Another rosacea one

[Blahblahblahyadayadayada]

Thanks in advance for reading!

I finally saw a dermatologist privately regarding flushing and redness affecting my nose for almost 9 years. He diagnosed mild rosacea (flushing mainly on my nose- I get very red but typically didn’t go so red today, very sensitive cheeks). A little underwhelmed as they didn’t give much advice re skincare or suggested type of products and I had to keep asking what he suggested re sunscreens etc as I have really found it difficult to find moisturisers and sunscreens that don’t irritate me.

Anyhow, they’ve prescribed Mirvaso (private prescription... how much will it set me back?) and said I may need oral antibiotics if it doesn’t work and I’ve stopped breastfeeding.

My cheeks are very sensitive (even CeraVe stings now). LRP tolerable ultra used to be good but started stinging. Same for Superdrug Dry Skin cream and Astral. Clinique DDM Cream seems ok but maybe not quite enough on my cheeks in this weather. T zone is more normal/oily and I’ve recently had perioral dermatitis mainly on my chin- have almost finished the tube of Fucidin for that. From previous experience, topical antibiotics eventually work but I need to generally avoid all other products on the affected areas.

I also found that my trusted Bobbi Brown BB and CC creams irritate my cheeks. Foundation stick was fine.
Maybe I need to avoid all chemical sunscreen and I don’t know what in CeraVe caused the problem- maybe the parabens?

He eventually suggested SunSense sensitive sunscreen and Aveeno or even aqueous cream (I know many find aqueous cream controversial). But the aveeno lotion in the green tube isn’t moisturising enough in my face.

I’d love to hear what worked for other people in terms of skincare, sunscreen and makeup. Bare minerals used to sting even before I had this issue. I’ve heard the Mattè version may be better for this.

Anyhow, I appreciate if you’ve got this far and welcome any advice!

[zippyswife]

Hi. I was diagnosed with this nearly 15 years ago. My skin was really bad until I got it under control.

Rosex cream (on prescription) was the big turning point. And Avene skin products. Water irritates my skin (crazy I know). So I use the extremely gentle cleanser that can be wiped off with a cotton pad (no water required) then I use one of their day/night creams. I haven’t got on so well with the ones with spfs. The ones without seem better to be.

For sunscreen I took a gamble on no7 factor 50 bb cream- it’s tinted too. Doesn’t irrate my skin at all.

For the dryness I’ve found almond oil a miracle buy. Just standard almond oil (ktc I think) I use it after cleansing and before moisturising.

Good luck. You’ll get there

[zippyswife]

Aqueous cream really irritated my skin by the way!

[zippyswife]

I think when I you get the skin care nailed you’ll tolerate make up much easier.

I use ysl touché eclat foundation.

[MayFayner]

I have rosacea. I am currently on a low dose of antibiotics (minocycline). I hate taking them but I have a dread of the rosacea reaching my eyes so needs must.

I am also using azaelic acid as prescribed by GP.

Skin care, I've always been a Clarins or LRP person but just recently I've been using Aveeno anti-redness moisturiser. I find I can really slather it on and of course it does nothing with regard to "redness" but it just feels nice and soothing. It's got SPF 20 and the big thing is it doesn't react with the azaelic acid (LRP Hydraphase, my usual moisturiser, does react).

Massive thing for me: I cannot take multi-vitamins. I don't know if it's the b-vits or what but I get pustules straight away. In fact it was during my preganancy with DC3 when I was taking my multivitamin religiously that I first got rosacea.

[Blahblahblahyadayadayada]

Thanks for the replies.

I’ve tried Rosex gel but it too irritated my skin a bit. I’ll check out the No7 B.B. cream- who knew?!

I have read about the niacinamide flush but I feel I need the vitamins (especially b vitamins as I’m vegetarian and have no energy thanks to sleep deprivation)! I don’t drink alcohol so that’s not a factor but cold wind and weather is, even if I’m only outside for a few seconds.

I’ll try the oil- I use oil in my hair so worth a go. Just a bit annoying with the simultaneous perioral dermatitis.
MayFayner, is the Aveeno facial care available in the UK?

[MayFayner]

I'm in Ireland OP, so I'm sure you can get it in the UK. I will post a photo.

I'm actually not even sure if it's the niacin/imide flush that affects me with the multivitamin. It's more pustules than flushing. But yes, I have to take iron and sometimes other supplements separately.

[MayFayner]

This is it

[readyforapummelling]

Hi OP, skincare - you could try IT cosmetics. The founder of the brand actually suffered with bad rosacea and developed the range for this reason. They are doing deals on QVC at the moment so it might be worth taking a look.

[BWatchWatcher]

Hi,
You should try Soolantra
www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/soolantra.html
It kills the cause (hopefully) of the rosacea. Mine is substantially better after applying it for a few weeks earlier this year.

[SleepFreeZone]

Ive read that the Mirvado cream can cause horrible rebound flushing. So be careful with that. There is a new cream out called Rhofade which apparently has less side effects. I haven't tried it though so I can't give any personal testimony. It's the one I would try for my flushing if I were to get hold of it.

[Blahblahblahyadayadayada]

Thanks. I’ll look out for the Aveeno with spf- haven’t seen it in Boots but will look again.

BWatchWatcher, Is Soolantra available without a prescription?

readyforapummelling, have you tried IT cosmetics? I’ve been tempted by the bye bye redness and their face cream but have put off ordering to date.

SleepFreeZone, I asked the consultant about rebound redness and he was fairly non commital about it. He suggested the mirvaso is not for daily use, more for “special occasions”, meetings etc. I wasn’t too impressed with the consultation though as my flushing bothers me daily. I’m sick of being called Rudolph! Is the rebound permanent?

[readyforapummelling]

Yes I'm a complete convert now. The moisturiser is so hydrating on your skin followed by the CC cream, it looks fab. My colleague asked me if I had Botox a couple of days after starting using it so that really sold it ha!

[BWatchWatcher]

You can get Soolantra from Pharmacy2U and similar. They will prescribe online or a sympathetic go may do. It's £30 online but it really helped me.

[readyforapummelling]

I've taken complete advantage of the QVC special offers. They are doing the easy pay on it too at the moment so you pay it off in 3 month instalments. Plus they are including the brushes too which is massively worth it as the brushes are around £30 on their own.

[Growingboys]

I went to see a vg dermatologist and she told me to use:

soolantra every night (I originally got it from her, now I use pharmacy 2 u)

skinceuticals serum every morning (expensive) www.skinceuticals.co.uk/serum-10

then this sun protection/tinted moisturiser: www.dermacaredirect.co.uk/jan-marini-physical-protectant.html

this eye cream - it's great: www.amazon.co.uk/NeoStrata-Skin-Active-Intensive-Therapy/dp/B004TGZPJC?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

cetaphil face wash or la roche posay one from Boots

and that's it. I wash my face morning and evening. In the am I follow it with the serum, tinted moisturiser and eye cream, and at night I follow it with soolantra.

If I feel the need for an extra moisturising cream (eg in v cold conditions) I use this skinceuticals one: www.dermacaredirect.co.uk/skinceuticals-redness-neutralizer.html

OK it's all expensive stuff but it lasts pretty long and has TOTALLY changed my appearance and my skin is now great.

Really REALLY recommend all the above. I also have mirvaso but have only used it once to try it out. It worked well - too well. I looked like a corpse! But might be useful for important events eg meetings where you don't want to look like a blushing idiot etc.

Good luck, you will sort it. all the above was prescribed by the dermatologist I saw so why not give it a go as she's great? Your man doesn't sound that hot tbh.

[BWatchWatcher]

By the way, best coverage for me is a Bourjois CC cream. Great product and cheap. Recommended on a few other rosacea threads. Gel moisturisers are great too Kiehl and Clinique do one that just sink in with no irritation.

[Blahblahblahyadayadayada]

Readyforapummelling is it this moisturiser:

www.qvcuk.com/IT-Cosmetics-Confidence-in-a-Cream-Super-Moisturizing-Cream.product.232210.html?sc=SRCH

Growingboys, I was very disappointed with my consultation, especially as I thought he’d give more practical advice. I’ll try to get the Mirvaso but even he didn’t sound very convinced. Maybe rosacea wasn’t his thing. I’ve actually tried the Skin ceuticals redness neutraliser and it did nothing for the redness. What does the serum do? Cetaphil made my cheeks burn so I ended up using it as a hand wash! I might look up the Jan Marini sunscreen. I don’t even want to think about what I’ve spent on various creams etc over the years... and nothing helps conceal or prevent my red nose.

[Blahblahblahyadayadayada]

BWatchWatcher, can you suggest which Clinique one? The Moisture surge isn’t quite enough now though I used it many many years ago, same with Kiehl’s ultra facial cream.
I could try Bourjois. My problem with many cosmetics is they come up too pink/ashy on my Asian skin, hence I didn’t get the It cosmetics one.

[BWatchWatcher]

Clinique now have a moisture surge hydrating concentrate.
It's like super moisture surge.
Apparently you are not supposed to use it on your whole face, but luckily there is no Clinique cctv here.

[BWatchWatcher]

There is a neutrogena gel cream. It is highly perfumed. Do not be temped by the cheaper price! It sucks.

[Blahblahblahyadayadayada]

I know what you mean about the Neutrogena one; I tried it in boots on the back of my hand when it first launched and it was pretty drying!

[Blahblahblahyadayadayada]

Just another question re physical sunscreen- I find them very drying. Is the JanMarini a bit more hydrating than the others?

[Growingboys]

The Jan Marini is like a tinted moisturiser that also has a sunscreen.

The serum is INSTEAD of a daily moisturiser. It makes my skin soft and look nice.

If you don't like Cetaphil there's one by La Roche Posay which is great - I got it from Boots. Can't be bothered to get out of bed to check but will do later!

The dermatologist I saw is in London and is a rosacea specialist - if you want her details DM me!

[strongandlong]

Soolantra has made a huge difference to my skin. It's much less sore/sensitive and I can now tolerate a much wider range of products than before.

[readyforapummelling]

Yes it is that one. Sorry for the late reply!