Off-Topic Facial Moisturizer, Rosacea

[monterey vidiot]

I have had rosacea, but no flare-ups in years. I have used a variety of day lotions, sunscreens, night creams -- always mixed half and half with plain (not colored green) aloe vera gel. Years ago, the Rx facial stuff didn't help, and I switched to aloe vera gel and cleared up.

[suzannaerin]

Originally Posted by monterey vidiot

I have had rosacea, but no flare-ups in years. I have used a variety of day lotions, sunscreens, night creams -- always mixed half and half with plain (not colored green) aloe vera gel. Years ago, the Rx facial stuff didn't help, and I switched to aloe vera gel and cleared up.

Thanks everyone for input, so far.

I have some clear aloe vera gel that I bought at Vitacost but it has other things added to it. Therefore, I'm afraid to put it on my face (I've become paranoid about making it worse). Were you able to find any without additives?

This latest flare up is the worst I've had in years. I think it's the result of washing w/only water and a washcloth (over aggressive use of the latter, to my own detriment), and not using any lotion/sunscreen on my face due to a bout of perioral dermatitis that the dermatologist insisted was chellitis (i.e., extremely chapped lips and extremely dry skin adjacent to lips, gave me a steroid cream that I will not use). My face got really dried out and voila, here I am! It feels better since I started washing with very gentle facial cleanser (Aveeno and Vanicream) and using the lotion I mentioned in my original post. I've read that Soolantra can make things worse before skin starts improving, so I'm being patient.

I've invested in some good sun hats---baseball caps probably will no longer cut it.

[yogapam]

I try to avoid using sunscreen on my face unless it’s absolutely necessary. I wear a baseball cap or wide rimmed hat as much as possible. Most sunscreens can cause my chronic perioral dermatitis to flare up.

[monterey vidiot]

Originally Posted by suzannaerin

Thanks everyone for input, so far.

I have some clear aloe vera gel that I bought at Vitacost but it has other things added to it. Therefore, I'm afraid to put it on my face (I've become paranoid about making it worse). Were you able to find any without additives?

This latest flare up is the worst I've had in years. I think it's the result of washing w/only water and a washcloth (over aggressive use of the latter, to my own detriment), and not using any lotion/sunscreen on my face due to a bout of perioral dermatitis that the dermatologist insisted was chellitis (i.e., extremely chapped lips and extremely dry skin adjacent to lips, gave me a steroid cream that I will not use). My face got really dried out and voila, here I am! It feels better since I started washing with very gentle facial cleanser (Aveeno and Vanicream) and using the lotion I mentioned in my original post. I've read that Soolantra can make things worse before skin starts improving, so I'm being patient.

I've invested in some good sun hats---baseball caps probably will no longer cut it.

Fruit of the Earth aloe vera 100% gel. Readily available in drugstores; I've also bought trial/travel size of it at Target. I use a gentle soap, Basis Sensitive skin bar (white, not the brownish one with vitamins) available at drugstore & mass retailers, about $2.

[suzannaerin]

That’s the aloe gel I bought. I’ll do some research on the few preservatives in it, they are probably a small percentage. Thanks!

[donnamp]

Suzanne - you mentioned vanicream and I do like their cleanser, it is one I forgot to list above. You could also try their Lite Lotion as a facial mosturizer, it didn't work well for me but I think it works well for some. It was a bit too heavy for me.

Donna