Redness that never quite fades, small bumps and pustules on the cheeks or around the mouth, and skin that stings at the slightest provocation: for many adults this is a daily reality. Two conditions are often confused here. Rosacea, sometimes called acne rosacea or "adult acne", looks like acne but behaves very differently. Perioral dermatitis looks similar, yet tends to settle around the mouth and chin. Both are genuinely frustrating, because the products that once worked suddenly seem to make things worse. In this article we explain what sets them apart, what you can realistically do yourself, and which Declaré products suit skin that reacts to almost everything.
Rosacea or perioral dermatitis: what's the difference?
Rosacea resembles acne, but with one important distinction: the skin is not oily and there are no blackheads. Instead you see inflamed papules, pustules and a persistent redness across the cheeks, nose and forehead. That redness is intensified by tiny visible blood vessels, which give the cheeks a permanently flushed look. In more advanced cases the nose can become bumpy and swollen, and the eyes may become irritated and inflamed. The exact cause is still not fully understood, which is why treatment focuses on calming the skin rather than removing a single trigger.
Perioral dermatitis appears around the mouth, on the chin and sometimes on the cheeks. A telling detail: the narrow zone immediately bordering the lip line usually stays clear. Unlike rosacea, this condition is associated with the use of cosmetics and with relatively strong corticosteroid creams applied to the face. That connection matters, because it points directly to what should change first.
What treatment usually looks like
Rosacea is generally treated medically first. That often means antibiotics, either as a topical preparation or as a course of tablets, commonly a tetracycline. Metronidazole, which acts against follicle mites, also gives good results for some people. The small dilated blood vessels in the skin, and excess tissue on the nose, can be treated with laser surgery. For perioral dermatitis, treatment starts with stopping any corticosteroid medication being used on the face; if no corticosteroids are involved, the same medicines used for rosacea come into consideration. Always discuss this with your GP or dermatologist rather than experimenting alone. Skincare does not replace this treatment, but it can make the skin considerably more comfortable alongside it.
What you can do yourself
Traditionally, people with rosacea are advised to avoid a long list of triggers: sunlight, stress, hot and cold weather, alcohol, spicy food, hot baths, hot drinks and irritating skincare products. It's worth being honest here: there is no solid scientific research underpinning most of these claims. Rather than eliminating everything at once, keep a simple diary for a few weeks and note what genuinely precedes your own flare-ups. Everyone's pattern differs.
One thing is clear, though: sunlight is not good for skin that has been treated, or is about to be treated, with laser light. If you have had laser therapy for dilated blood vessels, use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher on the treated area for up to a year after your last session. And if laser treatment is still planned, make sure the skin there has not become too tanned – overly tanned skin can be a reason to cancel the appointment.
Building a routine that doesn't fight back
The biggest gains usually come from doing less. Reactive skin does not need a ten-step routine; it needs a short, predictable one. Cleanse in the morning and evening with a mild, non-foaming cleanser and lukewarm water – never hot. Pat the skin dry instead of rubbing with a towel. Skip scrubs, brushes, alcohol-based toners, strong acids and heavily fragranced products during a flare-up. Apply products with gentle, flat hands rather than massaging vigorously.
Introduce anything new one product at a time, with at least a week in between, so you can identify the culprit if your skin objects. Choose formulas developed specifically for sensitive skin: this is exactly the territory Declaré has focused on since 1978, as the first brand dedicated entirely to sensitive skin. Every Declaré product contains the SRC™ complex (Sensitivity Reducing Complex), which lowers the skin's reactivity and strengthens the skin barrier, and all products are dermatologically tested on sensitive skin.
Welke Declaré-producten passen hierbij
Declaré Anti-Irritation Serum
A concentrated serum for skin that flushes, stings and reacts fast. It is one of Declaré's hero products and a sensible first step when your skin feels tight and irritated. Apply a few drops to cleansed skin morning and evening, before your cream, and let it absorb without rubbing. Suitable for both rosacea-prone and perioral-dermatitis-prone skin, as part of a deliberately minimal routine.
View Declaré Anti-Irritation Serum
Declaré Skin Meditation Cream
A calming day and night cream from the Stress Balance line, designed for skin that is stressed, irritated and red. It brings the comfort factor back: less tightness, less of that hot, tense feeling after cleansing. Use it as your only cream during a flare-up, morning and/or evening, on top of your serum. Ideal for anyone whose skin reacts to stress, temperature swings and too many products.
Declaré Couperose Solution
Developed for skin with visible small blood vessels and a persistently flushed appearance – the redness that makes cheeks look permanently blushed. It supports the skin barrier and visibly reduces the look of redness over time. Use it daily on the cheeks, nose and any other affected areas; it works well underneath Skin Meditation Cream. Note that it cares for and comforts the skin rather than removing vessels, which is a medical procedure.
View Declaré Couperose Solution
Veelgestelde vragen
Can I use skincare products if I have rosacea?
Yes, but keep it short and gentle. A mild cleanser, a calming serum and one well-tolerated cream are usually enough. Avoid scrubs, alcohol-based toners and strong actives during a flare-up, and introduce new products one at a time so you can tell what your skin accepts.
How do I know whether I have rosacea or perioral dermatitis?
The location gives a strong clue: rosacea usually affects the cheeks, nose and forehead with redness and visible vessels, while perioral dermatitis clusters around the mouth and chin, typically leaving the narrow border of the lips clear. Only a GP or dermatologist can make the actual diagnosis, so book an appointment if you are unsure.
Do I need sun protection with rosacea?
Daily sun protection is sensible for reactive skin in general. It becomes essential after laser therapy for dilated blood vessels: use SPF 15 or higher on the treated area for up to a year after your last session, and make sure the skin is not overly tanned if further laser treatment is planned.
Reactive, red and easily irritated skin asks for patience and consistency rather than more products. If your complaints persist, worsen or affect your eyes, have them assessed by a skin therapist or your GP – and use your skincare to support the skin in the meantime. Discover the full range on the Declaré brand page, explore the calming Stress Balance line and browse serums & ampoules for targeted care. Beautyfashionshop is an official point of sale through the Dutch distributor, with more than 110 Declaré products shipped from our own warehouse in the Netherlands and free shipping from €50.
