Wendy,
I was diagnosed last year with rosacea at 37. My doctor must think I'm rich, because when I picked the creams up at the pharmacy, they cost $200 (with insurance). For $200, I expected a MIRACLE! But the stuff didn't work. I am due to see my doctor again in a couple weeks, but I'd love to get your opinion on skin products. What do you use? Moisturizers, powders/foundation, treatments, cleansers?
Tracy
Dear Tracy,
Oy, can I feel your pain! There's lots of relief you can get just by following some simple tips and not shelling out beaucoup bucks for pricey prescription creams. For instance, you probably already know this but look for things that are oil-free and meant for sensitive skin. You really have to watch the ingredients, because sometimes even so-called "calming" products will be loaded up with things like hydrocortisone, oils or alcohols that will wallop your skin. On that vein, ditch anything that has alcohol in it, witch hazel, peppermint, eucalyptus or clove oil, because it's all going to irritate your rosacea. In fact, if something stings when you put it on, don't think "it's working" but instead realize "my face is saying no".
More tips after the pustule bump!
- Use a chemical exfoliant if you absolutely must, but really, a decent soft facial washcloth is all you should be using until you get the redness under control.
- Avoid heavy or oily ANYTHING, including some sunscreens, which are often way too full of waxes and zincs.
- You DO need to wear sunscreen every single day, because otherwise you're opening those blood vessels every day and heating up that skin and the longer they are open, the more they want to STAY open.
- If you're still getting facials, never let them use steam, as that will open those capillaries and make you even more red. Likewise, don't let anyone near your cheeks or nose with an extraction tool, even though they'll really really want to, because you risk the chance that they'll break your capillaries and also, that's how I ended up with a permanent scar on my cheek from when someone tried to extract a millia.
Cleanser: My skin's favorite cleanser is either Arsoa Queen Silver soap or Philosophy's Purity Made Simple. The Arsoa seems to actually reduce the redness/inflammation, while the Purity is just a very nice overall cleanser that allows you to avoid the toner (alcohol=rosacea city). I also liked Chidoriya's rose and geranium soap, which is great for super sensitive skin, and I'm a fan, plus it's pretty inexpensive (especially compared to the Arsoa), but I probably wouldn't reach for it unless my bar of Arsoa had melted away. Sometimes I use Caudalie Cleansing Water, but I do notice that it irritates my skin if I use it exclusively for more than a few days.
Head over to productfiend.com for more on how to deal with rosacea including treatments that might help, moisturizers and sunscreens to use and those to avoid, and foundations that won't irritate your sensitive skin.
image via women.timesonline.co.uk
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