Advice from someone with Rosacea and Sensitive skin

Have you ever gotten unsolicited advice about Rosacea or sensitive skin issues, from someone with perfect skin? It doesn't go very far. 

But when someone offers help who has lived through it themselves and actually "gets it"? I'll listen all day long.

I decided to launch the Fairface Podcast back in 2020, based around my small business making Fairface Washcloths for sensitive skin, and offering real talk and advice about Rosacea and sensitive skin issues, based on my own experiences.

A place to share and give advice about Rosacea and sensitive skin

Although it's still a bit in its infancy at this point, with a whole 27 episodes under my belt so far, I've loved coming up with new topics and having a place to share my own experiences with Rosacea and sensitive skin issues, wellness topics, and what it's like to run a small business. Through what I share, I hope to connect with and help other people dealing with the same issues.

It's also a place our Fairface Washcloths customers get to peek behind the scenes and get to know me and my personality a little bit better (although honestly, I'm a lot funnier in real life).

Fairface Podcast Recap

In case you missed it, here's a recap of all of our Fairface Podcast Episodes, as of the end of 2021. I'm looking forward to sharing more interesting topics with you and even adding special guest appearances.

If you are navigating through your own journey with Rosacea or sensitive skin issues, I hope these episodes can help you. 

If you have a topic or question you'd like me to cover, please leave me a comment below! I'd love to connect with you! Thanks so much for being here!

Fairface Podcast by Topic 

Topics include Rosacea, sensitive skin care, sensitive skin products, skin care organization, skin and diet, emergency hygiene, wellness, and small business. 

• Links will go to the Podcast episode show notes page for you to listen, read, or both! 

• You can also listen on Apple / iTunes Podcasts, Spotify, Google podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, & Radio Public. Enjoy!

ROSACEA

What it’s like Living with Rosacea

8 ways to calm Rosacea redness this winter

6 Eye Soothing Tips for Ocular Rosacea

Keeping Rosacea prone skin cooler in the summer heat: 20 Tips

10 Tips to Finding the Right Foundation for Rosacea-prone Skin

SENSITIVE SKIN CARE

The Psychology of Skincare

The Sensitive Skin Care Top 5: What you should be doing for your skin right now

Do I really need to wash my face?

8 Face Washing Tips for Healthy Skin

Sunscreen Diaries: Part 1 + A special message and support of Black Lives Matter

Sunscreen Diaries: Part 2

SENSITIVE SKIN PRODUCTS

Soft Face Masks for Sensitive Skin - Fairface Behind the Scenes

Pillow Talk for Rosacea and Sensitive Skin

SKIN CARE ORGANIZATION

How to Edit your Skin Care Products - for your Face and in your Space

SKIN AND DIET

Does Clean Eating = Clear Skin?

EMERGENCY HYGIENE

How to make your own 72 hour Emergency Hygiene Kit

WELLNESS

10 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

3 Ways to Calm Your Worry during the Coronavirus

The Self-care Super 6

How to hear your Inner Voice 

SMALL BUSINESS

The voice behind the brand - Welcome to Fairface

Story Time! Behind the scenes of my small business

The story behind our name: Fairface Washcloths

New Fairface products and big dreams

Bringing a product to market: a maker’s perspective

A look back and look ahead: Fairface 2020 & 2021

Selling as an Introverted People Pleaser

Can Humidifiers help Rosacea flares?

It started last night.

The incessant itching on my cheek.

Followed by the fiery hot spot under my skin.

I hadn't had a rosacea flare in a very long time, yet I knew instantly what it was before I even had to look in the mirror. 

A bright red welt-like area began lighting up my left cheek and the itch was just too much.

I soon came to realize that sitting in front of a space heater the last few days had finally done it's damage. 

All the face flushing caused by hot, dry air pumping out of the vent, created the perfect storm for a rosacea flare.

Are Heaters Making Your Rosacea Flare?

We know that there's nothing better than feeling that first burst of heat after you've been shivering cold, but have you ever considered what those same beloved heaters are doing to your skin?

Simply said, heat dries out moisture.

Think of hanging wet socks next to a heater. That's how they get dry.

So imagine yourself sitting next to a space heater for an hour.

It dries moisture up like it does those wet socks, except it's coming out of your skin, lips, eyes, nose and even your hair.

While your moisturizing cream may prevent some moisture from escaping your skin, eventually it's a losing battle. 

 

Can a Humidifier help Rosacea?

Putting moisture back into the air is supposed to help combat dry skin.

To clarify, by adding moisture to your skin, I don't mean facial steaming. See: why facial steaming is NOT a good idea for Rosacea 

Using a humidifier for your skin is not the same as steaming your face.

The only experience I've personally had with a humidifier, was 30+ years ago when my mom ran one in a sick baby's room, and I remember it feeling stuffy and humid in there.

So my question is, how much moisture will be enough to help ease the discomfort of my dehydrated  rosacea skin without turning my bedroom into a steamy greenhouse or start to warp our wooden bedside tables? 

Using a Humidifier to help Rosacea

According to the National Rosacea Society, and several dermatologists, using a humidifier is recommended to help reintroduce moisture to the air in your home, which can help combat Rosacea dryness and irritation. It's also recommended not to sit too close to your heat source (guilty as charged)!

I also ran across a post by Talonted Lex, a blogger who also has Rosacea, who shared her experience using a humidifier by her bed at night. 

After using it a few months, she noticed that her skin didn't feel as tight and was more comfortable in the morning. She also mentioned that when she didn't use it, her throat and eyes seemed much more dry. 

That reminds me, using a humidifier may also help with my *ocular rosacea! Bonus! 

Knowing that my flaring skin probably won't last a long winter like this, I've decided I will order myself a humidifier and I'll update you about how it goes.  

I already follow the 6 Winter Skin Care Tips for Rosacea & Sensitive Skin, so adding a humidifier just makes sense. 

Have you tried a humidifier to help your Rosacea?

I'd love to know - just leave a comment below!

Thanks for reading!

xo Shannon

---

RELATED POSTS:

You might also enjoy listening to our Fairface podcast episode #16, 8 ways to calm Rosacea redness this winter, where I share my experience during a winter power outage. Show notes are also available to read.

As well as episode 21: 6 soothing tips for ocular rosacea

SHOP our soft face cloths for sensitive skin and rosacea-

Fairface Washcloths Etsy Shop

Fairface Washcloths Website

Is Facial Steaming good for Rosacea and sensitive skin?

Maybe you've seen them - the lovely little facial steamers influencers have been promoting lately. 

They sit with their smiling faces over the large upward spout as a steady stream of cloudy air cups their faces, with what could only be described as "Home Spa Magic". Ahhhh. It really does look tempting.

But when it comes to beauty trends, the question for all us sensitive skin types is, but is it right for MY skin?  

Is facial steaming good for us sensitive skin types? Yay or nay?

Here's what I found:

Facial Steaming for NORMAL SKIN TYPES-

According to Specialists in Dermatology, certain skin types can benefit from facial steaming once or twice a week, as the steam:

• Helps release pore build up and prepare skin for a deeper cleanse  

• Nourishes skin with increased blood flow  

• Hydrates skin  

• Promotes relaxation, and 

• Helps to open sinuses 

Facial Steaming for SENSITIVE SKIN TYPES-

Unfortunately, facial steaming, for those of us with sensitive skin and skin prone to redness (like Rosacea, and Eczema), can actually make our skin worse and aggravate inflammatory skin conditions. The heat can also cause facial flushing, which for me, with Rosacea, is the opposite of what I want.

Facial steamers are right up there with hot tubs, saunas, hot showers and sitting too close to the fireplace. Overheating Rosacea and Eczema prone skin is a trigger we want to avoid, not choose it on purpose. 

While the benefits of facial steaming are clearly there, for us sensitive skin types, those benefits don't outweigh the disadvantages.

Have you tried facial steaming? What was your experience like?

I'm out of the face steaming game but will happily stick with a little "Home Spa Magic" of my own, Fairface soft washcloths for sensitive skin. 

Beauty trends come and go, but when you find what works, you stick with it!

xo Shannon

---

#homespa #facial #facialsteaming #facesteaming #skincaretips #skincareroutine #rosaceaskin #rosaceatreatment #eczematreatment #sensitiveskinavoid #sensitiveskintreatment #eczemaskintips #rosaceaskinroutine #sensitiveskintips #sensitiveskincare #sensitiveskinproblems #dermatologisttips #facesteamers #FairfaceWashcloths 

Diagnosed with Rosacea? 4 Simple next steps to help your skin

Being diagnosed with Rosacea can be a bit overwhelming. I remember what it felt like the day my Dermatologist verified what I'd already googled (I know, I couldn't help myself). 

My red, itchy, acne-like skin was indeed mild to moderate Rosacea. And although I had a new topical prescription in hand, I didn't really know what else to do once I walked out that door. 

He hadn't recommended anything else. 

Was I supposed to use a certain cleanser? 

Could I still use the skin care products I was using on my skin?  

He didn't tell me any of that. 

I was so relieved he'd given me a prescription to help clear my skin but I didn't really know what to do next.

If you've recently been diagnosed with Rosacea by a skin care professional, I want to share with you what I learned so you don't have to stumble around in the dark trying to figure out what to do next.

Just Diagnosed with Rosacea? 4 Simple Next Steps to help you care for your skin

1. Create a new gentle Rosacea-safe skin care routine

This was the BIGGEST thing I needed help with after walking out of my appointment. How was I supposed to wash my face now that I had Rosacea? What face wash was I supposed to use? What about a Rosacea-safe moisturizer? Help! 

Thanks to the recommendation of a dermatologist and my own trial and error over the years, I have found the holy grail of Rosacea skin care, or as I also like to call it: 

The Rosacea Skin Care Dream Team

ROSACEA SAFE CLEANSER 

My favorite: Vanicream gentle cleanser. It is so gentle and creamy on my skin, without any irritation at all and cleans really well without stripping my skin's natural oils. I can often find it at Target or Walgreens.

ROSACEA SAFE FACE CLOTHS 

My favorite: Fairface Soft Flannel Face cloths. These are the only face cloths I will use on my Rosacea prone skin. I need more than just my fingertips to clean my skin, and these are the next best thing! They are so soft and gentle, and don't cause any irritation to my sensitive skin. Find them at FairfaceWashcloths.com and FairfaceWashcloths.etsy.com.

ROSACEA SAFE MOISTURIZERS 

My favorite: CeraVe moisturizing cream OR Vanicream lite lotion I have used both moisturizers safely on my Rosacea prone skin. I tend to use CeraVe because I love its thicker, creamier coverage, but Vanicream is a very nice lighter-weight option if you don't want something very thick. 

I can safely say I use all of these sensitive skin products every day and have had no irritation from them whatsoever. It is so important to wash your face gently morning and night and always moisturize. Also be sure to use any topical medications as prescribed by your dermatologist and for daytime, sunscreen is a must (as we discuss in #3)! 

2. Sleep on the right pillow case and change it often to help decrease Rosacea flares

This is such an easy way to keep your skin cleaner (and clearer)! After all your effort to keep your skin clear and calm, you don't want to "undue it" by sleeping on a dirty pillow case. Plus, sleeping on a clean, cooling pillow case can be so good for Rosacea by keeping your skin cooler at night with less flushing. 

Best pillow cases for rosacea, eczema and sensitive skin Photo ©Fairface™

ROSACEA SAFE PILLOW CASE 

My favorite: Silk-Cotton Pillowcases from Fairface. These pillow cases not only feel soft and silky against my skin, it also reduces heat on my face through the night which means less flushing (so important for rosacea!). Plus, the glide of the fabric reduces friction to my skin and hair throughout the night, decreasing new fine lines and hair breakage. I'll take 2 please!

3. Apply sunscreen daily to protect Rosacea prone skin

I haven't always had the best relationship with sunscreen, but once I did, there was no looking back. There is no better way to protect your skin from aging and damage than wearing sunscreen AND it is vital for keeping your Rosacea prone skin protected and healthy. 

According to the National Rosacea Society, exposure to the sun is named as one of the top triggers for rosacea flares and can also cause severe redness and visible blood vessels on the skin. Protect, protect, protect!

ROSACEA SAFE SUNSCREENS - My favorite: I have been using Eucerin Daily SPF 30 on my face, neck, chest and arms for years and my skin tolerates it well.  

It is often recommended that those with Rosacea choose a UVA/UVB protecting, non-chemical sunscreen (those that reflect sunlight, rather than absorbing UV rays) containing zinc or titanium dioxide, to lessen the possibility of irritation.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50 comes highly recommended but I haven't tried it myself.  

4. Choose make-up that is safe for Rosacea and sensitive skin  

Once you calm, protect and manage your skin (steps 1-3) you can celebrate it! I think of make-up as the "cherry on top" of healthy skin. 

The key to wearing make-up if you have Rosacea, is choosing make-up that won't irritate your skin. Honestly, finding the right make-up can feel like starting at step 1 again and be very overwhelming. So many choices, and the last thing you want to do is spend a bunch of money on products that might not be right for your skin, or even worse, irritate it!

Choose brands made for sensitive skin and/or Rosacea for the best chance of finding products that won't irritation your skin.

ROSACEA SAFE FOUNDATION MAKE-UP 

My favorite: I have been using Mary Kay Medium Coverage Foundation for years and my skin has tolerated it well, HOWEVER, that's all about to change. This particular foundation has been discontinued and I will be looking for a new foundation. Ugh.

My next "Rosacea friendly" foundation to try is from It Cosmetics, because it was initially created by someone with Rosacea herself (Jamie Kern Lima). Fingers crossed. I will share my experience once I've used it.  Have you tried it?

OTHER MAKE-UP FOR ROSACEA PRONE SKIN

I, personally, only wear foundation, eye liner and mascara (Maybelline eye liner and Loreal mascara). I also have Ocular Rosacea (read more about Ocular Rosacea ) so sometimes eye make-up can sting my eyes. My eyes have tolerated these products well, so for now they are what I use.

I found a Rosacea forum where people discuss products they've tried, so you could check that out.  

Do you have any Rosacea safe recommendations for eye make-up or other make-up? Please share in the comments!

+

Getting diagnosed with Rosacea doesn't have to feel overwhelming or scary if you find the right products and routines to keep your skin stay calm and clear. I hope this has helped!

I'd love to hear your own experience with Rosacea and any products or favorite tips you'd like to share! Comment below, or reach out to me on Instagram or Facebook @FairfaceWashcloths - I'd love to hear from you!

xo Shannon

---

Shannon Sorensen is the Founder and CEO of Fairface Washcloths for sensitive skin

SHOP: 

Fairface Washcloths, the softest washcloths and face cloths for sensitive skin:

FairfaceWashcloths.com or FairfaceWashcloths.etsy.com

What's the best moisturizer for Rosacea?

I have Rosacea and am very proactive and intentional about taking good care of my skin. Lately, I don't know if it's just the cooler weather or what, but my skin has been feeling dry, like I'm just not getting "enough" from my moisturizer. 

What's more, a few weeks ago, I started seeing tiny specs of blood on my cheek as I was blotting on my foundation with a sponge. Like I had a microscopic cut on my cheek.  What I have since learned, is that such problems are a tell-tale sign my Rosacea prone skin was lacking hydration, and my skin barrier was in trouble.

Why you need a Rosacea moisturizer that protects your skin barrier

"A healthy skin care routine is really about taking care of your skin barrier (the outer layer of your skin)." - Tom Allison, a founder of CeraVe

Rosacea prone skin is much more susceptible to sensitivity and irritation, so keeping that protective outer layer, or barrier, in tact and healthy is crucial. 

Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD FAAD, said often times with her Rosacea patients, she finds the first step of treatment is getting them on a moisturizer, cleanser and sun protection and off offending products that have been causing more harm than good. Simplifying a Rosacea skincare routine and protecting the skin barrier is really important. -via @CeraVe Instagram #Skinchat with @drmarisagarshick

What's the best moisturizer for Rosacea?  One that hydrates your skin.

I decided to reach out to Dr. Marisa Garshick and ask her questions about moisturizers for Rosacea. Even with her over 4,000 followers, she was kind enough to personally respond to my message.

She said the Vanicream moisturizer I had been using (Vanicream Lite Lotion) should be good for Rosacea as the ingredients are both hydrating and support the skin barrier. For those with Rosacea, she also recommended La Roche Posay Double Repair Toleraine or CeraVe, and she concluded that the most important thing for Rosacea, especially this time of year, is feeling hydrated.

Her last sentence was key for me. 

My rosacea prone skin, was in fact, NOT feeling hydrated enough with the Vanicream Lite Lotion I had been using, so I was ready to turn up my moisturizing game, and give my skin barrier the extra TLC it needed. (and PS, no offense to Vanicream, I still love their products and use their gentle cleanser every day)

How does CeraVe protect your skin barrier?

With Ceramides.

According to CeraVe, ceramides are lipids that form at least half of the natural skin barrier. Their moisturizers contain 3 of those essential ceramides.

What Do Ceramides Do?

Dr. Donna Tran said, in another Instagram skin chat with Tom Allison, you can think about your skin like the bricks on a house. Your skin cells are the bricks and ceramides are the mortar that helps to cement these bricks together. 

Ceramides are great because you want to keep the things in that you want in your skin like water, you don't want it to evaporate out of your skin. 

And you don't want things from the environment, the pollution, products, i.e. "the bad stuff", to get into your skin. That's why it's very important to have the ceramides.

If you don't tend to your skin it's going to start leaving little cracks and that's how things from the inside of your skin get out and how things from the outside that you don't want to get into your skin, get in.  - via @CeraVe #skinchat with @drdonnatran 

Eeek! Did you catch that? Flash back to those little microscopic cuts on my cheek I was telling you about? She just summed it up.

Upgrading my Rosacea skin care moisturizer

Best gentle skin care products for Rosacea: Fairface Washcloths,
Vanicream cleanser, CeraVe moisturizer | photo ©Fairface™ Washcloths

You had me at Ceramides

Armed with everything I had learned about Rosacea and the healing powers of CeraVe's moisturizers, I got in the car and drove to Bartell Drugs. To my disappointment, they were all out the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion I wanted to try, but they did have a tub of CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream, so I snatched it up.

After washing my face that night, I unscrewed the plastic lid and dipped my clean fingers down in the creamy mixture. As I gently glazed the CeraVe moisturizer across my face, it felt just as I hoped it would. If my skin could talk, it would have let out a big sigh. It felt very dewy and moisturizing, but not the least bit greasy, and before I screwed the top back on, I even slathered it on my arms and hands.

In the morning, my face and hands felt much more hydrated.  My skin didn't feel as tight or dry at all and since then, 2 weeks later, my skin feels much more hydrated. Those little microscopic cracks on my face are a thing of the past. 

So if you're like me, and your Rosacea-prone skin is feeling a little dry and not getting what you need from your current moisturizer, follow the advice of Dr. Garshick and remember, the most important thing for rosacea is feeling hydrated.

Must-have skin care products for Rosacea:

Protect your skin barrier with gentle skin care products (that even babies could use!)

Soft washcloths - ditch those traditional scratchy old washcloths. Fairface Delicates, double-sided soft, flannel face cloths are dreamy and gentle to the skin, without any irritating textures.

Gentle face wash - toss anything that has fragrance or irritating ingredients. Vanicream gentle face wash is smooth and creamy on the skin and free of any irritants. 

Hydrating Moisturizer - stop using anything with fragrance, a top skin irritant! Use CeraVe moisturizing cream. No fragrance and stacked with 3 ceramides that can protect your skin barrier, keep the moisture in and the bad stuff out. 

Sunscreen -  always use a broad spectrum SPF on your face and neck every day of at least 30+ . The best sunscreen is the one you'll wear! I use Eucerin Daily SPF 30, but there are many recommended for Rosacea and sensitive skin. Find one you like the best and wear it religiously. 

---

People and Products Mentioned - give them a follow on Instagram!

@drmarisagarshick 

@drdonnatran

@CeraVe

@OfficialVanicream

@EucerinUS

@FairfaceWashcloths

---

Did you miss our last post? Read how Haley, a fellow Rosacean, found relief after an unfortunate incident with a microfiber cloth