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Acne (acne, pimples) is the most common skin disease worldwide. Its prevalence is estimated at 9.4% of the world's population, ranking 8th among the most common.
What diseases are easily confused with acne?
In the practice of a dermatologist, difficulties in diagnosis sometimes arise. Skin diseases that are similar to acne, but not associated with it, are called "acneiform dermatoses".
Acneiform rashes are a group of many skin diseases that manifest as papules, pustules, nodules, or cysts, in which, compared to acne, comedones (blackheads or whiteheads) occur less frequently or are not observed at all.
Acne can be mistaken for rosacea, especially in adults with late-onset acne. It is important to know and remember even the sometimes subtle differences between these diseases, as they determine the therapeutic approach and affect the effectiveness of treatment.
How to distinguish acne from rosacea?
Rosaceais a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by erythema (redness), papules, pustules, telangiectasias, and sometimes phymatous changes (thickened, irregular nodules usually found on the nose, chin, forehead, or ears), most often occurring between the ages of 30 and 60. Women are 2-3 times more likely to suffer from this disease than men.Although rosacea is sometimes called acne rosacea, rosacea and acne vulgaris are two different diagnoses.
In most cases, the diagnosis of rosacea is made clinically, by examining the skin. The diagnosis is made according to the diagnostic and core criteria recommended by the 2017 ROSacea CONsensus (ROSCO) global expert group.
Two features have been established as independent diagnostic hallmarks of rosacea: phymatous changes and persistent centrofacial erythema (redness of the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin).
Differentiating acne from rosacea can be challenging, but the first feature is the presence or absence of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). The absence of comedones allows a diagnosis of rosacea. Both conditions can present with inflammatory lesions on the face (papules and pustules), but the location of the lesions is a key differentiator. Rosacea lesions are predominantly localized to the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Chest and back lesions are common with acne but rare with rosacea. Rosacea patients also have spider veins (telangiectasias, rosacea). Rosacea patients occasionally experience temporary hot flashes, a sensation of warmth, and tingling, triggered by factors such as heat, hot drinks, spicy foods, alcohol, or stress, which are not common with acne. Interestingly, rosacea can affect the eyes: patients are concerned about redness and irritation of the eyes, burning, stinging, decreased visual acuity.
Although there are no drugs that will permanently get rid of rosacea, the symptoms of the disease can be controlled by the following simple rules.
Lifestyle Tips
- Avoid triggers that provoke rosacea symptoms.
- Provoking factors include spicy foods, emotional stress, high / low air temperatures, windy weather, hot baths, visiting a bathhouse / sauna, exercise, sun exposure, cosmetic products, medications (which cause vasodilation), alcohol, Marinated meat products.
- Keeping a 2-week rosacea diary can help patients identify and avoid triggers.
General Skin Care Tips
When purchasing skin care products, it is recommended to study the ingredients.
With rosacea, many skin care products and cosmetics can irritate the skin, so it is important to choose cosmetic products carefully. Although rosacea can look like acne, many acne treatments irritate the skin of people with rosacea. Be careful with products containing retinoids or salicylic acid.Avoid anything that contains: alcohol/spirits, camphor, fragrances (fragrances), glycolic and lactic acids, menthol, sodium lauryl sulfate (often found in shampoos and toothpaste), urea. Choose products with minimal ingredients: the fewer ingredients, the better for your skin.
Test skin care products and cosmetics before applying them to your face
To do this, apply a small amount of the product to the skin on the inside of your elbow and monitor the reaction. If the product irritates your skin (burning, tingling, etc.) within 72 hours, stop using it.Use gentle cleansers
To cleanse your skin without causing further irritation, it is recommended to choose a gentle cleanser that is safe for rosacea. Be gentle with your skin. Anything that irritates it can worsen the symptoms of rosacea. Try not to rub your face, you should not use facial sponges or exfoliating products (scrubs).- Gently apply the cleanser with your fingertips in a circular motion.
- Rinse off the cleanser with warm water (not hot!), using only your fingertips.
- Gently pat your face dry with a clean cotton towel.
So, for patients with rosacea, I recommend using pharmacy products, for example, the Rosacellin series of the LIBREDERM brand. Remarkably, this line includes all the necessary products for cleansing and care.
The Rosacellin LIBREDERM Care System: 2 Steps
Step 1. Cleansing
During the cleansing stage, use the gentle Rosacellin cleansing foam. This product is based on a cleansing biocomplex of plant origin. It gently removes impurities and makeup from the skin. The active ingredients of the product have a moisturizing and soothing effect, have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, and inhibit the proliferation of capillaries. The foam has a slightly acidic pH. Does not contain soap, SLES, SLS, does not irritate the eyes.Step 2. Basic care
If you have sensitive skin, then the Rosacellin LIBREDERM soothing day cream with SPF 30 is suitable for you as a basic care product. This product simultaneously combines a moisturizing effect and sun protection, which helps to reduce the number of cosmetics used. Encapsulated troxerutin in the composition reduces capillary permeability, increases their elasticity, reduces redness and reduces the appearance of spider veins. Extracts of black swallowtail root, dogwood fruit and licorice root have a powerful soothing effect, moisturize, soften, eliminate tightness and discomfort on the skin, returning it to comfort. SPF 30 provides complete skin protection from UVA and UVB rays during the day.For night care, we recommend using the Rosacellin normalizing night cream-active. This product is similar in composition to a day cream, but does not contain SPF, which is only needed during the day. The active ingredients reduce the visibility of capillaries, have a soothing effect and protective antioxidant activity, increase skin hydration, and regulate sebum.
Tips for caring for sensitive skin
- Moisturize your skin daily, regardless of whether you have dry or oily skin. Studies show that using a moisturizer restores the skin barrier, which improves the results of rosacea treatment.
- Avoid sun exposure. Exposure to sunlight is one of the most common causes of rosacea flare-ups. Patients should minimize sun exposure, wear wide-brimmed hats, and use sunscreen. Use creams with physical filters (e.g., containing zinc oxide/titanium oxide, dimethicone/cyclomethicone) with an SPF ≥ 30; they are better tolerated than chemical ones. Even on cloudy days, it is useful to apply sunscreen.
And if you have trouble finding skincare products, consult a dermatologist who, after an examination, will recommend products that meet the specific needs of your skin.