Rosacea Flare-ups

Updated on June 23, 2009
N.S. asks from Horsham, PA
11 answers

I have had moderate rosacea for over two years and have been on several medications to keep it under control. There are two things that trigger flare-ups for me: stress and humidity. I've been recently stressed over work and the humidity has picked up as well with the arrival of summer soon. My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for several months now so my dermatologist changed my topical meds to products that are safe for pregnancy. I use Bare Mineral makeup but it's getting harder to cover the flare-ups. That said, my question is about facial cleansers. I'm currently using Olay Gentle Foaming Face Wash with Aloe and it works well at cleansing and removing makeup. Does anyone have any suggestions about any other OTC cleansers that I can use in the morning? I know there are a couple of products out there for controlling redness, but I'm looking more for something specifically geared towards rosacea that's not too harsh on my face and hard on my pocketbook! Thank you in advance!

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So What Happened?

First off, I would like to thank everyone who responded for the advice and product suggestions. Some of the suggested products are ones I have tried in the past with moderate success, while others didn't work or seemed to aggrevate the rosacea. While doing a random online search, I came across an interesting post where someone recommended a certain tea called African Red Bush, or Rooibos. It has anti-inflammatory properties and contains alpha hydroxy acid. I have been not only drinking the tea, but applying the cold tea bag on my face at night. I also keep a fresh cup in the fridge and use a cotton ball to apply to the face as well. The rough areas of my face are smoother and the redness has lessened with continued use. I also found a product line called Annique whose lotions and creams contain the Rooibos tea extract. They have helped as well with keeping my skin smooth and diminishing the redness. I know I will never have perfect skin. I still have flareups when humidity strikes or after I exercise. I can't control the weather or my hormones. I'm aware that there may be no cure-all product for me, but the Rooibos has helped to the point where I'm not constantly touching up my makeup. Thank you all again for your kind words and support.

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G.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi N....I was diagnosed with rosacea about 12 years ago. I tried Bare Mineral make up and it definately made things worse for me...I use olay products with SPF every morning and Eucerin (?) for redness relief occasionally. I do not use any cleansers except dial (sparingly) and cold water splashed on my face in the shower. I have found that cleaning my face to often with too many products actually caused more flare ups. Good Luck! M.

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O.D.

answers from Philadelphia on

If you want to get good advice, go to this website http://www.skintypesolutions.com/
Click on forum and do a search. If you cannot find it, just register and ask your question. It's the best site for skincare issues.

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J.K.

answers from Reading on

N.- I have been using the Clinque Wash specifically for redness caused by Rosacea. After I use the wash they have a yellow powder that I put on before my foudation. It has worked wonderfully for me! I feel that my skin tone is the best it has been in years. As far as cost goes...I find it to be in line with others because you don't have to use a lot and it works. I wish you luck!

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V.W.

answers from York on

There is a product line called Skintelligence. This skin reginmen is full of antioxidance that fight the free radicles in your body. With in 28 days you will see visible differnces in your skin color and hydration of your skin. I do sell this item as well if you woud like more info send me your email address and I can forward you more information on the line.

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J.Y.

answers from Philadelphia on

I use Eucerin Redness Relief Systems cleanser & lotions. Initially I got samples from my dermatologist's after complaining about my redness (which is Rosacea), but you can buy them over the counter. There is a "soothing cleanser"; 2 daily moisturing lotions - one formula for severe redness and the other for moderate; night crem; and anti-aging serum...all with redness relief. I can vouch that I've noticed a definite improvement in my skin after using this.
Best wishes!

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B.R.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Clinque has a Redness Solution line. There is a facial cleanser and moisturizer specifically designed for redness from rosacea. I also use a mild clarifying lotion from Clinque that has aloe in it. It's kind of like their 3 step daily regimine. I used it through my whole pregnancy (our son was born 4/22) and it helped so much. The pregnancy actually brought on the rosacea for me. The initial price is a little high, but the only thing I've had to buy more of at this point is the facial cleaner (I'm still only on my second bottle) and I've had everything since November. So it lasts quite awhile and I've been very happy with the results. I also use a foundation from Clinique that's nice and light. Most days you can't even tell I have redness. My advice would be to talk to one of their consultants to find what would work best for you as far as make-up, but I definately recommend the redness solution line.

Good luck!

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V.L.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I use Beauticontrol's Sensitive Skin Skinlogics Cleanser daily (pink bottle) and whenever I have a flareup, I use the Calming Fluid. It is a little more expensive, but the Calming Fluid goes a looong way. It also works great on my kids' eczema flareups.

http://www.beauticontrol.com/

I should probably use the tonic and moisturizer, but I always seem to be in a hurry.

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

I have mild rosacea on my face. I make sure not to use cleansers that are harsh or have any type of scrub in them. Eucerin has a lotion that is geared for reducing skin redness. It also have spf 15 in it. Use cool water in the morning when you rinse your face. I saw something in Target for rosacea in the skin care aisle. It was around Twenty bucks. There is a over the counter cream called prosacea. I use it sometimes when I flare up. Make sure of course to wear sun screen when you go out.

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A.P.

answers from Allentown on

Hey, N.!
Ok, so I realize that you're probably getting hit with every sales pitch on MamaSource, but I wanted to messege you because I have several clients who have Rosacea (along with several other skin issues) & they've had seen MIRACLES happen with this stuff!!!!

I am a rep for a company called L'Bri Pure n' Natural. It's a natural company that bases it's products on Aloe Barbadensis instead of water and chemicals. (Most products on the market, Olay included, are about 90% water (what a huge waste of money!) and then a lot of chemicals & artificial colors, fragrances, parabens, oils, waxes, etc....). L'Bri's products are fully concentrated, so, like I said, intead of your bottle being 90% water, it's 90% aloe (which has been used for centuries for it's healing properties)--you add the water to it yourself when you put the product on your fingers, to apply it to your face & you do that for free since it just comes out of your tap.

You can go on the site & order a sample pack (it's free--you just have to pay shipping) & that will typically last you about about 2 wks or so. OR you can order a full size supply. There is a 30 day money back guarantee, so you really have nothing to worry about at all. It CAN take 2-4 wks for you to really start to see some big-time results (most people start to see a difference within days, but it depends on how much repair work needs to be done to your skin. If you have a lot of "junk" embedded in your pores, the products have to work to get that out & do basic repair before it can do major repair).

My site is www.A..Lbri.com and you can messege me back with any questions that you may have. The products truly are amazing. I've been using them for 5 yrs now & I have nothing bad to say about them. They're SO concentrated that they usually last me at least 4-6 mos (using them morning AND night) or longer.

If you have any questions on the formulation of product to order, just let me know & I can try to help you. I would probably suggest the "gentle" system unless you have any oily patches at all, in which case you could try the "combination" system. ALL of them are extremely gentle on your skin though & they only use botanicals specifically deemed benneficial to that skin type to color or fragrance their products.

Enough rambling! Lmk if you have questions! Good luck!
A.

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M.R.

answers from Philadelphia on

Just a note: over the counter products can't be advertised as treating rosacea, that would make them drugs. So the products that call themselves "redness control" are actually for rosacea, that's how they get around the FDA. Eucerin's Redness Relief line is really nice and not too expensive (plus they have a lightly green-tinted moisturizer with SPF in the line, which really reduces the appearance of redness).

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L.T.

answers from Philadelphia on

I have occasional rosacea flareups myself. I use cetaphil products, they are for sensitive skin and work well. I would stop using the mineral makeup. I found that mineral makeup would make me worse. It's worth a shot to stop using it and use something for sensitive skin and see if it makes a difference.

Only change one thing at a time to see if it makes a difference, but remember, once you are pregnant all bets are off and everything with your skin can change again. I never had a flare ups when I was pregnant, even when exposed to my triggers!

Good luck.

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