Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Galderma Laboratories L.P. through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about Mirvaso, all opinions are my own, as per usual.
Guys, I’ve worked REALLY hard on my skin over the past decade (see photo above with NO MAKEUP!) and so, when new products come out that will make my skin even better, well I get pretty excited about it. Rosacea (a chronic inflammatory skin condition), for example, is a skin condition that I was diagnosed with at age 22 and I distinctly remember the conversation going a little something like this:
Me: I’ve been breaking out a lot. I think I have adult acne.
Derm: Yes, I can see that…and you’re also about to get full blown Rosacea as well.
Me: What? No. I don’t think so…my face is just red from the acne.
Derm: Right now, yes, but in a year or two, the acne will clear up and you’ll have Rosacea.
Anyone who reads this blog probably loooved the Sex and the City series and Miranda Hobbes was always one of my favorites. Well now that the series is over, Cynthia Nixon (e.g. the real Miranda) has decided to help spread awareness about Rosacea, something I’ve mentioned on my blog a TON of times. It’s crazy to think that nearly 16 million Americans suffer from the condition but only 78% even know what it IS…insane. Rosacea is often mistaken for acne, but unfortunately acne treatments can make rosacea worse, but the good news is that seeing a derm can help can your rosacea under control (like mine). Check out RosaceaFacts.com for more info and resources and, with out any further babbling, here are the three questions that I exclusively asked Cynthia:
Q: When did you first realize that you had rosacea and what did you do about it?
A: When I was in my 30’s, I started noticing that my cheeks would flush and blush and sometimes I would get pimples. I assumed it was acne that was coming back to haunt me from my teens. Once I spoke with my doctor I realized there were things that trigger my rosacea, like spicy foods and red wine, I knew what to avoid. She also gave me a prescription treatment to help manage my condition, which really helped get my rosacea under control.
Q: What are your favorite beauty products to use that help reduce inflammation and/or cover the redness?
A: I think what my dermatologist has really helped me identify is what I can do to help reduce flare-ups, rather than using make-up to cover it up. Some of that includes regularly using a prescription treatment, avoiding harsh cleansers and scrubs and my triggers, like red wine and spicy food.
Q: If you could give your 22-year-old self any advice, what would it be?
A: I think my advice would be to visit a dermatologist if there is something going on with your skin. Also, skin issues that pop-up as you age can’t be treated in the same manner as those you suffer from in your teens.
I recently received a bottle of the new Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer and, let me tell you, I’m wowed…once again. Back in 2006/2007, I suffered from my first bout with acne…adult acne, to be exact, and it was really not fun. I grew up having perfect skin; seriously, I don’t remember getting a zit EVER until like maybe college (and during my period). So, naturally, when I found myself breaking out at age 23…I went a little ballistic, which definitely made my skin even more stressed out than it already was from the acne and rosacea combo.
In Kiehl’s studies, they’ve found that skin is actually the first of the body’s organs that stress begins to appear, showing up with signs of redness, fatigue, dehydration, blotchiness and overall visible signs of aging. The clinical results from testing showed a 100 percent improvement in overall skin quality, when applied in the morning and at night – so easy. SOLD.
I’m into it. I’ve been “battling” Rosacea for the past few years; and I say “battling” because, honestly, I don’t have a very severe case of it. Usually a little light foundation or tinted moisturizer covers up my rosy cheeks but every once in awhile, things get a little…rough, let’s call it. As an FYI, Rosacea is a skin condition that primarily affects Caucasians of North Western European descent and is often referred to as “the Irish flush” or “the curse of the Celts'” since it’s so common in people from England, Ireland, etc. Hi, welcome to MY LIFE. Sunblock? Check. But how do I prevent my own natural redness? Yeah…it’s been an experiment, since there’s no “cure” for Rosacea.
I recently tried out the Pevonia Spa Clinic Redness Relief system and I’m LOVING it. The products are packed with soothing ingredients like green tea, a known “calm the eff down” botanical that is common in skincare products, and of course, the key to any skincare regimen: consistency. The four steps (cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer) are easy to follow and my skin always feels cool and moisturized after I use these. Here’s what they are/do:
1. Cleanser: calms, cools skin and combats bacteria
2. Toner: reduces redness and soothes skin
3. Serum: relieves redness, sensitivity and blotchiness
4. Moisturizer: hydrates and protects skin from UV rays and irritants
