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Original poster

Rosacea. What works and what doesn't.

81 replies

FindingMeno · 07/04/2021 19:42

It seems rosacea isn't an uncommon issue to deal with.
Sometimes its difficult to know what will help and what will cause problems, so I'm hoping we can pool experience to avoid costly mistakes.
I'm thinking more of over the counter products rather than prescription.
I can offer CeraVe am cream, Neutrogena hydro boost cleanser water gel, and L'oreal revitalift filler (+ hyaluronic acid) night cream and serum as helpful for me
And I have found Nivea moisturiser and micellar water extremely irritating.

OP posts:
Doilooklikeatourist · 08/04/2021 13:34

I was prescribed Metrogel , which has helped ( in Wales , so prescriptions are free )
Also use factor 50 cetaphil on my face every day and weleda skin food at night , not all the time as I don’t like the smell of it much
I also had blephartis , which was unpleasant , a very sore puffy eye
Metrogel has helped , but not completely , I will be back to the GP

Pantheon · 08/04/2021 13:36

IPL or pulse dye laser. Pricey but works so well for flushing.

HarrietSchulenberg · 08/04/2021 13:57

I have Finacea on prescription from my GP. I had rosacea for 10 years, getting progressively worse, and my old GP basically told me to suck it up and stop being vain. He moved away (very quickly, following a hushed up scandal involving him playing his born-again-Christian ass away behind his wife's back), and the new GP immediately spotted my red face and prescribed for me. She raised her eyebrows when I told her that my old GP refused to prescribe. My rosacea was gone in a week and now I only need to use the cream when I have a flare up.

justanotherneighinparadise · 08/04/2021 16:44

@Pantheon

IPL or pulse dye laser. Pricey but works so well for flushing.
IPL didn’t work well for my flushing at all. I have never had pulsed dye. I would consider it but the state of your face afterwards is shocking. How the hell you go about daily life I have no idea 🤷‍♀️
Moonwatcher1234 · 08/04/2021 23:31

Having been through practically all of the non prescription products out there, I found the Clinique anti redness cream to be the only one to get my really red and angry face under control. I start to panic when I’m nearing the end of a tub without a replacement...it is so good but annoyingly pricey

CrystalMaisie · 08/04/2021 23:42

Soolantra, prescribed by my gp on my request (he hadn’t heard of it).
I can thank all the mumsnetters for this, I searched old posts one day and made a list, this seemed mentioned more than anything else.
It worked in 3 week cycles, got a bit better the plateaued or worsened, then a bit better and plateaued. Took about 5 months for my skin to be consistently clear and amazing, I am delighted. I now use it once a week, any less and a few pustules and redness starts to creep back.
I’m menopausal, Rosacea started in my mid 40’s.

BigBobBoots · 09/04/2021 08:11

This is an interesting thread. I read a MN thread about all the great things people had learnt about on MN and it started me wondering if this patch on my cheek is Rosecea. It's a patch about 4 by 4cm on my left cheek.
I first noticed it a year ago (I'm 45). There are broken veins, red patches , and it used to be tiny red blotches but they're now starting to be tiny fully formed spots.
Do you think this could be rosecea? If so, what should I try? Already use oil based cleanser. It's such a tiny thing I'd rather not bother GP if possible.

Doilooklikeatourist · 09/04/2021 08:31

It’s difficult to say without seeing it !
Mine was first noticed by a beauty therapist , I was having a facial as a treat
Had a bad flare up recently (I’m 60 )
I went to the pharmacy in Tesco , hoping for a miracle cure ( just put some TCP on it ) ( don’t try this ! )
In fact the pharmacist told me to see the Dr , as there was nothing she was able to sell over the counter

BigBobBoots · 09/04/2021 08:44

Thank you DoIlook. I can't post pics for some reason.
OK, I'll try my GP - they can probably still do this over the phone, with photos.

Sickoffamilydrama · 09/04/2021 10:12

@Doilooklikeatourist try superdrug online prescription service you take a photo & they prescribe I always ask for Soolantra.

Doilooklikeatourist · 09/04/2021 10:20

Thanks @Sickoffamilydrama I must have the only Drs surgery that still do face to face appointments , but I will ask for Soolantra this time

PeacheyPeach · 09/04/2021 10:38

Hi all I am awaiting my prescription of soolantra to come through the post. I have been using metronidazole but it has done absolutely naff all so bit the bullet and paid for the online pharmacy. for as anyone who has used Soolantra , can I ask did your skin get worse before it got better? Also did you use it all over your face like you apply moisturiser or do you just apply it to affected areas?

CrabbitArse · 09/04/2021 11:00

My Soolantra came in the post today. I took the plunge after so many recommendations on here. I'm so excited to try it!

Sickoffamilydrama · 09/04/2021 12:15

@PeacheyPeach yes it get worse before it gets better which apparently is the mites dying, I can't remember how long it took.

dgirluk · 09/04/2021 12:30

@PeacheyPeach

Hi all I am awaiting my prescription of soolantra to come through the post. I have been using metronidazole but it has done absolutely naff all so bit the bullet and paid for the online pharmacy. for as anyone who has used Soolantra , can I ask did your skin get worse before it got better? Also did you use it all over your face like you apply moisturiser or do you just apply it to affected areas?
It got better really quickly within a week (not completely but noticeably) but now on week 2 and it's getting a bit worse. I'm hoping it's the temporary blip, not just "going back to normal !"

I put it on the affected areas, then a smear everywhere else. The pamphlet and the printed instructions on the packet sticker contradicted each other!

BigBobBoots · 09/04/2021 13:49

I've just ordered my Soolantra.
It's interesting- I have PCOS, so I've always got spots when I've put on too much weight. I had bad skin last year but was surprised that this patch didn't improve when I lost weight and gave up caffeine. It now seems to be starting on the other cheek too.
Keeping my fingers crossed that this makes a difference. Many thanks all for the info.

whatchathinkaboutthat · 09/04/2021 14:15

Does soolantra work for flushing? That's my main problem. I don't really get the spots permanent redness but I flush super easy especially after being in the cold etc.

Original poster
FindingMeno · 09/04/2021 15:40

Oh I get really bright flushing.
Exercise/ cold.
I'd love to know if anyone has had any success reducing that.
Some great information so far!

OP posts:
justanotherneighinparadise · 09/04/2021 16:33

No. Flushing is definitely helped by a low carb/low sugar diet. Caffeine also sets mine off as does stress and a thousand other things. I think the best bet is laser. What puts me off is the cost and the downtime. £400 a pop when you may need 4 or more treatments for no improvement.

justanotherneighinparadise · 09/04/2021 16:40
  • for potentially no improvement.
Pantheon · 09/04/2021 16:48

@justanotherneighinparadise sorry to hear that. I had pulse due laser and it honestly solved the issue for me. I have had 3 gos of it in the space of maybe two years. My flushing was terrible - heat, stress etc and hardly notice any now. Maybe not IPL, might have got that wrong. But with pulse dye I had a flushed face for maybe a day or two max

Pantheon · 09/04/2021 16:51

I should add I had the treatments about five years ago now.

justanotherneighinparadise · 09/04/2021 20:13

[quote Pantheon]@justanotherneighinparadise sorry to hear that. I had pulse due laser and it honestly solved the issue for me. I have had 3 gos of it in the space of maybe two years. My flushing was terrible - heat, stress etc and hardly notice any now. Maybe not IPL, might have got that wrong. But with pulse dye I had a flushed face for maybe a day or two max[/quote]
Oh no I’m delighted to hear you say that!!!!! It gives me hope. I’m sitting here with a flushed face hating my life lol. I can definitely try pulsed dye. I’m just wondering about trying a small area first to see if it works for me. I don’t fancy the down time alongside school drop offs and pick ups but if it works I could work around that in terms of school holidays. I just don’t want to spend a fortune for no results.

Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 09/04/2021 20:48

Any suggestions for a good non drying mineral spf for rosacea (flushed red nose though no spots)?

stormageddmum · 09/04/2021 21:02

@sickoffamilydrama - would you mind posting that link again please if poss? I can't get it to work. I'm TTC and GP said none of the treatments are suitable in pregnancy. Getting a bit desparate as The Ordinary azelaic isn't working and all I'm reading says it gets worse and 'disfiguring'. Now mites too??!! Jeeezus Shock