Her rosacea, which was diagnosed by a doctor, presented as subtype one, the vascular stage in which redness appears, but developed into subtype two, or the inflammatory stage, when those acne-but-not-acne-like spots appear.

Rosacea happens because a person’s skin is supersensitive – and only makes it more so. Common triggers include extremes of heat and cold, sunlight, stress, eating spicy food and consuming alcoholic drinks.

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Although some of the triggers for rosacea are known, Lam says, its cause is not well understood. Some studies suggest rosacea may be caused by immune system dysfunction, micro-organisms including parasites such as demodex mites, hyperactive blood vessels beneath the skin, or exposure to ultraviolet light. Although it has no known cure, the condition can be well controlled.

Sufferers should start by avoiding known triggers of rosacea and should be mindful of the skin products they use. Many can contain ingredients which may exacerbate the problem, such as alcohol, camphor, fragrance, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, sodium laurel sulphate and urea.

If the condition persists, Lam urges people to seek a doctor’s advice, as Franich did.

There are different types of topical and oral medication available for the different types of rosacea. The most common type is vascular rosacea, followed by inflammatory rosacea; then there is the ocular kind, which affects the eyes and eyelids. A fourth type, phymatous rosacea, usually only affects men, and can significantly enlarge and redden the nose.

Franich was prescribed six months of the antibiotic doxycycline. “This cleared up subtype two and, since then, I would say that I have subtype one 95 per cent of the time,” she said.

While she had largely got rid of the horror of the not-acne that had troubled her, she still had to manage the redness. One way to do that is to disguise it. The right kind of gentle make-up for a rosacea sufferer’s supersensitive skin can do wonders to lift their confidence.

Franich sought professional advice from make-up artist Krystina Te Kanawa in Hong Kong. “I changed my make-up products to those she recommended and my skin has been much better,” she says.

Aside from camouflaging the problem, carefully selected make-up can also help treat the skin.

Keep a strict but basic skincare routine, Te Kanawa recommends. “It might be trial and error as to what products suit your skin, as rosacea can vary from person to person as to how mild or severe it is.”

She warns clients to avoid skin and hair products with fragrance, tells them not to use washcloths as “that will irritate your skin” and if you aren’t a confident make-up user, to avoid green primers and concealers. “If you don’t apply it properly, you will be left with a tinge of green, odd-looking skin.”

She advises applying light layers and to avoid setting powders in favour of fine translucent face powders.

Franich’s complexion now mostly glows and as a result, she feels much more confident about facing the world. What would she say to sufferers – even if they don’t yet know the name of their condition?

“Seek medical advice and don’t leave it for months like I did. Invest in spending time with a professional who knows and understands the challenges of rosacea or incredibly sensitive skin. This is the most valuable money you will spend on your confidence and self-esteem.”