed, the limonene found in yuzu reduces the production of reactive oxygen species and the activity of the nuclear factor NF-κB, involved in the immune response and cellular stress response.

Furthermore, in a study conducted in 2018, it was demonstrated that yuzu extract has a suppressive effect on certain pro-inflammatory mediators involved in the pathophysiology of rosacea such as LL-37 and KLK5. This study concluded that yuzu extract can help normalize the innate immune system response in patients with rosacea and contribute to improving the symptoms of this skin condition.

Colloidal oatmeal.

Colloidal oatmeal has been used for centuries as a soothing agent to relieve itching and irritation associated with various dermatoses. The scientific community believes that avenanthramides found in oats are responsible for its beneficial effects, particularly its anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties. Avenanthramides work by reducing the activity of NF-kB in keratinocytes and decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Several studies have focused on the effects of colloidal oatmeal in cases of atopic dermatitis and have shown that this natural ingredient helps to soothe the skin and reduce redness. Considering the many similarities between rosacea and atopic dermatitis (redness, inflammation, itching...), it can be hypothesized that the benefits of oatmeal can extend to skin affected by rosacea.

Note : this list is not exhaustive. Other natural treatments have been studied and have proven to have an effect on rosacea. Examples include turmeric, quassia amara, wormwood, upright cinquefoil, and yarrow.