During the first 5 years of having rosacea, I could still use skin Biotherm Sensitive cream and a cleaning milk from the same brand, and that went fairly well. Until they changed the brand around 2003 and I could no longer tolerate the new version. I suddenly became flushed and burnt a minute or 2 after applying it, whereas the cream used to feel soothing. I immediately started a frantic search for another moisturizer, blaming the new formula, and tried many of the well known cosmetic brands' sensitive skin care lines. But everything stirred things up instead of soothing it. I remember feeling really uptight and nervous. How could I go through life without a moisturizer? If you want to skip the elaborate preface, please scroll down for a summary of moisturizers and make-up foundations that have received good rosacea reviews. Note; I only gather personal experience, info from the net and from forums and use it for this blog. I don't do advertisement, product placement or make any money in whatever shape or form off of this blog.  |
| Mom with caspar the ghost |
Teenage years, no rosacea yet
Fast forward. I can tolerate jojoba oil now around my eyes and around my mouth area. Or basically I slap it on all over my face, except for the cheeks, which seem too sensitive for anything. I only use it maybe 3 times a week (around eyes and mouth; I use nothing on the rest of my face). I make sure I have a wet face and apply some jojoba oil on wet hands and add some more water to it and then rub it onto the spots I want it on. The cheeks still burn and turn bright red from it however but it subsides again soon and I find jojoba oil the least irritating and the mildest of everything that is out there. I tend to get more red after applying it but not more flushed and when I wake up the next morning, my skin usually seems calm and liking the jojoba oil. So, in winter (or very dry spells in summer) I now use it on most of my face except the real inner cheeks part, which are too sensitive for any topical. Here is an interesting article about the benefits of using NOTHING on your skin.
For your daily face regimen, and especially if you find that every moisturizer leaves your skin more red and flared than normal; also consider trying to simply do nothing. No makeup, no scrubs, no washes, nothing. Let your skin regulate itself by producing natural oils that protect the skin and keep it moisturized. Washing your face strips your skin of it’s natural defenses, leaving it dry and vulnerable, often leading to an overproduction of oil that causes acne breakouts. It is a vicious cycle. Go cold turkey and see what “nothing” can do for you. I have not used moisturizers or any type of creams or products on my cheeks for 10 years now and despite thinking I'd be wrinkled by now in my later 30's, I'm not. Having said that, if your skin can tolerate topicals and moisturizers, it is best to use them probably. They protect skin from drying out too much, which worsens skin redness. They can sooth and many moisturizers aimed at rosacea skin have calming and anti-inflammatory ingredients that can help tone the redness down. So here are some products that are generally a little bit better tolerated by people with rosacea. And this site is fantastic and lets you type in the brand name of any cosmetic product, including skin care, telling you right away what ingredients it has and which ingredients "might" (for very sensitive and reactive skin types) potentially increase the risk of a skin reaction. Here is another search engine site that offers similar, more detailed even info on product ingredients.
Be sure to have a gentle skin care routine when you have rosacea.
When you have rosacea, it’s important to stick with a gentle skin care regimen that won’t damage or irritate your skin. Clean your face with a mild, non-exfoliatant cleaner, then rinse with lukewarm, not hot, water. Blot your face dry with a towel without scrubbing. Or with water alone, if your skin reacts badly to topicals. If your skin tolerates sunscreen, try wearing it whenever you go out the door. Otherwise, wear a hat to protect your rosacea skin from UV radiation.
Last week I got some samples from a brand called Avène
Moisturizers
Everything in the end starts to burn, make me break out, flush or all of the above. I still mention these skin care brands here as they seem to be tolerated well by rosacea patients and people with sensitive skin in general. I do however have success personally with make-up from another great French skin care brand called La Roche Posay. See more on that below. I think the difference might be that the compact foundation I sue from them is not part of my daily skin care regime (which consists of nothing. I wash my skin at night with cotton pads and bottled water and that's all). I wear that foundation very rarely, maybe once every 3 months and I take it off again after a day or a night and a day. So It doesn't give the same constant trigger as a moisturizer does, I think..I also mention all ingredients, as inactive (filler) ingredients can irritate our skin just as much as any active ingredient a cream might have. Read more about this here.
La Roche Posay, Toleriane Soothing protective light facial Fluid
A cream for sensitive, intolerant skin. Very mild, no preservatives, perfumes in it and unlike nr. 2 and 3 also no mineral oils. A great choice for people with dry skin who need a moisturizer but cannot tolerate much. Or actually a good cream for any skin, less is often more. Cosdna.com shows that all its ingredients are very mild and low risk.Ingredients
Aqua/Water,Squalane, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexyl-Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
La Roche Posay, Toleriane A cream for sensitive, intolerant skin. Very mild, no preservatives, perfumes in it and unlike nr. 2 and 3 also no mineral oils. A great choice for people with dry skin who need a moisturizer but cannot tolerate much. Or actually a good cream for any skin, less is often more. There is also La Roche Posay, Toleriane Ultra face moisturizer. Cosdna.com shows that all its ingredients are relatively mild and low risk:
Ingredients:WATER, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, ISOCETYL STEARATE, SQUALANE, GLYCERIN
ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, ALUMINUM STARCH, OCTENYLSUCCINATE, CETYL ALCOHOL, PEG-100 STEARATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, DIMETHICONOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, SODIUM HYDROXIDE
This product gets raving reviews everywhere I looked:
A model recommends review
Beautypedia review
Makeupalley reviews
Ultabeauty.com reviews
La Roche Posay, Cicaplast Baume B5
Another good la Roche Posay cream, that is designed to repair sensitive and irritated skin. It has zinc which adds anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial components to the cream. Shea butter and glycerine are supposed to feed and hydrate your skin and panthenol is added for desensitization. The cream is said to be not fat or sticky. No parabens, perfume, lanolin and bleaching products.Cosdna.com shows that most of its ingredients are relatively mild and low risk:
Aqua / water, hydrogenated polyisobutene, dimethicone, glycerin, butyrospermum parkii butter / shea butter, panthenol, butylene glycol, aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, propanediol, cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, tristearin, zinc gluconate, madecassoside, manganese gluconate, magnesium sulfate, disodium edta, copper gluconate, acetylated glycol stearate, polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, chlorhexidine digluconate, ci 77891 / titanium dioxide
Avène has a whole range of creams for hypersensitive skin but unfortunately they all have wildly different ingredients... It costs a fortune to try them all out, but because they have such different ingredients, one product might really suit someones rosacea skin much better than another. They should hand out trial kits with mini samples of their whole range really. Here are just two of their creams for sensitive skin, but there are many more in their assortment, including Avene antirougeurs fort cream and Avene Cicalfate recovering cream.
- • Based on the sterile manufacturing process of E.T.S.* and the delivery process of D.E.F.I
- • Soothing cream protects, moisturizes and nourishes skin that is unable to tolerate ordinary products
- • Restores the skin barrier and decreases skin reactivity
- • Helps prevent skin irritation and allergies
- • Formulated with ingredients for maximum tolerance: Avène Thermal Spring Water, paraffin, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, squalane, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, serine, tetrasodium edta, triethanolamine, aqua.
- • Fragrance-free, preservative-free, colorant-free, surfactant-free, alcohol-free, emulsifier-free
- • Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic Link to product. Cosdna.com shows that most of its ingredients are relatively mild and low risk. Here you can find their whole skin care range for very sensitive skin.
Avène rich skin recovery cream: Avene Thermal Spring Water, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Glycerin, Squalane, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Serine, BHT, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Shea), Carbomer, Ozokerite, Tetrasodium EDTA, Water, Xanthan Gum
Avène skin recovery cream: Avene Thermal Spring Water (avene Aqua), Mineral Oil (paraffinumliquidum), Glycerin, Glycerylstearate, Squalane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Clycohexasiloxane, Serine, Carbomer, Tetrasodium Edta, Triethanolamine, Water (aqua)
Avène cream for intolerant skin: Water (Aqua), Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Cyclomethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Squalane, Benzoic Acid, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Triethanolamine.
Avène tolerance extreme, cream for intolerant skin
- • Based on the sterile manufacturing process of E.T.S.* and the delivery process of D.E.F.I
- • Soothing cream protects, moisturizes and nourishes skin that is unable to tolerate ordinary products
- • Restores the skin barrier and decreases skin reactivity
- • Helps prevent skin irritation and allergies
- • Formulated with only 9 ingredients for maximum tolerance
- • Fragrance-free, preservative-free, colorant-free, surfactant-free, alcohol-free, emulsifier-free
- • 100% sterile, 100% pure, 100% safe
- • Avène Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften skin
- • Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
• Avène Thermal Spring Water (57%) - Soothes and softens
• Glycerin and squalane - Hydrates
• Paraffin and safflower oils and cyclomethicone - Moisturizes
Downside of both creams: they contain mineral oil. And not all rosacea skin can tolerate mineral oil, as it leaves a little film over the skin, can worsen pimples and skin outbreaks (but not necessarily!) and for very extremely sensitive rosacea skin it can even trap heat and make you more flushed. But like always, it's trial and error. Some dermatologists swear by the protective soothing powers of vaseline. Here is a long list of all the Avène products for sensitive skin. They show per product what ingredients it contains and marks with numbers the level of safety and the risk of having an adverse skin reaction for those with ultra reactive skin types.
Amazon 1
Amazon 2
Makeupalley
Totalbeauty
Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil has a wax like texture and isn't too greasy on your skin. It matches the human sebum most closely from all moisturizers and oils out there and does not seem to irritate many people's skin. I use it now and then and make sure I have a wet face and that I mix some drops of it with some (bottled) water before applying it to my face. By diluting it, you will prevent that layer on your skin that can trap heat and seal your skin off, which rosaceans do not want. Try to get cold pressed organic jojoba oil that isn't mixed with other oils. Good stuff. However, some rosaceans do not tolerate it for a variety of reasons. Like always with rosacea, it's a case of trial and error. 
Squalene (sounds almost the same) is part of our own skin sebum; the fatty protection layer our own body makes to protect our skin. Squalane is found in several plants and in shark livers. Because shark liver squalane is damaging to sharks (duhhh), sources today are made from vegetable oils, for instance olive oil. But the scientist can also extract it from sugar cane. Besides being a natural (not irritating) fit for any skin type, squalane is also a powerful antioxidant, antibacterial oil that helps protect skin from UV damage. Buy 100% pure squalane which is automatically alcohol free, preservative free, silicone free, oil free and vegan (and also cruelty free, unless you take the feelings of olive trees and sugar cane into consideration). It comes very close to the skins own squalene and helps the skin staying moisturized. It is well tolerated also, even by sensitive skin. It is also non-comedogenic and can also be applied to hair. Apply a few drops daily or as needed to entire face ideally on a wet face. Patch testing prior to use is advised. There are different brands but I bought this very inexpensive one from The Ordinary myself (100% pure).
This cream has 10% azelaic acid, just like the prescription cream Finacea. Azelaic acid is an anti inflammatory and can help skin outbreaks and pimples. If you mainly flush and burn just like me, this cream may be too strong for your skin, but best do a test patch on a spot on your face to be sure. Very affordable price range for the Ordinary products, and the products below are oil-free, alcohol free, cruelty free and the moisturizer is also silicone free. Read reviews on makeupalley.
Ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Azelaic Acid, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Isohexadecane, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Triethanolamine, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
The Ordinary also has a very affordable moisturizer without azeleic acid:Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glucose, Maltose, Fructose, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Allantoin, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lecithin, Triolein, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
Gentle Derm
Aloe vera extract-Antioxidant and protective
Olive fruit extract-Antioxidant and protective
Chamomile oil-Antioxidant
Oregano oil-Antioxidant
Honey-Antibacterial, protective
Methoxyluteolin-Antiinflammatory, mast cell blocker
The combined effect of these ingredients and the electrolytes included provides long-acting hydration and soothing action, while allowing the skin to recover.
Vitamin C (ascorbate)
I am not sure if very sensitive and reactive rosacea skin that flushes, instead of breaking out in bumps, will tolerate the oils in the cream, nor the oregano oil (which can be quite strong normally), but this cream has some fans with rosacea. It's website has a long story with interesting information:
"Approximately 40% of people have dry, sensitive skin and cannot tolerate cosmetics. Of those, over 20% have medical conditions that involve skin inflammation, irritation or itching, such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), chronic urticaria (hives/itching), multiple chemical sensitivity disorder, psoriasis and scleroderma (see table below). In particular, patients with mastocytosis or mast cell activation disorder flush easily, have sensitive skin, may suffer from skin rashes and lesions, react to numerous triggers and cannot tolerate skin lotions or creams. Most of these conditions involve mast cells, unique immune cells, which alert the body to environmental triggers such as bacteria, mold, viruses, stress, heavy metals, preservatives, pesticides and other toxins. Once stimulated, mast cells release numerous molecules (mediators), such as cytokines, histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandins and tryptase leading to allergies, flushing and itching. One of the most common triggers of these symptoms is emotional or physiological stress (e.g. fatigue, heat, friction, pressure). Through our research, we have shown that corticoptropin-releasing hormone (CRH), the first hormone released under stress, triggers mast cells to release vasodilatory and inflammatory molecules. We further showed that CRH works together with the neuropeptides neurotensin (NT) and substance P (SP) secreted from peripheral nerves and interleukin-33 (IL-33) secreted from immune cells, to release vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which cause vasodilation and further inflammation in the skin. For almost 30 years we have been studying natural molecules, called flavonoids, which are found in plants and seeds. Most of these molecules have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which were discussed in a major scientific journal (Pharmacological Reviews 2000, see below). Since then, we and other scientists have shown that one member of this class, the flavone luteolin, found especially in chamomile tea, artichoke and grapefruit skin, also inhibits mast cells. Furthermore, we have shown that luteolin also inhibits activation of keratinocytes (the top skin layer that causes plaques in psoriasis) and T cells (immune cells primarily involved in chronic autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis). Unfortunately, flavonoids are yellow in color, and effective amounts in skin lotions would potentially tint the skin yellow. We recently found that a unique flavonoid very similar to luteolin, methoxyluteolin (tetramethoxy flavone), is not only colorless, but also has stronger mast cell blocking and anti-inflammatory activities than luteolin. GentleDerm® combines this unique flavonoid other natural ingredients with beneficial actions for the skin. GentleDerm® has been pilot-tested and was tolerated by individuals who cannot use cosmetics. Some key scientific publications describing the individual beneficial actions of the ingredients found in GentleDerm® are listed as pdf files on this page."
Zinc cream It's a great antibacterial and antiinflammatory product. It does leave your skin white but has helped quite a few people with rosacea who I know. Oh and it can dry out your skin too. But with skin outbreaks, this can actually be beneficial. I use this pictures version for spot treatment of skin outbreaks, the few times I get them.
Cetomacrogol cream
My pharmacist makes a preservative free cream for me monthly, with cetomacrogol (a wax). The ingredients are:
-cera cetomagrogolis emulsion 4,500 g.
-decylis oleas (cetiol V) 6,000 ML
-aqua purificata bag in box 17,700 ML
-Sorbitolum 70% crist 1,200 ML
There is a commercial cream out there, originally made for eczema treatment, that also has cetomacrogol, but also a bunch of other ingredients. However, they seem ok for rosacea skin, if your skin tolerates the paraffin they have put in, no doubt to make it fatty and heavy enough to combat eczema skin dryness. It's called Diprobase and this is the full ingredient list:
-Chlorocresol
-Macrogol Cetostearyl Ether (Cetomacrogol)
-Cetostearyl alcohol
-Liquid paraffin
-White soft paraffin
-Phosphoric acid
-Sodium dihydrogen phosphate
-Sodium hydroxide
-Purified water
TriDerMa Intense fast healing cream
My friend has been using this Intense Fast Healing Cream for some time now, 2 months, and says he has a lot of relief from his usual constantly burning hot face. He deteriorated after a botched IPL treatment (like me). He says this cream is making his skin more temperature resilient; he can handle higher indoor temperatures since starting it without flushing or burning. Normally he also burns whenever he lays down, but this has been less than normal too since starting this product. In the first week of using it he says he already felt an improvement, but considered it could just be the result of wishful thinking. But as weeks went by he feels less tingling, near-burning or straight out burning (as a result of skin redness or flushing). His face feels 'normal' more often recently. I have not used this product myself, as my skin seems to lack a normal skin barrier and everything I put on it causes straight irritation and flushing, so I stick with no skin care, but I do want to share this product, as it also has a good looking ingredient list. Realize that the 'cetyl alcohol' mentioned in it is not a normal, drying alcohol, but a fatty alcohol, meaning it helps to thicken and emulsify the cream; unlike bad alcohols they do not dry out the skin, and in fact help soothe dry skin.Ingredients
aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, cetearyl alcohol, isopropyl palmitate, polysorbate 60, beeswax, dimethicone, allantoin, zinc PCA, avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, sodium PCA, panthenol (vitamin B5), butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), cetyl alcohol, sodium phytate, sodium hydroxide, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin
MAKE beauty succulent skin gel
A natural aloe vera and cactus extract gel ointment, here you can read the full list of ingredients and a rating of how harmless/harmful they all are. Very good score for this creme, I would personally try it!
Physiogel hypoallergenic cream
Physiogel hypoallergenic cream says it provides "long lasting moisturization in dry and sensitive skin, helps to make the skin less dry and sensitive, is hypoallergenic and free from preservatives, perfumes and colourants."
Ingredients;
Aqua, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Squalane, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Carbomer, Ceramide 3.
Aloe vera
Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream
Many people with rosacea testified that this cream works well for them and that it calms down skin redness and is soothing. Clinique has a whole range of products that reduce redness, but be careful; their Redness Solutions Urgent Relief Cream contains HYDROCORTISONE in the American version!! This is absolutely not to be used on rosacea skin. It can cause rosacea or worsen existing rosacea! More on this here.
Redness Solutions Urgent Relief Cream is said to “rushes soothing relief to upset skin. Quickly calms flare-ups of visible redness, irritation.” You can read many rosacea reviews for this cream here and here.
Redness Solutions Daily Protective Base SPF 15 claims to “Protects skin from the UVA/UVB exposure that can aggravate skins with Rosacea or reactive redness. Does it without chemical sunscreens.” Here and here are many reviews if you scroll down the page.
Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream is said to “instantly calm skins with Rosacea. Relieves visible redness, blotchiness. Soothes to cool discomfort. Over time, helps improve skin’s comfort, lessens the look of broken capillaries.”
Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser is said to “melt away makeup and impurities. Helps calm redness, irritation while preserving skin’s moisture balance. Smooth with mild exfoliation. Leaves skin clean, comforted.”
Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder claims that this powder will reduce visible redness and `broken capillaries virtually disappear-instantly and for hours’. Further `Patent-pending formula helps skin “keep its cool.” Oil-free, talc-free. With anti-bacterial brush. Appropriate for skins with mild-to-moderate Rosacea or reactive redness.’
Ingredients of Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief cream:Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sucrose, Isostearyl Palmitate, PEG-100 Stearate, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Camellia Sinensis (Yellow Tea) Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Red Tea) Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract, Yeast Extract, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyethylene, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Glycine, Inulin, Tromethamine, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Phytosphingosine, Glycosaminoglycans, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Squalane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Blue 1, Yellow 5, Chromium Hydroxide Green, Titanium Dioxide, Mica.
Honeyskin
This cream has some good reviews from rosacea patients, which you can read here and here for instance. The producers claim that this moisturizer "contains African Potato Tuber, so is rich in anti-inflammatory plant phytosterols. This cream earned its interesting name from its anti-ageing properties. KUSWERA ZURO means ‘The day before yesterday’."
Ingredients;
Aqua, Hypoxis Hemerocallidea (African potato) extract, Wheatgerm Oil, Jojoba Oil, Aloe Barbadensis, Evening Primrose Oil, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Petrolatum, Propylene Glycol, Plysorbate 60, Oleth 10, Peg-150 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid
Bioderma Matricium Skin regeneration treatmentPackaged as small, single dose units. This product is meant for damaged, sunburn or otherwise irritated skin. The producers claim that it:
*Stimulates cell regeneration by bringing cells essential nutrients
*Regenerates essential skin components
*Anti-oxidant action
*Moisturises and protects
*Promotes post-procedure skin recovery
It is preservative-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, alcohol-free and is designed to have a high tolerance and safety record. It is made to be hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. It is supposed to help skin recover and function as normal again. This is of course a difficult task with rosacea skin (given that rosacea is mostly a chronic condition that cannot be cured, although there are plenty of cases where rosacea went into remission or just calmed down quietly entirely). The product is also advised for patients who had recent laser treatments, peelings or incisions or with first-degree burns. But, it has quite a long list of ingredients, so be aware of possible irritants. Sodium chloride is high up on the list and used as a thickening agent in skin care products, but it is also a salt and can be abrasive (has scrub qualities and for sensitive skin one has to always be careful with those).Ingredients;
AQUA/WATER/EAU, SODIUM CHLORIDE, GLUCOSE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, ALANYL GLUTAMINE, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, ARGININE HCL, SODIUM ACETATE, LACTIS PROTEINUM/WHEY PROTEIN/PROTEINE DU PETIT LAIT, SERINE, LEUCINE, MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, MANNITOL, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES, RHAMNOSE, XYLITOL, VALINE, SODIUM PYRUVATE, LYSINE HCL, HISTIDINE HCL, PROLINE, CYSTEINE HCL, HYDROXYPROLINE, GLUTAMIC ACID, ASPARAGINE, THREONINE, INOSITOL, ADENINE, ALANINE, ASPARTIC ACID, GLYCINE, METHIONINE, TYROSINE, PHENYLALANINE, TRYPTOPHAN, LACTIC ACID, ISOLEUCINE, SODIUM SULFATE, FOLIC ACID, FERROUS SULFATE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, THIAMINE HCL, PYRIDOXINE HCL, NIACINAMIDE, ASCORBIC ACID, THYMIDINE, CYANOCOBALAMIN, THIOCTIC ACID, RIBOFLAVIN, SODIUM METASILICATE, ZINC SULFATE, ADENOSINE, GUANINE, DEOXYRIBOSE, RIBOSE, BIOTIN, AMMONIUM MOLYBDATE, AMMONIUM VANADATE, COPPER SULFATE, MANGANESE CHLORIDE. [BI 575]
I read about another skin care product range today, Skin Repair. I haven't tried this skin care range yet myself however. It seems to lack aggravating ingredients, although the skin range does use oils and oils can irritate some cases of rosacea. This information I took from their website: "Our Rosacea starter kit contains everything you need to care for a rosacea, sensitive skin. Formulated with skin similar ingredients to rebuild the skin barrier and calm the skin.
Skin Repair Works by;
Soothing the skin
Will relieve the itching and burning sensation
Will reduce redness, bumps and pimples
Can prevent irritation and inflammation
It contributes to a healthy bacterial balance of the skin
Suitable for Rosacea, red and sensitive skins. Miss Repair says ‘Repairing an impaired barrier helps to prevent future skin care problems or worsening of a pre-existing condition. The ingredients list looks short and good to me.
INGREDIENTS:Cleanse Me: Aqua. Caprylic/Capric. Triglyceride. Pentylene Glycol. Glycerin.Hydrogenate Lecithin. Butyrospermum Parkii Butter. Ceramide 3.Squalane. Sodium Carbomer. Xanthan Gum.
Moisturise Me: Aqua. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. Pentylene Glycol. Hydrogenated Lecithin. Butyrospermum Parkii Butter. Glycerin. Ceramide 3. Squalane.
Calm Me: Aqua. Glycerin. Pentylene Glycol. Alcohol. Sodium Lactate. Propylene Glycol. Capryloyl Glycine. Equisetum Arvense Extract. Panthenol. Urea. Cucumissativus Fruit Extract
This product is close to a medicated cream, as it has a very active ingredient; sulphur. Sulfur naturally reduces inflammation and redness of the skin. I personally think that this cream might be best to use for those with subtype 2 rosacea, with skin outbreaks (small pimples) and rough redness of the skin that comes from inflammation (so not facial flushing redness that comes and goes all the time). And even then, you best try it out on a small patch of skin first. It has gotten some good reviews however. You can read more on all this here, here and here. Some very sensitive skintypes can (but not necessarily so try it out first) react negatively to paraben preservatives..
Ingredients;
Sulphur, Acrylates, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Diazolidinyl Urea, Lactose, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, Water.
Another sulfur; Sulfur can be effective for the skin outbreaks of subtype 2 rosacea. It can be drying though. It might even help some with demodex mite infections (although ivermectin is more effective). Look for 10% Sulfur Ointment or 10% Sulfur Soap. Sulfur is keratolytic and helps exfoliate the skin and unclog pores. For sensitive thin flushing prone skin it might be too harsh. Sulfur is also a natural antibacterial and anti-parasitic. This common ingredient can kill acne-causing bacteria and Demodex mites. Best choose a hypoallergenic sulfur cream free of fragrances. Let the cream sit on your face for about five minutes before washing it off.
Colloidal oatmeal, or ground oats, is said to be able to help for a variety of skin problems as it helps soothe inflamed skin. When combined with honey, they both soothe and moisturize your skin. According to one study, the lipids found in colloidal oatmeal helps to keep the lipids in your skin from oxidizing. You can make your own colloidal oatmeal mask by mixing one tablespoon of colloidal oatmeal with equal parts Greek yogurt and honey. Apply the mask to your skin and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
Green tea has natural anti-inflammatory qualities, and as such it can help soothe your red, sore or inflamed skin by reducing inflammation and redness. According to one study, 70% of women who used a cream made with a green tea extract, experienced improvement in their inflammation. There are several ways to use green tea for a natural treatment of your rosacea. One option is using an all-natural cream made from green tea extract. You can also make a cup of green tea yourself at home, and allow it to chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Then soak a soft cloth in the tea and apply to your face. Green tea masks may also help, but careful what added ingredients they have. You can also yourself mix prepared green tea with a bit of honey and apply it to your face. Allow drying before washing away with lukewarm water.
Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a natural remedy that many rosacea sufferers swear by. You can drink a bit of ACV every day or use it directly on your skin. Again, this is a treatment that may be more suitable for subtype 2 rosacea, as subtype 1 with flushing may have such sensitive reactive skin that the ACV can be too harsh. Try diluting it with water then or just drink it instead. Apple cider vinegar is a natural and gentle treatment that helps your skin maintain its normal pH. It also helps kill yeast and bacteria on the skin that may contribute to acne type rosacea. There are different ways to use ACV to manage your rosacea:
-Soak a cotton ball in ACV and apply to your face.
-Mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water or juice and drink daily.
-Combine ACV with aloe vera gel (and if your skin is particularly sturdy you can also add an essential oil like tea tree for a natural toner, which is good for demodex infections). Apply to affected areas, allow to sit on your face for about 5 minutes, then wash it off with warm water and a wash cloth.
-Use in a facial mask. Mix about 3 teaspoons each of colloidal oatmeal and Greek yogurt plus 1 teaspoon honey and 2 teaspoons ACV. Apply the mask to your face and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before washing off.
Rosacea-LTD diskThis is another medicated topical, and not strictly a moisturizer. But it is worth mentioning. The Rosacea-LTD disks are compressed disks of various salts and sulphur. You use it by gently sliding the product over wet skin, leaving a tiny amount of the product on your skin. It is supposed to combat inflammation and skin redness and skin outbreaks. Reviews can be read here and here for instance.
Ingredients;
Water, Polawax, Isoamyl Laurate, Glycerin, Paraffin Liquid Light, Sorbitol, Imidurea, Beeswax, Phenoxyethanol.
Aquaphor
Another moisturizer that rosaceans tend to tolerate, but I am weary personally about the mineral oil it contains. Mineral oils can seal off the skin and trap heat, something rosaceans do not want. However, due to the many positive reports on rosacea forums, and because every rosacea skin acts different, it comes in the list. It is made for (very) dry skin. Aquaphor healing ointment (by Eucerin) (Link) Ingredients;
Petrolatum, mineral oil, ceresin, lanolin alcohol, panthenol, glycerin, bisabolol.
Petrolatum (petroleum) is a semi-solid mixture of hydrogen and carbon that keeps dry skin clean in order to heal. Mineral oil acts as an emollient to hold in moisture. Ceresin is similar in chemical make-up to petroleum, being made of hydrogen and carbon. It is used to stabilize the jelly-like consistency of Aquaphor. Both increase the potency and properties of petroleum to lock in moisture and protect the skin. Alcohol in cosmetics is normally used to dry a product completely on the skin. There are two alcohols added to Aquaphor, but not as drying agents. Lanolin alcohol is an organic alcohol coming from sheep wool ( from the fat of the wool shearing). Lanolin alcohol is used to dry the petroleum and other ingredients to reduce a feeling of tackiness on skin. It can irritate the skin sometimes. Panthenol is another natural alcohol. Glycerin is used as a lubricant to enable Aquaphor to glide across the skin. Bisabolol is the primary alcohol component of chamomile essential oil. According to the "PDR for Herbal Medicines," chamomile has healing and soothing properties and is known as an anti-inflammatory. But if your rosacea skin doesn't tolerate oils well, this could be another potential trigger ingredient.
Vanicream*Vanicream skin care (Link) Same story basically as aquaphor. It contains mineral oil, so I am not mad about it as it can seal off skin (more heat trapped in the skin) or clog pores, but again, plenty of rosaceans seem to tolerate it well and it also depends on your specific skin characteristics, so I mention it in the list. Propylene glycol is a known potential skin irritant in this product, but many people are fine using it on their skin, so trial and error.
Ingredients;
Purified water, white petrolatum, sorbitol solution, cetearyl alcohol, propylene glycol, ceteareth-20, simethicone, glyceryl monostearate, polyethylene glycol monostearate, sorbic acid and BHT.
Cetaphil moisturizing cream (product) has been around for a long time, and seems to be well tolerated by a lot of people with rosacea. I think it might work best for those with mild to moderate rosacea, as it has some potentially irritating ingredients for those with entirely hypersensitive, non tolerant skin, like petrolatum (seals off the skin), methylparaben and propylparaben (preservatives and can potentially cause allergic reactions and skin irritation). Propylene glycol is another known potential skin irritant in this product.
The website claims:
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream contains a superior system of extra-strength emollients and humectants clinically proven to bind water to the skin and prevent moisture loss. The result is long-lasting relief for even severely dry skin. The non-greasy formula is excellent for hands, feet, elbows, knees, and any other areas that require intensive moisturization.
• Intense and lasting moisture to replenish sensitive, dry skin — great for eczema and very dry skin
• Clinically proven to provide immediate, long-lasting hydration that soothes dry, itchy skin
• Unique formula attracts water to the skin and helps prevent moisture loss
• Quick absorbing, rich, non-greasy
• Fragrance-free, mild, non-irritating
Ingredients
Water, glycerin, petrolatum, dicaprylyl ether, dimethicone, glyceryl stearate, cetyl acohol, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, PEG-30 stearate, tocopheryl acetate, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, dimethiconol, benzyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, propylparaben, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, propylene glycol, disodium EDTA, sodium hydroxide. Here you can find a large amount of reviews on Cetaphil.
CeraVe moisturizing cream
(link to product); another moisturizer that is mentioned on the Rosacea Forums and seems to go well with rosacea skin. It nevertheless has the same range of potentially irritating ingredients as Cetaphil; petrolatum (seals off the skin), methylparaben and propylparaben (preservatives and can potentially cause allergic reactions and skin irritation).The website claims:
"Ordinary moisturizing creams need to be applied frequently because the ingredients are released in a single “burst” and absorbed in a short period of time. Like other CeraVe® Skincare products, CeraVe® Moisturizing Cream features a unique, patented MVE® delivery technology, which provides a controlled release of essential ceramides and other skin-nurturing and emollient ingredients slowly over time. It penetrates deeply into the skin to moisturize and nourish skin throughout the day while “locking in” precious moisture. The unique ingredients in CeraVe® Moisturizing Cream help restore and maintain the natural protective function of the skin barrier, help restore damaged skin and help keep skin healthy. CeraVe® Moisturizing Cream is a rich formula that spreads easily and smoothly, absorbs rapidly and never feels greasy. It is ideal for drier areas of the body including elbows, knees and heels and can also be used on the face as it’s noncomedogenic (does not cause pimples or acne by clogging pores), non-irritating and fragrance-free." Here you can find a large amount of reviews on CeraVe
Ingredients
Purified Water, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20 and Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Phytosphingosine, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
Neutrogena oil free moisturizer for sensitive skinSome people with rosacea reported good skin results with this product. It doe shave mineral oil and paraben preservatives in it, but with rosacea skin care products it is trial and error as you all know.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Cyclomethicone, Soybean (Glycine Soja) Sterols , Isopropyl Isostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-10 Soy Sterol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Diazolidinyl Urea, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.
REN vita mineralA very mild yet nourishing cream. No parabens, fragrance or alcohol. The cream is rich and thick, as you'd expect for an emollient. Promises to quickly soothe rough, dry and dehydrated skin, it also adds a protective layer. Has vitamin-rich ingredients which your skin might either love, or hate. I make a wild bet that this cream could go well with mild to moderate cases of rosacea, and that the natural oils in it here and there can potentially trigger anyone with severe rosacea and intolerant skin. Also, citronellol and geraniol are fragrances which might not go well either with highly reactive skin types. Still a decent list of ingredients though
Ingredients;
Rosa damascena flower water, squalane, cera alba (beeswax), glycerin, cetearyl ethylhexanoate, polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sorbitan sesquioleate, sucrose distearate, magnesium sulphate, phenoxyethanol, vaccinium vitis-idaea (lingonberry) seed oil, vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) seed oil, polyglyceryl-3 ricinoleate, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, tocopherol, citric acid, laminaria ochroleuca extract, citronellol, geraniol
-100% Pure Argan Oil: Nourishes and protects skin with essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E.
-Watermelon Seed Oil, Fresh Cucumber Extract, and Shea Butter: Replenish and retain moisture and support natural skin elasticity.
- Aloe Nectar: Reduces redness and soothes while simultaneously boosting hydration.
-Sodium Hyaluronate: Binds moisture to the skin and replenishes lost hydration.
INGREDIENTS: Water**, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Glyceryl Stearate**, Glycerin**, Cetyl Alcohol**, Ethylhexyl Palmitate**, Dicapryl Carbonate**, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)**, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyl Dimethyl Taurate Copolymer**, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride**, Xylitylglucoside**, Anhydroxylitol**, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate**, Squalane**, Xylitol, Glyceryl Caprylate**, Stearic Acid**, Polys/orbate-60**, Glyceryl Undecylenate**,Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract**, Xanthan Gum**, Sodium Hyaluronate**, Lysolecithin**, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Extract**, Sclerotium Gum**, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol**, Sodium Phytate**, Potassium Sorbate**, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil**, Allantoin**, Ethylhexylglycerin**, Panthenol**, Pullulan**, Citric Acid**.
*ORGANIC
**NATURAL
This skin cream is said to be recommended for all skin types, and claims to be especially "great for sensitive skin." It also claims to reduce redness and boost hydration of the skin. It has a long list of ingredients, BUT the cream does not contain: Parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, propylene glycol, mineral oil, DEA, petrolatum, paraffin, polyethylene beads, formaldehyde & animal ingredients* (except cruelty-free honey & beeswax*)
INGREDIENTS: Water\Aqua\Eau , Butylene Glycol , Peg-4 , Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil**, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil**, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil**, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil**, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil**, Boswellia Carterii (Olibanum) Oil***, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol , Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi Mushroom) Extract , Fuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract , Cordyceps Sinensis (Mushroom) Extract , Ergothioneine , Camelina Sativa Seed Oil , Lactobacillus Ferment , Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract* , Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract* , Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract* , Ocimum Sanctum (Holy Basil) Leaf Extract , Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil* , Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract , Saccharomyces Lysate Extract , Centella Asiatica (Hydrocotyl) Extract , Hypnea Musciformis (Algae) Extract , Caffeine , Sucrose* , Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract , Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate , Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil , Gellidiella Acerosa Extract , Trideceth-9 , Glycerin , Glycereth-26 , Polysorbate 20 , Sodium Hyaluronate , Tocopheryl Acetate , Maltodextrin , Pentylene Glycol , Sodium Hydroxide , Citric Acid , Potassium Sorbate , Phenoxyethanol *Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Sea Buckthorn Extract, Organic Ginger Extract, Organic Turmeric Extract, Organic Sucrose (Brown Sugar)**Organic Essential Oils: Organic Orange Oil, Organic Mandarin Oil, Organic Patchouli Oil, Organic Geranium Oil, Organic Lavender Oil***Essential Oil <ILNILN44013> Please be aware that ingredient lists may change or vary from time to time. Please refer to the ingredient list on the product package you receive for the most up to date list of ingredients.
Link to product
Another nourishing, natural moisturizer, full of oils and natural substances to soothe the sensitive red skin. Organic and uses no artificial fragrances, alcohol (denat.), parabens, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, formaldehyde (including sodium hydroxymethylglycinate), sodium lauryl sulfate or other skin irritants. Depending on your skin type and level of sensitivity; oils can seal off the skin and be a potential trigger, so trial and error as there are quite a few different oils in this product.. It also contain jojoba. This fruit of the rose plant is a great skin healer. It is rich in omega 3 and 6 as well as antioxidants like vitamin C, which together work to regenerate damaged skin.
Full list of ingredients:
Aqua - Purified Water
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil* - Apricot Kernel Oil
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil* - Jojoba Oil
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil* - Thistle Oil
Cetearyl Alcohol - Coconut-derived Emulsifier
Glycerin* - Vegetable Glycerine
Rosa Canina Seed Extract* - Rosehip Seed Extract
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter* - Shea Butter
Cetearyl Glucoside - Corn-derived Emulsifier
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract* - Chamomile Extract
Leptospermum Scoparium Leaf Oil - Manuka Oil
Sodium Levulinate - Non-Irritating Preservative Derived From Corn
Tocopherol - Natural Vitamin E
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil* - Lavender Oil
Sodium Anisate - Non-Irritating Preservative Derived From Basil
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil* - Rose Geranium Oil
Lactic Acid - pH Stabiliser Derived From Sugar Beet
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate - from sustainable Palm Oil
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate - from Coconut Oil
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract* - Rosemary Extract
Another moisturizer I am thinking about buying and trying is Shea Butter. Like this one
It seems simple and pure and hopefully its also good at recovering problematic skin, but I worry slightly about the natural oils in this product. Oils can set some peoples rosacea off.
Egyptian Magic
This product only has 6 ingredients: olive oil, bees wax, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly and bee propolis. They can all, in principle, cause skin reactions (which is the case for every skin care ingredient), but often is well tolerated. Oils are not always a good idea for rosacea however, as oils can clog pores, cause skin outbreaks and seal the skin off which can trap heat. It is a personal trial and error thing however, some people do great with this cream.
Real Purity
A friend of mine with rosacea and seb derm, and very sensitive skin, wrote that she had success with a liquid moisturizer from Real Purity She wrote: "It has only water, glycerin, rice starch, kaolin and iron oxide." On its website, Real Purity states: "Creme Foundation "Health Glow". Named as one of the first “mineral make-ups” on the market, Real Purity Crème Health Glow Foundation is a must have for any all natural makeup lover. This foundation will leave your skin even toned and glowing, and with a base of pure water, smoothing it on your skin won’t clog your pores.
• Distilled water acts as a core element for this foundation, and prevents the clogging of your pores while smoothing out your lines.
• Minerals included in this foundation provide additional sun protection.
• Real Purity cosmetics are never nano-sized.
Ingredients
Distilled Water, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Kaolin (Clay)*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil*, Iron Oxide*Organic There are many good reviews below the basic info part in the link.
Selsun Blue
Some people with rosacea, especially with redness and skin outbreaks and pimples, mentioned that washing their face with Selsun Blue shampoo (and then risning it off again) helped them control their skin. Selsun Blue is a line of shampoos used to treat dandruff and other skin conditions. It is available over the counter and in a prescription-strength version as well. It contains selenium sulfide as the active ingredient. Selenium sulfide is an anti-fungal agent which may be helpful in treating the skin yeast infection tinea versicolor, scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) and athlete's foot (tinea pedis). Selenium sulfide also is effective at treating seborrheic dermatitis because it slows the overgrowth of skin cells involved in this condition. Selsun Blue is also available in a medicated formula, containing selenium sulfide along with menthol, the main active ingredient in peppermint. Menthol has cooling, calming and numbing effects and may soothe irritated skin and stop itching, unless of course your skin is too sensitive for it (then it can irritate in fact). Trial and error.. I think it will be best suited for people with subtype 2 rosacea with skin outbreaks and relatively sturdy skin.
Selsun Blue Naturals
Selsun Blue is available in a moisturizing formula as well as a shampoo called Selsun Blue Naturals, both of which contain botanical ingredients to moisturize hair. Selsun Blue Naturals contains the active ingredient salicylic acid rather than selenium sulfide. Salicylic acid promotes shedding of the skin's top layer, so the shampoo can wash away the dead skin cells making up dandruff. Botanical ingredients for moisturizing include aloe and chamomile and lavender.
Selsun Salon
Selsun Salon is another dandruff shampoo, this one containing the active ingredient pyrithione zinc. This ingredient slows the excess production of skin cells, thus relieving and preventing flaking and scaling of the scalp caused by dandruff or seborrhea.
Ingredients
Active Ingredient - Selenium Sulfide 1% - Purpose - Antidandruff.
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamide MEA, Dimethicone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Titanium Dioxide, Blue 1.
Of course there are also medicinal creams that can be used as skin care
Most are not aimed at subtype 1 rosacea, with flushing and burning. Instead, most of these creams are designed for subtype 2 rosacea with skin outbreaks and pimples. But some of them can also help minimize skin redness.
-Antibiotic creams; metronidazole cream, rosex cream: used for rosacea subtype 2, with skin outbreaks and pimples and redness
-Finacea gel/cream: used for rosacea subtype 2, with skin outbreaks and pimples and redness. Read more on Finacea here.
-Soolantra/Ivermectin cream: used for rosacea subtype 2, with skin outbreaks and pimples and redness
-Mirvaso / Rhofade cream: used for rosacea subtype 1 with flushing, redness and burning of the skin. Both have some bad reviews however and can cause rebound flaring of the skin. They constrict the blood vessels in the face temporary, but after that rebound worsening can happen.
-Other creams, for instance sulphur cream or ZZ cream: used for subtype 2 rosacea with skin outbreaks and pimples.
Egyptian Magic This product only has 6 ingredients: olive oil, bees wax, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly and bee propolis. They can all, in principle, cause skin reactions (which is the case for every skin care ingredient), but often is well tolerated. Oils are not always a good idea for rosacea however, as oils can clog pores, cause skin outbreaks and seal the skin off which can trap heat. It is a personal trial and error thing however, some people do great with this cream.
Real PurityA friend of mine with rosacea and seb derm, and very sensitive skin, wrote that she had success with a liquid moisturizer from Real Purity She wrote: "It has only water, glycerin, rice starch, kaolin and iron oxide." On its website, Real Purity states: "Creme Foundation "Health Glow". Named as one of the first “mineral make-ups” on the market, Real Purity Crème Health Glow Foundation is a must have for any all natural makeup lover. This foundation will leave your skin even toned and glowing, and with a base of pure water, smoothing it on your skin won’t clog your pores.
• Distilled water acts as a core element for this foundation, and prevents the clogging of your pores while smoothing out your lines.
• Minerals included in this foundation provide additional sun protection.
• Real Purity cosmetics are never nano-sized.
Ingredients
Distilled Water, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Kaolin (Clay)*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil*, Iron Oxide*Organic There are many good reviews below the basic info part in the link.
Selsun BlueSome people with rosacea, especially with redness and skin outbreaks and pimples, mentioned that washing their face with Selsun Blue shampoo (and then risning it off again) helped them control their skin. Selsun Blue is a line of shampoos used to treat dandruff and other skin conditions. It is available over the counter and in a prescription-strength version as well. It contains selenium sulfide as the active ingredient. Selenium sulfide is an anti-fungal agent which may be helpful in treating the skin yeast infection tinea versicolor, scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) and athlete's foot (tinea pedis). Selenium sulfide also is effective at treating seborrheic dermatitis because it slows the overgrowth of skin cells involved in this condition. Selsun Blue is also available in a medicated formula, containing selenium sulfide along with menthol, the main active ingredient in peppermint. Menthol has cooling, calming and numbing effects and may soothe irritated skin and stop itching, unless of course your skin is too sensitive for it (then it can irritate in fact). Trial and error.. I think it will be best suited for people with subtype 2 rosacea with skin outbreaks and relatively sturdy skin.
Selsun Blue Naturals
Selsun Blue is available in a moisturizing formula as well as a shampoo called Selsun Blue Naturals, both of which contain botanical ingredients to moisturize hair. Selsun Blue Naturals contains the active ingredient salicylic acid rather than selenium sulfide. Salicylic acid promotes shedding of the skin's top layer, so the shampoo can wash away the dead skin cells making up dandruff. Botanical ingredients for moisturizing include aloe and chamomile and lavender.
Selsun Salon
Selsun Salon is another dandruff shampoo, this one containing the active ingredient pyrithione zinc. This ingredient slows the excess production of skin cells, thus relieving and preventing flaking and scaling of the scalp caused by dandruff or seborrhea.
Ingredients
Active Ingredient - Selenium Sulfide 1% - Purpose - Antidandruff.
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamide MEA, Dimethicone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Titanium Dioxide, Blue 1.
Of course there are also medicinal creams that can be used as skin careMost are not aimed at subtype 1 rosacea, with flushing and burning. Instead, most of these creams are designed for subtype 2 rosacea with skin outbreaks and pimples. But some of them can also help minimize skin redness.
-Antibiotic creams; metronidazole cream, rosex cream: used for rosacea subtype 2, with skin outbreaks and pimples and redness
-Finacea gel/cream: used for rosacea subtype 2, with skin outbreaks and pimples and redness. Read more on Finacea here.
-Soolantra/Ivermectin cream: used for rosacea subtype 2, with skin outbreaks and pimples and redness
-Mirvaso / Rhofade cream: used for rosacea subtype 1 with flushing, redness and burning of the skin. Both have some bad reviews however and can cause rebound flaring of the skin. They constrict the blood vessels in the face temporary, but after that rebound worsening can happen.
-Other creams, for instance sulphur cream or ZZ cream: used for subtype 2 rosacea with skin outbreaks and pimples.
Sunscreens
ZincO (Tinted or non tinted)
Ingredients;
Zinc oxide 14.5%, water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, steareth-21, C13-14 isoparaffin, cyclomethicone, glycerin, laureth-7, phenoxyethanol, polyacrylamide, synthetic beeswax, dimethicone, iron oxides, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, talc, castor oil phosphate, methylparaben, DEA-oleth-3 phosphate, propylparaben, chromium oxide greens, disodium EDTA, ultramarines.
Organic Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin SPF 32
A better alternative to ZincO might be this sunscreen, which has no parabens, and higher SPF protection. It is described as "A gentle, chemical-free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free, non nano broad spectrum sunscreen for sensitive skin. Can be used for face and body. Contains only 9 organic and natural ingredients (86% of them are certified organic) and 25% zinc oxide. Packaged in biodegradable tubes."
Ingredients;
25% zinc oxide, Eldorado Springs Artesian Water, certified organic extra virgin olive oil, certified organic jojoba oil, vegetable glycerin, certified organic shea butter, vegetable emulsifying wax, vegetable vitamin e. Read more good skin care tips here.
Make-up
First of all, this site is fantastic and lets you type in the brand name of any cosmetic product, telling you right away what ingredients it has and which ingredients "might" (for very sensitive and reactive skin types) potentially insrease the risk of a skin reaction:
I have been watching some really trashy tele in my free time, when too tired to do anything constructive. Not even sure I dare to admit it, but it's a UK version of Jersey Shore; Geordie Shore. Eight Newcastle youngsters in one house, 'getting mortal' (very drunk), having a 'mint night' (going loose) and more of such slang. In skimpy outfits and clubbing and sexing constantly. It's truly funny actually. Have soft spot for such reality tele, perhaps because it remembers me of the far less wild years where I used to at least still go out to dance. Or just because I'm getting old lol. But anyway, these girls wear tons of make up. The more episodes I would watch, the more I started to think that there shouldn't actually be any impediment for me to go out 'clubbing' again perhaps even one night a year. Initially I was still asked for by friends this but nowadays no one even brings it up anymore :) It would feel so good to wipe all the redness away with a sponge and some perfectly covering make up. A friend of mine with my subtype and severity of rosacea can tolerate make up and moisturizers (so jealous!) and she sent me some pictures of the steps in between reddish face and geisha face. I want that too. (She uses 'sheer cover concealer' then a loose powder of collection 2000, and another rosacea friend uses mineral make up from Cory Cosmetics). So, I found a foundation that has no preservatives/parabens, no perfume and is a mineral based cream foundation, from la Roche-Posay.
I bought: toleriane tint, compact correcting foundation - cream. Color is 10, ivory. (the lightest color available This color is still a few % too dark, but its good enough for me for now. Don't think ivory is a ghostly tint in this make up range, its not.. Here are links to the exact product (I heard from some readers that they couldn't find the exact same product, as La Roche-Posay has multiple foundations):I bought it in a money wasting mood and tried it on the sides of my cheeks. That is actually a more useful test spot, as I now flare and burn there too from cosmetics etc. Nothing, no reaction. The foundation covered perfectly but my dry skin structure did shine through it. That's where the moisturizer came in and the other lower cheek that I moisturized first and then covered with foundation looked smooth and great! I put the stuff all over my lower part of the face and around the eyes, mouth and nose, sparing only the inner red cheeks. It looked so Geordie Shore!! Left it on for an hour, still no burning and flushing. I tried mineral powder make up some time ago (posted about it too I think, it was from Bare Escentuals) and rubbing that off was a nightmare; the rough mineral particles were like powdered glass rubbing all over my cheeks, leaving my face badly burning and scrubbed off the top layer apparently. Not with this cream version! I think the mineral particles in it must be finer or just encapsulated in some way by the cream coating. But, because I don't dare to use any cleansing milks, I still had to rub sortof, with my cotton pads and bottled water (I made it luke warm) to remove all of the foundation creme. I only got red after removing that stuff, indicating that it is not so much the product itself causing all this. (I bought the cleansing milk from Avène's sensitive skin range later, by the way). So, the plan is now to keep this in store for a special dinner/night out. I keep holding off old friends who I haven't seen in a long time (admittingly, male ones), because I'm afraid I will be red and swollen and ugly that day and don't dare to go. So instead of postponing these invitations into eternity, perhaps I can now go out again. I think about once every 2 months by the way, I won't get over exited. And I still haven't tested it on the inner cheeks. Anyway, wanted to share this and I realize that a lot of rosacea patients are interested in skin care products. I just never felt I could write anything meaningful about it, given that I tend to write posts about first hand experiences with things. But when someone as über sensitive and bad as me can handle this stuff, even for a few hours, it might be a good choice for those a bit less touchy, perhaps (By the way, I don't do commerce, I ignore marketing emails or advertisement offers, I absolutely hate making money off a blog that should just offer sincere information, so there is no tie with any of these two cosmetic companies).
- SPF 25.
- Fragrance free.
- Preservative free.
- Ultra-fine texture.
- Waterproof.
- Anti-friction sponge included.
Directions for Use: After applying day cream, pick up a small amount of the product using the sponge and spread it from the centre of the face outward
Results: Severe imperfections are concealed, skin is left looking even and natural.
Ingredients: DIMETHICONE, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, PTFE, HYDROGENATED JOJOBA OIL, POLYMETHYLSILSEQUIOXANE, POLYBOTUANE, POLYETHYLENE, DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, ALUMINIUM HYDROXIDE, MAY CONTAIN, C1 77891/TITANIUM DIOXIDE, CI 77499, CI 77492/IRON OXIDES, CI 77947/ZINC OXIDE.
-Skinni Peach: "Another corrective foundation, another surprise and a savior during the winter months. As with all La Roche Posay products, this is geared towards sensitive souls but this time with more emphasis on dry, sensitive souls. Never before have I used a foundation that doesn't cling for dear life on to dry patches. Instead this creamy bit of magic happens to smooth over, yet sink in at the same time. The sponge that's included and lives under the compact in its own little compartment is the only drawback. I hate using sponges. Filthy. But a few washes here and there and it does the job well. The colour I was sent is a little on the dark side for me (no. 13 Beige Sand), but I use it very lightly on my skin and the results are yet again, flawless."
-Fresh Look Beauty Blog wrote: "La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Teint Compact Foundation (RRP £14.50-18.50 for 9g) is a cream formula for hyper-sensitive skin types who need coverage for anything from acne to scarring or under-eye circles. This would also appeal to anyone who just wants a break from their normal foundation, thanks to its minimal ingredients list! [..] The Longevity; I was really impressed with the staying power of this foundation - I've previously reviewed the Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation which has the same sort of aim as La Roche-Posay, but found my skin became very oily by the end of the day. With this product, I wasn't worrying about slippage and found that for your standard 8-hour day this holds up really well. The Coverage; This foundation boasts 30% coated pigments, which means that a little goes a long way and allows you to keep a natural finish. It also layers fairly well on concentrated areas, so you may well be able to ditch the concealer. When I opened the compact, I was sure this would run out within 2 weeks. I used it everyday for over month, plus a few times a week for a further month (that's the beauty blogger in me getting bored), and I still have half the product left! The Sensitive Skin Criteria; Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free, SPF 25-35 depending on how much you use... tick tick tick! If you're worried about breakouts or reacting to your foundation, this has to be one of the safest bets after mineral make-up.
Other products that seem decent for sensitive rosacea skin are these two below: they contain more ingredients than the product I have been using, so that makes me more worried about any of them setting off my skin. Less is more, etc. However the list of ingredients seems not too bad, no preservatives, no perfumes, and the bonus could be that these two foundations might not look as dry on the face as my compact disc one does. I've got reasonably dry skin and no way to moisturize it, so I might try these two foundations below at some point and hope it goes as well as the compact disk. I have that one used 3 times so far, once kept it on for a good 36 hours in one go, and my skin tolerates it very well. Surprised and mostly very happy. Pls note that I don't make any advertisement for anything or anyone. This just happened to be my lucky foundation so far.
If you do need to use makeup to occasionally cover embarrassing blemishes or just to add some color to your eyes, be sure to wash your makeup brushes once a week with warm water and an all natural paraben-free shampoo (the one you use for your own hair of course). Dirty makeup brushes harbor bacteria. Don’t let that build up or you will just be rubbing that grime all over your face!
Cold showers, short showers
Hot water strips away the natural oils in your skin, leaving it dry. If you can’t stand a cold shower, take a warm shower (not hot) and turn the shower handle to cold at the very end when you rinse your face. If there are very oily spots on your face, go ahead and gently rub them with your fingertips, but on most days just a cold rinse should be enough.
Here are some more pictures of my make-up
On The Rosacea Forum there are also many posts about foundation for rosacea skin.
Roz123 asked for a foundation tip for her P&P prone rosacea skin. She also has a Nickel allergy and has to avoid Mica and Bismuth Oxycholoride. She tried La Roche Posay Toleriane Teint, but found it to irritate her skin. Some of the suggestions she received:
*Bare Escentials multi-tasking concealer in BISQUE shade. "This really tones down redness & disguises P & P's." Roz123 tried this product and said it didn't give her great coverage.
*Colorstay foundation by Revlon. (Note: contains the potentially irritating ingredient Mica and the exfoliator and irritant salicylic acid, list here). "It is oil and fragrance free and is amazing coverage....I too have the p&p's and alot of redness on forehead..! I have always used this foundation as always been acne prone and since being diagnosed with possible roseaca/maybe seb derm (I also have a nickel allergy..thats coincidence hey) this has never caused me problems..." Roz123 tried this product and said it indeed gave great coverage, definitely like a mask.
Ingredients; Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4, Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Pentylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Methylparaben, Cellulose Gum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethano, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tristearin, Acetylated Glycol Stearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Butylparaben.
*Keromask masking cream. (Nite: contains potential irritants and vaseline derived ingredients paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum and the irritant lanolin and lanolin alcohol, link). "It's thick, looks natural if applied properly and is fragrance free. It is the only thing that will cover a huge flare up of redness/p&ps without looking like a cake on my face, which is surprising considering it is meant for scars, acne, tattoos, rosacea ect. It comes in a small tube and you get setting powder with it which makes it waterproof."
*Jane Iredale Dream Tint (Note, there is also a Liquid Minerals Foundation from this brand, which seems REALLY GOOD, with only Mica as an irritant and not too many ingredients, of which some are anti inflammatory, like Lavandula angustifolia and Aloe Barbadensis.)
*Maybelline Purestay powder foundation with spf 15. (Note: it contains parabens -rpreservatives, Mica and mineral oil, list). "It covers the redness and p&p really well and it doesn't seem to cake on my flakes and give me lizard face."
*Mary Kay medium-coverage foundation. (Note, its fragrance free, oil free but the full list of ingredients is not traceable online, see this interesting post from the Paraben Free Princess about that. This makes it almost certain that they threw in at least the paraben preservatives, and prolly more..). "I've got fair pink skin. It covers pretty well."
Roz123 said herself about the nickel allergy: "Re nickel in makeup, I've been doing a bit of research on this, and apparently there can be nickel in makeup, in 'iron oxides' which if you
look in the ingredients are in most types of makeup (they give makeup
their colour) - I think it's only trace amounts (and amounts vary
depending on the brand) but in some really really sensitive people it
may cause a reaction. It's aparently in iron oxides CI77491, CI77499 and
CI77492. Also re mascara issues - check out Eyecare Cosmetics
(eyecare-cosmetics.co.uk) - they do loads of great products for people
with really really sensitive eyes (and are all nickel tested and claim
them to be nickel free)." Her end conclusion, after trying all the suggested foundations, was: "anyhow, I've now come to the conclusion that it's my skin that's the
problem and not the foundations, as they all seem to make my skin feel
even more sore and burny (a true nightmare)."
*Lancome Dual Finish powder/makeup. Flareface: "All the mineral powders leave a dry flakey sheen on my skin, and I can't rub a liquid makeup into my skin. I was quite surprised to find my face still likes the Lancome. It comes with a velvet soft sponge which my face also likes. Got it in a yellow based beige that tones down my redness. I can almost look normal when I have it on." This product has some potential rosacea irritants like Mica, parabens, paraffin and petrolatum. Ingredients.
*Clinique continuous coverage foundation. Rethotoz wrote: "She put some on one side of my face and gave me a mirror. The good and the bad...well...I then felt good for half a 'normal' looking face and then a bit of a freak for the other half. Only then did I realise how red my face was at normal/good status! Urgh! And I thought I was doing so well. Sigh! PLUS, I had a third eye growing at the time! LOL Huh, got to laugh, or one will cry!" This product has some potential rosacea irritants like Mica, parabens and mineral oil. Ingredients.
*Alima Pure, Satin Matte Mineral Foundation. Ratherbquiltn wrote: "I highly recommend Alima mineral make-up! Looks great and I feel like it's improving my face everytime I wear it." This product contains Mica. Ingredients.
Forum posts about rosacea and moisturizers
Forum posts about rosacea and using no moisturisers
The Hair on Your Head
Since we spend about 8 hours a day with our faces on a pillow, it is important to consider what sleep situations may do to our skin. If you have long hair, put your hair up in a binder before hitting the sack to keep the oils and product in your hair off your pillow and off your face. Using a hairnet also works for those who have shorter hair or don’t like their hair tied up all night. It is also important to evaluate what is in your hair products, as these are the closest in proximity to your face and scalp. Check your shampoos, conditioners and hair products for parabens such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and known human carcinogens, such as triclosan. If you find any of these things in your product, throw them away and start fresh. A big factor in your skin’s health can be the laundry detergent you use. Bed linens and clothing rub on us all day. Buying a natural detergent and staying away from dryer sheets can help clear up acne, yeast infections and skin irritations as well as keep harmful carcinogens out of your system.
I also use a special shampoo from Neutral, containing:
Update: I changed my shampoo to this fab Danish brand, Urtekram. It has no Sodium laureth Sulfate and is incredibly mild, no rosacea flares from it (but I still avoid rinsing shampoo/water over my face). I alternate between these two brands now. Both super mild, no perfume, no harsh ingredients, no sodium lautheth sulfate :)
It is definitely trial and error trying to find moisturizers and makeup that work. I can only try new ones when I know I don't need to go any where the next day because I tend to have some pretty bad reactions. I do know that anything with petroleum is a big no-no for me. I can tolerate the cerave face wash but it doesn't take off make-up so I don't wear make up very often now. The cerave face cream tends to burn and react. The bobbi brown skin stick foundation doesn't irritate but finding something to take it off does irritate so darned if I do, darned it I don't. -Pippa
ReplyDeleteIt is Pippa, and oddly and unfortunately enough, I found my skin became more sensitive and intollerable with time. I now only tollerate (water diluted) jojoba oil. But the Avene products might be a safe bet/try as well as they have so little ingredients and almost no irritants. They are pretty affordable too. I no longer use make up, as it burns my skin (even the best of the best) and it's a nightmare getting it off; the cleaning of my skin after make up application is like an exfoliation :(
ReplyDeleteJust thought I'd share my skincare/makeup routine as I have bad vascular rosacea. I'll start off with the products I use: Aquaphor- gentle and non irritating for me, It's the ONLY thing my skin will tolerate when It's going crazy, Toleraine Riche- This is by La Roche Posay and is also very gentle, I prefer it to Avene as even that has made my skin burn before.
ReplyDeleteAvene Thermal Water Spray- The only thing I really like from Avene as It's soothing and cooling on my face
Vichy Dermablend corrective foundation in Opal- Love the coverage on this and it's non irritating pluscontains SPF.
Garnier 2in1 Makeup Remover- This is an oil in water solution that you shake (I know it sounds irritating) but it's not neither is it ever drying and I find using this is the only way I can remove my foundation with out it leaving behind flakes of makeup stuck to the skin. It also requires zero rubbing which is a must for me.
My A.M routine- Spritz face with Avene thermal water then gently apply Aquaphor mixed with a small amount of toleraine to my face.. let that sink in the apply Vichy Dermablend with a damp sponge (my preferred method as it's soft on my skin) Then set with a light powder.
P.M routine goes as follows- Soak a damp cotton pad in Garnier 2 in 1 makeup Remover, press gently on cheeks then sweep away, repeat until makeup is gone
Spritz face with Avene Thermal water then Apply Aquaphor/Toleraine Riche.
It seems like a lot to do but It's so simple and the only way to keep my skin in the balance. :)
Thank you so much Mel for sharing your skin care routine here. I'm so happy for you that you found products that work for you and that your skin tolerates. Thanks for sharing it here :)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Nat
Hi there. I found your blog and wanted to share my skincare routine. I only use Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild soap (in bar form) as a cleanser and Heritage Rosewater & Glycerin spray as a moisturizer. I've had rosacea for over 10 years and this is the only combination I've used that helps. I am unable to tolerate Cetaphil, Cerave and a host of other ones that help most rosacea sufferers. I hope you can try these and that they work for you!
ReplyDeletegreat tips
ReplyDelete