Understanding Rosacea: What It Is, What Triggers It, and How I'd Care for It

From Ann Donnarumma, Founder of Founder's Formula

Redness that won't settle. A face that flushes at the smallest provocation; a hot coffee, a glass of wine, a walk from an air-conditioned room into the sun. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone, and you are not imagining it. Rosacea is one of the most common skin concerns I hear about from our community, and it is also one of the most misunderstood. So many women tell me they assumed it was just "sensitive skin" or something they were doing wrong in their routine, when really, it is a distinct and recognised skin condition with its own causes and its own care approach.

I wanted to write this one personally because I know how isolating persistent redness can feel. My own skin sensitivity is part of why I started formulating in the first place, so this topic sits close to home. What follows is not medical advice, but it is what I would want a friend to know before her next appointment with a GP or dermatologist, and how I would think about supporting the skin at home in the meantime.

What rosacea actually is

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that mainly affects the central face: cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. It tends to show up as persistent redness, visible flushing, small broken blood vessels (telangiectasia), and in some cases, bumps or pustules that can look similar to acne. Some people also experience eye irritation, known as ocular rosacea. It usually appears in adulthood, most often between the ages of 30 and 50, and it is more commonly diagnosed in women, though it can affect anyone.

Dermatologists generally describe a few different presentations. One shows up mostly as redness and visible vessels. Another looks more like breakouts, with red bumps and pustules across the cheeks and chin. A less common form causes the skin to thicken, particularly around the nose. You can have one presentation or a mix, and it can change over time, which is exactly why a proper diagnosis matters rather than guessing from what you read online, including this article.

Why some skin becomes rosacea-prone

There is no single cause, and that is part of what makes rosacea frustrating to manage. Current understanding points to a combination of factors: a genetic tendency toward it, an oversensitive immune response in the skin, blood vessels that dilate more readily than they should, and an imbalance in the skin's microbial environment. Fair skin, a family history of rosacea, and a tendency to flush or blush easily all seem to raise the likelihood of developing it. None of this is caused by poor hygiene or the "wrong" skincare, which is something I really want to put to rest, because I know how much shame can creep in around visible redness.

What tends to set it off

Triggers are highly individual, but certain patterns come up again and again. Sun exposure is one of the most consistent triggers, which makes daily SPF non-negotiable if you are prone to flare-ups. Heat is another big one: hot showers, saunas, hot drinks, and even a warm room can bring on flushing. Alcohol, particularly red wine, and spicy food are well-documented triggers because they promote the same vasodilation that causes flushing. Emotional stress, intense exercise, cold wind, and harsh skincare ingredients such as alcohol-based toners, strong acids, and physical scrubs can all aggravate reactive skin further. Because triggers differ so much from person to person, keeping a simple diary of flare-ups alongside what you ate, drank or were exposed to that day can be genuinely useful for spotting your own patterns.

How I'd approach managing it

The first step, honestly, is seeing a GP or dermatologist. Rosacea can be effectively managed with prescription treatments when needed, and a professional can rule out other conditions that can look similar. Skincare plays a supporting role alongside that, not a replacement for it.

At home, the goal is to calm the skin and protect the barrier rather than treat it aggressively. That means a gentle, non-foaming cleanser instead of anything that strips or tingles, a fragrance-free routine wherever possible, and ingredients chosen for their anti-inflammatory and barrier-supporting properties rather than intensity. I would avoid physical exfoliants, high percentages of acids, alcohol-based toners, and hot water on the face altogether. A cool or lukewarm rinse, patting rather than rubbing the skin dry, and a consistent, simple routine tend to serve reactive skin far better than a long list of active ingredients.

Daily SPF is essential, rain or shine, ideally a mineral formula since chemical sunscreens can sting compromised skin. And because the skin barrier is often already under strain in rosacea-prone skin, hydration and barrier repair should be treated as the priority, not an afterthought.

Ingredients and routine I'd reach for

This is where some of our Australian botanicals genuinely earn their place. Tasmanian Mountain Pepper Berry is rich in Polygodial, a natural anti-inflammatory compound, and Rutin, which helps strengthen the fragile capillary walls that cause visible redness. Centipeda cunninghamii, also known as Old Man Weed, has long been valued for its anti-inflammatory and skin-repair properties and is particularly good at calming surface redness. Manuka Honey supports the skin's microbiome and has natural antibacterial properties, which is useful if breakouts are part of your picture. None of these are harsh actives; they work with the skin rather than against it.

A simple routine I would suggest starting with:

1. Cleanse with a gentle, non-foaming oil cleanser such as our Macadamia Omega-7 Cleansing Oil, which removes the day without stripping the skin or leaving it feeling tight.

2. Tone with our Centipeda and Manuka Honey B+ Refining Toner to calm redness and rebalance the skin immediately after cleansing.

3. Treat with our CALM Tasmanian Mountain Pepper Berry Serum, formulated specifically to reduce redness, calm sensitivity and strengthen a compromised barrier. It is fragrance-free and designed for exactly this kind of reactive, easily flushed skin.

4. Moisturise with our Wild Rosella Hydrating Moisturiser to lock in comfort and reinforce the barrier without heaviness.

5. Protect with a mineral SPF every single morning, regardless of the weather.

If your skin is going through a flare, simplify further. Fewer products, cooler water, and patience will usually serve you better than trying something new.

A gentle final word

Rosacea is manageable, and it is not a reflection of how well you care for your skin. If you are dealing with persistent redness, please start with a conversation with your GP or dermatologist, and let your skincare routine work quietly alongside that care, calming and protecting rather than pushing. That is always where I would begin, and it is the approach I have built into every product in this routine.

With warmth, Ann

This article is general information based on current dermatological understanding of rosacea and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. If you suspect you have rosacea, please see a GP or dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.