Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertisement, but rather these are products that have helped me in my struggles with my skin.
First thing’s first, what on Earth is rosacea? It’s a skin condition that causes redness, and oftentimes small red, pus-filled bumps on the face that can resemble acne. Like many, my struggles with my skin emerged when I was an adolescent, and while it was nothing too terrible, it was still embarrassing, and I tried everything to diminish the redness, and spots surrounding my skin. It wasn’t until about a year ago when I finally decided to visit a dermatologist, and she diagnosed me with rosacea. Deep down, I had a feeling this is where the visit was going to lead me towards, however, hearing it from a professional was both relieving, yet frustrating.
I now knew what products I needed to address my skin concerns, but at the same time, I felt like my skin was too mild in order for it to be categorized the way it was. I do however trust her medical expertise, and the experience so far has been quite the ride.
I started off using harsh chemicals and scrubs because I thought this would magically make my skin better, but it only made it worse, and subsequently, I would succumb to make-up products because I hated the way my bare skin looked in front of others. It took me a long time to accept myself and the way that I look, but my skin eventually started clearing, and getting a lot better. To this day, I have to use specific products geared towards my skin type, and I rarely wear make-up anymore, but I still have red skin, and get the occasional hormonal breakout around my face.
For those of you reading this and thinking do I have rosacea? It’s best to visit a professional, as I am not one, but these are some of the products that have helped me greatly.
- Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser
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This cleanser is so gentle, and makes my skin feel soft and supple without over drying. I use it twice a day, morning and night.
- Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Face Moisturizer, SPF 15
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I cannot stress this enough, but it is so important to put on sunscreen, especially if you’re like me and suffer from rosacea, acne, hyperpigmentation, etc. You’ll thank me in the long run. I also use this product twice a day, and sometimes even reapply it throughout the day if I’ve been sweating or exercising.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream with Hyaluronic Acid for Extra-Dry Skin
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When you hear people rave about these products, you start to think, do they actually work and make my skin better? I can confidently say that this moisturizer is one of the best I have encountered. Not only does it make my skin feel hydrated, but you only need a pea size amount for your entire face.
- Azelaic Acid 15%
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This product is only available over the counter if it is for 10% or less. According to experts, it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it effective in the treatment of skin conditions like acne and rosacea. I can attest to the effectiveness of this as my skin has been less red, irritated, and feels a lot softer than it did before.
- Metronidazole Gel
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This is an antibacterial gel that is typically prescribed to rosacea patients, and can be applied all over your face. I use this product twice daily, morning and night, and have seen a difference in the redness of my skin.
Even though I have learned to manage my rosacea, there are a lot of triggers associated with this condition, and while it varies from person to person, I have found that going on walks, consuming less dairy, spices, alcoholic beverages, and avoiding certain cosmetic products have aided in my how my skin looks now versus how it looked a year ago. If you or someone you know is suffering with rosacea, acne, or anything else, it is not the end of the world, and you will find something that works for you.