You would never guess that Cynthia Nixon, star of Sex and the City, is a rosacea sufferer. Let alone that the symptoms were aggressive enough to make her self-conscious and stressed and eventually to become a spokesperson for the National Rosacea Society.
I was interested to hear from Cynthia Nixon that she conquered her rosacea by simplifying her beauty regimen and, especially, by cutting out harsh cleansers and exfoliators.
"Having a simple, gentle regimen has changed my life around," said Cynthia Nixon earlier this week. "I never use anything that stings and consistency is very important -- so, for example, I always wash my face at night rather than morning."
Cynthia Nixon has also pared back her makeup, "A lot of heavy foundation makes you look older."
As an aging rosacea sufferer, I can relate to all of this. I've found that switching to gentle cleansers has been the single most important step change that has allowed be to keep my rosacea under control. I'm very careful about makeup and wear very little, sticking to natural light cover up and concealers.
Here are some of my suggestions for Rosaccea suffers. I believe in a simple beauty regimen that won't make you see red:
A Simple Regimen for Rosacea Sufferers
Cleanser: For a gently cleanser, I prefer non-foaming with ingredients that are as natural as possible and avoiding AHAs or other exfoliants. Red Flower Lymphatic Phytopower Sea Cleanser and Masque is a light, but creamy cleanser that doesn't dry out or inflame the skin. With a marine antioxidant, juniper and three types of antioxidant mushroom, the cleanser can justifiably be left on as a mask.
Anti-redness treatment: A daily dab of Medik8 Red Alert Solution has become routine for me before applying my anti-aging serum. The super simple formula is deceptive because it is based on a leading edge ingredient called teprenone, which supposedly stabilizes telomeres, essential to cell life. As well as being a potentially effective anti-aging active, it is also said to mend broken veins and calm rosacea. It certainly does for me.
Anti-aging serum: One of the most rosacea-friendly that I have come across is E'shee Clinical Esthetic Cellular Repair Serum. Indeed, I would go so far as to say it reduces rosacea. A little of this serum with growth factors goes a long way. The ingredient that I believe to be responsible for treating the redness and broken veins is the horse chestnut. The seeds contain a saponin called escin, which is supposed to strengthen veins and capillaries.
Sunscreen: Nothing can cause a rosacea flare up like a chemical sunscreen and so I am on a perpetual quest to find an alternative to harmful chemical sunscreens and chalky minerals. Snowberry Everyday Broad Spectrum SPF15 is gentle and effective. And being a bit of an ingredient nerd, I love that it has galangal, related to the ginger family and a natural sunscreen.
All products are Marta's suggestions not Cynthia Nixon's.
Visit www.Roseaceafacts.com to watch Cynthia's public service announcement