Reducing inflammation

The link between inflammation and rosacea are undeniable yet it is not talked about enough. Just a few simple lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation within the body can have a positive and significant affect on rosacea flare ups and overall redness.

May 2015 Faves - All drug store brands

Here are a couple of things that I loved during the month of May and one I'll never touch again.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation Review

Urban Decay's Naked Skin foundation is a great option for those with rosacea and/or sensitive skin looking for a light-weight medium coverage that is buildable without being cakey. It does have its flaws but they can be managed if you are oily - like me.

Clinique Redness Solutions Cleanser Review

Here is a quick review of Clinique Redness Solutions Cleanser. I'd love to hear what you think of this cleanser or if there is another one out there that you prefer.

Rosacea Rant

Over the years that I have suffered from rosacea the number one thing that doctors recommend to reduce redness is laser treatment. Why is that? Is it because that's the easiest thing for them to recommend? Is it because they don't have to think about anything else that may effectively reduce or eliminate the redness? Maybe it's because there is really nothing else that can help?

With all the lotions, medications, and types laser treatments out there, there is really nothing that a doctor (at least any that I've had over the years) can do to eliminate rosacea and all of its symptoms.

What really irritates me is that no doctor (that I know of) talks about inflammation or how to reduce the redness and swelling caused by inflammation. Whether is it dietary changes or medications. That is something that can be done about rosacea.

It just ticks me off...

FAB Ultra Repair Lotion Review

I'm always on the hunt for a great lotion that will calm rosacea. First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Lotion is just one of many that I've tried over the years but one of few that I actually like.

It is thinner than the Ultra Repair Cream, which I like due to my oily/combination skin, but contains the same ingredients that calm the skin. This product is definitely more than just a body lotion in my opinion.

What do you think? Have you tried FAB's Ultra Repair Lotion? What other products do you use to help calm your rosacea?

April 2015 Favorites

A few favorite products for this month and one I'm not loving so much - but I really want to.

Onreltea review

I'm always curious when I find out about a product that claims to get rid of or reduce the redness caused by rosacea as to whether or not they actually work.

When I mentioned to my dermatologist that the redness on my face was driving me crazy his first recommendation was laser treatments. When I said no to that option he then recommended a cream product called Onreltea, wrote a prescription for 5 refills, and gave me a couple sample tubes to try out. He then mentioned that this cream costs about $100 (gasp!)

On my way home I stopped at a pharmacy and inquired about the cost. The pharmacist looked in up, looked at me, looked back at the computer, finally looking back at me and said "well...it costs $134 after dispensing fees". WHAT?!?! This better be a miracle cream I thought to myself. I thanked the pharmacist for the information saying that I hadn't decided if I was going to fill the prescription or not.

The next day I decided to try the cream, not knowing how it is to be used - because it didn't come with directions and the dermatologist didn't say anything - and was extremely disappointed with how the cream worked. It didn't! So, I went online and eventually found the directions on how to properly use this cream.
The results you can see in the video below.

Bottom line - yes, it does reduce the redness caused by rosacea but I'm still undecided if I'm actually going to buy this or not.

Have you tried Onreltea? If so, what was your experience with it like? Please share in the comments below.

Rosacea Maintenance

Here are just a couple things I do to help maintain and preferably reduce the appearance of my rosacea.

1 - Drink lots of water
2 - Watch what I eat and avoid my triggers
3 - Only use gentle skin care products and cosmetics
4 - Use an SPF of at least 25

What do you do to maintain or reduce the appearance of rosacea? I'd love to hear about the tips you have and the products you use.

Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion Review

This product has probably been review many times but this is my take on it. Basically, I LOVE it! It has gotten rid of all the roughness on my skin and I no longer have any flaky bits that catch in my makeup. This stuff makes me happy, happy!

Rosacea Triggers

What are your rosacea triggers? How do you manage them?

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea (pronounced "roh-ZAY-sha") is a chronic disorder primarily of the facial skin, often characterized by flare-ups and remissions. Many have observed that it typically begins any time after age 30 as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. In some cases, rosacea may also occur on the neck, chest, scalp or ears. Over time, the redness tends to become ruddier and more persistent, visible blood vessels may appear, and bumps and pimples can develop. In severe cases the nose may grow swollen and bumpy from excess tissue. Sometimes the eyes are also affected, feeling irritated and appearing watery or bloodshot.

While there is no cure for rosacea and the cause is unknown, medical therapy is available to control or reverse its signs and symptoms. Individuals who suspect they may have rosacea are urged to see a dermatologist or other knowledgeable physician for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Symptoms of Rosacea

• Flushing - Many people with rosacea have a history of frequent blushing or flushing. This facial redness may come and go, and is often the earliest sign of the disorder.
• Persistent Redness - Persistent facial redness is the most common individual sign of rosacea, and may resemble a blush or sunburn that does not go away.
• Bumps and Pimples - Small red solid bumps or pus-filled pimples often develop. While these may resemble acne, blackheads are absent and burning or stinging may occur.
• Visible Blood Vessels - In many people with rosacea, small blood vessels become visible on the skin.

Other Potential Symptoms

• Eye Irritation - In many people with rosacea, the eyes may be irritated and appear watery or bloodshot, a condition known as ocular rosacea. The eyelids also may become red and swollen, and styes are common. Severe cases can result in corneal damage and vision loss without medical help.
• Burning or Stinging - Burning or stinging sensations may often occur on the face. Itching or a feeling of tightness may also develop.
• Dry Appearance - The central facial skin may be rough, and thus appear to be very dry.
• Plaques - Raised red patches, known as plaques, may develop without changes in the surrounding skin.
• Skin Thickening - The skin may thicken and enlarge from excess tissue, most commonly on the nose. This condition, known as rhinophyma, affects more men than women.
• Swelling - Facial swelling, known as edema, may accompany other signs of rosacea or occur independently.
• Signs Beyond the Face - Rosacea signs and symptoms may also develop beyond the face, most commonly on the neck, chest, scalp or ears.

Subtypes of Rosacea

According to a group of experts four subtypes of rosacea have been identified and defined as common patterns or groupings of signs and symptoms. These include:

• Subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic rosacea), characterized by flushing and persistent redness, and may also include visible blood vessels.
• Subtype 2 (papulopustular rosacea), characterized by persistent redness with transient bumps and pimples.
• Subtype 3 (phymatous rosacea), characterized by skin thickening, often resulting in an enlargement of the nose from excess tissue.
• Subtype 4 (ocular rosacea), characterized by ocular manifestations such as dry eye, tearing and burning, swollen eyelids, recurrent styes and potential vision loss from corneal damage.

Many people experience characteristics of more than one subtype at the same time, and those often may develop in succession. While rosacea may or may not evolve from one subtype to another, each individual sign or symptom may progress from mild to moderate to severe. Early diagnosis and treatment are therefore recommended.

Source: http://www.rosacea.org

Why The Rosacea Diaries?

I began The Rosacea Diaries as a way for me to share and keep track of the many, many makeup and skin care products, as well as dietary changes, I've tried. To be able to note what does or doesn't work for me and to find out what does or doesn't work for you. My hope is to create a dialog between those of us who suffer from rosacea by sharing our thoughts on various products and tips we've picked up along the way.