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

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Sensitive Skin Tips

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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!

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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

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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. 

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

@drmarisagarshick 

@drdonnatran

@CeraVe

@OfficialVanicream

@EucerinUS

@FairfaceWashcloths

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

Soft flannel face cloths for Rosacea: Before and After

Meet Haley, a lovely Fairface Washcloths customer who found us after an unfortunate incident with a microfiber cloth: 

"I have rosacea, and even gentle exfoliation flares up my skin. I bought microfiber cloths thinking their softness was the answer and I immediately regretted it. They burned my skin so bad - I looked like a tightly stretched shiny plastic tomato (it's funny now but at the time I freaked out). 

A dermatologist suggested a soft flannel cloth and when I typed it into Etsy these came up. Shannon was so kind and helped me decide on these and it's like I'm washing my face with my fingertips.

I'm attaching a pic of my face (for everyone's benefit haha I did not plan on posting these) after a microfiber cloth (it's not greasy my skin was squeaky-shiny/polished like a shoe & badly stripped/burned), & a pic of the first day using a Fairface. A week after using them I had an even (not red) skin tone that honestly I've never had. WORTH it." - Haley   (reposted with permission)

The best soft face cloths for Rosacea 

Have you been there yourself? You tried something new on your face and it turned out to be a very bad idea? Maybe your face got really red, broke out, or felt like it was melting off? Sensitive skin can be very finicky like that, especially if you have Rosacea.

We wanted to share Haley's honest Fairface Washcloths review with you, in case you are looking for the right soft face cloths for your Rosacea-prone skin. Like Haley, maybe you have tried other washcloths on your sensitive skin, hoping they would be gentle enough, but ended up causing irritation and redness.  

Dermatologists recommend using soft, cotton flannel cloths, like Fairface Delicates, to wash your face gently, without using anything harsh that can cause your skin to get red and irritated, like the microfiber cloths did to Haley's skin.

Rosacea-prone skin also means skin prone to irritation, inflammation and redness, so gentle products are a must for keeping your skin calm and even. And that's where Fairface Washcloths come in.

What washcloths should I use on Rosacea prone skin? 

What do you currently use to wash your face, if you have Rosacea or sensitive skin? Have you tried Fairface Washcloths? 

Fairface Washcloths help reduce redness and irritation when you wash your face because the soft flannel glides across your face and doesn't drag or pull. If you're using a cloth, or heaven forbid a tool on your face (eek!), that causes redness and irritation, it is most likely because the material it is made out of is too harsh and abrasive to your skin. You don't need to scrub to get your face clean. It can actually do more harm than good.

If you have Rosacea or sensitive skin and haven't found a cloth that is gentle enough to wash your face with, look no further. You've found it. Fairface Washcloths are the only face cloth you should be using on your sensitive skin and like Haley, after using Fairface Washcloths, she's never seen her skin tone so even, and it's definitely worth it!

BUY THE SAME FACE CLOTHS HALEY IS USING that calmed her Rosacea skin

Prevent Rosacea break-outs while you sleep

If I had my way, pillow cases would be sold in the skin care aisle. 

Most people don't know that a clean pillow case is a really important part of keeping your skin clear. You don't want to work hard all week at following your skin care routine, only to put bacteria back on your face for 8 hours a night!

Keeping your skin clear and free from breakouts and Rosacea flares is something we all strive for. 

Since prevention is key to keeping your skin clear, washing your face every night and morning with gentle products, staying away from Rosacea triggers, and faithfully sticking to your skin care routine is of the utmost importance. 

So what happens, after all your diligence, when you wake up in the morning to a Rosacea flare or breakout that seemingly came out of nowhere? It can be devastating.

If you're like me, you instantly begin mentally scrolling through the previous day's activities and food consumption. It can be a little tortuous trying to pinpoint what could have caused your flare or break-out.

One thing you shouldn't ever have to wonder about, though, is whether your break-out was caused by a dirty pillow case. NOPE! NO WAY, NO HOW!

One of the easiest ways to prevent break-outs, *in tandem with a Rosacea friendly skin care routine*, is to sleep on a clean pillow case.  A clean pillow case can help prevent the dirt & bacteria that collects on your pillow case, from transferring onto your skin, which can lead to break-outs and Rosacea flares while you sleep.

How often should you change your pillow case?

Dermatologists recommend changing out your pillowcase anywhere from every few days to every day, even if you wash your face every night.

I am a clean pillow case fanatic, and use a clean pillow case every other night...but sleep on a clean pillow case every night. Huh? No, it's not a riddle (I've never been one to love riddles), it's a method.

The Clear Skin Pillow Case Method

Night 1: Put on a clean pillow case and sleep on one side

Night 2: Flip that same pillow case over and sleep on the clean side

Night 3: Put on a clean pillow case and start the rotation over again

Is it a little obsessive? 

Maybe.

But does it work? 

Yes. 

So is it worth it? 

Yes!

How many pillow cases do you need?

My philosophy? You can never have too many washcloths or pillowcases 🥰

We recommend having at least 4-5 pillow cases if you do laundry every week. That way, if you start with a clean pillow case on Sunday, and follow the Clear Skin Pillow Case Method, you'll always have a clean pillow case to sleep on. 

And if you travel? Always bring your own pillow case and extras with you, so if you're like me, you own a lot more than 4-5.

What kind of pillow case is best for Rosacea?

I've mentioned before how much I love my new silk-cotton pillow cases.

Silk-cotton pillow cases are great for preventing fine lines & hair frizz, & silk is also a good temperature regulator so your face won't get hot through the night and flush (important for Rosacea!).

Silk-cotton pillow cases are also known to produce less friction against your skin and hair and don't absorb moisture so are less drying and provide a cleaner sleep surface through the night.

100% cotton pillow cases also come recommended by Dermatologists due to cotton's breathable qualities. Just be sure to choose cotton that is soft against your skin so it doesn't cause unwanted friction against your face.

Personally, I love both silk-cotton and soft cotton pillow cases. Both feel good against my skin and don't make my face feel hot at night.  From what research indicates, both a silk pillow case and breathable, soft 100% cotton are excellent choices for Rosacea and sensitive skin types.

Avoid anything that makes your face feel hotter during the night (like satin or microfiber), which can contribute to Rosacea flares.

How should I wash my pillow case?

How you wash your pillow case can be just as important as your efforts to use a clean one.

For sensitive skin and Rosacea, use a fragrance-free detergent made for sensitive skin (right now I'm using All's Free and Clear) & NO fabric softener. 

Standard detergents and fabric softeners often use added scents and other chemicals that can be irritating to sensitive skin. Detergent is washed out, but fabric softeners stay on. 

For facial skin, it's best to avoid fabric softeners on anything you will be putting against your face, even if it says fragrance free.

Don't over-do it on the detergent! I know I have been guilty of this. More often than not, too much laundry soap is added to a load and not all washed out during a rinse cycle. Sensitive skin, in particular, can get irritated by remnants of detergent left behind. 

When in doubt, run another quick rinse cycle to make sure everything is rinsed properly, and take it easy on the laundry detergent!

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Do you have any Rosacea Skin Care Tips you follow that help you? Leave us a comment or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram @FairfaceWashcloths. We'd love to connect with you!

And don't forget to add Fairface Washcloths to your Rosacea or Sensitive Skin care routine! Wash without worry! Our washcloths are made soft and gentle for Rosacea, Eczema and sensitive skin and the only thing you should be using against your skin...besides a clean pillow case. ;)

Can I use Grapeseed oil with Rosacea?

If you have Rosacea, it can be scary to try new products. I know, because I have it, and I did it.

I have been using my tried and true skin care products for my Rosacea going on many years now and don't stray from it.  However, when I started following a skin care esthetician on Instagram named Devyn, @PureSkinOC, and listened to her podcast, I kept hearing her say how much she loved Grapeseed oil and how much her sensitive skin and Rosacea clients loved it too. 

The benefits alone made me very curious...and how could my skin not like something so soothing, moisturizing and natural? So I took the plunge.

(This post contains Amazon links. As an amazon associate I receive a small commission on every purchase)

Can you use Grapeseed Oil if you have Rosacea? 

This is what happened when I used it.

But first, here's what got me hooked:

Benefits of Grapeseed oil for the skin

• Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, high amounts of omega chain fatty acids and vitamin E
• Protects your skin's skin-firming collagen
• Contains antioxidants to protect your skin from free radicals that harm and age your skin
• Moisturizes and helps bind moisture to the skin
• Penetrates the skin quickly so it doesn't leave it feeling oily
• Great for all skin types
• May help skin tone become brighter and more even
• Safe for Rosacea and sensitive skin

How to use Grapeseed Oil on your skin at night

• Wash your face (I use Vanicream gentle cleanser - Amazon with a soft Fairface Washcloth)
• Apply toner if you use one, followed by any topical medications (I apply Metronidazole for my Rosacea) and/or serums
• Apply a small amount of Grapeseed oil to your skin as your moisturizer 
• Massage it in (it feels really good) and let it sink into your skin at least 15+ minutes before bed.
• Wake up to softer skin
• Wash your face in the morning

source: PureSkinOC

You can totally see why I wanted to try it, right? It sounds like a dream!

What happened when I used Grapeseed oil on my Rosacea-prone skin

Night 1

I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but it was definitely different putting oil on my face. The truth was, it took a little getting used to. It felt like I had oil on my face. Imagine that. ha! And I had to keep touching my face to see if the oil had finally sunk in yet.  Did I put too much on? Is it supposed to feel like this? Will this ever sink in?

Then my eyes started to sting a little bit. Did I get the oil too close to my eyes? 

As is the case with Rosacea, some may also have Ocular Rosacea (I have it mildly, and it causes dry eyes). My ophthalmologist said when my eyes sting I should put some eye drops in, so I did. 

A word to the wise, it would have been better to put in eye drops before the oil, in case the drops can pull any stray oil in your eyes that may have touched your eye lashes.

Once I laid down in bed, worried that the oil on my face was going to ruin my silk pillow case, I felt slight itchiness on my skin. Here's me all night, "Am I just making this up or is my face actually itching?"  My internal dialogue is exhausting sometimes. I'm so high maintenance when it comes to my skin.

And BTW, I did put some grapeseed oil on my arms and hands before bed but they didn't itch.

Morning After

My face, arms and hands felt soft and there were no visible signs of irritation.

My silk pillow case looked like I had slept with oil on my face (ha!)...and since it was wash day, I tossed it in the wash and it came out looking perfectly normal. No greasy aftermath.

I posted my night 1 experience on my Instagram feed and Devyn kindly let me know that the itchiness may have happened because my skin may have been very dry. She went on to say that her clients love it and it's really helped those with sensitive skin and Rosacea. 

I wanted to give my skin a grace period to get used to it, so I felt encouraged to try it again the next night.

Night 2

The whole "putting oil on my face" experience wasn't so foreign this time and I did use less and made sure to put eye drops in BEFORE applying the grapeseed oil. I'm not so hard to train.

I didn't notice much stinging of my eyes and had a little itch, but not too bad.

Morning After

Although my arms and hands still tolerated it well, I woke up with an itchy welt on my cheek and another itchy spot on my forehead. Bummer. My face was not liking this grapeseed oil. I hadn't had that kind of skin response in a long time, so my enthusiasm to extend my skin grace period with grapeseed oil was growing smaller.

One more time

At this point I gave my skin a break from the grapeseed oil and went back to my favorite CeraVe Moisturizing Cream - Amazon to moisturize and in no time, my skin went back to normal.

So what did I do? About a week later, because I wanted my skin to like it SO bad, I tried the grapeseed oil again...and my skin broke out. Boo. It's time to face the fact that this is probably not going to work for me.

I reached out to Devyn and asked her if she had clients who haven't reacted well to grapeseed oil? She kindly responded by asking about the other products I was using (both night and morning) so she could determine what might be going on.

Her clients with Rosacea have had their skin improve with her products and the grapeseed oil, but decided it might be the oil reacting to the Metronidazole topical gel I put on my face at night. It made sense. So I tried the grapeseed oil one night and didn't apply my Metronidazole gel...but my face still didn't like it.

Am I still using Grapeseed oil?

No, but I haven't ruled out using it on my arms and hands at night. Because I know it is a great hydrator, is beneficial to my skin, and can leave it feeling softer, I haven't put it away forever.

Am I disappointed I can't use grapeseed oil on my face? Yes! Will I still try it again? No. I'll stick with my tried and true CeraVe Cream.

But here's the thing, everyone's skin is different. Devyn has clients with Rosacea who love using grapeseed oil, so even if we share Rosacea, we can have different experiences with the same products. There are definitely benefits for your skin, so if your face tolerates it well, it's a win! If not, you can always use it on your body for the healthy and soft skin benefits. 

Have you already tried Grapeseed Oil on your Rosacea or sensitive skin? Leave me a comment - I'd love to know what your experience was like!

xo Shannon

Sensitive Skin Tips

If you enjoy learning about gentle skincare for rosacea and sensitive skin, you might like Fairface Insider — a quiet monthly note with sensitive skin tips, early access to new launches, and occasional private offers.

Join here:
insider.fairfacewashcloths.com

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A huge part of my skin-calming skin care routine for Rosacea, has been using soft Fairface Washcloths (the soft flannel is so smooth and gentle to my skin) + using a my favorite Vanicream gentle non-irritating cleanser. 

Head over to Fairface Washcloths on etsy or the Fairface Washcloths website and see if these soft, gentle washcloths can help you with your Rosacea or sensitive skin too!

Stress and Rosacea: how to calm your skin

"With all the stress I'm under right now from the fears and anxiety surrounding the Coronavirus, how will my skin be able to handle the stress? The last thing I need is for my Rosacea to start flaring. Are stress and Rosacea related? And if so, what can I do about it?"

[*Disclosure: This post contains Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]

Do these questions sound familiar to you? Maybe you've been thinking about this yourself as the stress mounts, the home-stay weeks feel more like months, and we have more questions than answers.

You're not alone in your quest to find peace amidst all the worry and anxiety. And for those of us with skin conditions, like Rosacea, we can't help but wonder how long it will be before the stress starts to show up on our skin?

Luckily, I am prepared and have all my favorite Rosacea-friendly skin care products stocked up at home, but is that enough to keep my Rosacea at bay? Will my skin start to show the stress, currently plaguing my mind?

Never fear, let's look at what one very reputable source (one of my favorites) says about stress and Rosacea flares: The National Rosacea Society.

Can Stress cause Rosacea flares?

From all the information I devoured on their website, the answer to whether stress and Rosacea flares are related, is an undeniable YES. 

Emotional stress has been identified as a common trigger among people with Rosacea. One study cited almost 80% of respondents identified emotional stress as a Rosacea trigger for them.

I know I could raise my hand right along with them. Emotional stress, particularly when I get flushed from feeling all the feelings, totally gets my Rosacea flaring.

They went on to say that the tricky thing about Rosacea, is that if you are flaring because of emotional distress, the Rosacea flares only make the emotional distress worse. And no one wants that.

So, what can we do to prevent the stress in our lives from triggering a Rosacea flare, creating a cycle of chaos on our face?

How to Prevent Rosacea Flares during Stressful Times

Dr. Grossbart, as cited in an article from the National Rosacea Society, suggests implementing stress management techniques of mind and body to reduce emotional stress, thereby reducing the chances of having stress-related Rosacea flares.

Care for your body and mind by: 

• Paying attention to what you are eating

• Drinking plenty of water throughout the day

• Making time for exercise

• Making sure to get enough good sleep

• Practicing meditation - like deep breathing, visualization, relaxation exercises

• Taking positive action by focusing on things you can take action on, instead of getting stuck in the worry of things out of your control.

How to Reduce Stress on your Rosacea Prone Skin

In addition to reducing overall stress to your mind and body, it's also very important to maintain or enhance your normal Rosacea skin care routine so there aren't additional stressors to your skin.

Care for your Rosacea-prone skin by:

• Keeping up with your regular cleansing routine

• Using a clean soft washcloth for each wash to maintain clear skin

• Adding additional products as needed, with healing ingredients

• Continuing to use your topical medications 

• Getting an extra prescription on hand if you are running low *I actually did this myself. I use Metronidazole gel and asked my dermatologist for one refill during this period of home-stay and she graciously called it in for me.

• Sleeping on a clean pillow case each night can also help keep skin clear. I love to sleep on *my favorite silk pillow cases that are super soothing to my skin and hair. Sleep on one side and flip the pillow over for the next night. Then change pillow cases. *affiliate link - see disclosure below

Are we all totally stressed out right now due to the Corona virus? Yes. But it doesn't mean we can't still find ways to bring our minds,  bodies and skin back to a place of peace and calm.

By implementing these changes (or continuing the good habits you've already made) you can get through this *temporary* change of life in a mindful way with lower stress and anxiety and your skin will follow suit.

*As an Amazon Associate I may make a small percentage on any purchases made through my links.

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How are you handling the stress of the corona virus? Have you seen your skin react in a negative way to the stress? Do you have any good tips that have helped you and your skin right now? Please share your experiences below in the comments. I'd love to know!

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Wishing you the best and stay well!