It has been a while since I posted a rosacea skincare routine update, so let’s flipping go.
Some housekeeping before we jump in: I am not a doctor, I am not a dermatologist, but I am a person who has had rosacea for two decades and has been writing about it and educating people about it online for 11 years. I share my recommendations and the information here with the understanding that you will do further research and apply these suggestions to what you know about your own skin. Rosacea is incredibly personal and each person’s skin will look, act, and respond to things differently. I try to share information that will inform and educate you, but please use your own guidance as well.
My skincare routine has been honed over many years after getting to know my skin and what it likes, but you may not need (or want!) all of the steps in this routine. If you are just getting started with skincare or rosacea, I would suggest starting from scratch and finding the key three: cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen – everything else is a bonus. Some more information that informs my choices: I’m 40 years old, I have an oily t-zone and dryness around my eyes, eyebrows, and temples, I live in the UK where it’s currently summer. If you’re looking for recommendations for colder weather, THIS post will help.
One last thing, links in this post may be affiliate links which means that, if you buy using my link, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. It’s an easy and very nice way for you to say thank you for the free content I provide here. Anything with a * next to it was provided as a PR sample for review, everything else I bought myself.
Okay! Enough now! Skincare? Yes.
MORNING ROSACEA SKINCARE ROUTINE
- Cleanser: I start with No7 Derm Solutions Comforting Cream Cleanser* (currently half price!) I’ve been using this for ages and I think it’s a fantastic gentle cleanser that I happily use year round. I usually switch to a gel cleanser in the summer months, but this is so light that I haven’t felt the need to swap it out.
- Exfoliant: 2-3 times a week, I will include an exfoliation step, this will always depend on how my skin is looking and feeling – my skincare routine is constantly evolving and I will slightly tweak it every day depending on what I think it needs. I alternate between the Medik8 Press & Glow PHA Toner or the Mortar & Milk PHA Barrier Repair Serum. Both are PHA-based – polyhydroxy acids which are more gentle exfoliators than the more famous ones like Glycolic, Salicylic etc. The obvious difference between these two products is the formula so it’s just a case of choosing which one appeals to you the most – the former is a liquid toner that you apply to a (reusable) cotton pad and wipe across the face, the latter is a serum that you pat into the skin using your fingertips. Both are a little pricey, but the amount you use for each application is minimal so it’s definitely worth it.
- Spritz: This isn’t a must-have for most routines, but personally my skin loves a spritz and I do notice a difference in my skin if I miss this step. I bought this Curel Deep Moisture Spray in Japan where it was very cheap, but I’ll happily replace it here as it’s a lovely product.
- Serum: Another product I’ve used for a while, the Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Serum*. I really love the Cicapair range, they have such great products that really seem to suit my skin. This non-sticky and lightweight serum is one of my favourites.
- Moisturiser: Since the cooler weather arrived, I’ve dipped back into the Clinique Moisture Surge 100hr Auto-Replenishing Hydrator. It’s a gel formula which is so cooling and soothing on the skin when it’s warm.
- Sunscreen: I am a complete sunscreen floozy and that situation has become even worse (better?) since coming back from Japan where I bought SO MANY. My current rotation includes 10 or so sunscreens, but this is the one I wish I could send to each and every one of you who tells me they can’t find a sunscreen that works for them: Beauty Of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics. An organic SPF50 sunscreen that is like nothing else I’ve ever tried. It feels like an incredibly light moisturiser, with absolutely no greasy, sticky, heavy feeling. I will happily pay UK prices for this and will replace it as soon as it’s finished.
EVENING ROSACEA SKINCARE ROUTINE:
- Cleanser: At the end of a sticky summer day, I need something that will quickly and easily remove multiple layers of sunscreen, along with sweat, oil etc. so cleansing balms and oils are my go-to. The Elemis Pro-Collagen Naked Cleansing Balm is probably one of the best I’ve ever tried. The balm quickly turns into an oil on the skin, which means fingers glide over the skin with no aggravating rubbing. It then turns into a milky liquid once you add water, which means it washes away with no greasy residue. NB: Make sure to try the ‘naked’ version of this balm, as the original product contains fragrance which can be irritating for sensitive skin types. This jar is huge and will last ages as you only need a small amount.
- Spritz: If you’ve not tried any Byoma products, I really recommend checking them out. The Byoma Balancing Face Mist is fantastic: hydrating, soothing, and a fine mist which doesn’t leave you soaked!
- Essence: The Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Treatment Lotion* (an unnecessarily long name imo!) is a product I don’t hear many people talking about and I think it’s because people don’t really understand it. Lotions or essences are huge in Japan and Korea but never really caught on here. They’re another hydrating step that slots between cleansing and moisturiser, the consistency is like a runny serum. I love them and this is one of the nicest ones I’ve tried. I only use a few drops each time so this bottle will last a while.
- Treatment: I’ve been using the No7 Derm Solutions Rosacea Treatment* (FYI this product is also in the No7 sale if you want to try it for less than £8!!) for about two months and so far I’m impressed. It’s an over-the-counter product, which means you don’t need a prescription, and it’s designed to strengthen your skin barrier by providing a film on top of the skin. It also includes a derivative of Azelaic Acid, which is good for inflammation and acne/rosacea type 2. I’m not a huge fan of the packaging, it’s one of those aluminium tubes which I know is great for recycling purposes, but I find them a bit fiddly to use. I highly recommend getting a tube squeezer to help! If you’re unsure about the role of the skin barrier and why it’s so important for rosaceans, THIS blog post will help.
- Eye Cream: I never used to see the point in eye creams, but over the past few years I’ve noticed the skin around my eyes becoming drier and more prone to fine lines, so I wanted to introduce something to target these concerns. The No7 Future Renew Eye Serum contains lots of lovely hydrating ingredients alongside Niacinamide and Vitamin C. I’ve been using it for about 6 weeks and I’ve noticed an improvement in my undereyes: more hydrated, less crepe-y, and my make up seems to go on better.
- Moisturiser: I got this Abib Heartleaf Crème Calming Tube in Japan, I’d never heard of the Korean brand before but loved the packaging with all of the ingredients listed on the front and couldn’t believe how many lovely, gentle, hydrating ingredients were included so thought I would try it out. It is DREAMY. A gel-cream formula that is so calming and hydrating. I wish I could bathe in this! I definitely want to try some more of their products.
That’s everything! As I mentioned at the top, this isn’t a rosacea skincare routine that everyone should immediately implement, it’s a jumping off point to help guide you with some product or brands to investigate and see what works for you. I have reviewed so many products over the last 11 years, so the search bar at the top is a good place to start if you’re curious about anything specific.
And finally, I know that people will ask why I’m no longer using Dermatica, so I wanted to chat about that here. The short answer is: my formula changed at the start of the year and my skin didn’t get on with it.
The long answer is that, after using Dermatica with incredible results for years (you can read my in-depth review HERE), I was informed that I needed to take a 3-month break from my formula because it contained Ivermectin and Metronidazole and they were concerned I would develop resistance to the ingredients. I was moved onto a formula containing Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide in the meantime. I wasn’t too nervous about the change, as I’ve used both ingredients before and my skin liked them. However, within a month it was clear that my skin was not happy: increased flushing and redness and lots of pustules which (as someone with type 1 rosacea) is not normal for me. The dermatology team was really helpful and offered great advice, but it became clear that it just wasn’t a good fit for me anymore. I’ve heard from lots of people who were also moved to the alternative formula who’ve had great results, so I want to make it clear that this is a personal opinion and not a commentary on the formula itself. I still stand by my original reviews and would highly recommend anyone who is interested in the rosacea formula to give it a go: I think it’s a brilliant, affordable, and accessible way to manage rosacea.
Thanks for reading this beast of a post. What are the heroes in your rosacea skincare routine? Does anything here catch your eye?
Lex
ROSACEA FAQS: LOOKING FOR SOME NEXT STEPS?
- Sign up for my free newsletter on SUBSTACK
- Follow me on INSTAGRAM for lots of updates
- Join my private rosacea FACEBOOK GROUP
- If you’d like more information about rosacea, you can read my FAQ POST here, which contains answers to every possible rosacea question you may have.
- And I’ve linked my digital downloads designed by me to help you get to grips with your rosacea: the Rosacea Trigger Checklist and the Rosacea Flare Up Diary
== SAVE THIS IMAGE TO PINTEREST TO READ LATER! ==
