I have rosacea too and have for years. It had been undiagnosed for years when finally, my cousin-in-law (??) who is a dermatologist mentioned it to me when he was over for dinner! It was really bad at the time (partly from being undiagnosed for so long and partly because I drank wine and coffee with dinner) and he prescribed Metrogel and Doxycycline. It was like a miracle! I couldn't believe how much better it got. I had resigned myself to looking that way for the rest of my life.
I use the Metrogel daily to keep it under control, but I have flair ups often. When they occur, I take the Doxycycline again and it clears it up. I was told, by my cousin, that virtually everything makes Rosacea worse. Alcohol, caffeine, extreme hot or extreme cold, wind, sun exposure, drinking extremely hot or cold beverages, stress... There's not a lot left that's safe :o\ I will say, I've found that mine reacts the most to sun exposure and stress (including lack of sleep and illness.) I NEVER go in the sun without sunscreen on my face. And I use the highest SPF I can find. However, my face is extremely sensitive to chemicals. I have found that Neutragena UVA/UVB Sunblock works best and doesn't irritate my skin. It's sometimes hard to find. Walgreen's usually has it (if I haven't been there recently and purchased their entire stock! lol) I like the oil-free version better, but it's harder to find and both are good. For years I only wore foundation for special occasions and paid a high price when I did. I found, through much trial and error that my face likes Clinique's Super Balanced make-up. I can wear it every day with no adverse reactions. For moisturizer I have tried many things and Cetaphil is the only thing that doesn't irritate my skin. I'd like to point out that only the skin on my face is sensitive. I can do anything to the rest of my body and it's fine. But my face is incredibly sensitive and only started being that way about the time the rosacea started.
Stress and sun exposure cause the worst reactions for me. It lasts for days and sometimes weeks and includes the lovely "acne". All the other things (alcohol, wind, hot and cold beverages, etc.) cause a temporary reaction -- "just" the redness -- usually subsiding within 12 hours after the reaction.
I highly recommend you see a dermatologist. My friend was diagnosed with Rosacea, but not given any medication for it. I loaned her some of my Metrogel and she was amazed. She felt relief immediately. A dermatologist can advise you on products that are safe to use as well as give you prescriptions to help.
I'd also feel I should mention my brother. He was also diagnosed with Rosacea. and really doesn't care to manage it much. He doesn't use the medication and he's very athletic, in the sun constantly and NEVER uses sunscreen. He drinks a fair amount of alcohol as well. I have watched his worsen in a very short period of time. His face is almost purple and he has many broken blood vessels and his nose is starting to become bulbous (think WC Fields).
It's kind of annoying to have to, but this can be managed. Good luck to you!