Rosacea is often thought of as an adult condition, but teenagers can get rosacea too. At Thames Skin Clinic, we occasionally see teenagers, sometimes as young as 13 or 14, showing early signs of rosacea. Their persistent redness and sensitivity to acne-like bumps that don’t respond to standard acne treatments.
Recognising rosacea in teenagers early makes a big difference. With gentle, medically guided care, we can calm inflammation, protect the skin barrier and prevent long-term redness or scarring.
Can Teenagers get Rosacea?
Yes, teenagers can get rosacea, though it’s more common in adults, typically seen from the age of 30. However, with teenagers the condition is often mistaken for acne, especially since they are going through puberty at that time. Because of this, rosacea in teenagers can be tricky to diagnose since it has similar symptoms to acne, such as flushing, redness and breakouts. The earlier it’s recognised, the easier it is to manage.
What Does Rosacea Look Like in Teen Skin?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the skin’s small blood vessels and barrier function. In teenagers, rosacea appears as persistent redness across the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin, as well as breakouts that look like acne but don’t respond to acne treatments.
In teenagers, these underlying factors can combine with hormonal changes, making rosacea in teens appear similar to acne. Teenagers may experience any form of rosacea, including:
- Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR): persistent flushing and visible redness across the cheeks or nose.
- Papulopustular rosacea: red bumps and pustules that mimic acne but lack blackheads.
- Ocular rosacea: redness or irritation of the eyes, sometimes with eyelid inflammation.
- Mixed forms: where redness and spots appear together.
Because teenage skin is often more reactive due to hormonal activity, rosacea symptoms can fluctuate and may worsen with common triggers such as heat, stress and exercise.
Early Signs of Teen Rosacea Parents Should Watch For
Rosacea in teenagers can start subtly. Parents often notice that their child’s cheeks are “always red” or that their skin reacts easily to products or temperature changes. Early signs of rosacea in teens can look like:
- Persistent facial redness that doesn’t fade overnight
- Flushing or warmth on the cheeks and nose after exercise or embarrassment
- Small bumps or pustules that look like acne but don’t respond to treatment
- Burning, stinging or itching sensations, especially after cleansing
- Visible fine blood vessels (capillaries)
- Eye irritation, redness or dryness (suggesting ocular rosacea)
Common Mistakes and Misdiagnoses of Rosacea in Teenagers
Because rosacea is less common in teenagers, it’s often overlooked. Typical mistakes made when it comes to teen rosacea include:
- Using harsh acne products such as benzoyl peroxide, alcohol-based toners or high-strength acids, which can worsen inflammation.
- Skipping SPF, even though UV exposure is a key trigger.
- Not seeking medical assessment early, assuming redness is “just teenage skin.”
Early intervention and diagnosis can prevent visible blood vessels and chronic sensitivity later in life.
How to Tell the Difference Between Teen Acne and Teen Rosacea
Rosacea in teens and acne in teens can look similar, but subtle differences help distinguish them.
| Feature | Acne | Rosacea |
|---|---|---|
| Spots | Blackheads, whiteheads, cysts | Small red bumps and pustules, no blackheads |
| Redness | Localised to breakouts | Persistent flushing across cheeks, nose, chin |
| Triggers | Hormones, oils, blocked pores | Heat, stress, spicy food, temperature changes |
| Sensation | Usually painless | Burning, stinging, increased sensitivity |
| Response to acne products | Often improves | May worsen redness or irritation |
If a teenager’s skin becomes more inflamed after using traditional acne treatments, that’s an early warning sign that rosacea might be present instead.
How to Support and Treat Teen Rosacea?
When rosacea is suspected in teenage skin, the focus should be on calming, protecting and strengthening the skin — not stripping or drying it out.
To support and treat teen rosacea, it is best to start with a simple, gentle skincare routine:
- Cleanse with a mild, sulphate-free cleanser (avoid foaming gels or scrubs).
- Soothe with a lightweight, barrier-repair moisturiser containing ceramides or niacinamide.
- Protect with a mineral SPF 30+ daily, even in winter.
- Avoid triggers such as hot showers, extreme exercise heat, spicy food, or harsh exfoliants.
At Thames Skin Clinic, we sometimes start teenagers on a desensitisation plan to calm inflammation. This may include:
- Plant-based exosomes, redness-reducing serums such as ZO Rozatrol
- Barrier-strengthening products to stabilise the skin before any active treatments are considered.
What Professional Teenage Rosacea Treatments can Help?
If redness, bumps and other rosacea symptoms are persistent, medical assessment is essential. Early diagnosis allows us to choose the right approach for that stage and severity of rosacea. Advanced teen rosacea treatment options include:
- Excel V+ Laser: targets visible redness and broken vessels safely.
- Laser Genesis: strengthens the skin barrier, reduces sensitivity and improves tone.
- AviClear Laser: for overlapping acne–rosacea cases, reducing inflammation and oil production.
- Prescription skincare (for example, azelaic acid or topical anti-inflammatories).
Our approach with teenage skin conditions is always personalised, gentle and holistic. We follow our THAMES Philosophy: Thorough, Holistic, Assessment-led, Medical, Expectation-based and Safe.
Helping Teenagers Feel Confident
Skin conditions can affect confidence, especially in school-age children. Reassure your teenager that rosacea is manageable and that professional support can help them feel comfortable in their skin again. We encourage open, supportive conversations at home, along with consistent routines that promote calm, healthy skin.
Teen Rosacea Treatment at Thames Skin Clinic
At Thames Skin Clinic, we believe every teenager experiencing persistent redness, sensitivity or rosacea-like symptoms deserves a medically led approach. At our award-winning skin clinic in Twickenham, we specialise in skin health and provide a holistic treatment plan grounded in medical standards. We are CQC-registered and Save Face accredited and can provide regulated treatments for teenagers for acne and rosacea.
If teen rosacea is affecting your child’s skin or confidence, contact us so you don’t navigate this alone.
For a deeper overview of what rosacea is and why flare-ups happen, you can explore our full guide to understanding rosacea and how to manage it.