I had never spent much time taking care of my face – really, I couldn’t care less how I look – but given that I have all these skin care products now, I’ve felt compelled to use them. So every night (except for super hot nights like tonight, when all I can do is sweat), I spend an hour or two surfing the net or watching Netflix (I highly recommend the documentary Los Tiempos de Pablo Escobar, it’s subtitled in English). This skin care regime has not diminished my wrinkles and, indeed, I now notice them much more than before. But it has brought my rosacea under control. I’m happy about that because I don’t really like looking like a tomato all the time. Unfortunately I don’t know what actual product (or combination of products) has led to this miracle. For this reason I figured I’d write down my skin care routine so if something changes, and the rosacea comes back, I’ll have an idea of what it is.
This is my nightly skin care routine. I don’t usually use any products during the day, I only occasionally wash my face, but I do use sunscreen when I go out. All the products I use at night have come from subscription boxes. When I’m done with a product, I go on to the next – thus the changes that may happen.
Cleanser (daily)
derma e Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Cleanser, most nights
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, when I’ve worn BB cream or makeup during the day
Shea Terra Organics Authentic African Black Soap applied with a Japanese Konjac Sponge, occasionally
Antioche Laurel and Olive Oil Soap, when I take a shower at night
Scrubs (2 times a week)
Double Surface Exfoliator by Jillian Wright Skincare
Face Masks (2 times a week, alternating)
Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive
JUARA Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask
Toner (when not using a scrub or face mask)
Secret Key Milk Brightening Toner
BHA liquid (when not using a scrub)
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2 Percent BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Serum (daily)
Medicell Advanced Anti-Aging Youth Serum
Retinol Treatment (daily)
StriVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Night Treatment
Eye Cream (daily)
La Roche-Posay Redermic Eyes Cream
Anti-Aging Reinforcement (daily)
MD Complete Anti-Aging Even Tone & Texture Accelerator
Face Cream (when my skin is actually not over greasy from all the other products)
Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer
The actual key to my control of rosacea, however, may be that I’ve started to take ibuprofen daily. Rosacea seems to be related to the inflammation of blood vessels in the face. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug, so it may be that’s what is controlling it.