How I Got Rid of My Rosacea | Just a Red Face or Something More?
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This is my story about how I soothed my terribly red face in a very unusual way. If you have rosacea, facial redness, or irritated skin, I hope this helps you find answers too.
If you’re dealing with rosacea, facial redness, or flushing, you’re not alone—and there may be underlying causes you haven’t considered.
Last night a new acquaintance said to me, “You have a beautiful complexion!” (and no, the above photo is not of me).
I almost couldn't believe it, and then I told her what a testimony that was to my health improving. I mentioned to her my previous struggles with my poor red face and thought, “After all that I have been through, I really need to share with others what I've been through with my skin and my health.”
Your Skin and Your Health
Your skin can be a reflection of what is going on inside of you.
If you have blemishes or rashes going on with your skin, something isn't quite right inside. It could be a topical issue, of course, but more often than not if you work on something inside, the outside gets better.
Many many people are struggling with unnecessary skin conditions. They think that they have to just live with them, putting makeup on top to cover up the problem.
That's just not true. Often working on the inside of your body is the answer.
There are different thoughts in the alternative medical community about the causes of skin problems, but this is my story of a simple solution that made a HUGE difference.
My Skin's Story
In my childhood, I always had beautiful, olive-toned skin.
The first signs that I had a problem showed up in my late 20s. I remember wondering about faint flushing and I asked an older woman in my church if she thought that I had rosacea. She had mild rosacea, and she said that there was no way I did.
But the redness continued to come and go. It was slight, but it was still there.
Several years later, I asked my doctor what he thought, but he dismissed my concerns and told me to just be gentle with how I washed my skin. “Use tepid water and don't scrub,” was his advice.
Another year or so later I saw my dermatologist for another issue. I timidly voiced my concerns, and he validated my suspicion.
I had rosacea.
His reassurance was that “It probably won't get so bad that you'll have a bulbous nose.”
Well, I was glad about the nose thing, but I didn't want the red face either.
I started avoiding wearing pink and red and it was manageable until things got really bad.
My face was red. Really red. Nose, cheeks, chin.
There was also awful irritated tingling constantly. I could feel it creeping up into my skin and it was basically petrifying.
I was crying, complaining to my husband, and scouring the internet for solutions. I even got an intense case a few times when the rash got bright red and looked like the classic lupus butterfly rash.
Talk about stress.
Here are some potential solutions that I found at first.
How to Calm Rosacea and Facial Redness
Rosacea and facial redness can be triggered by a variety of factors, including diet, stress, temperature changes, and internal imbalances.
Following are some things that you can do to soothe or coverup red facial skin.
- Special face creams and washes
- Dietary changes (e.g. avoid spicy foods, too hot or too cold drinks, and alcohol)
- Avoid intense exercise
- Avoid stress
- Avoid extreme temperature changes
- Use green-tinted cover-up (can you say, “Wicked Witch from Wizard of Oz”?)
Basically, I was supposed to change my whole life. Meanwhile, this red face was doing its best to do just that.
I truly didn't want to go anywhere.
I clearly remember one night my husband kindly drove me across town to a woman's house to try samples of her expensive skin care routine that was supposed to help my terribly itchy and irritated skin.
Basically I was spending more and more money to throw after a problem that wasn't going away.
And how I was supposed to avoid stress when I felt like my skin was inflamed all the time? Sigh.
Well, finally I found some answers. And they were shocking.
A Possible Root Cause of Rosacea
As I was doing research on my situation, I read that a red face is thought to be linked to acid reflux. Interestingly, I'd been having heartburn. So I talked with my physician and he prescribed Zantac.
However, one night, while doing more research into acid reflux, something on the internet caught my attention.
Acid reflux can be caused by too little acid in the stomach – not too much.
What, really? Could this be the case for me? And if so, what was the remedy? Betaine HCl (that stands for hydrochloric acid, aka stomach acid).
That sounded simple but also crazy to me. Take stomach acid?
But after digging around on the internet more and reading over and over again that people were having relief from this simple change, I couldn't ignore it. I didn’t come across major concerns about trying a small amount, but of course, this is something to approach carefully and with guidance if needed.
Next thing I knew I was driving to the health food store.
The $17 bottle at the health food store for 200+ pills was a lot cheaper than the expensive skin care routines I'd been trying. (Note that even years later that Betaine HCl is still a very very inexpensive supplement.
Two pills with my dinner and a good night's sleep and my face looked a TON better in the morning.
I couldn't believe it. My red face wasn't completely clear, but it sure had improved a lot.
I wasn't afraid to go out in public anymore. Though I didn't want to wear red yet, at least I didn't feel like I was going to crawl out of my skin.
Since then, I've continued to work on my health and my skin. And I'm happy to say that I get compliments on my skin every so often.
What a miracle!
Can Low Stomach Acid Be Linked to Rosacea?
There are There are many medications and approaches used to manage rosacea, but for me, and for many others, this seems to be a link. As mentioned, when I was desperately doing research on this topic, I found quite a few people finding that their rosacea cleared up when they addressed their low stomach acid.
My experience showed a clear link. One night of taking a small amount of Betaine HCl and my skin was greatly improved.
Of course, it's not a universal cause and there can be many other things that can be contributing to rosacea, but low stomach acid and poor digestion can be a root cause or contributor to many health issues.
This isn’t the cause for everyone, but it may be one piece of the puzzle for some people.
Other Ways to Support Low Stomach Acid
In addition to taking Betaine HCl, there are other ways to address low stomach acid. Here are some options:
- Eating slowly and chewing well
- Not drinking large amounts of water or other beverages with meals
- Using digestive enzymes
- Managing stress
- Addressing gut health overall
If digestion or low stomach acid might be part of your situation, I share more practical ways to support digestion in my natural indigestion remedies post.
One thing that's important to note is that that in general, stomach acid decreases with age.
I’ll be sharing more about this whole topic in a separate post, since digestion can be a big piece of the puzzle for many health issues.
What I Did to Soothe My Red Skin
The HCL was a great help for me, but there are other things that have been helpful for me as I have worked on my overall health doing the following.
- Boosted Digestive Function with supplements (I take a good digestive enzyme (like this brand) and HCl. I've used many brands over the years. This Betaine HCL is the first brand that I started with. I am using this brand right now.
- Increased Digestibility of foods: by soaking nuts, soaking grains, and de-gassing beans.
- Made Dietary Changes (I avoid sugar, ultra-processed foods, dairy and gluten)
- Strengthened My Immune System (I personally have been working on addressing adrenal fatigue, thyroid health, and heavy metal issues).
- Supporting My Liver: This has been huge for so many things.
- Started Using Gentle, Safer Skin Care like this DIY Facial Oil Cleanser.
While internal health changes made the biggest difference for me, I’ve also found that using gentle, non-irritating skincare helps support sensitive skin.
Keeping things simple and avoiding harsh ingredients can make a big difference when your skin is already inflamed.
If you’re looking for cleaner skincare options, I’ve shared more about brands I use now, including Crunchi, in this review.
How Is My Face Now?
I actually wore a scarf with pink in it a few weeks ago and was told by a friend how nice it looked. Great, huh?
Wearing pink or red is not my goal, but it sure feels nice to be able to wear these colors and not feel self-conscious. What I truly hope is that this information can help you or someone you love.
Your red face may appear to be merely a cosmetic issue, but looking and feeling inflamed all the time is not fun. And more importantly, it typically means something needs addressing inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Face Suddenly Red All the Time? (Common Causes)
There are a number of reasons that one's skin could become red. A few possible causes are:
- rosacea
- irritation
- diet
- internal factors
- histamine reaction
Can Digestive Issues Cause Facial Redness or Rosacea?
In some cases, digestive issues may play a role in skin conditions. While this isn’t widely accepted in conventional medicine, some people report improvements in facial redness when addressing gut health or low stomach acid.
For me, supporting digestion made a noticeable difference.
Can Food or Diet Trigger Rosacea Flare-Ups?
Yes, for many people, certain foods can trigger or worsen facial redness. Common triggers include spicy foods, alcohol, and highly processed foods or foods high in histamine though sensitivities can of course vary from person to person.
Other Gut Health Related Posts
Finally, I am not a doctor. Even though I was re-med at a top university, I decided that I couldn't likely juggle being a physician while being a mom. In hindsight, I was probably right, but that doesn't make me any less interested in all things medical.
Still, you must check with your own physician prior to changing your diet, exercise routine, or supplements.
If you struggle with a red face, what's helped you?
Someone shared this with me on Facebook and all I can say is WOW! I’ve had severe acid reflux for years, so severe that I now have Barrett’s Esophagus which is Pre Cancer of the esophagus. I have the typical butterfly pattern of redness. My doctor has me on proton inhibitors for the acid reflux which sounds like is not what I need. I’m going to give the Betaine HCI a try. Thanks so much.
I so hope this helps you! Please stop back if you remember. Take good care,
Adrienne
I say be done with it all and get this discovered by a doctor in Japan. Someone on a different blog while searching for answers posted this product. I was tired of trying everything I could and tried it. My rosacea is gone, has been for a year. I wish I had pics to show you before and after. This doctor discovered on many cases a mite causing this. It also can be passed down from mother to child. You can get tested for it, or if you have a microscope you can do a scraping yourself and look, or do like me and buy a jar. One jar was all it took along with the soap. Save money and you may never need anything else again. http://www.demodexsolutions.com/zhongzhou-zinc-oxide-and-sublimed-sulfur-ointment-zz-cream.asp
Wow that’s crazy. I think I heard about this…I wonder if the mites are the issue, however, or if the body is deficient somehow and the skin’s microbiome is allowing these mites to proliferate. Glad you are doing better. One thing I am concerned about, however, is that searching for this on other sites led me to Amazon where there are some pretty horrible reviews. https://amzn.to/3yo9ICi (affiliate link) – not sure what to think. I know that sometimes the products are not the same on Amazon–not sure what is going on here since they are saying that the formula seems to have changed.
Adrienne – I am interested in the miessence skin products. I don’t have acid reflux/heartburn at all. I do have Stage 3 Adrenal Fatigue and possibly candida but have been on a gluten free, very low sugar (NO refined sugars but some honey/maple syrup or a little coconut palm sugar) and my face is not any better. Are there still discounts available and what would the final price be for the soothing skin essentials pack?
Hi Tina. Hmmm…I am sorry you aren’t doing better. I would personally do an acid test to see if you might need the HCl. Some folks don’t know they need it–but that isn’t medical advice, just observations from what I have read and heard. Otherwise, you can still get discounts–from 20-40% and they have extra bonus points for ordering. I will shoot you an email.
I deal with rosacea and stress related skin eruptions. It sounds crazy, but I recently read that Brazil nuts have something in them that is a super healer for skin (ref: Web MD )and I was in the midst of a stress breakout. I keep them them on hand (organic from Azure Standard cooperative, available in most parts of the USA) and hadn’t eaten any for a while. I got some, ate them, and the next morning the eruptions were scabbed over and the redness reduced. By the third day my face was cleared up!
I am guessing it’s the selenium which is apparently really good for thyroid health. Interesting. Might inquire about that. I have been taking 200 mcg of selenium b/c it’s hard to know how much you are getting from the nuts. Love ’em though!
Ok, I got some Betaine HCl, 650, and it made me quite sick; called the natural food store and they said it was because I already had enough stomach acid, which makes sence, but I wasn’t sure. I do try to eat/drink some things that are good for your stomach; my own homemade yogurt and kefir, I also drink almost daily fresh squezed lemon & orange juice and eat fruit every day. So, low stomach acid is not my Rosesa cause, and my Rosesa is quite bad right now, and has been for awhile, has spread over most of my face, down the sides of my neck and on my upper chest, it’s like a really bad rash. I’ve been using the jojoba oil for a while now…don’t know what else to do.
What do you mean by sick? I wish I had other ideas, but I am convinced personally it is often digestion related, though I have heard of folks talking about antibiotics on the face. I can’t medically advise, but have you maybe tried something probiotic on there? Or could you maybe have a food allergy? I am so sorry,
I was sick to my stomach, and the runs. The health food store told me to eat some yogurt and it would subside and it did. Maybe it is related to food allergies, not sure. I haven’t used antibiotics in probably more than 5 years at least, I try to heal myself naturally when I’m sick, etc. Can I put something probiotic directly on my face?? (Is that what you were saying?) I make my own yogurt and kefir; I’ve heard of putting yogurt directly on your nether regions if you have a yeast infection, which i’ve never had so i can’t say personally. I’m to the point that I may actually go to a dermatologist to see what they offer. I have to use a lot of make-up to cover.
I have never heard of the runs related to too much acid but I can ask someone who would know. I was saying to put it on your face. If the info is right that it is bacteria then I would think that would help. Again, not medical advice. Again, you could try the HCl again, at 1/2 the dose. If you subscribe to my blog you will see the Heal Your Gut course offered from time to time. It is great and I think it would be great for you. Alternatively, I use Miessence skin care which I would think might help. Their soothing line would be an option. They are pricey but they have decent discounts including 2x the rewards points this month. Let me know if I can help further. https://wholenewmom.com/miessence
Sorry were you saying to put the HCl directly on the face or some sort of probiotic? I purchased a 650 mg dose so no way to take 1/2 and don’t think I want to feel that way again. I do have some digestive enzymes and probiotics I take, I could increase those??
Also, Do you exfoliate your face?? I go back and forth because it gets really read afterwards but I feel it needs it to get rid of the dry flakiness??
I meant HCl internally. Again, I am not a doc and this isn’t medical advice. It’s possible that digestion is off but if you are taking a good probiotic I don’t see a reason to increase. I never did exfoliate when I had rosacea. I do now. I have HCl that is a tablet. It’s this brand. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068IY0O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00068IY0O&linkCode=as2&tag=whnemo-20 (affiliate link)
Here is the response I got from the teacher of the Heal Your Gut course regarding your HCl reaction:
Very interesting!
I’ve been having gut/silent reflux/bloating issues for a few years now after an episode of food poisoning or gastritis, don’t know which since the ER didn’t do tests.
I eat a real foods diet with fermented foods.
I’ve always had a ruddy complexion, but these last few years the pimply like and increasing redness was becoming obvious.
Although I have not been diagnosed with rosacea by a professional there is no doubt that I have it.
In my research to try to heal my gut, I have tried HCl with some degree of success. In further research I began finding a trail of H-Pylori also being a link to rosacea.
I put myself on Mastic Gum, vita C, broccoli sprouts, VSL#3, monolaurin, and garlic.
The redness is not even noticeable at times. It really is SO much better.
I really think the H-Pylori may be part of the issue.
I haven’t heard of many of those things, so I can’t speak to them, but I am glad you are better. 🙂
Thanks.
Mastic gum is a tree resin from the Mediterranean. There are studies that it does kill H-pylori bacteria, which lives in the mucosal lining of the gut which can cause acid reflux and most ulcers. Broccoli sprouts are found to kill it as well.
The other supplements are boosters for the immune system and anti -viral support.
VSL#3 is a probiotic, 112billion.
I only mention this in case HCl and diet is not the full answer for some.
Hello Libby,
Could you add a link to more info on that protocol, please? I found information but doesn’t get very specific.
Thanks!
Thanks, for your post! Last night my husband and I were discussing some of the changes I noticed since recently going dairy free (I have been gluten free for several years.). I thought it sounded crazy, but I noticed my face was less splotchy. Now I feel validated. ????
I am so happy to have found this! I am 27 and have suffered from heartburn requiring prescription medication since I was 23. I was told it’s normal for people my age. Really? I don’t know anyone my age in otherwise good health who has constant heartburn? I am going to give the HCl a try, maybe that’s my problem!
Thank you!
Hope it works!!! Please share! I would also maybe check out my probiotics post and candida ones. Take care!
I have scanned your treatment suggestions and admit that I have not read all the comments but I did not see anyone talking about a CULPRIT that contributes to rosacea. TYPICAL MOUTHWASH AND TOOTHPASTE! Once my friend figured this out and eliminated it, switching to natural toothpaste and mouthwash without all the chemicals, it totally cleared her rosacea and breakouts on her chin.
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