Another rosacea one

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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!

I like the BB cream from No. 7, but currently need more coverage so using Max Factor. I can’t use Bare Minerals either. I’m no on Dermelex (sp?) cream which I got from a pharmacy but isn’t prescription only.

I hear a lot about Soolantra so I’m interested to see I may get that online now.

If you use FB, there’s a great group on there. Rosacea (in English), it’s been a huge source of information and advice for me.

Soolantra and antibiotics were a turning point for me. I still have flushing but my skin is 95% better. I was prescribed Sunsense foundation at the same time and that has been good too. My skin is far less sensitive now. Fingers and toes crossed.

Thanks so much for the suggestions.
I spot tested the Mirvaso yesterday; I applied a tiny, almost homeopathic amount to half of the tip of my nose and it seemed to work but if it isn’t for everyday then that’s no good. Also, I’d like to prevent the flushing more regularly, if you see what I mean.
I’ll PM re your dermatologist, Growingboys. Thanks. I wonder was it Rosaliac cleanser?

I’m currently using Paula’s choice skin recovery cleanser and sometimes one of her 2% BHA. I also put some diprobase on my cheeks before washing in the morning and on the day my cheeks were sore- it really helped. Just need to sort out sunscreen, maybe I’ll try the serum suggested. I have Buffet by The Ordinary but that always just pills off my skin, even when I apply it to clean skin.

blahblah I personally think the flushing subtype of rosacea is the hardest one to treat. I was treated with laser many years ago by a fantastic doctor who has since passed away sadly. That did help somewhat but unfortunately not completely. Food, tiredness and stress are my main triggers.

The IT Cosmetics CC cream has a Factor 50 physical sunscreen and gives really good coverage - I still haven't found much that is helping with my Steve Bannon-like complexion, but at least I can cover it up! If you order from QVC you can send it back if it irritates you or you don't like it.

This is extraordinarily helpful. I suffered from rosacea in pregnancy 1 and for about 6 months afterwards, then it went away and back to the usual hormonal acne. The idea that it could be caused by multi-vitamins never occurred to me! My cousin has exactly the same skin as me and had awful rosacea in each pregnancy so we compare notes. The product tips above are very helpful- thanks!

fakingit I don't think mine was caused by the multi-vits per se, because I had always had a tendency to flush. But I will get pustules within a few days of trying to take a miltivitamin and they subside when I stop, so, for me anyway, I've made that connection.

Thanks bigfatfeet. I checked the qvc website but I’m not sure the shades will match. I think there is one shade available directly from IT that could work. However, I read the ingredients list and the CC cream contains snail slime pretty high up on the list ( not the technical term, but it’s some kind of extract from the snail slime). I just can’t get past that.... but if the redness still bothers me, I might try it. I’d imagine it is fairly refined and not just scraped off a pavement!

I’ll have to try taking the vitamins separately. I do have a stash of various supplements on my counter!

Soolantra was transformational for me - and my GP prescribed it. The Ordinary's Azalaic Acid suspension should theoretically be good too, since Finacea cream is the only thing that deals with my rosacea spots.

Is the azelaic acid more for the pimples/bumps? I don’t get many pimples on my nose/ cheeks, more on my chin. I do have enlarged pores on my nose and sebaceous filaments, or at least that’s what I think. I get a polka dot effect with makeup, even with primer.

Oh my god I have been applying snail slime to my face?? Pahahahahaha

“Snail secretion filtrate”. Apparently it works in a way similar to egg white, ie has a tightening effect. To be fair, there are probably all sorts of animal derived ingredients in various cosmetics unless they’re vegan. But knowing what’s in the CC cream, I don’t think I could use it!

Has anyone found EL Double wear to help cover flushing?

Well, I’m not sure the Mirvaso is for me. I’ve used it 3 times, using only the tiniest amount (almost homeopathic) on only the tip of my nose and I feel quite unwell with it! It does reduce the flushing but I’ve got a lot of nasal congestion, dizziness and feeling a bit faint and weak.
I’m so glad I didn’t apply the suggested pea sized amount!
Maybe I’ll ask for something else; he did say they can try beta blockers but I’m not sure that is a good option for me while I’m still breastfeeding. I guess the flushing isn’t so easy to manage.

What's worked for me, and i appreciate this sounds ineffective, but its so cheap so maybe worth a try.. I mix a paste of ready break and water and leave it on to soothe. Then wash with the mixture too on my face morning and night. It seems to stop it flaring up. The gel and creams didn't do anything for me.

blahblah did you look into Rhofade? I know it's available in the US now, I'm not sure about here.

Has anyone found EL Double wear to help cover flushing?

I use Doublewear concealer on my cheeks every day. I haven't found anything better (although I haven't really tried many as the EL does the job).

www.janeiredale.co.uk/glow-time-full-coverage-mineral-bb-cream

I swear by this-it actually calms my rosacea down

I use neals yard frankincense cream to moisturise and la Roche posay to wash my face

Stress exacerbates mine

Bubble, that’s not odd- I’ll bet it is the oats that are calming!
I’ll check out the Jane Iredale one; I’ve heard the mineral makeup is good and hers doesn’t have bismuth oxychloride. Thanks for the suggestion, Givemestrength.
I’m sure I’ve tried the double wear concealer in the past; is it in a round pot? The problem area is my nose, so unfortunately my makeup wipes off every time I blow my nose! Maybe the double wear foundation would help with that?

I've found the rosacea care spf and moisturiser quite good. Their cleanser, while not irritating, wasn't cleansing enough for me. I have a skintactix one which is great but only available from the US and a PITA to get elsewhere. If you happen to be going to the US I do recommend you order it, though, it really is great.

When I last had a bad patch and was out of moisturiser I went into a health food shop and tried a drop of all their testers on my cheeks. I cam out with flaming cheeks, but I did find one which wasn't irritating. A rose one, but I can't remember the brand just now.

I take lymecyline... All topical treatment made it worse or irritated my skin.
I used avene sun cream as daily moisturiser for few yrs but then it became a trigger so now using laser Roche - posay.

My advice is:

No soap, cleanser, exfoliation products on face.... Ever.
For me no red wine or whisky... :( ever
Minimum make up, and only max once a week, any more and on get flare ups.
Trial and error on make up.. But best success with bobbi brown tinted moisturiser as a foundation. Used thinly.
Daily high spf sun screen.
Never go for facials
Stay out of sun

It's about knowing your triggers and avoiding them, figure out what products you can tolerate and then stick to it.

If my skin is very dry I use tiny amounts of of Johnson baby oil.. Bizzare but my skin likes it

SleepFreeZone, love the name... how I feel these days. Have I seen you on the weaning forum?

I don’t know about rhofade in the UK. Is it more tolerated than Mirvaso? I can ask at my follow up.

Liara, I have friends in the US so I could ask them to brin me some of the products if you can tell me which ones you’ve liked.

Theredjellybean, my triggers seem to be cold weather/wind but also they just happen randomly. I don’t drink alcohol but maybe caffeine is a bit of a trigger for me. But I so desperately need my tea since I get no sleep. I’m just fed up with my red nose that I can’t even conceal as makeup wipes off of the redness shines through. I’m an avid Bobbi. Brown fan but the tinted moisturiser didn’t work for me. I have a stash of various other products, however.....!

Sympathies op.. Hard to avoid the cold winds...

I had terrible rosacea a few years ago, all over my face. It became very inflamed while on holiday, and in desperation I popped into a little shop that sold lotion and potions. The old man in the shop didn't sell me anything, but recommended washing my face with warm water and lemon and then applying black seed oil. I did that when I got home, that was 6 years ago, the rosacea disappeared and never came back. I still use black seed oil daily as a moisturizer.

fabulous, I shall order some black seed oil! Do you still wash with lemon? Did the redness go away?