We asked, you answered. Below, we’ve rounded up the best advice on handling skin issues like rosacea and eczema straight from The Klog community.
Skin can be pretty finicky this time of year thanks to cold temperatures and drying indoor heat. And for those with skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, and forms of dermatitis, the combination can be especially vexing. Looking for tips on how to calm flare-ups? Your fellow Klog readers have got your back.
We recently called on The Klog Instagram community to share their experiences with skin sensitivities due to the conditions above and we received a wealth of great responses. Read on for some of the best advice and anecdotes we received and don’t forget to consult with your doctor or dermatologist to see if any of the methods mentioned below might be right for you.
IF YOU’VE GOT…ROSACEA
Tip: Slather on the SPF.
“A high SPF sunscreen, Klairs’ Rich Moist line, azelaic acid and vitamin C [have helped my skin]. Also avoiding intense cold and intense heat has helped. And of course, lots of patience!”
-@cleogrnt
Tip: Use mild products with calming ingredients.
“I like to use products that are green tea or cica-based. Over the last couple of months my skin has become less prone to flare-ups and less red. A good tip is to take cold showers. It tends to soothe the heat and make your skin calmer.”
-@mel_y.04
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“I have rosacea mainly affecting my cheeks. What has helped me is using low pH cleansers (6.0 and under), only mild acid exfoliators one to two times per week, SPF 50 [sunscreen], and more recently azelaic acid. It has been amazing at keeping my skin calm, less reactive, and less prone to redness. It’s also great for acne.”
-@beauty_unplugged
Tip: Ice your skin calm.
“During a really bad flare-up I would first ice my face for a few minutes and then apply a really thick layer of Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream and only cleanse with water until the flare-up settles.”
-@lemondenoor
IF YOU’VE GOT…ECZEMA
Tip: Opt for no-frills formulas.
“After many doctors visits, prescriptions, and a lot of frustration, the third dermatologist I saw recommended washing with Dove bar soap (unscented) and using CeraVe hand cream. I also use Vaseline and wear cotton gloves at night.”
-@raecrown
“Growing up I had eczema on my hands in cold winters and genetically I’m prone to it. Last summer my dermatologist prescribed me a cortisone cream as well as CeraVe. By the time I received the prescription cream, CeraVe by itself had done wonders healing the spots.”
-Anonymous
Tip: Try to remain calm.
“I suffered from a bad bout of eczema two years ago across my face. It was a few months of a battle that eventually ended in a prescription oral steroid course. Things I learned: stress [makes things worse]. Fragrance is a big fat no. Parabens are also a no. Go to a dermatologist or doctor immediately. I tried to self heal with so many products and ended up with severely irritated skin. For temporary relief of the itchy burn, cold compressing helps!”
-@allymiller
Tip: Find out if you’ve got skin allergies.
“My friend had severe, seemingly incurable eczema for years. Finally after a lot of research and testing, it turned out she was allergic to methylisothiazolinone which is in a lot of soap and cleaning products. Using skin care products and household celaners that don’t have the ingredient completely cleared her eczema!”
-@exieiam
Tip: Try an essence or two.
“I found that layering essences helps a ton. Korean essences aren’t heavy and skin responds well to them.”
-@skylarskye
IF YOU’VE GOT…A FORM OF DERMATITIS
Tip: Lukewarm water is your friend.
“I have atopic dermatitis. When I apply skin care that needs to be rinsed, I always use lukewarm water. I usually test [new skin care products] around my neck first to see if there’s a weird reaction. Aveeno is my favorite brand to hydrate everything.”
-@koreanlogy
Tip: Keep a soothing mist on-hand.
“I constantly have to deal with dermatitis. My biggest skin care tricks are to constantly have a hydrating mist by my side, use a thicker, unscented toner, mix vitamin E oil with my moisturizer and use a gentle AHA when my outbreaks calm down to remove dead skin cells and avoid having my skin freak out again.”
-@tehyabell
Tip: Find your holy grail toner.
“I have seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp but sometimes it extends to my [face]. What I found worked to help with redness and didn’t irritate my skin was going back to the basics with my skin care routine. The Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner, along with their Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner were lifesavers, along with using Vanicream to help my skin stay hydrated but not too oily.”
-@bunnyhearts3