Rosy cheeks give a healthy glow to your face in the winter, but if you have rosacea, which is a skin disease that can cause persistent redness, chronic ruddiness is undesirable. In fact, cold weather and winter wind are triggers for rosacea, as are alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods. Although the Bay Area is not as cold as some other regions in the winter, it is still important to protect your skin from the cold. Moreover, now is the time when many people travel to colder climates for activities like skiing and snowboarding. In order to protect rosacea-prone skin from winter weather, cover your face with a soft scarf or ski mask. Avoid rough fabrics like wool as this can irritate your skin, causing rosacea to flare. Also be sure to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, as the sun can worsen rosacea. If you would like to speak to a board-certified dermatologist about your rosacea, please call the office at 415-564-1261 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Glogau