5 Foods That May Be Triggering Your Rosacea

Does your face suddenly feel hot, flushed, or irritated after certain meals? For many people with rosacea, what’s on their plate can directly affect what appears on their skin.

Rosacea is a skin condition that affects 16 million Americans. It’s an inflammatory condition that causes redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps across your cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. While sun exposure and heat are well-known triggers, certain foods and drinks can also set off flare-ups.

In recognition of Rosacea Awareness Month, Drs. Seth and Matt Goodman at Goodman Dermatology and Mohs Surgery want to take a moment to share the top five foods that may be triggering your rosacea.

1. Spicy foods

About 45% of people with rosacea report spicy food as a trigger. The capsaicin in ingredients like chili peppers, hot sauce, cayenne, and other strong spices can dilate blood vessels.

This dilation can lead to classic rosacea symptoms, including flushing, redness, and facial warmth.

If you notice flare-ups after spicy meals, try reducing the amount of heat in your cooking. Or, swap out spicier seasonings for milder herbs like fresh cilantro or rosemary.

2. Red wine (and other alcoholic drinks)

Alcohol is another well-known rosacea trigger. In fact, even more people struggle with alcohol triggers than spicy foods. Seventy-six percent of people with rosacea list alcohol as their number one trigger. Red wine is the biggest culprit, followed by white wine and beer.

Alcohol can cause blood vessels in your skin to expand, which then leads to facial flushing and increased redness.

3. Hot beverages

Hot beverages such as coffee, tea, and hot chocolate can trigger rosacea symptoms in some people. The heat can stimulate blood flow to your face and increase redness.

Instead of forgoing your favorite drink, let it cool slightly before drinking.

4. Foods that contain cinnamaldehyde

Some foods contain natural compounds called cinnamaldehyde that can trigger flushing in people with rosacea. Cinnamaldehyde can stimulate nerve receptors in your skin and increase redness and warmth on your face.

Fun fact: Cinnamaldehyde is what gives cinnamon its warmth. Cinnamon isn’t the only food that contains cinnamaldehyde, though. Other foods include:

Tomatoes
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes
Chocolate

This doesn’t mean you need to eliminate these foods completely. However, if you notice that your skin becomes more flushed after eating them, it may be worth limiting them or paying attention to portion size to see if your symptoms improve.

5. Aged or fermented foods

Foods that are aged or fermented may contain histamines, which can cause flushing in some people.

Common examples include:

Aged cheeses
Processed meats
Vinegar-heavy foods
Fermented products such as sauerkraut or certain sauces

Not everyone with rosacea reacts to these foods, but keeping track of how your skin responds after eating them may help identify patterns.

Keep track of your personal triggers

Rosacea triggers vary from person to person, but you need to know your triggers. You might want to keep a simple food and symptom journal. Tracking what you eat and when flare-ups occur can help you identify patterns.

In addition to diet, other common rosacea triggers may include:

Sun exposure
Stress
Hot weather
Cold wind
Skincare products
Exercise-related heat

Managing rosacea often involves identifying and minimizing the triggers (both dietary and non-dietary) that affect you personally.

Get expert rosacea care in Sun City, Sun City West, or Wickenburg, Arizona

If you are experiencing persistent facial redness, flushing, or acne-like bumps, it’s time to give us a call. Our first step is to confirm that your symptoms are related to rosacea and not other skin conditions.

Drs. Seth and Matt Goodman provide comprehensive care for rosacea, including personalized skincare guidance, help identifying lifestyle triggers, and prescription-grade topical or oral medications. We also offer medical treatments like light therapy, microdermabrasion, and mild chemical peels.

Schedule an appointment in the location closest to you. Or, simply give us a call at (623) 254-7375.