Hey there beauties! Today, I’m showing you all some vulnerable pictures of my journey with Rosacea and what I have done to improve my skin! But before I jump into the needy greedy I want to share a little background information on my journey.
I was officially diagnosed with rosacea in November 2017. This is was a major killer for me, because I was planning my wedding for that June of 2018 and I just thought OMG, I need to get this situated ASAP. But before getting officially diagnosed, I knew I had symptoms of Rosacea, because I would get really red after my workouts or runs and I always had that rosey cheeks when being out in the sun too long. When I was younger I played travel softball so I was pretty much in the sun my whole life, everyday. I regret all those times I didn’t listen to my mom when she said make sure to put sunblock!! Although there are so many causes of rosacea, I know that being out in the sun (a lot) is one of the reasons why I developed it.
That year 2017-2018, I went to go see a dermatologist and she recommended some products like finacea, but honestly did not find them to be helpful with making visible improvements on my skin. They just helped prevent my rosacea from getting worse. Which is what she would tell me. That I couldn’t do much to reduce the appearance, but I could prevent it from getting worse. It really was a misery knowing that my skin wasn’t going to be the same, but I still tried to find ways to improve it. I went to go see several facial skin care specialists, but again I didn’t find anything that helped reduce the appearance. I was really worried that I would get a flare up for my wedding, so I just worked with the resources, which were not very helpful, to help me prep before the big day.
A couple of months after my wedding,I decided to go see another dermatologist in hopes of finding some alternative options or a second opinion and I am so glad that I did. I went to go see Dr. Browne, explained her my situation and showed her things I’ve tried and people I saw and she was in complete awe that I hadn’t been put on antibiotics for my rosacea. She started me on antibiotics and soolantra cream that treats the acne like bumps, that are caused from rosacea. I used soolantra twice a day, to once a day, and worked my way to every other day. These two products were life changing! The bumps on my face were starting to clear up and my redness was not completely gone, but starting to lighten up. These products are not recommended to use when pregnant, so when I stopped using these products I was really afraid that my skin would blow up again, but I truly believe that my skin care routine has helped me maintain my rosacea and clear things up. Dr. Browne also recommended other products that I purchased and use till today. These products can be found below.
Furthermore, a month after seeing my dermatologist Dr. Browne, I went to go see a new skin care specialist for a facial in hopes of clearing up my face even more. I went to go see Karina over at Bare Glow and I am so glad that she came across my instagram account. Most places offer the same products for facials on clients that have different types of skins. I liked that Karina was very knowledgeable about products that are safe and not safe to use while having Rosacea. She used products on my skin that were specifically for my skin type. She really helped me get into my skin care routine that I am currently on.I use to use a lot of products that were damaging the surface of my skin. I was using and trying high and low end products that people and companies swear by but after looking at their ingredients, it was an eye opener. Below you will find the products that I currently use, but if you have any other questions regarding my rosacea skin care routine please let me know in the comments or message me via instagram!
Both MD products were recommended by my dermatologist. These products are good for sensitive skin and are so safe to use that they are also used by people who have suffered from 1st and 2nd degree burns on their face.
Elta MD Sunscreen
The MD sunscreen is light and I use it under my makeup or whenever I go workout outside. Another alternative sunscreen is the TIZO3 sunscreen. I didn’t have any bad reactions to it, but I just prefer the MD sunscreen.
The HALE & HUSH products were introduced to me by my facial skin care specialist and I am also in love with these products. These products are only sold to license specialist or you can purchased from bare glow. I tried alternatives to these, but my skin started flaring up and wasn’t the same without these products, so I’m sticking to these for now.
Hale & Hush Quiet Wash
Anyway, I use the quiet wash every night to take off my makeup. This product is good to my skin and removes my makeup really well. Since I can’t use your typical makeup remover, this is a great product to have for that purpose.
Elta MD Foaming Facial Cleanser
The MD foaming facial cleanser is also one I use faithfully. I use this cleanser after using the quit wash. This MD cleanser is not good for removing makeup, so make sure to remove makeup before using this product. I love that my face feels moisturized and soft after using this.
Hale & Hush Hydrate Gel
I use the hush hydrate gel right before I go to bed and I also use it as a primer, before I put on my makeup.
BelleCote Drying Lotion and Azelaic Toner
Bellecote is one of those products that is a hit or miss, but after researching products and ingredients that are good to treat certain things for rosacea, I randomly came across these products. I looked over the ingredients to make sure that these would be safe to use for my skin and it was. I decided to give it a shot and email their company for a collaboration and they accepted it. Anyway, I fell in love with these products you guys. For rosacea, azelaic toner is said to be good to calm the redness. I gradually used this item on my face to test the products out. I started with 10 minutes one day, 30 minutes the other, 1 hour the other and eventually to leave it overnight. I would use it every other day for a full month and now I use this product once a week. The drying lotion I like to use for my occasional breaks outs and since the ingredients on this product are safe for rosacea this is why I chose this drying lotion brand. It works wonders!
Silk Therapeutics Renewing Peel
This is another brand that I came across through a collaboration, but once again the first thing I did was look at the ingredients to make sure they were safe for my skin. After reviewing their ingredients I agreed to try out their products. I use the the renewing peel as an exfoliator for my skin once a week. With rosacea you can’t use typical exfoliators, because it is harsh for your skin, so this one is safe to use. Also, I tend to use a warm wash cloth to exfoliate my skin prior to putting on the product and after. Do not use those hard scrubs for your skin because this can tear your skin and having rosacea your skin is already very sensitive. After using the warm wash cloth to wipe the product off I always make sure to run cold water on my face after to close my pores.
Lira Clinical PRO Lite Serum
Another one of my favorite exfoliators that was introduced and sold by bare glow, is the PRO Lite Serum. I always go back and forth between this product and the Silk renewing peel, but I only exfoliate my skin once a week.
Disclosure; Make sure to use makeup products that are also rosacea friendly. Foods that you eat can also cause flare ups so make sure you keep track of foods that do. I also want to mention that neautrogena products are the worst for rosacea, at least for me. Their sensitive line caused major flares up and their sunscreen always made my face worst. First aid beauty is another product that did not to well, however the moisturizer wasn’t too bad. I don’t use their products anymore though. The only products I use from Mario Badescu is the facial spray. Anyway, I have tried so many different products out there that sworn to be good for rosacea, but none of them have made me skin as good as it is today with the products that I use today. I hope this blog post helps you figure out a good skin care routine for your rosacea.
Outfit Details:
God Bless You Always!
♥ Robin
For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.”
Ephesians 5:29
I’m so happy the products worked! You look beautiful either way 🙂
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Thanks Shauna! It was a lot trying and testing out so many different products and finally finding the right products!
-Robin
Your pictures of before and after really spoke to me. I also got diagnosed 3 years ago and I cannot find a solution to my rosacea. How many weeks/months after switching your skin routine and taking antibiotics did you started to see results? I tried antibiotics for a month and didn’t see much improvement.
Thanks for sharing your story!
I would say it took my skin a good 3-4 months of repetition before I saw some real changes.All the products together and monthly skin care facials helped!
this is a very detailed post! thank you for sharing!
xoxo
style frontier
Glad you enjoyed the read! Just trying to help others who are struggling with it and need to find a solution!
-Robin
This is so interesting! I don’t have rosacea, but I think my youngest might develop it given how red her cheeks get and how sensitive they are to cold!
oh no hopefully not! It’s been such a struggle, but I’m so glad my skin has gotten so much better!
-Robin
With so many product choices out there, it’s overwhelming sometimes to find what works best. I’m glad you found something that works for you! I’ve heard great things about that Elta MD sunscreen!
Jill – Doused in Pink
So glad the products worked for you darling, your robe is so pretty!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
So glad that you have found something that helps and a good routine. Our skin has a huge affect on how we see ourselves.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
I’m so glad you found products that work for you! Either way you’re adorable!
Yes, it has been a constant struggle but glad its getting better!
-Robin
I have rosacea as well. I’m trying to find a makeup that works for my skin. I’m 43 and have had rosacea for about 3 years. All the makeup that I use tends to not cover my redness. The makeup makes my face look worse as in older. I was wondering if a primer would help with the makeup because I’ve never used a primer before. I’m very cautious on what I put on my skin because of flare ups. Would love some advice.