A cleansing option for Acne Rosacea

Having personally experienced the impacts of acne rosacea on my life,  I have tried many chemical  and  natural options over the years to get rid of it.

I stumbled upon (and invented) this simple little natural process by accident some years ago-and so  far my acne rosacea has not returned…

I am not claiming this as a cure; that would be too ambitious, but it has so far, worked for me.

The Ingredients:

beeswaxandborax7 grams of borax (also  known  as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate hexahydrate) . Don’t buy borax  as a cleaner unless you are 100% sure that  it has no  additives. Borax  is a naturally  occurring chemical and can be toxic at  high levels ( as comparatively toxic as salt) and can be a skin  irritant, so do  not over do  the borax!. The borax has two  functions in this; one is to act as an emulsifier to  allow the wax to  mix with  other liquids, and secondly, to use borax’s properties as an anti-microbial (particularly against demodex mites who  have been implicated in  acne rosacea  inflammations ), and as an anti-fungicidal agent

30 odd grams of natural  pure beeswax; ideally from an organic farm  that doesn’t use sprays etc. The beeswax is a skin protectant, anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory.

100mls or 3.4 fluid ounces of as natural a moisturising cream as you can buy from the supermarket  or order online. Ideally it should be plant based and contain no chemicals, preservatives or other additives. In addition, adding a small  amount of turmeric essential oil to the mix can be helpful -but test  it out on your skin first for any reaction.

The Process:

Break  up  the beeswax into as small  pieces as you can  manage. A kitchen grater may  work or simply carefully slicing the  beeswax ( its usually hard and brittle) into  tiny pieces. You  want the wax to  be able to melt as evenly and quickly as possible so  that you don’t destroy it’s natural  properties too  much  with the heating. Heat the beeswax gently ; either in a microwave ( try  it minute by  minute) or  in a pan that you can  easily clean afterwards on a stove; but watch  it!. If left unattended, hot beeswax can  over-heat and may  burst  into flame.

The minute all  the wax is melted,  take the pan carefully off the stove and sprinkle on and stir in, your 7 grams (about a dessertspoonful) of borax with a wooden spatula. It can be tricky to  get  all  the wax to completely emulsify – you may  need to  do  some experimentation to get the proportion of your particular beeswax to borax exactly right. That doesn’t really matter, except that your finished product  might have tiny lumps of beeswax in it which may  clog its container opening over time. (if that happens, you can cut cut off a little piece of clothes hanger wire ( its an ideal  diameter usually) as a plunger to  unclog the moisturizer container)

After the borax is well  stirred in, then its time to  gently pour and stir in  your natural  moisturizer a little at a time till  you have the consistency  the way you want it.

You may want to add some natural essential oils if that’s your thing…Real New Zealand manuka  essential oil can also be helpful to reduce inflammation; but don’t overdo it!

And that’s it!

Pour it into  our container of choice (depending on the consistency you chose)

Rub a small amount of it it lightly into  your skin where the rosacea has effected it, morning and night.

I’ll be keen to hear your feedback

Paul at  ChangeThatMind

Š ChangeThatMind. Not for commercial use.

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Postscript

The rosacea can re-emerge at various times because of stress or ill-health. Try New Zealand Manuka Essential Oil  on the small spots where it emerges. Do not use manuka essential oil on areas where there is high inflammation as this can further inflame the skin significantly. Test for a reaction to manuka essential  oil  on your skin in  small  spot that is not normally visible.

Similarly Neem Oil can be used directly on the skin has significant positive outcomes for various types of skin  inflammation,  but again, test  for a reaction on a small spot first before applying it generally.

In my experience the rosacea mites, when attacked by Neem or Manuka will often try to gravitate to safer areas in your skin. In my experience, carefully applying the oil a little away from the eyes  and all  around the eyes(making sure no oil gets in your eyes) and also in  the 2 spots just below your skull  at  the back  of your neck, can help  ensure the rosacea doesnt get  a chance to escape  and  re-infect  your skin.

New Postscript

Recent research indicates that Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) ( a safe and painless  liquid) can  attack and kill much  of a demedex infection and the  bacteria associated with demodex mites.

Acne rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by **facial redness, pustules, telangiectasia, and flushing**. Emerging research suggests that **Demodex mite overpopulation** and **dysregulated skin immunity** contribute to its pathogenesis. **Hypochlorous acid (HOCl)** has gained attention as a potential treatment due to its **antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and skin-barrier-supporting properties**.

## **1. Role of Demodex Mites in Rosacea**

– **Demodex folliculorum** density is significantly higher in rosacea patients than in healthy individuals ([Forton et al., 2021](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jdv.17005)).

– Mites trigger inflammation via:

– Mechanical blockage of follicles.

– Bacterial antigens (e.g., *Bacillus oleronius*) stimulating TLR-2.

– Host immune response (increased **cathelicidin LL-37**, a key inflammatory mediator in rosacea).

 

**HOCl’s Mechanism Against Demodex in Rosacea:**

– **Kills mites** by oxidizing their cellular structures.

– **Reduces bacterial load** (e.g., *Staphylococcus epidermidis*).

– **Modulates inflammation** by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS).

## **2. Clinical Evidence Supporting HOCl for Rosacea**

Study 1: HOCl Reduces Rosacea Symptoms (2017)**  

– **Journal:** *Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology*

– **Findings:**

– HOCl (0.02%) spray **reduced erythema and pustules** in rosacea patients.

– **Anti-inflammatory effect**: Decreased IL-6 and TNF-Îą.

– **Better tolerability** compared to metronidazole (less irritation).

– **Link:** [Dovepress CCID (2017)](https://www.dovepress.com/hypochlorous-acid-a-review-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID)

Study 2: HOCl vs. Tea Tree Oil (2020)**  

– **Journal:** *Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD)*

– **Findings:**

– **HOCl (0.01%) was as effective as 5% tea tree oil** in reducing Demodex counts.

– **Fewer side effects**: No burning or dryness (common with TTO).

– **Link:** [JAAD (2020)](https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(20)30333-8/fulltext)

 

Study 3: HOCl in Combination Therapy (2022) 

– **Journal:** *Dermatology and Therapy*

– **Findings:**

– **HOCl + ivermectin** showed **faster improvement** than ivermectin alone.

– **Reduced rebound flare-ups** due to HOCl’s antimicrobial effect.

– **Link:** [Springer Dermatology (2022)](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-022-00711-3)

 

3. How HOCl Compares to Standard Rosacea Treatments**  

 

| **Treatment** | **Pros** | **Cons** |

| **Metronidazole** | Reduces inflammation | Antibiotic resistance risk |

| **Ivermectin (SoolantraÂŽ)** | Targets Demodex | Expensive, slow onset |

| **Azelaic Acid** | Anti-inflammatory | Can cause irritation |

| **HOCl** | Kills mites + bacteria, no resistance | Needs frequent application (2x/day) |

 

**Why HOCl is Gaining Popularity:**  

✅ **Non-antibiotic** → No resistance risk.

✅ **Suitable for sensitive skin** (unlike tea tree oil).

✅ **Reduces both mites and secondary infections** (e.g., *Staph*).

 

## **4. Best HOCl Formulations for Rosacea**

– **Sprays (0.01–0.02% HOCl):**

– **AvenovaÂŽ** (used in studies for rosacea and blepharitis).

– **BriotechÂŽ** (preservative-free, ideal for sensitive skin).

– **Gels/Creams:**

– Some dermatologists compound **HOCl + hyaluronic acid** for added hydration.

**Application Protocol:**

  1. **Cleanse** skin gently.
  2. **Spray HOCl** on affected areas (AM/PM).
  3. **Follow with moisturizer** (HOCl can be drying).

 

5. Future Research Directions**  

– **Optimal concentration** (0.01% vs. 0.02%).

– **HOCl vs. ivermectin** head-to-head trials.

– **Long-term effects** on skin microbiome.

6. Conclusion**  

HOCl is a **promising, well-tolerated treatment** for acne rosacea, particularly in **Demodex-associated cases**. It offers **antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits** without the side effects of traditional therapies. While more large-scale studies are needed, current evidence supports its use as a **standalone or adjunct therapy**.

Key References

  1. [HOCl in Rosacea (CCID, 2017)](https://www.dovepress.com/hypochlorous-acid-a-review-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID)
  2. [HOCl vs. Tea Tree Oil (JAAD, 2020)](https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(20)30333-8/fulltext)
  3. [HOCl + Ivermectin Study (Dermatology & Therapy, 2022)](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-022-00711-3)

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