To Moisturize or not moisturize

[frojo49]

I am so damn confused with my recent diagnose of rosacea. I used hydrocortisone like my derm told me for contact allergy, which after getting a second opinion is now labeled steroid induced rosacea. I've always had lousy skin from my teens. Cystic and had to take accutane, every antiobiodic known to mankind, topicals. Haven't done any IPL and such but that's next because I can't take it any more. One day it looks ok with makeup and then when I wash my face I see it is red and starting back up again. I have lost 15 lbs in 8 weeks from my nerves and from the avoiding triggers of flushing.

One night I didn't use any moisturizer and it got flaky but not red. So I left it again the next night and I got by again. Then I wake up and it flaky and red now. Is it beneficial to use a moisturizer for rosacea or leave it to dry at times?

[redhotoz]

Hi frojo49

Hey, welcome to the Rosacea Forum. There's heaps of info to be found here.

Sorry to hear that you are going through a rough time.

I use Rose Hip Oil, 4 drops into damp hands, massaged gently into a damp face and allowed to dry naturally. It makes my face feel really nice. Even if you decide to add something else over the top, I do recommend it as a starter. For cleansing I use an Oatmeal bar, which is sooo nice (from www.beautiful-skin-online.com )

I've been through the confusing stage and probably still there to some degree, as there is sooo much info to take on board. What I have learnt is that there is no magical cream or pill that will cure Rosacea! Being that the medical world can not agree on what causes Rosacea...well...we are kind of left floundering around in the dark together.

Anyway, I'm tired of looking for the wonder potion for Rosacea. I now focus my research on the cause(s) of Rosacea. I don't want to spend money on expensive creams, cleansers or meds. So I am going down the 'natural' path, which is a change of diet and red light therapy.

It's only been a short time, but even my local pharmacist said that my face looked "Normal"! Oh my!

Anyway, good luck with what you decide to try.

Jen

[Meggg]

Hi frojo49-

I too have steroid induced rosacea. I have had this for six years now. Over time it has gotten much better but it still has it's moments where it makes me miserable. I think with steroid rosacea, you do always need to use a moisturizer-at least in my case, I do. If I don't, my skin gets terribly dry and red.

I use Aveeno lotion. This has worked really good for me. It took a while to find a lotion that would agree with my skin and not make it worse. You might just have to try different moisturizers.

So how long did you use the cortisone on your face?

Best of luck.

Meg

[rwilliamson320]

I would moisturizer as much as I possibly can.

I put eucerin on at night before bed and it has made the biggest difference. In the morning I can't even tell I have and Rosacea or redness.


During the day my cheeks and forehead get red and dry so I have started to use Vitamin E oil because it goes on quick and dries quickly unlike eucerin. After I get home from work I put more eucerin on.

So I moisturize 3 times a day and by doing this, my face has not gotten dry and very little redness. My redness is less then most of the people I work with and they don’t have Rosacea.

[redhotoz]

During the day my cheeks and forehead get red and dry so I have started to use Vitamin E oil because it goes on quick and dries quickly...

Can I ask how you apply the Vitamin E Oil, please?

Thanks

Jen

[Sylvia66]

...so I have started to use Vitamin E oil because it goes on quick and dries quickly unlike eucerin.

Vitamin E oil never dries on me. It just sits on the top of my skin and makes a nasty cyst :?

[IowaDavid]

One might try super-humidifying their sleeping room. Hygrometers are cheap, and if you crank your humidifiers up (your choice of model) so it gets to 60-70% humidity, this can lessen your reliance on moisturizers. If your skin is really sensitive, this may be a way to keep it moisturized and heal over a period of a month or two with no topical applications/aggravations.

At least, that's how I did it.

Good luck. :)

David

[rwilliamson320]

During the day my cheeks and forehead get red and dry so I have started to use Vitamin E oil because it goes on quick and dries quickly...

Can I ask how you apply the Vitamin E Oil, please?

Thanks

Jen

I don't do anything special. I just break open the vitamin e gel cap and squeeze it onto my 2 index finger and rub on my Rosacea well in.

[rwilliamson320]

One might try super-humidifying their sleeping room. Hygrometers are cheap, and if you crank your humidifiers up (your choice of model) so it gets to 60-70% humidity, this can lessen your reliance on moisturizers. If your skin is really sensitive, this may be a way to keep it moisturized and heal over a period of a month or two with no topical applications/aggravations.

At least, that's how I did it.

Good luck. :)

David

Thats a good idea david. I did this for a little while. I need to get a larger humidifier because I keep forgetting to refill the water everyday.