Almost 70 percent of rosacea episodes are triggered by flushing and blushing caused by drugs and cosmetic ingredients, according to the National Rosacea Society. Any ingredient or product that causes stinging, itching, burning, warming, reddening or vasodilation upon application may trigger a rosacea episode within minutes-to-hours or even several days. Topping the list:
Oral Drugs & Supplements
- Acetaminophen & Codeine
- Acetaminophen & Oxycodone
- ACE inhibitors
- Adenosine
- Agalsidase
- Alcohol
- Amlodipine
- Some antibiotics (ex: vancomycin, metronidazole*, cirpfloxacin)
- Anidulafungin
- Arginine
- Aspirin & Oxycodone
- Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
- Calcium channel blockers
- Cannabis (not CBDs)
- Some chemotherapy drugs
- Fish oil*
- Morphine & other opioids
- Niacin (not niacinamide, which has been found to help control rosacea in some cases)
- Nicotinamide
- Nitroglycerin
- Viagra & other PDE5 inhibitors
Topical Drugs
- Benzocaine
- Benzoyl peroxide*
- Benzyl nicotinate
- Camphor
- Capsaicin
- Corticosteroids
- Hydrocortisone
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Hydroquinone
- Methyl nicotinate
- Methyl salicylate
- Chemical/organic sunscreens
- Octinoxate
- Avobenzone
- Oxybenzone
- Octocrylene
- Homosolate
- Phenol
- Resorcinol
- Retinoids*
- Salicylic acid
- Triclosan
Cosmetic Ingredients (especially high concentrations)
- AHAs*
- Lactic
- Glycolic
- Arachidonic acid (aka: polyunsaturated Omega-6)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Bentonite
- Capsicum
- DMAE
- Essential oils
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
- Diazolidinyl Urea
- Imidazolidinyl Urea
- Quaternium-15
- DMDM hydantoin
- Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
- Fragrance (synthetic & natural)
- Fruit enzymes
- Papain
- Bromelain
- Pumpkin
- Granular exfoliants
- Mica
- Montmorillonite
- Peanut oil
- Propylene glycol
- Retinol*
- Salicylic acid
- Sesame oil
- Sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate
- Sulfur
- Talc
- TEA-lauryl sulfate
- Tocopheryl nicotinate
* Sometimes used to treat rosacea, this ingredient can cause flushing or blushing in some people.
Please note: Reactions may vary between individuals. Some people will react to only one-or-two items on this list, others may react to the majority of them.
