An estimated 16 million Americans have rosacea — a common skin condition that causes the face to appear red or flushed.
While the ailment typically affects middle-aged women, President Trump’s most recent health memo noted that he has “well-managed rosacea.”
Other celebrities that reportedly have rosacea include Prince William, Cynthia Nixon, Cameron Diaz, Bill Clinton, Renee Zellweger, Naomi Watts and Sofia Vergara.
“It’s hard because I get really red, so I’ve realized that I’ve had to treat my skin like sensitive skin, where I didn’t before,” Vergara told Who What Wear in 2020. “Unfortunately, now all the fun is gone for me. I can’t really wear rich moisturizers or rich oils. Now I have to keep it simple.”
Indeed, dermatologist Alicia Zalka tells her clients with rosacea to maintain a gentle skincare routine — unfortunately, in most cases, that’s not enough.
“Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the skin appears inflamed along with evidence of acne-like bumps and textural change,” she told The Post.
“Because the condition is multifaceted and is the result of interplay of genetics, environment, vascular inflammatory responses of the skin and even skin mites, there is no single cause of rosacea and similarly no single treatment.”
Beyond topical ointments and laser therapy, diet is another area to consider.
“Studies have suggested that rosacea may be related to the microbiome of the GI tract and that a diet which includes probiotics may offer skin benefits for rosacea,” Zalka said.
“There are triggers for rosacea sufferers that include dietary choices, spicy foods, alcohol — particularly red wine — hot beverages and other influences like stress, hormonal changes and exposure to temperature extremes.”
While you might already be avoiding some of these triggers, Zalka believes there’s a benefit to adding certain foods to your diet, as “consuming probiotics and prebiotics helps maintain the balance of helpful microbes in the digestive tract and reduce inflammatory signals which have been found to affect the skin.”
Since “no single food serves as a unique target for improving rosacea,” she recommends nine to keep your gut healthy — and your skin looking great.
Kimchi
This spicy Korean staple is loaded with probiotics — just go easy on the heat, since spice is a known rosacea trigger.
Studies suggest that fermented foods like kimchi can bolster gut microflora with live active microbial communities, potentially improving skin conditions such as rosacea.
Kombucha
The fizzy fermented tea delivers gut-boosting bacteria. Go for low-sugar versions and skip the booze-infused blends.
Kefir
Think of it as drinkable yogurt packed with live cultures that may support a healthier microbiome — and skin.
Research indicates that kefir‘s diverse probiotic strains can enhance gut health, potentially benefiting inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea.
Miso
This fermented soybean paste is the base of umami-rich soups and marinades. Keep it in your fridge for a flavorful probiotic boost.
Pickles
Not the vinegar-brined kind — we’re talking fermented pickles with live cultures. Look for labels that say “raw” or “fermented” to ensure they contain probiotics.
Sauerkraut
A classic gut-friendly ferment that’s low in calories and big on tangy flavor.
Tempeh
The chewy, protein-rich meat substitute is made from fermented soybeans.
Tempeh’s fermentation process enhances its probiotic content, contributing to gut health and potentially aiding in the management of inflammatory skin conditions.
Vinegar
Raw apple cider vinegar contains strands of proteins and beneficial bacteria known as “the mother,” which can help aid digestion and regulate blood sugar levels.
Studies suggest apple cider vinegar can also help you lose weight, and some people believe it’s a cure-all in general.
Yogurt
It’s the OG probiotic food. Just watch the sugar content, and choose plain varieties with live and active cultures.
Zalka notes that because probiotics are living organisms in the gut, “Prebiotic food sources are recommended to help sustain them.”
Foods that are rich in prebiotics include fruits — like apples, berries, bananas — legumes, nuts, seeds and vegetables like asparagus and leafy greens.
