There are differences. Couperose is distinguished by the presence of redness and small vessels visible in the face. This redness is constant and can increase depending on certain factors (the consumption of alcohol, spicy food or coffee, for example).
Couperose is often the first stage of rosacea, which is characterized not only by redness, but also by acne (red or white heads). Couperose and rosacea are therefore associated with the same disease.
It is important not to confuse rosacea with intolerant skin, which can overreact to several factors that do not irritate normal skin: heat, cold, wind, pollen, sun, cosmetics, stress, anxiety, etc. If intolerant skin presents redness, it is temporary, while in rosacea or couperose, redness is permanent.
Note: In general, lighter skin tends to be more fragile than darker skin. Redness and small blood vessels dilated on the skin surface are more easily visible on lighter skin, which is thin and translucent.
For rosacea, your cosmetician suggests…
- Ultime Comfort anti-aging anti-redness serum by IDC
- Anti-redness soothing care by Reversa
- Rosaliac AR Intense localized redness intensive serum by La Roche-Posay
- Roséliane CC cream 30 by Uriage
- Antirougeurs Calm redness-relief soothing mask by Avène
For couperose, your cosmetician suggests…
- Ultime Comfort anti-aging anti-redness serum by IDC
- Multi-tasking care by Reversa
- Rosaliac micellar gel by La Roche-Posay
- 3-in-1 anti-age rejuvenating cream by Jouviance
- Roséliane cream by Uriage
- Antirougeurs Fort relief concentrate for chronic redness by Avène
For intolerant skin, your cosmetician suggests…
- Express sensitive all-in-one anti-aging soothing cream serum by IDC
- Antioxidant booster serum by Reversa
- Tolériane Ultra intense soothing care by La Roche-Posay
- 3-in-1 anti-age rejuvenating cream by Jouviance
- Roséliane cream by Uriage
- Extremely gentle cleanser by Avène
Kathleen from Montréal asks: I have rosacea and it is untreated. It does not seem too serious: it depends on the moment. How can I improve it?
In the immediate future, my first advice would be to avoid...
- Environmental conditions such as extreme cold or heat (including saunas and jacuzzis);
- Exposure to sunlight (including tanning beds);
- States like stress or fatigue;
- The consumption of alcohol, coffee, tea or spices.
Your cosmetician suggests…
- Hydra UV Protect anti-pollution moisturizing cream by IDC
- Anti-redness soothing care by Reversa
- Rosaliac CC creme by La Roche-Posay
- Skin Rescue intense repair cream by Jouviance
- Xémose cleansing soothing oil by Uriage
- Antirougeurs clean redness-relief refreshing cleaning lotion by Avène
Diane from Montréal asks: what routine should I adopt for couperose? Are there, for example, cleansers, creams or serums that I can use?
For couperose and rosacea, I suggest the following routine:
- Clean your skin morning and night with an extremely gentle product. Micellar water is ideal: you can use one cotton pad to apply it, and there is no need to rinse it off. You can also use a cleansing milk, which you will rinse with thermal water—a good ally for sensitive skin thanks to its multiple benefits.
- Avoid soap, formulas containing alcohol and abrasives (granular scrubs, peels, etc.).
- Moisturize your face with an unscented and hypoallergenic cream.
Your cosmetician suggests…
- Express Sensitive all-in-one anti-aging soothing cream-serum by IDC
- Multi-tasking care by Reversa
- Toleriane dermo-cleanser by La Roche-Posay
- Tolérance Extrême emulsion by Avène
Linda from Québec asks: I have rosacea on my cheeks. Can a retinol-based product treat it? What product do you recommend?
Skin with rosacea is very fragile and retinol could irritate it. I do not recommend it. For irritable skin, I recommend hypoallergenic products that are gentle and fragrance free.
People with sensitive skin often like thermal sprays because they are soothing, and relieve tightness.
Your cosmetician suggests…
- Thermal spa water by Vichy
- Thermal water by Uriage
- Thermal spring water by Avène
Sylvie from Longueuil asks: I have extremely fragile skin and rosacea. With summer on its way, I'm worried about exposure to the sun. I am active and I often go outside. I would like suggestions for solar products for the face and body (arms, legs, neck).
I recommend a mineral sunscreen for the face and a chemical sunscreen for the body, with an SPF of at least 30 in both cases. Mineral sunscreens are generally less allergenic and are suitable for sensitive skin. To remain effective, it must be reapplied every 4 or 5 hours, while a chemical sunscreen will remain effective for 2 to 3 hours. Moreover, because sunscreen is no armour, I strongly suggest you avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., wear clothing that covers the body and seek shade.
Your cosmetician suggests…
- Anthelios Mineral tinted ultra-fluid lotion by La Roche-Posay
- Anthelios XL comfort cream SPF 60 by La Roche-Posay
- Ideal Soleil bare skin feel lotion SPF 60 by Vichy
- Photoderm milk SPF 60 by Bioderma
- Mineral cream SPF 50+ by Avène
- High protection spray for children SPF 50 by Avène