Problem Solved!

[hiddenmuse]

Well, there is good news on the Skin Anarchy front. I ended up going to a dermatologist last week, since my skin wasn't getting better - and the Benzoyl Peroxide was actually giving me a nasty rash!

It turns out that I *do not* have adult acne, as I'd originally suspected (thank goodness). Instead, I have rosacea ... which looked - and kind of felt - like adult acne, along with giving me some nice redness in my face. It also explains why on the few instances that I'd have an adult drink or two, my face would flame up something awful - as well as that strong reaction to the benzoyl peroxide.

So, I'm on antibiotics (oral and topical) and I'm supposed to avoid anything labeled "for acne" or "to treat acne", since that would just make things worsle. Not to mention that my beloved caffeine has to be meted out rather carefully - two caffeinated drinks within 6 hours will get my face hot as hell ("cold compresses needed" hot) while the rest of me stays at a normal temperature.

All in all, I'm just glad that the problem has been solved - and that it will get better, or close to it. :)

Comments

[rosesandvine.livejournal.com]

oooh. Okay, I don't know what facial stuff you use, or what your budget is. I'm mentioning this, because it has done WONDERS for me. I have mild rosacea. Anytime I tried metro gel it just dried me out. I use Origins. They have a cream cleanser and they have a foaming one that are for sensitive skin. I use their "toner" too, but it's not really a toner, toner. and I've used two of their moisturizers. It works GREAT. My rosacea has calmed down a lot.

Pure Cream is what I started out with as a cleanser. It is SO gentle. Within weeks I could see a difference. Actually, I think it WAS a week, it was around the holidays, and Mom saw me when I bought it, and then a week later.

Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash is what I use now. It works great for balancing the dry and oilier areas. The cream one was a little too hydrating (for me) for anything but winter.

The cleansers are 17.50 each. I only wash in the morning, because I don't wear foundation. The cleanser can last me easily 4 to 6 months.

Comforting Solution sensitive skin soother is what I use next. Where I'd normally use a toner/tonic. It does do the "removing dead skin" or seems to, without the drying/redness effect, it also calms my skin down. The cost is 17.00. This lasts me 3 to 6 months.

Constant Comforter is the moisturizer I first used. It's 22.50, and I like it BETTER than the White Tea one I'm using now. It lasted me easily 9 months to a year?

I'm now using A Perfect World anti-oxidant Moisturizer with White Tea. It's 35.00. I'm only using it because Momma bought it, wasn't so sold on it, and I agreed to use it up instead of getting Constant Comforter. ;) It's not bad at all, my redness is down, and I'm sure I look a gazillion years younger what with all the anti-oxidants.

HOWEVER, I can still look young at 22.50 rather than 35.

I know it's a pricier line, but I just swear by this stuff because my face looks a lot better. Summer time I tend to look a little worse, and I've also noticed now that I don't have to take BCP's my face is better.

For me, the natural ingredients are the key. I do much better than the mostly chemical ingredients of other products. This is from their website:
"At Origins, we study the use of aromatic plants, earth and sea substances and other natural resources from many different cultures and alternative healing traditions. Our formulas draw on these potent ingredients and the ancient wisdoms that surround them to ensure that our products are authentic and as natural as can be."

Okay, so you weren't expecting a book when you wrote about rosacea, but I just wanted to share, cause I have a form of it too, and have found something that really helps. Plus, it smells DIVINE.

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the information, Holly! :-)

I'm starting out by using Cetaphil cleanser and Neutrogena moisturizer - which seem to work fairly well. But, if it doesn't work, I may try the Origins products that you'd mentioned.