What Is Rosacea and Why Does It Happen?

Emily Robinson
May 7
3 min read

If your skin often feels like it’s burning, stinging, or just permanently flushed, you might be dealing with rosacea, and trust me, you’re not alone. It’s a really common skin condition, especially in women, and while it can be frustrating (and flare up at the worst times), it’s something we can absolutely work with.

Whether you’ve recently noticed a bit of persistent redness across your cheeks or you’ve been struggling for years with flushing and sensitivity, let’s unpack what rosacea actually is, why it happens, and what you can do to calm and manage it.

So, What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a long-term, chronic skin condition that shows up as redness, sensitivity, and often flushing - usually around the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. For some people, it’s mild and only flares up now and then, while for others it can feel constant and quite uncomfortable.

There are different types of rosacea, but one thing they all have in common? Inflammation. Rosacea is essentially an inflammatory skin condition, meaning your skin is reacting in an exaggerated way to things that wouldn’t normally cause a reaction - whether that’s spicy food, temperature changes, skincare products, or even your own immune system.

Why Does Rosacea Happen?

Rosacea isn’t something you cause, it’s something your skin does in response to a mix of internal and external triggers. And while we don’t know every single reason it appears, we do have a pretty good idea of what’s going on beneath the surface:

1. Inflammation Gone Rogue

Rosacea is your skin’s inflammatory response turned up too high. Instead of reacting calmly to changes in temperature, food, or stress, your skin goes full drama queen - cue the flushing, burning, and redness.

2. A Weak or Compromised Skin Barrier

Your skin barrier is what protects you from environmental stressors, bacteria, and moisture loss. If it’s not functioning properly, your skin becomes more reactive and vulnerable to inflammation. And when you’ve got rosacea, that barrier is often a little on the fragile side.

3. Overactive Blood Vessels

People with rosacea often have blood vessels that dilate too easily, causing visible redness or flushing. This is why temperature changes (like going from warm to cold), spicy foods, or even a hot cup of tea can set off a flare-up.

4. Your Skin’s Microbiome

There’s a growing link between rosacea and changes in the skin’s microbiome (aka the balance of good bacteria living on your skin). If this delicate balance is off, it can trigger inflammation and sensitivity.

5. Genetics and Hormones

Rosacea tends to run in families, and it can often be triggered or worsened by hormonal shifts (thanks again, hormones!). You’re more likely to experience rosacea if you’re fair-skinned, in your 30s or older, and female.

Common Symptoms of Rosacea

Not sure if you’re dealing with rosacea? Here are some of the most common signs to look out for:

Facial flushing – Especially after eating spicy food, drinking alcohol, exercising, or stepping outside on a windy day.
Persistent redness – Usually across the cheeks and nose, and sometimes the chin and forehead.
Skin that feels hot, tight, or tingly – Often described as burning or stinging.
Dry, flaky, or rough patches – Even though skin looks red, it often feels dry.
Visible blood vessels – Sometimes small capillaries become more noticeable.
Sensitivity to skincare – Products you’ve used for years may suddenly start to sting or cause redness.

Triggers – Common ones include sunlight, spicy food, red wine, caffeine, stress, and temperature changes (yes, even walking from your cosy house into the cold!).

What Can You Do About Rosacea?

While rosacea can’t be “cured,” it can definitely be managed—and the key is understanding your triggers and choosing treatments that support and strengthen your skin rather than strip or inflame it.

Try the Smart Micropeel Facial

This is one of my go-to treatments for rosacea-prone skin. The Smart Micropeel is designed to gently exfoliate and calm the skin using advanced plant-based actives. It reduces inflammation, boosts hydration, and helps restore your skin’s natural barrier without causing any irritation.

Use the Right Skincare

Rosacea-prone skin needs gentle, active support and that’s where Nimue Skincare comes in. Their products are results-driven but formulated specifically for sensitive and compromised skin. From their Cleansing Gel Lite to their Conditioner Lite and barrier-boosting moisturisers, we can build a routine that supports your skin without overwhelming it.

Let’s Build a Plan for Calmer Skin

If your skin feels like it’s constantly red, reactive, or flushed, you don’t have to just “live with it.” Whether you’ve just started noticing symptoms or you’ve been battling rosacea for years, we can create a personalised treatment and skincare plan to get your skin calm, clear, and glowing again.