Somehow, I breezed through high school with nary a break-out, but now that I’m all grown up, I occasionally get taken down by rosacea, one of those really annoying skin afflictions that seemingly has no cause (spicy food, red wine, sleep deprivation, who knows). Christine Chin—an 11-fingered miracle worker (true, on both accounts) who has a namesake spa on Orchard Street in New York—managed to get my rosacea to clear out years ago, but with the stress of the move, it’s sneaking back onto my face. And alas, I’m no longer in New York and can’t deposit myself on her table, which breaks my heart (she’s also hilarious and gives fascinating accounts of dealing with various skin afflictions). I’m not at risk for developing a bulbous, red nose anytime soon, but it is irritating enough that I find myself leaning pretty heavily on Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer (she also suffers from rosacae) to cover up the redness in my cheeks. Left to my own devices, I can only rely on Christine’s advice, which I thought I’d share with any other rosacea sufferers out there.
Contrary to what every dermatologist might tell you (they’ll tell you to leave your skin alone), you have to exfoliate like crazy. (Apparently our skin is baby-like, and easy to suffocate with dry skin on top.) Christine used seemingly-severe microdermabrasion on me, and it worked, quickly. Since I don’t have one of those machines lurking in my closet, I’m using a scrub twice a week (or every time I feel “plaque” under my fingertips), toner from her line, plus her hydrating cream. (Her product line rocks.) Fingers crossed that I can banish the tinted moisturizer by December. Do any of you have any other tricks?
clockwise, l-r: CHANEL PRECISION GOMMAGE MICROPERLE POLISHING GEL, $40.00, BEAUTYENCOUNTER.COM; LAURA MERCIER TINTED MOISTURIZER, $42.00, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE; CHRISTINE CHIN HYDRATING TONER, $28.00, CHRISTINE CHIN; CHRISTINE CHIN PERFECT HYDRATING CREME, $39.00, CHRISTINE CHIN.
I just got diagnosed with adult acne. It’s such a bummer. I love Josie maran argan oils and I can’t live without my Clarisonic. I bet the Clarisonic would be helpful for you too. I use it with exfoliators as well.
Good luck. I’ll have to check out Christine Chin for myself.
Good call – I actually have TWO Clarisonics (one stays permanently packed in my carry-on bag). But I generally just use it with a cleanser. It’s super gentle, though…big fan. Do you remember hearing when you were a child that all skin issues would clear out by college? What was up with that? LIES!