Are you happy with the skin you have?
Do you wish your skin looked like someone else's?
Do you feel you fall short because you don't look like the filter-perfect-skin you see on Instagram?
Do you have realistic expectations for your skin?
Do you know how to care for your skin?
After I posted this on Instagram,
"Skin care isn't about having perfect skin, it's about having healthy skin." - Shannon Sorensen, Founder, CEO, Fairface
I started to wonder, what are people's expectations for their skin? And beyond that, what are my own?
What it's like having Rosacea
I've shared openly on the Fairface Podcast, what's it's like living with sensitive skin and Rosacea, and what has helped me along the way.
Although I am able to manage my Rosacea today very well, it was a different story 12 years ago when I was first diagnosed. Rosacea has left its mark on my skin and my soul.
My skin is far from perfect and I can thank medium coverage make-up for hiding most of my flaws. I have tiny blood vessels on my cheeks, a perpetual rosy complexion, and a self-conscious dislike for leaving the house without make-up on. I have bumps and spots that show my age, and every year I wonder, "will this be the year I have them lasered? Will they just come back, and how many more will pop up over time?"
I take my skin care routine seriously (probably more than most). I don't go a day without sunscreen or a night without washing my face before bed, and I have a slight obsession with changing my pillow case each night.
Are my rosacea skin care goals realistic?
The truth of it is, Rosacea cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Although my skin will never look like Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman or Cindy Crawford, I feel blessed with the skin I have and I try to honor it by taking care of it the best I can.
If I focus on having "perfect skin", like celebrities appear, or even the flawless-filtered-skin on Instagram, I will always fall short and feel inadequate.
The goal is not to have perfect skin, and instead, to keep my Rosacea-prone skin healthy, which is much more realistic and also much more attainable.
Is Healthy Skin Possible with Rosacea?
By focusing on maintaining a healthy skin skin barrier, i.e. the outer layer of your skin, you can maintain healthy Rosacea skin by:
- Following a gentle skin care routine (I love Fairface soft flannel washcloths, Vanicream Cleanser and CeraVe moisturizing cream.)
- Wearing sun protection every day (I love Eucerin's SPF 30 daily sunscreen)
- Using make-up that is appropriate for your skin & doesn't irritate (I wear Mary Kay foundation)
- Eliminating your triggers by watching your environment and what you eat to prevent flushing as much as possible
- Meeting with a Dermatologist annually to get the best advice on treatments to help manage your Rosacea. (*I use Metronidazole gel on my skin daily to help prevent and clear flares)
This is totally do-able, right?
Healthy skin care goals that are easy to maintain. That's what we're after!
Having Rosacea doesn't mean you can't have healthy skin, it just means your skin needs a little extra TLC. With the right products and following good skin care habits, you've got the steps in place to be successful and happy with your own skin!
xo Shannon
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