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 have been useing Mirvaso gel for about two years now .It doest cure rosacea but it simply prevents the blood weins from swelling for about 8 to 10 hours.Its the only thing that has worked for me.I rub it every morning after washing on my nose , cheeks and chin.For cover I use Loreals mineral powder and sometimes Joe Blasco red neutralizer. All other creams , lotions and foundation creams make my cheeks swollen , red and make them feel like they are on fire.But I also avoid every thing that makes my skin flare up so ,no alcohol (bummer I know),no spicy foods , no sun , and I try to dress as flimsily as possible to not get hot (hot flashes and rosacea are really a match made in hell).I forgot this one DO NOT EXFOLIATE . People who have this condition tend to have a very thin and sensitive skin so no harsh skincare .

this is the cleanser I've found really good

Are there any non tinted sunscreens that would be suitable- so I can apply to my neck without ruining my clothes?

Le Roche posay do a range called xanthiolois or something like that
Lovely milky sunscreen
My skin loves it

the rosacea care sunscreen is not tinted.

Wondering where you get black seed oil from?

I’ve got rosacea although mine is not the flushing kind.

I use Good Skin gel cleanser from Boots - it’s lovely and mild but moisturising as well. Face cream I use whatever is non fragranced and not expensive, sometimes mixed with a couple of drops of rose hip oil. Nothing seems to make it feel or look better or worse other than not using anything and not touching my face or subjecting my skin to heat or cold. As I have to do stuff I can’t just stay in and not touch my face!

If you are going to try lemon, DONT do it often it’s a very strong acid.

I have rosacea and generally v sensitive skin that is also oily and with big pores. I also always try to use non-toxic and natural products as I have health issues and they usually cause fewer skin reactions.
I started using Tropic skincare (their ABC set) a year or so ago and it's been amazing. My skin has never been better and I hardly get any rosacea now. I oddly get a small amount on the end of my nose (even my doctor says this was "odd"!!) and I use Tropic's Tamanu balm and this clears it up without having to use the antibiotic cream.
www.tropicskincare.com/
I also use a high factor sunscreen in the summer because I am v fair, and sunlight is my main trigger so I ALWAYS use sunscreen whenever the sun is out (even if it's not warm).

I use Green People:
www.greenpeople.co.uk/facial-sun-cream-spf30-50ml?gclid=CjwKCAiAjuPRBRBxEiwAeQ2QPlsKB9Y2y2bhpeAigjozvJkXiAOeOqQgF4nase4LzjuYVBRhQgasZhoCJjcQAvD_BwE
I use Inika make up mainly (OK'd by EWG for non-toxicity) and never had any problems - their powder foundation has sunscreen in it too which is handy if I am only in the sun for short periods in the day. I have also used some Tropic make up (mascara and something else I can't remember!) and again had no reactions. Inika make up is v good quality. www.inikaorganic.com/

Diana, I have that cleanser in the back of my bathroom. I’ve used it once-.
Currently I’m using a Paula’s Choice cleanser and Clinique dramatically different cream. Neither irritates my skin but I want to address the flushing on my nose!

Some great suggestions here! Looks like it’ll be an expensive process finding the products that work/help.

Any hints for makeup that doesn’t slide off/transfer or easily rub off eg when blowing my nose?

I'd love to stop my nose flushing but I'm not sure it's possible without laser. I have cheek and nose flushing, the cheeks started almost 2 years ago but the nose flushing started October last year. Biggest trigger for me is stress/anxiety for my cheeks. My nose flushing is mostly hot drinks and hot meals (Not spicy hot) or rooms that are really hot and stuffy. I hate my nose flushing so much, when it started I'd never had a nose flush before then one day I got really upset and cried. My nose went pink like most people's when they cry but it got darker pink than ever before and felt warm to touch. Ever since then it's flushed at least once a day. It's really irritating because when it flushes it feels all prickly and stuffy. Funnily enough though, hot drinks early in the day don't start my nose off (touch wood) but night time it does.

I currently cleanse with cerave hydrating cleanser but I'm starting to worry about how much longer I can get it for. Amazon have hiked the price up to like £25, when I started buying it it was £12 and there's hardly any available.

I've been using Estee Lauder ANR for about 5 weeks and I love it, then I moisturise with trilogy vital moisturiser....Another thing that's getting harder to get hold of. For sunblock I use Coola mineral spf which works like a primer too then foundation is urban decay all nighter which covers everything.

MustBeThin, does the urban decay have good staying power/ is it reasonably transfer resistant?
Funnily, something in CeraVe now irritates my skin; before this I loved the line.

I find it lasts all day and doesn't transfer much but I have normal-dry skin and I've always used it with the coola underneath which dries pretty matte too. It does oxidize though so you'd probably need a shade lighter than the colour match. I apply it with a damp beauty blender because I hate using brushes on my cheeks if I'm a little flushed in the morning.
I used to use double wear but found it too drying eventually and it started irritating my skin.

Hi, I am late to this thread but have to recommend Soolantra, it has been a game changer for me. I also use Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser to remove my makeup, and Cetaphil daily facial moisturiser each morning under my makeup. I still have some redness and probably always will, so I wear Estee Lauder maximum cover doublewear foundation.
I tried to attach some pics but it won't let me, will try again later.

Bluebell i have soolantra, tried it 3 times and each time I've broken out in lots of P&Ps which I don't usually get lots of (touch wood) derm told me to try it once a week instead. So last time I applied it once then 5 days later I had loads of p&ps again and I hadn't changed anything else. Not seen the derm since, don't know what I'm supposed to do till then. I've heard about the "die off phase" but that seems to be after you've used it for days or weeks not 1 day. I had less P&Ps than the other times I'd tried it but I'm not sure whether that's because I only used it once or because I'd already killed lots of mites the other times I'd used it and I just react quickly to it. No idea. 😐

I've taken antibiotics for a few weeks to get a bad flare up under control.

Elizabeth Arden eight hour cream - the original one, is great. It feels wrong applying it, it's so thick and greasy but it works a treat when applied overnight and at the first tingling of a flare up.

Day to day I find the Body Shop's aloe Vera sensitive range suits my skin, certainly doesn't irritate it.

Do the people who have tried Soolantra have the flushing onlynor P&P also? Or does it mainly just work on the spots?

I had both flushing and P&P, it worked most significantly on the spots but the redness has definitely improved. The first pic is my face before Soolantra and the second is me now.

As you can see, the redness has improved, but I do still wear makeup to even my skin tone out. One more pic of the awful condition my skin was in. Can't believe I had those disgusting mites on my skin for so many years

MustbeThin what a shame it didnt work for you, is it worth seeking a second opinion?

Does anyone have any suggestions to cover up/help the red thread veins that I'm covered in, since suffering for years with rosacea?

As I said upthread I use Estee Lauder doublewear maximum cover camouflage makeup. It works really well. If you go to an Estee Lauder counter they will colour match you. Before I apply it I use Cetaphil moisturiser and then a primer to help it stay put.

Hi OP

It seems you're not getting on with the Mirvaso gel but I thought I'd tell you my experience. I had facial flushing and was prescribed this. When I used it the first day it was like a miracle - I couldn't believe it. My skin was actually ghostly pale and felt so calm!! THEN I had the worst rebound. I remember I was starting a new job and I had a face like a literal tomato. It was awful. It was so hot and flushed - it lasted two weeks. Just a warning. It was so terrible. Obviously I should have spot checked!
Regarding sun creams I have found sun sense and ultra sun to be fantastic. I use the ultra sun tinted face and it's the only sunscreen not to irritate. All others, for years, were a nightmare.
I use miceller water to cleanse - either bioderma or garnier (garnier much the same and way cheaper) and I've found since using these I've had a lot less flushing. I use Avene cream to moisturise. I've also found Sarah Chapman produces amazing - I use her 3D facial moisture mask (it's AMAZING) and the intense moisture booster. They are pricey but so worth it. I always ask for gift vouchers for xmas and birthdays! She also does amazing facials at her clinic in Sloane Square

I hope this helps.

I cover redness with Bobbi Brown serum foundation and their Stick foundation where I need extra help. I have super dry skin and can’t use Doublewear etc. The Bobbi Brown is one of the better moisturising & coverage ones I’ve found.

I’ve just had my first round of IPL for thread veins & diffuse redness and although I bruised pretty badly to start with (not a normal side effect), I’m so pleased with the results only 10 days on. Even my husband can see a noticeable difference - it has eliminated all of the little broken veins either side of my nose my nose & apples of cheeks, and I just look a bit pink instead of ruddy.

I had it done by a consultant dermatologist who really didn’t promise much in improvement, so I’m looking forward to the second round in the new year.

I’m a die hard Bobbi Brown fan but I find it rubs off easily, eg, when I blow my nose (often, during this time of year) and at work as I work inhealthcare and wear a mask. I end up looking silly with the rest of my makeup mostly intact and a red nose! I’ve also started to notice a massive settling of makeup into my pores in my nose, so I have a red nose with polka dot makeup!
Powder doesn’t help, nor do primers. I don’t know which is worse, the red nose or the makeup getting messed up.
Are enlarged pores a feature of rosacea?

It may seem vain but it really gets me down. I used to have lovely skin and the rest of my face is mostly ok, except for the perioral dermatitis and rosacea. Maybe the perioral dermatitis is actually rosacea?

Also, recently, a few of the Bobbi brown products cause my cheeks to feel very irritated and dry; perhaps not is one of the ingredients but I don’t know which one!