WTF is wrong with my skin. Rosacea? pic inc...

[navygravy]

Big red pores and bumps. Horrible. Making me feel v glum.

They look like blackheads in the photo but they're just enlarged red pores.

Skincare regime is micellar water and a light gel moisturiser. I wear mineral foundation once every couple of weeks or so.

I used to have quite decent skin, it's only been in the past few months that this has appeared.

TIA folks

[titchy]

Looks like rosacea to me. My skin also used to be good and has erupted in the last year. I'm assuming it's menopause (I'm 47).

Avoiding crisps helps I find, annoying as I bloody love crisps.

[Ferrerotoffeemint]

It's probably because you are just using micellar water.
Use something to clean your skin deeper which includes warm water and a flannel. Try superdrug hot cloth cleanser, Liz Earle polish, or Clinique Take the day off or something along those lines.

[FishOn]

hmm, not sure. My rosacea looks like sunburn across my cheeks and nose, with chin zits as a lovely bonus. Yours looks a bit different to me, but not sure what to suggest, sorry.

[FrustratedFrugal]

There are a few subtypes of rosacea,see here. The subtype my family suffers from involves permanent redness and tiny raised bumps, later on ugly thread veins. There is some overlap with acne too. See a GP or a dermatologist?

[Indecisivejo]

I personally don't think that is rosacea it looks to me like ur skin isn't happy with the products your using.

[321zerobaby]

Me too Titchy, 47 and rosacea in the past years but I don't eat any crisps. (Or caffeine, or spicy foods).

[burnishedsilver]

It looks like an allergy to me.

[navygravy]

Interesting range of responses, thanks everyone.

I use the micellar water on days where I don't wear make-up (i.e most days) but when I have the mineral foundation on I use a cream cleanser with a flannel. It could be one of those things upsetting my skin or the Bare minerals stuff itself maybe?

Hmm. I'm 40, could just be my age I suppose. Looks shit though :(

[AdvocateNotAdvocat]

I sympathise. Hit mid 40's and my skin is awful (see picture). My DM tells me same happened to her pre menopause so I'm putting it down to that as often flares at same point during cycle. Must admit heat does make it worse. I've used Clinique for years but have cut back on all products but find I have to wear foundation to cover (when at work/going out) as it's quite unsightly at times.

[Indecisivejo]

I can't use micellar water or any mineral powders at all they all irritate my skin!

[brightnearly]

Thermal water based products (Avene or La Roche Posay, for example) might be worth looking into.

Drinking lots of water might help? And avoiding irritants (like mentioned upthread?)

[fresta]

It looks like some kind if acne or Rosacaea or maybe even keratosis Pilaris ( I have this and it is very red) see a gp and get referred to a dermatologist. To be honest though I don't think any cleanser which doesn't require rinsing is good for skin as it leaves a residue which blocks pores and irritates . I would use a rinse off cleanser.

[navygravy]

Yep, think I need to change my cleanser. Never quite trusted micellar and my cream cleanser is an old Nivea one.

I have keratosis pilaris on my arms, fresta so that's something to think about. Didn't know it could appear on the face. It's quite itchy on my face though and isn't on my arms.

Advocate thanks for sharing your photo. Is it ever sore or itchy or does it just flare?

[JohnCheese]

I would cut to the chase and spend the money on a dermatologist opinion. Save you a fortune in the long run. And better results than product-guesswork. You probably would only need one or 2 visits.

It may be Rosacea but I think it looks unhappy. Pare back you routine to non irritant products, (e.g. La Roche Posay, Avène). High SPF everyday. And get a derm opinion.

[AdvocateNotAdvocat]

Navy yes it can feel sore when it flares up but more commonly feels hot and if, for example, I have a hot bath if feels sore, hot and tight.

Good advice on this thread and think seeing a dermatologist is the best option. At least you'll have a diagnosis and get the right treatment.

[pupsiecola]

I have very sensitive skin and early Rosacea which I manage well having figured out my triggers. I tried Liz Earle's hot cleaning cloth a while back but it was too aggressive for my skin. Heat is definitely a trigger. Muslin cloths/flannels can be too harsh too. I was using La Roche Posay as recommended by my dermatologist but I've just switched to mostly Eucerin products which I really like.

Keep your skincare routine as simple as possible; less is more. I rarely use masks or scrubs these days. Drink loads of water - at least 2 litres a day, aim for 3.

[Indecisivejo]

Be careful if you try la Roche posay or Avene as people are suggesting on here because these were horrible on my skin!

[pupsiecola]

I couldn't get on with Avene. Our skin changes as we age too doesn't it - hormones etc. Grrr!

[BeaufortBelle]

I had something similar once about three days after treating myself to some simple skincare products as part of a NY resolution. Cleared up reLly quickly when I lapsed made the connection

S&B blasts this but No 7 three in one wipes get the slap off and cause no problems and on three for two with a £5 voucher cost £9 for a three month supply

[Putty]

Advocate looks more like Rosacea than navy to me. Navy's rash looks more like a reaction to something.

I second what people say about seeing a dermatologist and just try some different cleansing and makeup routines. Go to a clinique counter and ask for some of their redness solutions samples. I have rosacea and sebhorric dermatitis and they work for me. Try and get some dermalogica samples from somewhere (not sure how, I struggle myself with that!) but if you can apparently it suits several people with rosacea.

Hang in there Navy.

[AmIbeingTreasonable]

Putty, can you please elaborate on what Clinique redness solutions products you use?
Thank you

[VulcanWoman]

I've never heard of this Micellar water but think there was another thread the other day with someone with same problem and using this product, what the heck is the stuff.

[navygravy]

No idea what micellar water is but it was cheap in boots so I bought it, sucker that I am. I've always used toners in the evenings when I haven't worn slap, just to get rid of oil and general grub.

[VulcanWoman]

Just had a quick read about it, micellar means "soapy" so soapy water left on skin without swilling with regular water, doesn't sound too good.

[Kennington]

I get this if I use certain ingredients and dont remove my make up.
Really quite similar and it is normally Shea butter and mineral oil for me.
I would stop using whatever you are using and do a flannel cleanse for a couple of days and see if that makes any difference.
I personally think bar soap if massively maligned and the science behind why is rather iffy.
Cetaphil contains SLS too and no one complains about that. Perhaps this is something you could try.
And change your pillow?
Failing all that a trip to the docs.