Skincare Rule #5

SKINCARE RULE #5 – TREAT THE SENSITIVITY FIRST

This series focuses on key skin concepts I’ve learned after 25 years of running a professional skincare practice that apply to everyone. See all our Skincare Rules on Instagram

 TREAT THE SENSITIVITY FIRST

1. When there is sensitivity in the skin like Rosacea, it is most important to treat the capillary inflammation first before trying to work on any other concerns.

• Too often our clients come in wanting to address anti-aging concerns all the while totally unaware of the sensitivity in their skin which is demanding attention.
• Skin sensitivity is a reactive state where the skin’s protective barrier becomes weakened, causing sensory nerves in the skin to overreact to triggers like products, weather, or touch. Common examples include stinging or burning after applying scented lotions, redness and flushing from weather changes, and itchy dry patches.
• The most common example is a sensitivity condition called Rosacea which is a micro-circulatory inflammation in the capillaries. Rosacea presents as redness in the nose, cheeks, chin, or forehead.
• Rosacea is a progressive condition with 5 identifiable stages. The most advanced stage is called Acne Rosacea which people often try to treat with acne products only making it worse.

2. Rosacea has no known cause and no western medicine cure.

• We do know what makes it worse or what accelerates the progression.
• We also know what makes it better or reduces the redness and inflammation.

3. What causes Rosacea progression?

• The number one accelerator of Rosacea is ultra-violet light or basically sun exposure.
• The number two accelerator is anything that dehydrates the skin of water. This can include both topical and internal things like sulfates in cleansers and caffeine or alcohol consumption.
• There can be other accelerators like heat or spicey foods. Some people react more to some than others.

4. What reverses and relieves Rosacea?

• Since ultra-violet light is the number one accelerator of Rosacea, physical sunblock like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide is  the most important step. Be sure to avoid chemical sunscreens which unfortunately is what 99% of retail sunscreens are make from. Physical sunblock work by reflecting light off the skin. They have no chemical interaction with your skin. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing ultra-violet radiation and holding it against the skin. This makes the redness of sensitivity worse!
• The best anti-inflammatory botanicals used in skincare today to reverse Rosacea are green tea for its high antioxidant properties and licorice root because of its vaso-constricting ability to shrink capillary inflammation on contact.
• Hyaluronic Acid is also very helpful in reducing Rosacea because of its ability to dramatically increase the water to oil ratio.

The goal of Professional Skincare is to identify the sensitivity and plan a course to relieve it. This cannot be achieved on your own at home. It requires Professional Skin Analysis to determine the correct course of treatment.

This photo really shows well what rosacea looks like; inflamed nose and cheeks associated with a burning or heat sensation. The good news is Rosacea relief is available.

Come see for yourself! Our Curative Facial is designed to address the sensitivity of Rosacea. Book online now and save 15% on all RS2 Rosacea orders over $150 at JohnFrancisSpa.com with Coupon Code: Rose15

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Offer ends August 9, 2026