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Decleor, Dermalogica, Skincare Advice

5 Things Only People With Oily Skin Will Understand

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OilySkinUnless you’re one of the very few people who is blessed with truly perfect skin, you’ll likely have your own set of daily struggles when it comes to your complexion. No-one gets this more than people who deal with the over-production of sebum – or oily skin, as most of us would put it. We take a look at some of the daily struggles that only oily skin sufferers will get and try to recommend things that will help.

Constantly Reapplying Make-Up

When you’ve got oily skin, make-up can be a blessing and a curse. When you first apply, your skin looks flawless, but it’s only a matter of time before the shine breaks through and your foundation effectively melts away. Prepping oily skin before applying make-up is a must, and using a product like Decleor Fresh Matifying Lotion will help to mop up any excess oil and prevent your skin from producing more, leaving you with a soft, matte finish all day long without the need to re-apply foundation again and again.

Finding a Moisturiser is HARD

When your skin is basically producing a self-formulated moisturiser all day long, it’s tempting to forego the moisturiser altogether, especially seeing as it’s so hard to find one which won’t exacerbate your shininess. There ARE products out there which work with oily skin, however, and finding the right one, such as Decleor Shine Control Oxygenating Fluid, can actually help your skin to balance out your sebum production.

Your Face Never Really Feels Clean

With oily skin, one of the most annoying things is that it basically only feels clean for roughly ten minutes after you’ve washed it and then not at all for the rest of the day. What this probably should tell you is that you’re using the wrong products to wash your face. Opt for a pre-cleansing lotion like Dermalogica Precleanse, followed by a gentle cleanser such as Decleor Soothing Micellar Water as this won’t over-stimulate the skin and will leave you feeling cleaner for longer.

Taking Photos is a Nightmare

Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how good the lighting is, how recently your make-up has been done or how good the photographer is, as soon as that flash goes off, your whole face becomes one big shiny reflective surface. Aside from demanding final editing control of all photos taken of you before anyone sees them, you’re going to need something powerful on your side – we recommend Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion, a feather-weight lotion which actually contains tiny sponges which control your oil production and help you to maintain an all-day matte complexion.

Sometimes it Feels Like All You Do is Deal With Your Skin

Unless you’re at a point where you’ve given up, it’s easy to feel like all you think about is your skin and that your bathroom is being taken over by different products. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is a beauty detox; get rid of all the old products and invest in a selection of new, targeted formulas which are designed to tackle oily skin. The Dermalogica Skin Kit for Oily Skin contains five key products which will help to keep your skin clean and shine-free all day and it allows you to try them before investing in the full-size version.

Health and Happiness

Easy ways to eat clean

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We are constantly hearing about clean eating in the media but what does it actually mean? Well, it is a pretty simple concept that involves eating whole foods that are as close to nature as possible. It’s about eating more of the healthiest options available and less of the not-so-healthy ones.

The key to eating clean is to embrace, and enjoy, pesticide free and organic food such as

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Dried legumes
  • Nuts
  • Organic eggs

You can also include:

  • Unrefined grains like whole wheat bread and pasta, popcorn, quinoa and brown rice
  • Frozen fruits and vegetables
  • Unprocessed meat
  • Organic dairy products
  • Healthy oils

Clean eating doesn’t mean everything has to be raw and straight from the ground, but it does mean your food needs to be minimally processed and the fewer added ingredients, the better.

An easy way to clean up your diet is read the ingredients on food packaging. If the list is long, and so are the names, it is probably best to steer clear. Go for healthy, homemade options such as whole-wheat macaroni cheese, tomato pasta sauce and goodie packed granola bars.

It is worth remembering not everything that comes out of a box or can is bad for you. Whole-wheat pasta, tomatoes and chickpeas are all clean packaged foods because they are minimally processed and offer great nutrients and vitamins.

One thing you can do to make a big difference is cut out white flour and refined grains. These are most typically found in unhealthy packaged foods like biscuits and cakes and offer no real goodness or nutrients. Swap white rice, bread and pasta for brown rice and whole wheat bread and pasta and your body, and waistline, will thank you.

It is important to remember that you always need fat in your diet, but go for the healthy ones. Swap saturated fats like those in butter, cheese and meat for olive oil, avocados and oily fish. These fats are great for keeping your heart healthy and can help raise your good HDL cholesterol levels.

Cutting back on processed foods helps reduce your salt intake and you minimise this more by using herbs, spices and garlic when cooking.

You might also want to look at how much sugar is in your diet. It is really easy to consume more of the sweet stuff than you realise because it is hidden in many everyday products. To clean things up limit fizzy drinks, sweets, cakes and biscuits. Also check those healthier yogurts, sauces and cereals for their sugar content.

Eating clean doesn’t mean giving up meat completely, but by eating less of it you will seriously cut the amount of saturated fat from your diet. Give vegetarian proteins like beans, tempeh and tofu a try and then go large on vegetable so you get loads of vitamins and feel full.

That said, eating clean doesn’t mean you can eat and eat and eat. This food might be healthy but it still contains calories and you need to be mindful of portion sizes. Aim for your plate to be filled three-fifths of fruits and vegetables, one-fifth protein, and one-fifth healthy carbs.

We aren’t saying you have to do all of this today, but if you are looking for a healthier way to eat and live, give some of these ideas a go and we are pretty sure you will love the results.

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Weird Historical Beauty Traditions

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fish pedicureThroughout history, there have been plenty of weird and wonderful beauty practices which have been adopted by people, many of which have foundations in science, others of which not so much! We thought we’d take a look back at the oddest traditions and have a go at suggesting some slightly more modern (and less DEADLY!) alternatives to keep you looking your best.

Milk Baths

We’ve all heard about how Egyptian queen Cleopatra liked to bathe in asses milk, which is probably really easy when you’re a queen and probably have your own flock of asses. However, when you’re a normal person and the average bath holds 80 litres, you’re looking at a pretty expensive soak in the tub, regardless of how many benefits it may or may not have. We’d suggest Dermalogica Hydro-Active Mineral Salts instead, which will soften and nourish the skin and smell a LOT better than milk!

Fish Pedicures

This Japanese tradition was popular here in the UK a couple of years ago and shops were popping up all over the place, filled with tanks full of dead-skin eating fish. It was rather an acquired taste and eventually lost popularity as it became clear that it was more of a quirk than a really effective dead skin removal method. If you’d rather avoid expensive fish remedies, we’d recommend Dermalogica Exfoliating Body Scrub to help you to slough away dead skin.

Strychnine Pills

Believe it or not, back in Victorian times, if people suffered with acne they would take a pill which included, amongst other ingredients, strychnine! And if you’re thinking “isn’t that poisonous?” then yes, you’re spot on. Getting rid of acne really isn’t worth risking your life over, so we’d suggest taking a look at the Medibac Clearing System from Dermalogica as it contains a whole bunch of non-poisonous acne treatments!

Lead Face Powder

Way back in the 1700’s, people lived in pretty filthy conditions, as well as suffering from all kinds of pox, which left them with less-than-desirable complexions. This meant that they needed something to cover their faces, and nothing worked better than products made from lead. Unfortunately, lead is also wildly carcinogenic, as well as causing pretty serious damage to the central nervous system. If it’s a matte finish you’re looking for, take a look at Decleor Shine Control Oxygenating Fluid, which will moisturise your skin at the same time as cearning excess sebum and shine, leaving you with an even finish.

Crocodile Poo Face Mask

Possibly the most horrific one on our list, according to history books, Romans and Greeks used to make face masks out of crocodile poo. They believed that something in the poop left their skin looking beautiful, which may be true but there’s NO WAY we’d put up with the smell! Opt for Decleor Intense Brightening Mask for a far more hygienic way to condition the skin on your face.

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

The beauty products hiding in your kitchen

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Whilst we might think the best beauty products we own are safely stored in our bathroom cabinets, it could be you are actually missing a trick in the kitchen.

It is very possible that a whole host of chemical-free, inexpensive beauty products are sitting in your cupboards and on your fridge shelves, and you don’t even know it.

We’ve had a look at the natural treasures that not only make food taste great but can actually be part of a smart beauty regime.

Coconut oil is the perfect make-up remover. This multi-tasking product can be used to clear foundation and get rid of the most stubborn mascara. Warm a little in your fingers then gentle massage into your skin, lashes and around the eye area. As you rinse this will gently melt make-up away and leave you with silky smooth skin.

If you find you have left over strawberries, why not use them to whiten your teeth? Sounds crazy, but crush a couple of strawberries, add a pinch of baking soda and mix together. Apply the resulting paste to your teeth and leave for around five minutes before brushing with your regular toothpaste. We promise, you will see a sparkling difference.

If your face is feeling tired and tight, why not go for an olive oil and avocado hydrating mask? Step one is to massage your face with olive oil and then add a whole mashed avocado to you skin. Whilst these potent ingredients get to work place cold tea bags on your eyes and relax for 15 minutes. Remove the mask with warm water and watch your skin glow.

The simple strawberry can also be used to ease the pain of sunburn. Mash up several soft berries and gently smooth them onto the affected skin. You should feel natural relief pretty much straight away and can rinse clean with lukewarm water off several soothing minutes.

Oats don’t just make porridge, they are also a brilliant natural scrub. Put a large handful of oats in your blender and grind them into a fine powder. Add some local honey and natural, organic yogurt to create a thick, but smooth paste. Apply to your body, leave for ten minutes, then massage into your skin before washing off in the shower. This will not only scrub away dead cells but also bring your skin alive.

Forget paraben-packed masks, whisked eggs are a great way to make hair shine. Beat three medium eggs in a bowl together with three tablespoons of olive oil. Apply from the root to the tip of your hair and leave on for half an hour. Wash away with your usual shampoo and watch you hair spring back to life.

Eggs can also be used to make a fantastic face mask. For this you need to soak cotton wool pads in freshly whisked egg whites and place them on your face. Leave the cotton wool to harden and then remove to reveal smooth skin and smaller pores – really!

Get natural highlights from lemons not peroxide. Cut up half a dozen organic lemons and squeeze the juice into a glass or cup before adding the same quantity of organic hair conditioner. Mix together, then massage into your hair before wrapping in a towel and leaving for at least an hour. Wash the mixture off, leave to dry naturally and you should see warm streaks lighten your hair without any chemicals added.

For those of you with red hair, try washing it in cranberry juice for really glossy locks.

So, next time you make dinner, look at the products in front of you see what could make your skin look great.

Decleor, Dermalogica

Beauty Old Wives’ Tales

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old wives talesThere are so many natural beauty remedies which have stood the test of time, being used by generation after generation because of the genuine benefits. There are also a whole load of ‘old wives’ tales’; products which people claim to work for something but which actually have minimal, if any, benefit, or can even sometimes make things worse. Here we take a look at some of the things which definitely DON’T work and offer some highly effective alternatives.

Lemon Juice

For centuries, people claimed that dousing the skin in lemon juice would actually lighten skin tone, and we now know that to be completely untrue. Whilst we don’t recommend using ANY kind of skin bleach, there are some great products such as Decleor Expert Dark Spot Corrector which target areas of hyper-pigmentation and drastically reduce the appearance of dark spots on the skin.

Toothpaste

It’s still hugely common to hear people recommending toothpaste as an on-the-spot treatment for spots, however it’s not really a great idea. Although menthol can have a soothing effect on the skin, all toothpaste will do is dry out the skin and potentially cause further outbreaks. If you need to get a handle on unsightly blemishes, we recommend Dermalogica Emergency Spot Fix, which will kill breakout-causing bacteria deep within pores to clear breakouts fast.

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum Jelly, or Vaseline as it’s more commonly known, is great for a lot of things, such as masking your hairline when dying your hair, but there are other things for which it’s not so great. Old wives’ tales claim that is can help eyelashes grow, which is absolutely untrue, but it’s also not that great as a lip balm either as it actually dries the lips out more. To tackle dry, cracked lips, try Dermalogica Renewal Lip Complex, as it will not only add moisture to the lip area but also actively attack the signs of aging.

Cold Water

It was long said that splashing your face with cold water would help to close pores and minimise their appearance, but it’s now accepted that this is untrue and that pores basically are just the size they are. Keeping your pores super clean will avoid them becoming clogged, so using Dermalogica Precleanse is a good way to stay on top of things.

Hair Brushing

Do you remember watching an older relative faithfully brushing their hair with a hundred strokes every night before bed, claiming is strengthened their hair or made it glossy? Yeah, that’s complete hogwash. In fact, brushing your hair excessively will mainly cause breakage and can also over-stimulate the glands which produce oil, which is not what you want…unless greasy hair is the look you’re going for?! For actually glossy hair, we recommend washing with Dermalogica Shine Therapy Shampoo followed by Dermalogica Silk Finish Conditioner.

Decleor, Skincare Advice

Spring clean your skin with Decleor

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Summer is on the way and what better time to get your skin looking healthy and feeling super soft?

At Pure-Beauty we stock a range of Decleor Aroma Cleanse products that help you achieve really clean, really healthy skin.

Decleor

After the harsh winter months, your skin may thank you for treating it to the Decleor Phytopeel Smooth Exfoliating Cream. This soft cream formula gently exfoliates the skin leaving it fresh and renewed. Not only does it help remove impurities but it also removes dead skin cells and helps stimulate cell renewal. Applying a generous layer once or twice a week can help your skin recover from the cruel winter and leave an even texture and healthy glow.

The skin around your eyes is fragile and needs to be looked after carefully. Decleor Refreshing Eye Make-up Remover is fragrance free and instantly removes make-up including stubborn waterproof mascaras. Suitable for the most sensitive skin and contact lens wearer, this aromatic, paraben-free, formula is packed with Corn Flower Water that soothes and decongests the eyes as well as helping to reduce dark circles. Camellia Oil makes it easy to remove all traces of make-up and helps make skin feel plump and nourished. Shake the bottle before use, and then soak two cotton pads in the lotion before pressing them lightly over the eyes for several seconds. Apply light pressure from the eyelid to the lash line and see your make-up simply disappear.

If you have sensitive skin, look no further than Decleor Soothing Micellar Water. This soft, fragrance-free water delicately but thoroughly cleanses and softens sensitive skins. It is paraben-free and the Rose Essential Oil calms, soothes and protects the skin against external irritants. Natural Bisabol soothe the skin and micro droplets of micellar help clear away nasty impurities and make up. The great thing about this product is that is a 3-in-1 cleanser, toner & eye make up remover, and really does work on all levels.

The Decleor Deep Cleansing Clarifying Clay Mask is packed full of fruit and plant extracts making it both purifying and softening. This creamy product can be used on all skin types and helps dissolve impurities and cleanse the skin without dehydrating it. It refines texture and clears the complexion leaving your skin clear and refreshed. The mask is best used on the face and neck once or twice a week. Apply and on for up to 15 minutes then rinse with warm water and your toner.

When it comes to toners, the Decleor Essential Tonifying Lotion is a great choice. Whilst light, it is the perfect way to awaken your complexion as well as offering comforting hydration to dry skin. This toner is paraben-free but has Neroli Essential Oil that protects and repairs the skin, leaving it radiant. It has a fresh, but not over powering fragrance, after use the skin feels soft with all tightness gone. The ideal way to apply the toner is with a damp cotton pad and then absorb any excess with a tissue before moisturising.

Let us know if you need any help choosing, we are always here.

Health and Happiness, Skincare Advice

Skincare for Redheads

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Redhead. Auburn. Ginger. Flame-haired. Call it what you like, there’s no denying the beauty of the autumnal tones of a flaxen-headed person. However, being a redhead often comes with other issues, especially in the skincare department, so we thought we’d take a look at some skincare ideas especially for those with ginger locks.

Sun protection

In many cases, those of us with red hair also often have very fair skin, leaving us vulnerable to the suns harmful rays. Using a high-factor, broad spectrum sun lotion like Decleor Ultra Protective Hydrating Milk SPF50 Body all year round is absolutely essential.

redheadCoverage

Finding a foundation for alabaster skin can often be really tricky. It’s hard to find something with a pale enough tone and often, traditional foundations can simply look too heavy, even if the colour is right. Opting for a much lighter wash of colour from something like Dermalogica Sheer Tint SPF20 Light will give you just a hint of coverage, as well as a splash of essential moisture, and help you to avoid that mask-like feeling of thicker products.

Eyes

Many people with red hair also have light coloured eyes, often blue, green or even grey and it’s a fact that the lighter your eyes, the more sensitive you will be to light. This could mean that you spend more time squinting and therefore cultivating some pretty mean crows feet! To combat the appearance of fine lines around the eyes, we’d recommend a gentle eye cream such as Decleor Lift and Brighten Eye Cream, which will protect the delicate skin around your eyes and add radiance to the area.

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Cleansing

Cleansing delicate skin can be a minefield – you want to keep it as clean and refreshed as possible, without stripping away the natural sebum and causing issues with over-sensitivity. Opting for a gentle product such as Decleor Soothing Micellar Waterwill help you to keep your face clean while allowing your skin to maintain its natural balance and avoid becoming red, sore and either dry or greasy (or even both).

Anti-Aging

It was recently revealed, through a long-term study, that redheads remain the most visually youthful of any group of people, resisting the signs of aging such as dark spots and wrinkles. However, this doesn’t mean that you can completely avoid any sort of anti-aging products and we would recommend Decleor Mandarine Smoothing Serum. This delicate serum can be used before bed to prevent the first signs of ageing and correct fine lines and wrinkles and offers deep hydration thanks to a number of specially selected botanical oils.

Life and Fashion

Easy ways to have a makeover

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Ever flicked through a magazine and been inspired to change your look but not sure where to start?

Well, the good news is that making small changes and tweaks, you can easily change your look without making a massive commitment or racking up debt.

Change Your Parting
One of the easiest ways to change your look is to change you parting. If you have fine hair go for a deep side parting to create the illusion of fullness. If you tend to be very neat, use a comb to draw a parting and then mess things up as you blow-dry your hair using a serum for added volume. For the perfect imperfect parting, tilt your head downwards so all your hair falls forward, then flip your head back and let the strands fall where they naturally land.

Go for a new lipstick
It might seem small, but swapping your usual bold red lipstick for a nude gloss or tinted lip balm can really change the way you look. If you like to hide away with a pale shade, be brave and try something more striking – you never know, you might like a pop of colour.

Change your brows
With Cara D bring brows back, check yours out as they really can frame your face beautifully if you look after them well. Go for regular waxing or threading to keep the shape maintained, and in between use an eye brow brush to keep them looking sharp. This will open up your eyes and make them sparkle.

Try a coloured mascara
Whilst many of think of blue eye shadow and mascara as a throw back from our school days, it can actually transform your look. Swap your usual black or brown mascara for something a little more adventurous and friends will wonder just what has changed about you. Deep jewel tones, like amethyst, aquamarine and sapphire, darken lashes enough to give definition that really brings out the colour of your eyes.

It’s all about your hair
Whilst your hair is one of the first things that people notice about you, it’s something many of us keep the same as years go by. Go for a style that compliments your face shape, but is a little different from your usual style. Highlights, layers and a fringe are a quick, easy way to change your appearance, and of course, if you don’t like it, it will grow back.

Check your wardrobe
With spring in the air it is the perfect to shake up your your wardrobe and add some colour. If you tend to go for black, grey and navy, be brave and add a splash of colour a couple of times a wee. Love pastels, then go for bolds and if those white shirts are washing you out go for a print and you’ll be amazed at the difference.

Tip top nails
You might not get time to go to the salon every week, but keeping your nails tidy and polished can really make you look great. File them on a weekly basis, use a good hand and nail cream and then change your colours depending on your outfit and mood.

Accessorise away
The easiest, fastest way to liven up your look is to accessorise. Whether it’s a new scarf, bright trainers, over-sized sunglasses or chunky jewellery, these are all simple ways that give you a new look, and confidence, in seconds.

Smile
Yes, it is as simple as that. A smile can be really powerful and not only change your day, but someone else’s too. Keep your teeth clean and bright by brushing and flossing twice a day and visit your dentist every six months.

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Marathon Recovery Tips

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Marathon.Last weekend saw the 35th London Marathon, an iconic 26 mile race run by thousands of participants each year. 26 miles is an awfully long way to run (unless you’re Eddie Izzard, who seems to have turned into a real-life Forrest Gump with all of his running lately!) and it can really take its’ toll on the body. If you were one of this years runners, or simply like to do long-distance running to stay fit, we’ve got some tips on how you can aid your body’s recovery.

Soak Your Feet

Having seen many, many (completely gross!) Instagram posts, post-marathon, of the horrendous blisters caused by running such a long way, soaking your feet after a marathon is basically the law. Although it may sting, using salt is a good way to clean wounds and encourage the healing process, so adding a large handful of Dermalogica Hydro-Active Mineral Salts to your bath is a very wise idea.

After Sun

Okay, so the UK hasn’t seen much (ANY!) sun this year but it’s still completely possible to burn, even when it’s not sunny. If you caught the sun whilst running outside for hours on end, using an after sun to help repair and replenish your skin is a must. Decleor High Repair After Sun Balm for the Face is 100% natural and will intensively repair the skin after prolonged exposure to the sun.

Rub Your Legs

Unless you’re The Flash, it’s hugely possible that you have terribly achy legs after using them for 26 miles of running. Decleor Circulagel Refreshing Leg Gel is a toning gel which helps to increase circulation and reduce fatigue in overworked limbs, and rubbing it into the legs will drastically reduce the heavy feeling that running can cause.

Moisturise

There’s a good chance that between all the running, sweating, chafing and cold air, your will be left in desperate need of moisture replenishment, so treating your body to an all-over layer of rich moisture could be the key to restoring your skin to its former glory. Dermalogica Ultra Rich Body Cream is specially formulated to aid repair to over-sensitised skin and will reduce moisture loss while fighting free radical damage.

Wash Away Sweat

Okay, so washing may seem like a given, but when you run a long way your body sweats and the sweat dries onto your skin, which can cause a real imbalance of moisture. As well as using a clarifying shampoo for your hair, Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash will both purify and condition the skin, leaving you squeaky clean and ready for a WELL deserved rest!

Health and Happiness

The truth about Rosacea

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April is Rosacea Awareness Month but how much do we actually know about this long-term (chronic) skin condition?

Around eight million people in the UK have Rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha) a condition which makes the skin flush easily, causes redness on the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose, and sees the developments of small inflamed red bumps and spots.

Whilst it is more common in women than in men, and in those with a fair skin who flush easily, the actual cause of Rosacea still isn’t fully understood.

A number of factors that are considered include abnormalities in the blood vessels of the face and a reaction to microscopic mites that can be found on the face.

Although not thought to be direct cause of rosacea, possible triggers include:

  • Alcohol,
  • Anxiety and stress,
  • Caffeine
  • High and low temperatures,
  • Spicy foods,
  • Sunlight,
  • Too much exercise

If you are concerned that you, or someone you know, has Rosacea, don’t panic, we are here to help.

Let’s start with what to look for and initially for most people their face feels sensitive, and can burn or sting and they also find them blush and flush more easily. Central parts of the face then become a deeper shade of red, and tends to stay this colour. In most cases the area then develops small red bumps (papules) and pus spots, which tend to come and go in crops. Additionally, in some cases small-dilated blood vessels (telangiectasia) appear on the face and look like thin red lines.

Whilst scarring is really a problem there are other issues associated with this condition:

  • Swelling of the face (lymphoedema), especially around the eyes.
  • The nose may become bigger, red and bulbous (rhinophyma) due to the overgrowth of the sebaceous glands – this tends to happen more with men.
  • Eyes can become red, itchy and sore, they may feel gritty feeling, sensitive to light and in vision can be affected, but this is rare.
  • Rosacea is a relapsing condition, so for many patients there are times when symptoms worse than at others which can causing feelings of anxiety and self consciousness.

The key to keeping all of this under control is to see your GP. No, they can’t wave a magic wand and make it go away, but they can offer you advice, support and a treatment plan.

For most people treatment is a combination of self-help measures and medication that include:

  • Avoiding known triggers such as alcohol and caffeine.
  • Applying cream or gel medications directly onto the skin to reduce spots and redness.
  • Taking oral medication to help clear up more severe spots, such as antibiotics.
  • Some people have laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment which involves beams of light being aimed at the visible blood vessels so they shrink and become less visible.

There is no test for Rosacea, but if you think you are suffering make an appointment with your GP. In most case they can diagnose the condition by examining the skin, asking about symptoms and possible triggers. They will put a treatment plan together so you can start to feel better about you and your skin.

Good luck.