Rosacea - what works for you?

[SnackBitch2020]

I am 37 and have had rosacea for a number of years. I have no formal diagnosis but that’s what it is. It’s on my cheeks and nose. My cheeks in particular often feel hot and look red. It’s definitely getting worse as I’m getting older, and I’m now getting a lot of fine lines around my eyes too.

I would really appreciate your advice please on what products and lifestyle choices have helped your rosacea.

At the moment I’m using simple bar soap and simple rich moisturiser. It’s what I end up going back to. I’ve tried other products over the years (can’t remember which, but e45 is a no!) but they never seem to wash off properly, or are too greasy and give me spots. I used to use Clinique 72 hour moisture surge but that doesn’t agree with me now. I wear glasses and find that greasy creams give me a lot of spots around my glasses (which I keep clean).

My rosacea triggers are caffeine, exercise, sun exposure, stress and taking showers/baths (that are not too hot!). Do you find diet helps in any way? What products work for you? If you have seen a dermatologist what did they recommend? I’m going to go the GP I think if it gets much worse but want to try and manage it better myself first. I’m prepared to try most things.

Thanks so much.

[pangolina]

The post above re diet reminded me... I have moved to a pescatarian, dairy free diet which has coincided with the massive improvement in my skin. Well worth a try.

[Winner2020]

I came on to say Soolantra. I had terrible angry red spots and rough patches for years, and Soolantra cleared it up in weeks. Someone recommended it on here.

I only use it very occasionally now, I haven't had a flare up in 2 years.

[Laundrywoman]

Acne rosacea here, I've tried most things over the years with limited success.
After a painful flare of pustule rosacea spots a couple of years
ago I put some germolene with anesthetic cream on them purely for
the anesthetic relief.

Surprisingly it worked really well at clearing
the flare and I use it all the time now at the first sign of a rosacea flare up.
I'd say it's well worth a try, op.

Also use a SP50 on my face or a large brimmed hat to even pop outside to the bin.
I use this one, it just looks like foundation:

www.amazon.co.uk/s?ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_16&crid=1930X3HS7JMSA&sprefix=haute%20protection%2Caps%2C150&k=haute%20protection%20compact&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Fluffycloudland77]

Dermatology can prescribe isotretonoin if all else fails.

[SnackBitch2020]

Hope everyone is well
Can I please ask a silly question.
If you apply some kind of topical cream and a moisturiser, which do you apply first?

[lulla12345]

Soolantra, I used superdrug online pharmacy to get a prescription. I barely need to use it at all now.
Normal day to day I use body shop chamomile cleansing butter, and try to use a light moisturiser.
I do also thing gut health is important and affects my rosacea and so I take a probiotic.

[ChateauMargaux]

Echoing what was said above, your skin is a window to your inner health. Often, rosacea is associated with a hormonal imbalance which evening primrose oil would be the first line of attack. Healthy oils, vitamins A, C and D, magnesium and probiotics would be worth considering as well as a 'clean' diet (no caffeine, dairy, sugar, grains, soya, legumes, deep sea or shell fish, red meat) until things improve. Then you can work out what your body can tolerate and how often it if a reset was all your body needed.

[SnackBitch2020]

Interesting - I recently started on desogestrel (progesterone only pill)!

[chatwoo]

I received a rosacea diagnosis from a dermatologist earlier this year. Have got the type with the broken capillaries and bumps/spots (I think "pustules" - lovely word - is the medical term).

For the general redness and bumps, I'm using a lotion with 20% Azelaic Acid, which really clears up any flare ups. I can get this lotion off the shelf in the pharmacist (not in UK) and it's pretty cheap. I use it at night without anything else.

For the capillaries, I'm having medical laser treatment and am going for my third session on Friday. Am told that some of the capillaries won't clear completely as I've had them for so long, but it's a big improvement already, and it's got me past the stage of waking up and wondering how red my face will be!

[superstar63]

Chatwoo, can you tell me what type of laser treatment and the approximate cost please?

[thefemaleJoshLyman]

I’ve just been prescribed Metrogel for my rosacea, I’ve had red cheeks for years but just started with the spots (pustules - yuck). Hopefully it should help to clear it up. I read the information on the NHS website - No alcohol, no hot drinks, caffeine, cheese, no spicy food and not doing too much aerobic exercise. It is a nightmare for a runner! I actually think that my trigger might be exercise and sun, I’ve done a lot more running during lock down.

Does anyone else use Clinique 3-step? If so, which clarifying lotion do you use?

[chatwoo]

@superstar63 - it's Variable Pulsed Light (VPL) but I'm not in UK, so can't advise on price in GBP I'm afraid.

[pangolina]

@thefemaleJoshLyman I had metrogel ans found that it did work, but not as quickly or thoroughly as the azelaic acid.