Is this melasma? Rosacea? Please help!

[BleachedBarnet]

I'm 21 weeks pregnant with my first, and have always had relatively good skin, with my only 'acne' related issues being blackheads and hormonal big red-under-the-skin spots on my chin during my period.

In the last few weeks my skin has become blotchy and red all over my cheeks, it's really getting me down It looks similar to Rosacea to me, my mum developed it in her 40s so I've seen it 'up close' so to speak, but could it be melasma? I've no idea how to treat it, or even if I can.

For context I'm 28 and my skin is dehydrated/dry usually. I hot cloth cleanse with Oskia Renaissance Gel, followed by Pixi Glow (I've stopped using this now, felt it would exacerbate) and then some kind of serum, usually a facial oil, before using a very basic moisturiser like Embryolisse. Yes, I'm a Hirons fan!

Thanks in advance for your help and wisdom

[Coastingit]

Not sure - but I have rosacea and hot cloth cleansing was the most exacerbating thing for me, I too like Hirons but have to just use a cleanser I can massage in with my fingers and splash off without a cloth. I use Cetaphil and double cleanse and it gets everything off - I don't wear much makeup, just bb cream as a base and cream blush and brows.

Whichever it is, do you use a high SPF daily? Essential for rosacea. And the Biore one is just amazing.

If it's raised pigmentation I am curious to see replies - I am 2 months postnatal and my facial skin appears darker than my neck at the moment and I am not sure why.

Good gentle salycilic products probably also helpful instead of Pixi Glow for now.

[Coastingit]

And I definitely recommend Cicaplast Baume B5 - I use it alone as a night cream if my rosacea is bad or my skin is delicate from overdoing acids and it immediately calms it right down. Good to have and use on occasions when your skin is playing up.

[mandy214]

FWIW (and I’m definitely no expert), it doesn’t look like pigmentation (melisma) to me. When I had that in pregnancy, it was browner, definitely like you’ve had a patchy fake tan. From the photos, it doesn’t look that that.

I also developed rosacea quite mildly a year ago (not pregnancy related though), and like you had always had very good skin, really knocked my confidence. But it doesn’t look like that either, but its hard to tell from the photos.

It might just be a side effect of the hormones (the “glowing” that everyone goes on about in pregnancy is a complete myth) and the pregnancy?! Have you been stressed or worried with it? Have you changed your diet? Could it be a side effect to any supplements you’re taking?

FWIW, I started using La Poche Rosay foaming wash (after a recommendation on here) and kept a food diary. I identified what I think are my “triggers” – when my skin looks worse almost immediately (for me it is chocolate) so I avoid that totally now. Quite a few people also suggested that concealers (like Touche Eclat) and primers would make it worse, so I stopped using them too. It is much better now, hardly noticeable. Good luck, I know how difficult it can be.

[Kundry]

It does look like a rosacea pattern - redness, odd looking spots across cheeks. Plus of course your mum has it.

Keys to rosacea are:

Gentle non-foaming cleanser and prob not hot cloth as too irritating- Cetaphil, LRP Rosaliac

Salicylic acid - Paula's Choice anti-redness BHA toner, Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion. Pixi Glow contains a fair bit of witch hazel which can also be irritating so also not recommended.

Moisturiser - waterbased, not oil. Avene, Clinique or LRP anti-redness ranges.

Physical not chemical SPF everyday

www.mumsnet.com/qanda/dr-sam-bunting-facial-cleansing#Rosacea

drsambunting.wordpress.com/tag/rosacea/

[BleachedBarnet]

Thanks everyone, I agree it doesn't look like melasma to me either. It's quite a bit more red than the photos show though.

I do use Nivea for face SPF50 daily, I was using a moisturiser with SPF25 but upped it due to summer/pregnancy. Could it be a reaction to that maybe? It's not generally tight/itchy feeling.

[BleachedBarnet]

Thanks Kundry, will give all that a good read over and get down the shops ASAP

[Coastingit]

Kundry you are my skincare heroine.

Sorry OP - on app and didn't realise you'd posted pics. Wish MNHQ woul sort the app out!

[Kundry]

Thank-you Coastingit

BleachedBarnet it could unfortunately be a reaction to loads of things! Just on the info you've given it could be: being pregnant, sun exposure with the hot weather, hot cloth, ingredients in Pixi Glow, not sure about the Oskia - might be OK if not foaming, the facial oil (Sam Bunting seems quite down on oil for rosacea) or chemical sunscreen

[BleachedBarnet]

I thought as much myself Kundry! Posted here in the slight hope someone might jump in with forthright confidence and say 'it's exactly so and so, here's a £5 cream to fix it'!

Reality is never as easy is it? I'm going to try a few of your suggestions for Rosacea anyway, and see if it helps. I've been big time keeping out of the sun this year as I tan easily. Fingers crossed it's some pregnancy 'glow' crap and departs once mini Bleached arrives

[Kundry]

You have my sympathy - rosacea just seems so complicated

I'd suggest going right back to basics eg Cetaphil cleanser and SPF only and then adding one thing at a time every 2-3 weeks or so, so you can really assess what you tolerate or not.

Fingers crossed miniBleached will come to the rescue!