I Have Chronic Rosacea — This Is The Only Skincare Routine That Helps

I have vivid memories of growing up with pink-toned skin but some really stick out. I played a lot of sport at school and I remember wondering why my face would go so red compared to other girls in my class but, as my family had similar complexions, I brushed it off. When I went to university, nights out would be cut short by trips to the bathroom to splash cold water on my red hot, pulsating face. Arriving late to a crowded lecture hall would trigger a flush that would last for hours, and staying in for a big takeaway with my flatmates would result in a swollen face peppered with pustules. I was at a loss. I’d never had ‘bad’ skin. In fact, I had never even considered a skincare routine. I assumed the excessive redness must be an <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/chemicals-in-skincare-products-parabens-sulphates" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">allergic reaction</a> or an infection of some kind — something short-term and easily fixed. So you can imagine my surprise when the university GP explained, “It’s <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/best-skincare-products-rosacea" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">rosacea</a> — and there isn’t a cure.” <a href="https://medium.com/refinery29/i-have-chronic-rosacea-this-is-the-only-skincare-routine-that-helps-f1ed5e4f19fb">Read More</a>