To feel so so down about my skin. Rosacea? Photo included

[Strawberryblond9]

I just feel completely down and really low self esteem about my skin. I’m 26 and always suffered with acne, sometimes it’s mild, other times quite bad. I’m starting to wonder if I have rosacea. I’ve been having flare ups and as well as the spots my entire face turns bright red and especially my cheeks burn and feel so hot. I just feel really embarrassed by it. Does this look like it?

I would say you definitely might. Try Soolantra. It’s been a miracle for me. It also looks like it could be dermatitis though

Thank you. I will look into that. It was very dry and itchy and had started bleeding the other day so that could be another possibility

I can't say what that is but I totally get you. It's really, really hard. You can't even stick make up on it. I had something similar, it seemed to come on with stress. Went to v expensive dermatologist, she gave me a couple of creams which did nothing really. That was pre getting the attack on my face. There was apparently nothing to be done with that. And tbf, it just went away itself. But going through it is really hard. Make sure you're using super gentle cosmetics.

I’ve always found dermatologists extremely helpful, GPs in my experience are not much good really on skin problems(at least for eczema, my own problem). Can you lean on your GP for a referral? My niece had roaccutane under a dermatologist and it made such a difference to her skin. That might not be appropriate for you but if not there may be other things that will help. Best wishes.

I would second trying Soolantra. My skin looked much like yours. I put up with it for years and tried various other treatments prescribed by the GP. Within about 3 or 4 weeks of using Soolantra my skin was dramatically improved and so much less painful. I still get occasional flair ups but on the whole my skin is now clear.

Really recommend Sarah at Re-balance. She does free virtual skincare consultations and she is an actual skin wizard! The before and afters she has on instagram and facebook speak for themselves. May be worth a quick conversation with her and some advice.

Hi OP, I have rosacea and mine used to look fairly similar. Maybe make a doctor’s appointment and take photos with you? I did that a few years ago & was prescribed Rozex cream, which massively reduced mine after a few months. I should’ve gone to the doctors years before I did!

Don't waste your time with a non medical practitioner

See a dermatologist

Failing that Dermatica or skin and me online can help

And please don't let it get you down . You are more than your skin 🩷 this can be treated and solved!

You need a prescription for Soolantra don't you?

What do you currently put on your skin?

Definitely try and see a dermatologist

What are you using ATM? You might be having a flare up reaction from it.

I had rosacea for years and the only thing that got it under control was antibiotics - tetracycline.

Lymecycline from the Drs sorted my Rosacea out, skin is quite clear now.

That's true

I use aveeno (green top) on recommendation from my dermatologist

It's excellent

In the meantime, try mixing teaspoon of porridge oats with a teaspoon of natural yogurt, teaspoon of honey and 2 teaspoons of cooled green tea (mix for 2 mins). Apply like a face mask for 15 mins max and gently wash off with water. I find this very calming on my rosacea and eczema prone skin.

Test a small patch first.

This will get better. Good luck.

Also try Rozez(metronidazole)cream, tea tree oil at night(dilute it)

Have you ever used steroid creams?

I agree with seeing a dermatologist. You could in the meantime try ditching whatever you are using and trying either Rose balm from Neal’s yard and La Roche Posay Cicaplast balm for a bit. My skin doesn’t like certain skincare products. Definitely nothing anti-ageing.

La Roche Posay is good.

Tallow works wonders on rosacea, and it's natural and chemical free.

You can get it online.

https://www.pharmacyonline.co.uk/product-landing/soolantra/?ref=PPC&gclid=CjwKCAjwvpCkBhB4EiwAujULMhRsx4D30lwSY0Ve0WG4TYrnjgoBA5m-xWYZSm0ZjVferWgQ_RvIAxoCEdYQAvD_BwE

My skin was like yours just a month ago. I saw a dermatologist and was prescribed lymecycline, rozex cream and soolantra. All of these have been mentioned by others above here too. My dermatologist seems to have thrown everything at it! I was also told to use cleanser, moisturiser and high spf designed for very sensitive skin.
They thought it would take 3-6 months to improve but even after one month it has cleared up so much. I put up with it for months and months and it was really getting me down. I wish I had gone to a dermatologist sooner!

How do you find a dermatologist?