<p>I just got back from my bi-decade trip to the dermatologist to see if anything new is available in the way of treatment for rosacea. The previous dermatologist told me that nothing really works except laser treatment, and I was inclined to believe him because nothing I have ever tried has worked, but I wasn’t ready for laser treatment (and I am still not sure that I am). Today’s visit was complicated by seriously dry skin–I have found that any facial moisturizer I use just inflames my face. I left the office with samples of pramosone, which I am supposed to use for 3 - 4 days, a prescription for metrogel, which I think I have used in the past to no avail but I am not positive, and a recommendation to use something called vanicream as a moisturizer. I am not thrilled about using the steroid but I think I will just because my face is so bad . . . Anyone else have any better luck treating rosacea?</p>
<p>No rosacea here, but very dry skin for which two things work, Body Shop “Nut Butter”, yes I even use it on my face. And health food stores Hyland’s Calendula ointment, texture like Vaseline, but not petroleum based, the thick viscosity plus the healing properties of calendula have been very helpful over the past 20+ years in our family.</p>
<p>Amesie - I have rosacea but the only symptoms are flushing, large pores and broken capillaries. I do have outbreaks. Is yours accompanied with outbreaks or is there a rosacea/acne combination? Is the dry skin caused by something you’re using for the rosacea or do you just naturally have very dry skin?</p>
<p>cartera: No acne. I have not been using anything for the rosacea; at this point the problem is mostly redness. The dry skin I think is a separate problem, although all of the moisturizers I have tried have aggravated the rosacea.</p>
<p>somemom: Thanks for the suggestions. I will look into them, but I have found that many products at places like The Body Shop have fragrances that aggravate the rosacea.</p>
<p>I have severe rosacea also. It is not as severe as it was a few years ago, thank goodness. But I am very cautious about what I put on my face. My doc has me on doxyxycline (sp) antibiotics, which does seemed to have helped (I tried Oracea - the format made for rosacea sufferers but it is just too expensive so I had her switch me to generic). The cleansers and moisturizers I have found helpful are Aveemo ultra calming products, Cetaphil moisturizer, and the Eucerin redness relief. I try and use a moisturizer with spf but sometimes have to go with just the regular big tub of cetaphil when my skin gets too dry, as it is right now.</p>
<p>I used to use the metrogel and it did help when my rosacea was at it’s most severe a few years back. Now I don’t really find it helps. I have occasional surprise flare ups on my nose (think rudolph with white bumps). I actually have found aloe vera gel seems to help more than the metrogel.</p>
<p>cartera45- have you found anything that helps your type of rosacea? That is exactly the kind my husband has, but refuses to do anything about.</p>
<p>I have the terribly dry skin and have yet to find a moisturizer that helps with the dry patches on my cheeks. The dermo wanted me on retin-A but I could never get past the severe redness and dry skin. Imagine that.</p>
<p>I use Plexion cleanser twice a day, and noritate cream once per day for inflammation (both prescription).</p>
<p>For moisturizing, I use Neutragena non comedic formula for sensitive skin (“sensitive skin” is in a purple inset on a white box). I love that moisturizer.</p>
<p>All of the above have kept my rosacea completely under control. If I stop using them, I get outbreaks and dry, rough skin again.</p>
<p>[Hyland’s</a> Homeopathic - Calendula Ointment](<a href=“http://www.hylands.com/products/calendula.php]Hyland’s”>http://www.hylands.com/products/calendula.php)</p>
<p>This is what we call miracle cream in our family. Works on diaper rash, eczema, poison oak, etc. Very mild, very healing. I am not sure about the specific needs of rosacea, but I have been buying the 13.5 oz tub every couple of years for 20+ years and often give a sample to people with a skin issue, nearly every one who tried it was amazed, but try a small amount on a small area as rosacea may have special factors to consider, I would not want anything to worsen it!</p>
<p>Mine reacts more to temperature than what I use on my face. Heat is the worst so I stay out of the sun whenever possible- my face never seems to cool off in the summer. Makeup just melts away. A cold blast will also cause a flareup. Spicy foods will cause flushing too. I never let the shower run on my face - the worst. I am lucky in that I can use lots of moisturizers and cleansers with little impact. Recently, I’ve been using Elizabeth Arden’s Millennium products - only because they were a great deal at Sam’s Club. I typically pooh pooh brands like that, but I have found it to be very soothing and great for my dry skin. I have also had good luck with a very inexpensive product - Dermarest.</p>
<p>Don’t have rosacea, so no real expert here.</p>
<p>But have suffered from dry skin, severe in winter heating season. I found that only room humidifiers worked. And worked great. Don’t know if that would have any value for you.</p>
<p>The calendula ointment is in a petrolatum base - basically Vaseline. Many skin experts do not recommend using any petrolatum products, especially on a regular basis. They can actually lead to drying, rather than helping and many are allergic to it. I note that even the Hyland website recommends it for “temporary” treatment. I do not think you want to use any petrolatum product often or on a long term basis.</p>
<p>I have mild rosesea, combined with sun damage and use yellow A&D ointment on the driest spots. My grandfather used Vaseline on his face until he died at 94 and had the smoothest skin with barely any wrinkles.</p>
<p>I have rosacea and as a matter of fact, just had a IPL (laser) treatment about an hour ago. I do a series of 2-3 IPL treatments every 2 years or so. It works extremely well for getting rid of the broken blood vessels. My redness is usually decreased by 90% after treatment. </p>
<p>For every day use, I use Cetaphil facial cleaner and a variety of lotions. Cetaphil lotion is the best when my skin is irritated and as a everyday moisturizer but I also use a rentinol product at night and a gycolic acid lotion in the morning (both recommended by my dermatologist). These keep my skin looking smooth. I also use Loroprox prescription lotion on my face when my roscea is acting up.</p>
<p>You need to use a really good sunscreen very single day (not just the stuff in your make-up). I put it on right before my foundation. My dermatologist recommends a number of brands but likes the Neutrogena ones either with Heliplex or the zinc oxide, the best.</p>
<p>Alcohol and sun triggers my rosacea faster than anything.</p>
<p>I have a prescription for a sulfacetamide lotion that I use daily. My rosacea is not severe but if I quite using the cream my skin will get quite flaky, especially in the oilier places. I used to take an oral medication, but I like this much better since it is applied directly to the problem.</p>
<p>I have mild rosacea and alcohol (especially wine) and sun make my face really red. I used the metrogel for a number of years and I am now using Finacea, a gel which contains azelaic acid. I put it on in the morning and my doctor has said I could increase it to twice a day, if needed. I’m not a chemist, so I’m not sure what azelaic acid is or why it is mentioned in the name. It has helped, but I have found I am starting to get the broken capillaries in my chin area, so I am guessing I will be doing the laser in the near future. Just curious, as I am assuming the laser will not be covered by insurance, how much does it cost for the procedure(s)?</p>
<p>I had rosacea for a while… and then I realized I was reacting to a wide variety of chemicals in my environment (I was teaching chemistry). I stopped using anything on my face–including sunscreeens–and started using only a light smearing of diaper rash ointment (Burt’s Bees) on my face at night. I rub it off in the morning with a moist and clean washcloth, no soap. I put a light layer of a good moisturizer on my face during the day.</p>
<p>Intense Pulse Laser - IPL = was about $500 a set of treatments (2-3) and I had it done three times over about two years - I had results but the red veins come back - I asked a second nurse if those results were typical - she said rosecea is very difficult and the results would be temporary - a year or so .</p>
<p>Theraplex Emollient is great for very dry skin. It was recommended by a friend whose daughter had eczema, and we’ve used it for various skin problems.</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Theraplex Emollient For Severely Dry Skin, 4.3 Oz: Health & Personal Care](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Theraplex-Emollient-Severely-Dry-Skin/dp/B000NB5AVK]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Theraplex-Emollient-Severely-Dry-Skin/dp/B000NB5AVK)</p>
<p>I had lasering done and it worked fabulously. And so far- two years later- its still gone. Is it the cost that deters you? </p>
<p>One side benefit I found was that it also took away all kinds of other things from my aging skin and shrunk my pours so I am a giant fan of this method!</p>
<p>I have not tried it, but have seen IPL and other lasers offered on groupon either for hair removal or skin treatments, they seem to usually be around $100 per treatment retail and offered on Groupon for around $100 for 2-3 treatments. But I am not sure I would feel comfortable treating my face using a new place with a coupon deal???</p>