I'm going BONKERS.....

My face is red... itchy... bumpy..... driving me MAAAAAAAAAAAAAD.

Every moisturizer I've tried to date has given me pimples.... GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

I find that the ones that have sunscreen in them are the WORST... but my dermatologist says I need sunscreen GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
AND now he wants me to wear a big giant straw hat in the summer to protect my face... ummmmmmmmmmmm I do NOT have a 'hat-head'.. Hats are NOT my friend and it's NOT going to happen.

I rarely get actual pimples... but when I do, they are doozies!!
I just mostly have a gazillion red bumps.......

Any ideas?
or should I try something natural like emu oil or jojoba oil? or will that aggravate the acne and trigger a break-out?

These days, I catch myself scratching at my face alot... it's sooooooooooo itchy!!! which is not smart of course.

thanks

PS: my dermatologist has me on the highest dose of 1% metrogel twice per day..

STILL no relief

I asked SwissDermyl about this and they told me that their HydroSensitive cream, combined with regular applications of their Anti Free Radical ampoule has been very effective. I'm happy to send you a couple of samples (yep, I know you're across the pond!)
if you'd like!

We have had very good results with CLEAR IT - yes its used for break out after waxing but its original development was for Acne patients. Its not a moisturizer but it will help to clear the spots and give you relief of the itching and it spreading or getting worse. hth

Less is more. Do not overload your skin with various products - especially plant extracts. Use a cleanser which will de-grease twice a day. If nothing else - I know you will hate me for this - SPF of at least factor 50! There are various medical SPF formulas which your dermatologist can advise, which only mimic what is naturally in your skin - certainly not plant extracts! Using skin care ranges with built in SPF 's really are not enough, unless you plan on applying them every half hour - which I am sure you have no desire to. Perhaps a medical microdermabrasion procedure will benefit you. Can have great results for what you describe. Without seeing your skin though it would not be right to assess accurately.

XXXXX

IN Australia we have a range called QV, there's another one called Pintersol, which is Ph balanced and very basic.

Try and stay away from medications with cortisone (use them for 7 days max) they thin your skin and capillaries will show up more than usual of you use cortisone. Avoid SPFS (as the SPF can often be the irritant).

I used to suffer the same, that's how I know

I also love Nutrogena Skinclearing Cleaner/Mask, you can use it as a cleanser, but you can also leave it on as a mask, the Salicylic Acid really clears things up.

Manuka Honey as a mask will also sooth your skin.

I make a mix of Manuka Honey with real ground Cinnamon (it has to be real cinnamon) ... not Cassia (Cinnamomum Cassia) but real cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum ) it's brilliant.

It will clear your complexion and give you a healthy glow.

Good luck, I know what a pain/embarrassment it can be.

Trust me on this one!!!!!

Nailzoo, much respect to you. Good advice on the salicylic wash. Can be great for problem skin - also works as a very mild peel effect. Do not need to exfoliate with it. However, the single most important thing anyone can put on their skin is an SPF - but I do stress - medical formula. OTC SPF can be very irritant as you say. 80% of skin damage is environmental. X

Agreed, but you don't need to add an extra chemical (an SPF) if you ain't exposed to the sun.

Victoria is an active mother, but most of her activities and business is conducted indoors, so why add another possible irritant ....... sure on weekends and free time, but no point needing and SPF (sun protection) when you ain't in the sun .... it's just another chemical, that can be just another irritant. She needs to maintain a pure and Ph balanced regime to get things in order first.

I'm no therapist, but I would recommend a hat before I'd recommend a chemical.

I went through 5 years of looking like an unwrapped Tutankhamen after a skin peel.

You don't need an SPF, if you don't go in the sun.

When you do go in the sun.... use one, but you don't need it daily.
I'm practically a Vampire and stay out of the sun as much as I can.

Victoria and I actually have a similar complexion (my mums a redhead), my nickname was "frecklehead" until my teens.

I had rosaccia that frustrated me so much, I was so desperate I gave myself a facial mask with Selsun shampoo, which basically gave me a chemical peel and I ended up needing specialist treatment, (not a beautician trained for a minute pushing a product brand) but a university trained dermatologist.

They put me on to QVwash, a basic pharmacy brand, no SPF was needed (because no sun exposure) , no harsh chemicals and a thought pattern of PH levels and a more natural approach to skincare (no upsell, no retailing, no commission and no bull****).

I have been free of my previous condition for about 10 years now. I'm 46 and look about 36 (others opinions, although I agree).

No brand cosmetics, just the basics, I also use a moistiriser daily which contains a small amount of Arnica, (as a surface blood circulatory stimulant) spider veins are a thing of the past.






I don't have many other pictures ....... I have never had the desire to keep them, or have airbrushed and deleted the originals (these are from a disc of originals from a friend) and i'm wearing a sheer foundation (it's my 40th).

Each to their own, but I was once a victim and like to pass on what has truly helped me to look and feel human without upselling a overpriced product, when the basics (an university qualified advice) helped me the most.

I think you are mistaking me nailzoo - it is a common misconception that 'basic' no frills, skincare ie simple, has less chemicals in their products. What I am advocating is LESS IS MORE!

I am not talking about branded products - YUK! When I refer to medical formula what I am really saying is that the products contain LESS chemicals and irritants - you need to only mimic products which are naturally in your skin. As I stressed before.

Skin is a very unpredictable organ. What suits one, will not suit another. What you put on your skin today - you may not see the true benefits for 6/8 weeks. The time it takes dermal skin to progress upwards to epidermal level. From a skin health point of view you are looking to treat the dermis (living skin) - otc preparations do not address this. They cannot - they only sit on the epidermis. Treating the dermal layer does not mean 'harsher' chemicals, it means using medical formulas which target the active living area. Makes a huge difference! Hopefully getting this message accross will help to understand where I am coming from.

As regards sunscreens - lots of rubbish ones out there - lots of absolutely essential great ones out there (medically prepared) - LESS HARSH. Granted, obviously only need to put it on if outdoors - can anyone honestly say most days they NEVER go outside! Doubtfull. X

(Loving your videos though NailZoo)! Disagree on skin care! X

To date, acne products usually cause VERY ANGRY rosacea flareups.. and burn like a #$%^&* you know what. What's in it?

I avoid spf stuff because it usually triggers breakouts. Neutragena appeals to me, especially since it's readily found. I am not familiar with QVC... Never heard of it. Might not be here because of labelling laws (we have less products in all areas because of the language laws and a lot of companies find it too expensive and tedious to be bothered with our province). Salicylic Acid has irritated the 'sensitive' part of my rosacea in the past. SCARES ME!!.. I don't get white-heads often... just tonnes and tonnes of little red bumps.
I do avoid the sun... as much as I LOVE it.. gave up sunbathing YEAARRSS ago since I can't tan for CRAP In winter, I am NEVER outdoors because of my Raynauds and lack of tolerance for cold.
No capillaries evident yet. Just a bright red face and nose, and now it's under my chin along my jawline as well.
I have found a BRILLIANT makeup (cover FX) which I tell EVERYONE to get.... but it would be VERY nice to go without on occasion... especially in summer months... I have never heard of Manuka honey... will look for it. Where do I begin?


Getting "balanced" appeals to me... as I know it's easy to 'overdo' one way or the other and that's not good. Particularly since I have the type of rosacea that reacts badly to stuff for acne and badly to stuff for dry skin... UGH.
I'm not a natural redhead ALTHOUGH my grandfather was, and I have natural dark blonde with copper.... I'm always whiter than white and if I don't have makeup on, people think I'm "sick" I'm a vampire too.

What's in this stuff? Always ready to try anything.

I'm just tired of the embarassment. Tired of the discomfort (hubby caught me scratching my face in my sleep last night...

To date, been sticking with washing with dove soap because it gets the makeup off no problem without irritating my skin. I guess you could call my skin 'allergic'? Cetaphil has been ok, but no better than dove, and pricier so I stick with dove... I don't use a toner anymore, as much as I would like to for my oily zones.. but it just aggravates my rosacea. I don't use scrubs anymore, as much as I love them for the smooth feeling... because they aggravate it too.

Thanks for telling me about the selsun fiasco.... someone else had told me to try it. Now I know better.
I have just finished putting on my metrogel and my face is just as itchy as it was before putting it on UGH... no relief. My face just gets worse and worse.... and I can't imagine how bad it'll be in another year. UGH.
I often try to go makeup free a couple times a week when I know I'm not expecting anyone or going anywhere... to give my face a break.... But it's not always possible because getting caught without my 'face' is humiliating...
And I HATE when someone thinks I'm embarassed when I'm NOT!

It ticks me off. It's uncomfortable. PLUS I think I look pretty damn good for a woman (don't want to be conceited... but...), who is a mother of 2, and will turn 38 in 2wks (how depressing!!) and it would be nice if my face went along with the rest of me, as opposed to looking like someone who needs a bag on her head (when I have no makeup)
And when I do get an acne breakout... that's humiliating too, because it's always one or two GIANT volcanic eruption type of things that people stare at when they're talking to you. HATE IT.... I'm too old for that stupidity!

thx everyone

You need to treat Acne Rosacea as you would a highly sensitive skin therefore less is more. Most acne products should go nowhere near this skin type although it does present with oily skin and blemishes like Acne hence where the name came from, however the conditions are not at all alike and should be treated completely differently. Rosacea causes the skin to swell resulting in thread veins and flushing. Nailzoo is right avoiding the sun as much as possible will help as well as trying to avoid hot spicy and acidic foods, caffeine and alcohol.

I would recommend starting with a change in diet first and then to use products that are anti-inflammatory and soothing.

I would stop experimenting with any acne products they are totally wrong for your skin and also I would think that Dove soap would also be irritating to the skin over time. The thing is that you may try something like Dove soap and find it works but as you use it for longer periods it may make the condition worse as it is stripping the skins natural layer of defense, the acid mantle.

I have also heard of Manuka honey having excellent healing properties eating it daily as well as using it as a mask. You need to return to the dermatologist and say it's not working, you were probably told to use sun screen when exposing your skin as it does make it worse so that was good advise but as Nail Zoo says better to stay out of it where possible.

Can you get Gerards out there? This creamy cleanser is excellent for hypersensitive skin:http://www.gerards.uk.com/view_produ...ow=0&row_back=

My doctor recommends only Metrogel, and what to avoid.
He did try an oral medication (tetra something?) which minimized my spots by the side effects were DREADFUL... and didn't alleviate the redness or itchiness. He recommends cetaphil cleanser or dove.

I don't eat spicy foods. I do drink coffee, but only 2 a day. I avoid the sun..... I don't drink alcohol except maybe once every 3mths....

I don't touch acne products.

I don't know what else to do.

Honey I really feel for you. He would of recommended Cetaphil because it is EXTREMELY mild and is medical formula. I agree with above - no dove. I know you are reluctant to apply SPF, I can understand why if you have had bad reactions - and yes, some are very very irritant. Can he not prescribe you one. There are a few I can think of which MAY be suitable. Melabloc being one. Very gentle. I think you are talking about tetracycline (antibiotic), can make some people really flare up - on the other hand can be wonderful. As I say, it is not a one size fits all. Skin is very unpredictable. I cannot stress enough (without the risk of repeating myself) LESS is MORE.

Maybe Cetaphil for cleanse, followed by moisturiser (ask your dermatologist for a prescriptive one which contains far less irritants than otc preparations, followed by Melabloc OR another suitable alternative. NOTHING ELSE. See how that goes for at least 6 weeks. Just my humble opinion x

just as a follow on - what does your make up contain. Can also be highly irritant. Perhaps try a good quality mineral base. And I mean good quality, again not OTC ones, some popular ones in supermarkets - load of rubbish - high talc, poor quality minerals. Without naming names. X

I appreciate what you say, BUT .... no offense, your profile says your are a "nurse" ..... and I prefer to listen to the "doctor", they have the education and have done the time and they have the true knowledge.

A "Doctor" solved my problem (similar to Victorias) not the nurse, not the receptionist, not my neighbours, not a beautician, not an online forum..... it took a true professional to sort me out

Perhaps Victoria it's time for you to settle this and go to a dermatologist, rather than beauty therapist, put it to bed.

Even then, get a second opinion. Good Luck.