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Adult acne & rosacea, how to cover

10 replies

FlipperyGibbet · 25/06/2025 21:54

MNetters please help. I turn 34 this year and have suffered with hormonal acne since I turned 12. Going on the contraceptive pill helped loads, but I don't want to go back onto this having come off 4 years ago.
The acne scarring is fair to middling, and is mixed in with rosacea across my cheekbones and nose. When I break out, the spots are angry and red, and then they calm down again for the second half of my cycle. A friend's child asked me the other day if I had chicken pox, and this was on a "good skin" day for me.

Since having my DD a year ago, I've not had time each morning to do my make up like I would usually do for work. It's been liberating to care less about my acne over the past 6 months and just let it be, but I'm returning to work soon and I just know those self conscious feelings will return with it.

So, I'm after any recommendations for something I can put on my face each morning which isn't as heavy as foundation but instead maybe evens out my skin tone. I must have tried tens and tens of products: Dr Jaart cream, the NARS stuff, Obagi tinted SPF, garnier cc and bb creams, mixing foundations with moisturisers, Charlotte Tilbury flawless finish, the list goes on. Literally everything sits oddly on my skin and looks a weird combo of cakey and oily at the same time. I've also tried primers, setting sprays, you name it, I've given it a go.

Skincare-wise I am on tretinoin and use Elemis. Pre pregnancy I had chemical peels, facials and skinpen microneedling.

Apologies for the long post but I wanted to put down everything I'd already tried. I'm at my wits end with my skin. If anyone in a similar boat has found a product that works for them, please share!

OP posts:
TidyWasp · 25/06/2025 23:10

Apologies in advance for a long reply!
I have hormonal acne and redness though my skin does not sound as difficult as yours, I feel for you.
I have always used full coverage foundations to cover all my spots and red patches but found I was having issues with makeup looking great for about 5 minutes then splitting, wearing off, going patchy and grim.
I recently tried Erborian CC cream and when giving it a first try at home was distinctly unimpressed, could see no difference in the bits I'd done and those I hadn't. Then gave it a crack on a workday with the rest of my face done and a bit of pressed powder and setting spray and it looked pretty decent. Then at a mid afternoon check i was amazed to see it was all still there, no patches, no caking, no sliding.
It's a very light coverage so may not suit the look you're going for but I expect would also be good to use as an overall base and then use a foundation/concealer on red patches or spots. They also do a green tinted one that I have not tried but is designed to neutralise redness.
I imagine if you have a Boots etc near you they may have it available to sample, it might be worth a try!

BeMoreAmandaland · 25/06/2025 23:22

Request a referral to dermatology. Both conditions can be treated with isotrenoin, which can be taken in orally or topically.

Isotrenoin is roaccutance and 100% worth exploring with a dermatologist.

You've tried everything else.

FlipperyGibbet · 26/06/2025 08:27

TidyWasp · 25/06/2025 23:10

Apologies in advance for a long reply!
I have hormonal acne and redness though my skin does not sound as difficult as yours, I feel for you.
I have always used full coverage foundations to cover all my spots and red patches but found I was having issues with makeup looking great for about 5 minutes then splitting, wearing off, going patchy and grim.
I recently tried Erborian CC cream and when giving it a first try at home was distinctly unimpressed, could see no difference in the bits I'd done and those I hadn't. Then gave it a crack on a workday with the rest of my face done and a bit of pressed powder and setting spray and it looked pretty decent. Then at a mid afternoon check i was amazed to see it was all still there, no patches, no caking, no sliding.
It's a very light coverage so may not suit the look you're going for but I expect would also be good to use as an overall base and then use a foundation/concealer on red patches or spots. They also do a green tinted one that I have not tried but is designed to neutralise redness.
I imagine if you have a Boots etc near you they may have it available to sample, it might be worth a try!

Totally get what you mean about the splitting and patchiness, I have the exact same issue!
I'll give this a go, thank you! I'm going day to day wearing nothing at the moment so I think even light coverage might be enough to make me feel a bit more put together and ready for work. Thank you!

OP posts:
FlipperyGibbet · 26/06/2025 08:29

BeMoreAmandaland · 25/06/2025 23:22

Request a referral to dermatology. Both conditions can be treated with isotrenoin, which can be taken in orally or topically.

Isotrenoin is roaccutance and 100% worth exploring with a dermatologist.

You've tried everything else.

Thank you. I don't know if they'll put me on any kind of roaccutane if we're on the path for a second baby will they? We're not ttc but I remember being refused the treatment when I was much younger (late teens) as the dermatologist said I was sexually active and therefore pregnancy was too risky on the medication!

OP posts:
Coffeenotes · 26/06/2025 08:35

I've found Erborian CC Red Correct (that's the green tube) works to even out my red patches... it is light coverage but better than the heavier NARS foundation I was using, which was going very cakey! Good luck, and let us know if you find something that works....

BeMoreAmandaland · 26/06/2025 08:52

@FlipperyGibbet I think the topical treatment might be safe? Worth asking. But derm waiting lists here are over a year sk if yours are the same by the time your seen it might be moot.
If not definitely explore once your done baby-making

UmberMoose · 26/06/2025 13:26

I do have hormonal acne and I will share my routine if that helps:
Morning:
Using water to wash your face,
Sebamed clear face gel,
Garnier spf
Evening:
Cerave moisturizer,
Tretinoin (0.1) from skinorac
Sebamed clear facial gel

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 26/06/2025 22:25

You've tried Estee Lauder Double wear?

Maraudingmarauders · 26/06/2025 22:27

Have you tried any dietary changes? A good friend cut out dairy and had huge improvements. I suffer similarly but can’t quite bite the bullet to cut something I love so much out of my diet…

UmberMoose · 27/06/2025 15:03

Maraudingmarauders · 26/06/2025 22:27

Have you tried any dietary changes? A good friend cut out dairy and had huge improvements. I suffer similarly but can’t quite bite the bullet to cut something I love so much out of my diet…

Dietary changes are pretty important though

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