Emma’s Rosacea Journey

❤️‍🩹 Advocating for Yourself

When it comes to rosacea, or any long-term skin condition, we all know about the physical symptoms. The redness, the flushing, the burning and the spots. But what often isn't talked about enough are the emotional and psychological effects of living with a condition that affects your face every single day. It can knock your confidence, leave you feeling isolated and, at times, completely overwhelmed. That's why I'm such a big believer in advocating for yourself.

Sadly, not every GP has the time, knowledge or experience to answer every question we have. That doesn't mean they don't care. Rosacea is a complex condition, appointments are often very short, and sometimes you have to be the one to ask the questions.

If you leave an appointment feeling confused, unheard or with more questions than answers, it's okay to ask again. It's okay to ask why. It's okay to ask what your other options are. And if something doesn't feel right, or you've been using a treatment for months with little or no improvement, it's okay to ask for your case to be reviewed or to request a referral to a dermatologist.

Nobody knows your skin better than you do.

Over the years I've spoken to thousands of people living with rosacea, and one thing has become very clear - no two journeys are ever the same. What works brilliantly for one person may not work for another. The more you understand your rosacea, the more confident you'll become in making decisions about your own skin and having meaningful conversations with your healthcare professional.

Advocating for yourself isn't about being difficult. It's about being involved in your own care, and that's something every patient deserves.

If you'd like to understand rosacea in more depth, I've brought together everything I've learnt over the last 15+ years in my e-book, Rosacea Success: A Clear Plan for Calmer, More Predictable Skin.

My hope is that it gives you the knowledge and confidence to better understand your own skin and feel less alone on your journey.

Written from lived experience 📕

Link in comments 🤗📕❤️‍🩹

❤️‍🩹 So, what's the difference between CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and the Aldi dupe?

Honestly... not a great deal.

Both are gentle, non-foaming, hydrating cleansers designed for sensitive, reactive and redness-prone skin. They have very similar textures, similar ingredient profiles, and in my experience they behave almost identically on the skin.

I've used both for years and, in all honesty, I love them both. In fact, I always stock up on the Aldi version when I see it in store! It just goes to show that a higher price tag doesn't automatically mean a better product.

If you prefer a well-known brand, go for CeraVe. If you're doing your weekly shop in Aldi, don't be afraid to pick up the Lacura version instead. I honestly haven't found one to outperform the other.

For me, the real win isn't the brand name - it's choosing a gentle, non-foaming cleanser that cleanses your skin without leaving it feeling tight, dry or irritated. Both of these do exactly that. ❤️‍🩹

Have you tried either of them? I'd love to hear which one you prefer ❤️‍🩹

❤️‍🩹 Has this heatwave made your rosacea flare?

My inbox has been full over the last couple of days with messages and photos from people saying they're suddenly flushing more or waking up with new spots.

Firstly... please don't panic. ❤️

Heatwaves are one of the biggest rosacea triggers. Add in extra sweating, reapplying SPF throughout the day and spending more time outdoors, and it's no surprise our skin can become a little grumpy.

One thing I've learnt is not to fight my skin during weather like this.
Instead, I simplify everything.
Because most of the SPFs I use are already quite moisturising, I often skip a separate moisturiser in very hot weather. That's what works for my skin, but we're all different, so always listen to yours.

A few other things that help me:
💦 Gently rinse sweat from your face with cool (not ice-cold) water.

🧴 Keep reapplying your SPF if you're outside.

🤍 Try not to introduce any new skincare while your skin is already feeling irritated.

🌬️ Keep your routine simple until your skin settles.

A heatwave flare doesn't automatically mean your rosacea is getting worse.

It doesn't mean your treatment has stopped working.

It doesn't mean you've undone months of progress.

It simply means your skin is reacting to the weather.

Be kind to yourself, keep as cool as you can, and remember... this weather won't last forever.

❤️‍🩹 Has anyone else's rosacea become more active this week? Tell me below so others know they're not the only one.

Ps… if I’ve not responded yet -
I will, it’s been a busy few days.

Em ❤️‍🩹🥵☀️

🥵 With yet another UK heatwave on the way, and tomorrow set to be an absolute scorcher, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite tips for keeping rosacea a little more comfortable. ❤️‍🩹

💦 A cold wet flannel – old-school but brilliant! Keep re-wetting it and place it over your cheeks, forehead or neck. I also like to sit near a fan while using one.

🌬️ Use a fan wisely – if you can, place a bowl of ice or frozen water bottles in front of the fan for a cooler breeze.

🪟 Keep blinds and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day to help keep your home cooler.

🛏️ Pop your pillowcase, pyjamas or even your bedsheets in the freezer (inside a clean bag) for around 20–30 minutes before bed. It can make those hot nights much more comfortable.

🥤 Stay hydrated – while water won't cure rosacea, dehydration can make your skin feel even more reactive.

🌳 Stay in the shade where possible and try to avoid being out during the hottest part of the day.

💨 Cooling facial sprays can also feel lovely during a flush. One of my favourites is the Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray. If you'd like to take a look, you can find it in my Amazon shop here: https://amzn.to/44Sd8xV

❤️‍🩹 Most importantly... don't panic if your skin flares. Heat is one of the most common rosacea triggers, and a flare during a heatwave doesn't mean you've gone backwards. Once the weather cools, your skin will often settle again.

What are your favourite hot weather tips? Let's help each other through this one! ☀️

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you ☀️😅❤️‍🩹

❤️‍🩹 Sometimes we forget just how much our skin barrier influences rosacea flare-ups.

Your skin barrier is your protective shield. It helps keep moisture in and irritants out. When it’s weakened, everything can feel more reactive - burning, redness, stinging, or sensitivity to things that never used to bother you.

Supporting your barrier doesn’t need to be complicated. Keeping your routine simple, avoiding harsh cleansing or over-exfoliating, and focusing on gentle hydration can make a real difference over time. Consistency matters far more than doing lots of things at once.

Sometimes it’s not about adding more… it’s about calming everything down so your skin has the chance to recover.

If you feel your skin reacts to products it never used to - it might be time to look at barrier repair first ❤️‍🩹

Have a lovely weekend all ☺️

I’m Still Learning and so should you! ❤️‍🩹

So many things contributed to my improvement – using skincare designed for rosacea and sensitive skin, topical treatments, a few carefully chosen supplements and finding healthy distraction.

For me, my happy place is the garden as long as the weather isn’t as crazy as it’s been of late 🥵🙏🏼

When I say I’m “in remission”, I mean exactly that. I’m not cured – I’m managing it better.

Once you receive a diagnosis, learning about your new rosacea prone skin is paramount- things then often begin to feel less overwhelming. You start recognising patterns. What once felt complicated becomes simpler.

* Less truly is more.
* Less ingredients.
* Less products.
* Less stress = Better skin.

I got it wrong for years. I’m not a dermatologist and I certainly didn’t know much about rosacea in the beginning.

Now, I have a great relationship with my skin. That took time & education. It took repairing damage I didn’t even realise I was causing. It took patience to find the right treatment and get the balance right.

Everything that helped me on my road to remission in my 100 + page Ebook.
And it’s available for instant
download ☺️❤️‍🩹

Link in comments. ❤️‍🩹

❤️‍🩹 What readers are saying about Rosacea Success 📕

I’ve been blown away by the feedback over the last few days, so I wanted to share a few of the lovely reviews from our community:

• “One of the best support books for rosacea I’ve ever read. No nonsense, no fluff - just solid guidance.”

• “Finally I understand my skin. No dermatologist ever explained rosacea like this.”

• “I read it in one day. I wish I’d had it 15 years ago. It reminded me of everything I’d forgotten and helped me get back on track.”

• “Emma is a calming, reassuring voice in the anxious world of rosacea. This book is invaluable.”

• “It’s a hidden gem. I refer back to it whenever I flare and need guidance.”

Seeing how much it’s helping people means the world to me. This community is the reason I wrote it, and I’m so grateful for every single message. ❤️‍🩹🥹

My 100+ page digital e-book is available for instant download after purchase. Links in comments 🙏🏼❤️‍🩹📕

Ingredients Rosacea Commonly Struggles With ❤️‍🩹

One of the biggest lessons I learnt on my rosacea journey was that more isn't always better.

For years, I was unknowingly using ingredients that were making my skin angrier, not calmer. Once I understood what my skin was struggling with, everything started to change.

Of course, everyone with rosacea is different and what irritates one person may not bother another. But these are some of the ingredients that many people with rosacea often find difficult to tolerate.

❤️‍🩹 Retinoids
Can be too stimulating and may increase redness, dryness and burning, especially if your skin barrier is already compromised.

❤️‍🩹 Strong exfoliating acids
Ingredients such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid can disrupt an already fragile skin barrier.

❤️‍🩹 Fragrance
Whether natural or synthetic, fragrance is a common trigger for stinging, irritation and flushing.

❤️‍🩹 Essential oils
Lavender, tea tree and peppermint may sound soothing but can be surprisingly irritating for sensitive, rosacea prone skin.

❤️‍🩹 Alcohol in skincare
Some alcohols can be very drying and may worsen irritation and inflammation.

❤️‍🩹 High strength vitamin C
L ascorbic acid is often too acidic for rosacea prone skin and can cause stinging or redness.

❤️‍🩹 Harsh foaming cleansers
If your skin feels tight after cleansing, your cleanser may be stripping away your skin's natural barrier.

❤️‍🩹 Physical scrubs
Rosacea and facial scrubs rarely go hand in hand. They can cause tiny amounts of damage that lead to irritation and flare ups.

❤️‍🩹 Menthol and mint derivatives
That cooling sensation isn't always a good thing. These ingredients can trigger flushing in some people.

❤️‍🩹 Witch hazel
Often marketed as calming, but it can be drying and irritating for rosacea prone skin.

❤️‍🩹 Benzoyl peroxide
A common acne treatment, but often far too harsh for rosacea and can leave skin feeling sore and inflamed.

Remember, skincare isn't about using the most products or the strongest ingredients. It's about finding what your skin is happy with.

Less really is more. ❤️‍🩹

When reviews as lovely as this start coming in - I truly get emotional. Thank you so much Catherine for your kind words ❤️‍🩹🙏🏼📕🚀☀️