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!

It might be the lavender oil they insist on putting in EVERYTHING?

i use \link{https://www.skinshop.co.uk/kalme-undercoat\this} for allergies but it's been recommended for rosacrea

The Kalme product looks very interesting!

The lavender oil could well be the issue, though some of the non fragranced products ( like the CC or B.B. cream, foundation stick ) also caused problems recently. Maybe I’m just overly sensitive right now?

I find using a balm cleanser (Oskia) then a facial oil has calmed it down a lot for me. I use skin & tonic Brit beauty oil or balance me radiance or rose otto face oil. Followed by Neal's yard frankincense moisturiser. Bare minerals powder foundation gives me good coverage and doesn't upset my skin. I mix 2 shades to get the right one.

Does anyone have ocular rosacea as well? I have this and it was dreadful till I got a diagnosis. Now I have FML liquiffilm drops which make a massive difference. But I still can't wear any eye make up at all. The tiniest bit of eveliner and they start streaming I can't take the antibiotics as they make me feel sick and dizzy.

I keep hearing good things about going gluten free. I keep meaning to do it but over Christmas it's so bloody difficult.

GrowingBoys - I've ordered the creams your dermatologist suggested and am hopeful! I have a tube of the Soolantra but I got it just before I found out I was pregnant and I'm now breastfeeding and it's not clear on whether or not you can really use it while pregnant or breastfeeding so I haven't used it. I might wait until baby goes a bit longer between feeds (3 weeks old so currently only get minutes!) before using it. I loathe my red blotchy skin and now that baby 3 is here (and I'm not having more children) I'm keen to try to tackle it!

MountainDweller - I think I also have ocular rosacea. Eye make up really irritates my eye and recently I had to have to cysts (chalazions) removed from my eye. I got this random massive lump under my eye lid (right above my pupil) so I went to an ophthalmologist and they removed it (on the spot, local anaesthetic, with my eye lid pulled back - grim!). Thought it was all done and dealt with (was 37 weeks pregnant so was keen to get it dealt with pre new born) and then one week later another one popped up right next to the old one and I had to got back and have it done again. All gone now - hopefully...but chalazions are linked to ocular rosacea. Are the eye drops you mention prescription or OTC?

I’ve ordered some Paula's Choice products and samples and am waiting to see if any of the skinceuticals stuff (serum and eye cream suggested by growingboys) goes on sale after Christmas. Have ordered a Paula’s choice spf as it is not tinted but some of their products haven’t suited me in the past, so if it fails, I’ll opt for the Jan Marini one.

I’m actually finding the Clinique DDM cream (in a pot) is fairly soothing, though doesn’t stop my nose from flushing.

What do people use for pores/exfoliation- a BHA?

LondonSouth28, sounds like you’ve been through a lot! Did you find an answer to the breastfeeding/Soolantra issue?

I think the answer is 'don't know' the pregnancy/breastfeeding. They won't say it's 100% ok. I've read that I could possibly start using it when baby spaces out her feeds a bit more.

I just came on to recommend Kalme but someone’s already done it. The Chameleon Concealer is great, it really covers pores instead of settling in them and I like that not only does it cover redness, it treats it too.
I don’t love the cleanser as I seem to use a lot of it to remove make up but the moisturisers are good (you only need a tiny bit of each as it’s quite rich) and I would definitely try the concealer. I use that and then a dusting of Maz Factor Facefinity compact over the top.
Hope you find something that works for you, it’s the pits.

I’m trialling sunscreen at the moment. Trying a Paula’s choice one but it seems very drying so I may return it.
Was thinking of going back to Clinique City block sheer. I know it’s only spf 25, not 30 but with the tiny exposure I get to sunlight, it should be ok. Or I’ll splurge and get the Jan Marini one, but that has an even higher zinc content than the Paula’s choice one so may be too drying.

Got the vitamins c serum growingboys suggested. Just need to sort a really good spf that moisturises. Otherwise I’ll end up applying vitamin c, moisturiser, spf, primer, makeup....too much!
PhatSlag, where can I get Chameleon concealer? Does the kalme stuff moisturise as well?

Ok, I'm off to try loads of these tips here!
OP, I've used double wear and it's fine on my cheeks. I always slap loads of my green primer underneath though (kids call me Toad Face!). Trouble is I find DW quite drying and it looks flakey and cakey by my nose.
I am still on the hunt for my perfect foundation and I'm nearly 40! Depressing!

I’ve got a sample pot of double wear. It’s a great colour match and so far doesn’t seem irritating but I think the spf I’ve got might be too drying, which of course won’t help the dryness from DW. I’ll try without the spf tomorrow as I’m mostly indoors anyway most of the time and see how the Dw fares. Just wish spf wasn’t such an issue!

I have had rosacea for 7 years and finally have it totally under control using LEO cleanser, Eucerin moisturiser and Bourjois makeup. No sunscreen just a large hat! But changing my diet made the most difference no tomatoes, yeast, instant cofee, strawberries, nuts, red wine and now no rosacea. It really is worth looking at dietary triggers. It is such a relief to not be red, spotty and itchy.

Should be LRP moisturiser!

The organisation Changing faces are amazing! They have clinics regularly in hospitals etc and you can self refer. They use Veil make up - colour match you and teach you how to use it. You can then buy online or get it on prescription from your GP. The powder that sets it is really good and won't wipe off when you blown your nose. You can even swim in it and it won't come off when applied correctly.
I too didnt get on with Mirvaso. I thought it was going to be a wonder cream, but actually it made me feel really faint and ill. I use Ivermectin now and don't think it makes a huge difference really so just try and cover the redness up with makeup.
When I don't need 'heavy duty' make up I use double wear and find that pretty good.

@fabulousfrumpyfeet thanks for this.I've just ordered some black seed oil. O. P... I currently use KALME creams which help, but not entirely. I find the day cream very drying so just use the cleanser and the night cream then put a little AVEENO oatmeal moisturiser on top after its sunk in. My skin is so much better than it was... My nose is my main problem too 😭 ... But can't wait to try the black seed oil.

I don’t understand my skin. I may end up sending back the Paula’s choice stuff- great in theory but maybe not working out for my skin.
Funnily, however, my Clinique moisturiser seem to be fairly soothing. I might just see if I can find some black seed oil. I was reading an old MN thread where people mentioned Morniga oil.
I think that given the time of year and my minimal outdoor exposure, I could avoid the sunscreen for now. Sunlight isn’t really a trigger and in fact, I’ve had summers where the redness has been much less. I haven’t noticed any dietary triggers but have has issues with reflux and have also heard that stomach issues can affect rosacea. I’m sure the lack of sleep isn’t helping!

You get the chameleon concealer from SkinShop. It’s not really a concealer, it’s more of a tinted moisturiser that adapts to your skin tone. It can be a bit yellow but I infinitely prefer that to red! It’s so easy to apply and blend in and you can add more without it looking cakey.
I find it moisturisering enough on its own so don’t often use the day cream too or if I do, I use a tiny amount if my face feels dry.

Not moisturisering- moisturising!

Binumo probiotics supposed to be good

Looks like I’ll have to give the Chameleon Conceaer a go! Especially if it works as a moisturiser.
Still a little dry today but now I’m thinking it could just be the vitamin c serum causing my skin to slough off a bit. No sensitivity, though. Maybe it’ll gradually reveal a new me!
I’ve tried probiotics before (not for skin, just generally) and they gave me tummy trouble! But I can’t remember if they were the Bimuno ones or something else.

Thought I’d revive this thread. Mafrid, do you use a daily sunscreen?

I keep reading that physical spf is better for rosacea than the chemical ones, but the mineral spf also have the downside of being drying. Hence I haven’t tried the Kalme day cream. I have, however been using the Chameleon concealer and I wonder if I might just get away with that even though it’s obly an spf of 20. Also, mineral spf seem to just highlight my pores even more!

Oh, another thing to throw into the mix - kefir. Have you tried that? It's a multi-probiotic and it's really good for rebalancing your gut bacteria, which some people* say has a subtle effect on skin conditions. I started drinking a little every day to counteract the months and months I spent taking big doses of oxytetracline on prescription and I have to say it's coincided with a period of relative calmness on the rosacea front. If I don't take it, I do notice a few more breakouts.

• the same some people who say rosacea is caused by tiny mites/thin skin/tomatoes/sun/wind/rain/fire/Eastenders.