May cause redness and irritation

I have rosacea. Not severe, and I don't get any form of acne or breakout, just a lot of flushing. My mom has it, and I'm of Irish and Scottish descent on my mom's side and rosacea has been called "the curse of the Celts." I am cursed.

I'm also getting older, and the products that worked for me either don't work anymore or aren't made anymore (oh, Aromaleigh skincare how I miss thee!). So, since I have raging PMS that seems to have demolished all forms of impulse control, I went to my happy place, the Chanel counter at Nordstrom, the other day, to see if maybe a new nail polish color would make me feel better.

They were slow, and Arlette was sure she could help my dry, irritated skin, so she gave me a mini-facial and a bag full of samples of products. My skin felt like silk. It didn't hurt, wasn't red, wasn't tight, and honestly, my skin looked five years younger.

But now, three days later? I have slight breakouts on my chin, lip, and nose, and one on my cheek, and I remember why I've always had so much trouble using even the most expensive department store products: Because they irritate my skin.

The problem is, the products that don't irritate my skin also don't seem to make my skin feel beautiful and soft. It's like I can have dehydrated, flaking skin that's prone to flushing, or I can have soft, supple skin with little red bumps on it.

I know many of you will swear by various supplements and the consumption of vast amounts of water. I already drink a lot of water -- I couldn't possibly drink more and not explode. I also eat a diet rich in healthy fats, and take a fish oil supplement.

I don't take evening primrose oil or anything like that, as I've been concerned about the pro-inflammatory effects of Omega-6 fatty acids, but I'm considering it, as I've had two or three bad menstrual cycles in the last year and given that I'm 48, I'm wondering if my hormones aren't starting to turn on me. Which I hear makes rosacea worse, so I'm just thrilled.

I just spent some time reading product reviews on the web, and it seems to me that many of the products made for rosacea are very much aimed at younger women with oily skin, rather than women like me whose skin is very dry. My mother also has very dry, dehydrated, sensitive skin, and her rosacea is a bit worse than mine (presumably because she is 23 years older than I am, and also because she doesn't take as good care of her skin as I do of mine because she actually has a life and isn't vain and self-absorbed like I am).

I have no idea what to try next. The Chanel people at Nordstrom are the nicest people on earth and asked me to come in and let them look at my skin, and see if there isn't one single product that might be causing this problem, rather than the whole line. I'm pessimistic, but Chanel has always been tried and true for me as far as makeup goes -- and I have a history of irritation with makeup, too, so that track record does mean something. Since I'm just using samples, this hasn't cost me anything yet (other than, you know, the $24 I spent on nail polish), so I'm willing to give it a try.

But in the meantime, I'm hoping that by throwing this out into the blogosphere, some kind person googling or tracking Neova R2, DermDoctor, or any of the many other products intended for rosacea without acne and in aging or dry skin will come by and say, "I had your exact problem, in fact, I'm your twin sister seperated from you at birth, and I know exactly what products you need."

Because I want it all, dear readers. I want my dewy soft baby butt skin and no redness or bumps. Is that too much to ask?

Comments

[Judi]

Hi Christie-

Some things working for me and my dry skin, are vitamins, 8000mg of fish oil a day, 200iu vitamin e, and this is helping soooo much. Better than buying a bunch of products that don't work.

[Christie]

Thanks, Judi... however, I'm already doing that... it's not enough anymore. :(

[Carolyn]

Have you tried any Kiehls products? My sister uses them successfully. Also she started using Bare Minerals makeup and the Rare Minerals night products and they are working well too. My only suggestions! Love your blog!

[Judi]

Sorry Christie, maybe up your fish oil dosage, or switch products. I don't wear make up at all so I can't help ya much with products, I only use Cetaphil to wash my face, an some real soft skin lotion.

Now, something a friend of mine did while she was pregnant and some before, is she actually rubbed olive oil on her face and belly. She never had any stretch marks. I tried it but my face broke out big time.

TTYL - Judi

[kasie]

I'd schedule an appointment at Gentle Star (http://www.gentlestar.com/). Yes, they do scary, cheesy things like Botox - but my friend (Jenny Test) who is their dog walker referred me and I had the absolute best facial of my life there. They have high quality products and unique procedures which address most skincare issues and I bet they could help you out. Sell mineral make-up, too. Professional and knowledgeable. Not exactly cheap - though what they can do there is worth it, IMO.

[emily]

Hvaing got into my lat 30's still with severe acne, having tried every product out there, I have pretty much lost faith in any product line. They talk a good talk....

[Lee Charles Kelley]

Beeswax. Burt's Bees uses it in some of their products.
I'm Irish. I don't have rosacea, per se. But there are a few spots on my face that get a little red (probably because I drink too much diet soda--aspartame causes a strange rash). The Burt's Bees "Buttermilk Lotion" and "Banana and Beeswax Hand Creme" are what I use for redness.

Good luck!

LCK

[Julia Szabo]

Hi Christie, your fan Julia Szabo here - may I suggest that you try Neem oil, which has been used for hundreds of years in India to treat a variety of skin ailments, including chemical burns - tho' it smells strong, it is fantastic at soothing skin at any stage of irritation - it's also great to have on hand by the stove in case of a burn (heals even faster than Vitamin E straight from the capsule) - what's more if your dog has sensitive skin, as mine do, there's a great non-soap pet shampoo called TheraNeem - oil and pet shampoo both available at www.fetchdog.com and other (human) products available at www.organixsouth.com - feel better >^..^<

[Debra K]

Hi, try Cellex C skin firming creme. Its expensive, but it worked for my flushing. There is a study that indicates that the ascorbic acid ( the "C") does the trick.

Good luck...

[Emily J]

fyi- For Rosacea and makeup I would recommend mineral makeup. The best brand I found that worked well with my skin was afterglow cosmetics. In the US they are at afterglowcosmetics.com and in Europe/Ireland you can find them at http://www.carefreebeauty.eu.

-Em

[Christie]

Mineral makeup doesn't work in my skin at all. It feels tight and looks dry. Perhaps when I was younger, but now that my skin is mature and dry, it's definitely not for me.

I agree it's far more pure and non-irritating, but it just doesn't work with my skin type otherwise.