Tanning and Rosacea – The Complete Guide
Almost everyone wants a gorgeous summer tan, showcasing the best their skin has to offer.
However, this isn’t always easy for everyone. Certain skin conditions and health problems may prevent many people from tanning in the sun—which isn’t safe for anybody—or using a self-tanner.
Rosacea is one of those skin conditions that can hinder the pursuit of a summer tan, and many of the methods used to bronze the skin, whether naturally or through the use of products, may exacerbate the symptoms of rosacea.
Understanding the condition and then learning about different ways to tan is key to finding a solution to achieving a summer tan without harming your skin or triggering the condition further.
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a fairly common skin condition. It first appears as redness on the face, which could resemble sunburn or blush spread across the nose, cheeks, chin, and/or forehead.
From there, small pus-filled bumps, as well as small blood vessels, may appear across the face.
Rosacea can also be apparent in the eyes, causing them to water or appear red, inflaming and irritating the eyelids and the white of the eye.
A condition associated with rosacea is called conjunctivitis.
Another symptom of rosacea is a red nose, along with skin thickening and swelling caused by excess tissue. This is known as rhinophyma.
There is no single specific cause for rosacea. Possible causes could be weak immune systems, nervous systems, or vascular systems.
The condition appears to run in families, suggesting it may be hereditary.
The main sufferers of rosacea are typically fair-skinned and those who blush easily. Most often, symptoms only appear in adults between 30 and 60 years old.
Women tend to experience the symptoms of rosacea on their cheeks and chins, while men often suffer from rhinophyma on the nose. Additionally, men tend to experience rosacea more severely than women.
It is challenging to determine how to prevent rosacea, but there are specific triggers that exacerbate the condition. These include:
- Heat from the sun or hot baths
- Temperature extremes
- Harsh chemicals in skincare products
- Exercise and sweating
- Stress
- Alcohol
- Other skin and health conditions
Medication is the best form of treatment for rosacea, but adapting your lifestyle and avoiding triggers can help manage the condition.
The Difference Between Sunburn and Rosacea
While sunburn and rosacea may appear similar at first, they are distinct conditions.
Sunburn is the damage to the outer layer of skin, while rosacea affects the blood vessels beneath the skin. Rosacea causes the inflammation of blood vessels below the skin on the face and other areas of the body.
Damage from the sun can lead to wrinkles, scarring, and other severe effects on the skin, including skin cancer in more extreme cases.
Skin damage from the sun typically appears later in life, when the conditions are also more difficult to treat.
Rosacea is not caused by sun damage, but rather a skin condition triggered by other factors.
Does Sun Tanning Make Rosacea Worse?
Exposure to the sun is one of the main triggers of rosacea.
The heat and damage caused by UV rays are largely responsible for many flare-ups; therefore, it is essential to properly protect your skin when venturing outdoors, especially during the summer and spring.
The good news is that you don’t have to avoid the sun completely; you just need to adopt a good skincare routine that nourishes and protects your skin from the sun, rather than exacerbating the condition.
Wearing a high-factor sunscreen when going out into the sun is one of the best options to protect your skin.
Try to use a daily cream with built-in SPF as well, to provide protection throughout the day.
There are also some great products that help to reduce redness and inflammation, which also have sun protection.
These products have been specifically designed for individuals with rosacea, providing targeted treatment while offering the skin the protection it needs.
Be mindful of the times of day when the sun is at its most intense—usually between 11 am and 4 pm—so be sure to use sunscreen if you are outdoors during these hours.
Always opt for the highest protection available; an SPF 50 broad-spectrum sunscreen is the best choice.
Here are some tips on how to protect your skin in the sun:
- Moisturise with a safe moisturiser regularly. Moisturised skin fares much better in the sun than drier skin. Stick to a strict moisturising routine to ensure your skin has all the hydration it needs.
- Sunscreen is the most effective product for protecting your skin. Opt for an SPF 50 or higher, but be cautious when selecting a sunscreen that does not irritate your skin or exacerbate your rosacea.
- When out in the sun, try to wear a wide-brimmed hat. This will help to cover your face and neck. Some sun hats come with their own SPF, providing the proper shade and protection you need.
- Use a summer umbrella to further protect the rest of your skin. Ensure it is made with sun-safe material.
Overall, especially if you know the sun is a trigger for your rosacea, it is a good idea to avoid tanning in the sun. Not only will it likely cause a flare-up, but the UV rays can cause lasting damage to your skin, which is often irreversible.
Can I Self-Tan With Rosacea?
When it comes to protecting your skin while giving it a gorgeous glow, a self-tanning product is a safer and better option for your skin than tanning in the sun.
This being said, there are some self-tanning products that contain harsh ingredients, which could dry out your skin and cause a flare-up.
Self-tanners work by using the active ingredient DHA. DHA reacts with the outer layer of the skin, causing it to darken over time.
It is not a stain or a bronzer, but rather a reaction that happens with the dead skin cells, darkening them to mimic a tan.
DHA can be found in various formulations, with some older products featuring a harsher formulation of DHA that can cause dryness in the skin.
Not only is this not recommended for those who suffer from rosacea, but it is also not recommended for anyone looking to use self-tanners.
The good news is that there are some amazing self-tanning products on the market, which are made using natural and organic ingredients, as well as organic DHA.
These are very gentle and caring to the skin, providing added moisture and nourishment while the tan develops. This self-tanner is my absolute favourite.
Any self-tanners that contain alcohol are also a no-go, as alcohol is known to dry out the skin as well.
Also, try to avoid any self-tanners with added fragrances and oils, as these could cause a breakout almost instantly.
It is highly recommended to perform a patch test first to determine if your skin will react to the self-tanner.
Find a small, inconspicuous area to apply a small amount of self-tanner and wait a few hours.
If there is a flare-up or irritation, you know not to use that product. It will also give you a good indication of what the resultant tan will look like.
Unfortunately, there is not one self-tanner that guarantees no breakouts or flare-ups of rosacea.
You will need to work your way through them to determine which one suits your skin best and find the one that is gentle yet still gives you an incredible summer glow.
Can I Spray Tan With Rosacea?
A professional spray tan can help tone down the redness caused by rosacea, but it’s essential to choose a product carefully.
Harsh chemicals, which can irritate and dry the skin, are known to exacerbate breakouts in individuals with rosacea. Many spray tans contain ingredients that may trigger this reaction.
Spray tan formulas that contain alcohol can dry out the skin and harm the skin’s natural protective barrier.
This causes the skin to dry out, thereby increasing the redness of the skin.
When seeking a spray tan, conduct research to find a salon that uses an alcohol-free spray tan formula.
There are some really great products used, which contain natural ingredients and safer, more gentle alternatives to the usual chemicals used.
Cocoa butter and lemon peel oil are often used in spray tan formulas, and these really help to nourish and hydrate the skin.
If you are particularly concerned about your skin’s reaction to a spray tan, you can ask the salon to perform a patch test, especially if your skin is prone to breakouts and sensitivity.
Choose a hidden and inconspicuous area, such as behind your ear, to do a patch test.
Once the results come back clear, you can proceed with a full-body spray tan. However, if you experience any irritation, avoid the spray tan.
Try and go for a caramel tone spray tan. Caramel shades help tone down redness and effectively hide the blushing effect caused by rosacea.
Once again, a patch test will help to show if it is the right shade and tan for your skin tone.
will Self-Tanner Cover Rosacea?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all self-tanner that covers skin ailments. Unfortunately, as easy as self-tanner is to use, it can cause issues for individuals with skin conditions, such as rosacea.
Whether or not the self-tanner will cover your rosacea depends on several factors, including the severity of the skin condition, the presence of broken skin or excessive dead skin cells, and the level of inflammation in your skin.
On the other hand, self-tanner can help conceal skin discolouration, replacing the appearance of discoloured skin with an even, smooth glow.
To begin, assess the condition of your skin.
Do not use self-tanner if you are experiencing a flare-up or have any broken or inflamed skin. This can lead to an infection or cause your skin to react badly.
Wait at least two weeks for the skin to heal before applying any self-tanning product onto your skin, especially on the facial area.
When it comes to self-tanning at home to cover rosacea, it is best to choose a gradual self-tanner—one that has been dermatologically tested and is suitable for sensitive skin.
Gradual self-tanners have lower levels of tanning agents and contain moisturising agents, making them perfect for daily use.
These self-tanners will not shock your skin with a high concentration of chemicals, and the small number of tanning agents they contain can be used daily to build up a gradual tan.
Finding a self-tanner with moisturising ingredients is really important.
It helps to hydrate and moisturise the skin, preventing self-tanner from clinging to excessively dry areas, which can lead to blotchiness and streaks—something you definitely do not want to happen on your face.
If your skin is fairly smooth and even, and not in the middle of a flare-up, the self-tan should help to hide the redness and blotches.
This is why using a gradual tanner is so great—you can use it daily and focus on the areas that need it. Once you have achieved your desired tan, you can easily maintain it from there.
The moisturising agents in the self-tanner will also help even out your skin tone and provide your skin with the extra care it needs to manage rosacea, which in turn works towards achieving a more flawless, natural-looking tan all over.
Will Spray Tanning Help Cover Rosacea?
Much like self-tanners used at home, spray tanning can effectively help reduce the redness on the skin caused by rosacea.
Finding the right spray tan and salon is key, however. Once you have sourced the best spray tan for your skin and performed a patch test, assess the condition of your skin.
If your skin is generally healthy and not experiencing a flare-up, a spray tan should be suitable.
If applied correctly, the spray tan can help even out the appearance of the skin, toning down redness and bumps to create a smooth, flawless finish without sun damage.
It is crucial to find a trusted salon that can help you achieve a smooth, even application, free from streaks or blotches.
There is no point in trying to hide the redness and bumps only to have a spray tan that is uneven.
Be sure to inform the salon of your condition, as they may offer a lighter application to prevent excessive product from being applied to the skin, which could cause a flare-up.
Ask them to use a clear, scent-free product that is suitable for sensitive skin. Most salons carry these products, and even if they cost slightly more, it is worth it to avoid any skin irritation.
Related Questions
Does sunlight help rosacea?
Some people believe that Vitamin D might help the skin better deal with rosacea, but this isn’t entirely true. UV rays from the sun can trigger rosacea outbreaks and increase skin sensitivity.
UV rays are known to cause lasting damage to the skin, often with irreversible effects. The sun also dries out the skin, which in turn makes rosacea more difficult to manage.
Vitamin D from sunlight has not been proven to help with rosacea; therefore, it is advisable to avoid prolonged sun exposure altogether.
Can I moisturise after self-tanner?
Moisturising creams can help alleviate the symptoms of rosacea, and there is no reason to stop moisturising after using self-tanner.
In fact, it is recommended that everyone continue moisturising their skin after applying a self-tan.
This helps the self-tan last longer and helps keep the skin hydrated and looking great. Nourished skin holds a self-tan for much longer, and helps the tan fade more evenly over time.
Do I need to use separate self-tanners for my face and body?
While it all depends on the product you choose to use, it is a good idea to use a different self-tanner for your face and the rest of your body.
If you have rosacea, your facial skin tends to be more sensitive to chemicals and products. Finding a self-tanner that is gentler and more suitable for sensitive facial skin can help prevent flare-ups or breakouts on the skin.
It is also recommended to use a lighter self-tanner for your face to make the overall tan seem more natural.
Having the same colour tan on your body and face might make it obvious that you have used a self-tanner, and your face may hold the self-tanner more, resulting in a darker shade.
Is sunless tanner bad for your skin?
Once again, this all depends on the product you choose and the condition of your skin.
Certain skin conditions can be aggravated by the use of sunless tanners, and some sunless tanners contain harsh ingredients that can irritate the skin.
Choosing a gentle, natural, and organic sunless tanner is your best option to minimise irritation and damage to your skin.
One of the most common effects experienced with sunless tanners is skin dryness, often caused by alcohol or DHA.
This can be mitigated by selecting a self-tanner with a low concentration of DHA, being alcohol-free, and containing moisturising agents that nourish and care for the skin throughout the self-tanning process.
Many of the newer self-tanning products on the market come packed with great nourishing ingredients, which really do make a difference when it comes to caring for and soothing the skin.
Can I apply sunscreen over a self-tanner?
Yes, you can, and you should. This cannot be stressed enough.
Even if you are worried that the sunscreen might interfere with your self-tan, which it shouldn’t, the risk of harming your skin from UV rays is much worse than fading your self-tan.
It is especially important for individuals with rosacea to protect their skin from the sun.
Even if you are using a self-tanner with a built-in SPF, it will still fade, so you should still apply sunscreen daily to prevent irritation to your skin from the sun, which can exacerbate your rosacea.
Also try to wear sun-protective clothing and a hat when going out into the sun, just to give your skin that extra bit of protection that it so desperately needs.
Tanning With Rosacea
While rosacea may be a concern when it comes to self-tanning, there is no reason you should not attempt to use a gentle product, provided your skin is not inflamed or experiencing a flare-up.
There are some really wonderful self-tanning products on the market that help to nourish and care for your skin while giving it a gorgeous, sunless glow.
These ingredients help reduce the appearance and effects of rosacea, and go a long way to even out your skin tone for a natural, smooth-looking complexion.
Self-tanning should be safe at home if you find a product that does not irritate your rosacea; however, you should definitely avoid jumping outdoors for a suntan.
Damage from the sun not only causes lasting skin problems but can also exacerbate your rosacea and dry out your skin quite severely.
There is no reason you can’t have a gorgeous glow when suffering from rosacea. Take the time to get to know your skin and its triggers, and find a product that suits you best.
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