Rosacea interacts with general anesthesia to make a mess

[#1]

I have rosacea that has been flaring a lot lately. I am fair-skinned so when it flares it's really noticeable. I also have oily skin, even at the age of 51. (I don't look my age either, probably partly due to the oil.) As if that wasn't bad enough, about a year and a half ago I had some serious major surgery, and the aftermath of general anesthesia leaves my skin feeling like sandpaper. This is the longest after surgery it's done that, but then that was by far the longest surgery I've ever had, too. Anyway, my face can be greasy but still feel rough. But if I try to exfoliate, my rosacea flares. The roughness is enough to cause my makeup to go on unevenly - like it's been layered over real sandpaper. I've tried Derma-e products (there's a gel that soothes the rosacea but does nothing for the roughness), I've tried pure organic argan oil (softens and soothes but roughness still there), I've tried Garnier cleanser with the silicone scrubby brush attached (relieves roughness but irritates rosacea), I've tried the Derma-e exfoliator (smoothes skin, aggravates rosacea) and I'm currently using Cetaphil (cleans, doesn't irritate, softens skin enough not to feel quite so rough, but roughness still there). Most of the roughness is on my cheeks and forehead, and under my chin. But my nose - the greasiest place on my face - is maybe also the roughest. Trying to get foundation on there that looks smooth is impossible. I kinda need some help here.

[#2]

I actually had exactly the same problem as you did - fair skin with rosacea, oily (t-zone), but after surgery for almost  6 months it was this weird combo of flaky and oily.

I used Yes to Blueberries face wipes every night to keep my skin clear and used a really light moisturizer (Bare Minerals) to bed. I washed my face every other day with the only exfoliator to NOT flare my rosacea - Befine Brown Sugar Scrub. I just barely rubbed it all over my face, very gently, until the sugar crystals melted, then massaged it in to get all the oils to penetrate. I followed up with a heavy moisturizer - Ahava Daily Moisturizer for normal/dry skin. I also didn't wear much face makeup other than my mineral foundation.

It was important for my skin's normal oils and the outer-most layer of skin made up of dead cells (stratum corneum) to repair itself. I didn't want to strip away all the natural oils, but I still kept it clean with the wipes.

Good luck. Make sure to keep it moisturized, even if it feels oily - you can always blot or dust the oilier areas during the day. And drink LOTS of water and eat LOTS of veggies and foods with vitamin E!

[#3]

Have you triend aquaphor? You can get it from most drugstores, and it is super effective and nourishing, calming irritated skin. I use it on my patients with exczema and rosacea all the time, and it really helps to alleviate the symptoms that you're describing. This is a thick product so I would suggest using it at night, and perhaps sparingly before makeup application.

I hope this helps, and I'm sorry to hear that you're having these flareups here lately

[#4]

I have never even heard of aquaphor. I'll go google it.

[#5]

OK I looked it up. It's a Eucerin product and it's very greasy. The problem is that my skin is already greasy, and if I add any more I will have breakouts.

[#6]

Have you considered Ultra Repair Cream from First Aid Beauty?  It's not heavy or greasy at all.

[#7]

I am going to agree with Anaa on the Ultra Repair Cream.  It's extrmely gentle on skin and it seems to be a hit with those who have skin issues.  I use it for my dry skin and I love it.