"Couperose" is a French word for a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, also known as rosacea. The term "couperose skin" is sometimes used to describe skin with signs of rosacea. Couperose is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is most common in fair-skinned people, especially those with fairly thin and sensitive skin. Rosacea is thought to affect 2–22 percent of fair-skinned people. Couperose is caused by weakened facial blood vessels, usually on the cheeks and nose. When we are exposed to heat, cold, various stimulants (such as alcohol) or emotions, our skin reacts and the facial blood vessels dilate. This lets blood flow through them, and afterwards they should contract again. However, if the blood vessels are weakened, they struggle to contract or do not contract fully, which causes long-lasting redness.
Symptoms of couperose
Based on its symptoms, couperose (rosacea) can be divided into four subtypes. People often have symptoms of several subtypes.
Erythematotelangiectatic couperose (rosacea) is characterised by redness in the central part of the face. It often causes telangiectasia – in other words, visible spider-web-like blood vessels.
Papulopustular couperose (rosacea) is characterised by pimples and pustules.
Rhinophyma rosacea is a fairly rare form of rosacea. As the name suggests, this subtype affects the nose, causing the skin of the nose to thicken. It is more common in men than in women.
Ocular couperose (rosacea) usually shows up as redness and inflammation in and around the eyes.
Symptoms of couperose skin
Anyone can develop couperose skin, but it is most common in women over 30 with fair skin, fair hair and blue eyes. It is a chronic condition whose symptoms tend to appear in waves. Depending on the subtype of rosacea, people with couperose may experience any of the following symptoms:
- facial redness, mainly in the centre of the face,
- clearly visible blood vessels,
- sensitive skin,
- a burning and stinging sensation,
- pimples and pustules, which may contain pus,
- thickening of the skin, especially on the nose,
- dry, irritated and swollen eyes.
The causes of couperose (rosacea) are not fully understood. Its development is thought to be influenced by genetics, immune system reactions, environmental factors, certain microorganisms and dysfunction of the nerves that control blood vessels. Hormonal medicines and changes in hormonal balance, cardiovascular diseases and chronic stress may also play a role. The condition can also be provoked by unhealthy habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol, and by overuse of sunbathing, solariums or saunas. Regularly eating spicy food can also trigger couperose. Skin burns or other injuries are sometimes thought to contribute as well.
Several factors have been identified that can make couperose worse: very hot drinks, spicy food, foods containing cinnamaldehyde (such as chocolate, cinnamon, tomatoes and citrus fruits), red wine, alcohol, extreme temperatures, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and wind, strong emotions, some cosmetic products and medicines that dilate blood vessels.
Treating couperose skin
At present there is no cure for couperose, so treatment focuses on managing the symptoms. If you think you have couperose (rosacea), it is worth seeing a doctor so they can rule out other conditions, such as eczema or lupus, that can cause similar symptoms. If couperose is caused by another disease, the symptoms will disappear once that disease is treated. In other cases, however, it is a lifelong condition.
First of all, avoid the so-called couperose "triggers". You may notice that certain factors make your couperose flare up. Avoiding them can reduce your symptoms. Red wine, spicy food, UV light and alcohol are among the most common triggers. Protect yourself from UV rays every time you go outside by applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
Creams and gels for couperose skin. If couperose is mild to moderate, your doctor may recommend one of several creams or gels for the face, for example containing brimonidine, azelaic acid or metronidazole. Brimonidine reduces redness by narrowing the facial blood vessels. Azelaic acid and metronidazole have antimicrobial properties that help control pimples. To see lasting results, creams or gels need to be applied regularly.
Intense pulsed light therapy. Intense pulsed light therapy is a form of light-based treatment that uses the heat of light beams to shrink blood vessels. Most people see a 50–75 percent reduction in visible blood vessels after one to three sessions. Results usually last 3 to 5 years. Side effects are usually mild: temporary redness, loss of skin colour and bruising.
Acne medicines. If couperose comes with pimples and pustules and does not respond to a gentle facial cleanser, your doctor may recommend oral antibiotics and other acne medicines. Oral antibiotics can help control pimples by killing bacteria living on the skin and reducing inflammation. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to treat rosacea.
Couperose, more commonly called rosacea, is a common inflammatory skin condition. It usually causes redness in the central part of the face, visible blood vessels and sensitive skin. It is not fully known what causes couperose, and there is currently no cure. Without treatment, however, couperose progresses. While redness in the early stages appears on the chin, cheeks or forehead, as the disease progresses it can also spread to the neck, chest, scalp or ears. Over time, the redness becomes more intense and the twisting blood vessels become more and more visible. If couperose remains untreated, pimples, pustules or rosacea nodules may develop. To prevent this, it is very important to act in time to slow down the progression of the disease. Treatment includes managing symptoms through lifestyle changes, medicines and laser therapy. Before treating couperose yourself, it is worth talking to a doctor so they can rule out conditions with similar symptoms.
How to care for skin with couperose
Proper care is one of the key conditions for getting rid of couperose or reducing its symptoms. If you have couperose, you need to care for your skin a little differently. Couperose means weakened blood vessels that have moved closer to the skin's surface. To avoid provoking a fine network of veins and spider veins, skin care must be as gentle as possible. Avoid excessive rubbing and massage so as not to cause new spider veins. After washing, do not rub your skin with a towel – just pat it dry gently. Never use scrubs or exfoliating masks. They remove the upper layer of the epidermis, bringing the blood vessels even closer to the surface. Any cosmetic foams with fruit acids or alcohol that can irritate the skin should be avoided. Mechanical facial cleansing is also not recommended.
Protect your skin from temperature changes. Facial steaming, saunas and hot baths should all be avoided. If you do go to a sauna, place a towel soaked in cold water over your face and stay in the steam room for no longer than half an hour. For skin care, you can use a special cosmetic range designed for couperose skin, or, in extreme cases, products labelled "for sensitive skin". All cosmetics should be applied gently and carefully.
https://www.healthline.com/health/couperose
Our recommendation. For redness-prone, sensitive facial skin, choose Eubos Cool & Calm CC cream with SPF 50 – it visibly conceals redness and protects against the sun.
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