Already posted this in OSNW but thought I'd post here as well since I am borderline DSNW - sorry if you read this twice! - Chili

Hi Everyone,

I am a new member here so I just wanted to introduce myself and thank you all for contributing to such a informative and helpful site! I was also wondering whether anyone could give me some advice on a few questions I had...

Firstly, like some other 'borderline oily/ dry' members have mentioned, I am having difficulty working out which products from the book will most likely be suitable for me, since those recommended for OSNW and DSNW are very different. I know from past experience that my face tends to react angrily (ie redness, drying out, cracking or, sometimes, producing much more oil than usual in protest) to things like foaming cleansers, gels, acne washes (even salicylic acid) and other products designed for oily skin. On the other hand, I am somewhat reluctant to go to the other extreme, and use the oil cleansers, cold creams or moisturizers listed in the DSNW section, as I have a tendency towards breaking out. There has got to be a happy medium . For the last 8 years, I have been using Cetaphil Liquid (blue bottle, fragrance-free one for dry, sensitive skin) and it has worked well for me, up until recently. In the last few weeks, quite often, it burns/ stings my face when I apply it! I am very gentle when I apply it and the water here is soft. Any ideas why this might be happening? I am guessing my skin barrier must suddenly have become disrupted or something? I haven't changed my skin-care routine at all, except for occasionally putting some moisturizer on my cheeks only, and the ongoing and thankless quest of trying to find a suncream that my face will accept, haha. And even then, I have only been applying a 'trial suncream' for one day every week (and avoiding the sun for the other 6 days). Can anyone with a similar skin type recommend another gentle, not-too-expensive cleanser I could try, at least on a temporary basis until I stop reacting to the Cetaphil? I live in Canada so a lot of products are unavailable to me (Eucerin Redness Relief, Vanicream, etc).

Secondly, I have noticed that my rosacea (redness/ flushing subtype) has become much worse over the past few months, to the point where my face is almost constantly flushed like a beetroot and often accompanied by a mild burning sensation. It seems to react now to almost everything: eating warm food (please don't let this mean I can only eat cold food for the rest of my life - argh!), spices, emotions, heat, cold, showers, products, wind, sun, emotion, you name it. I always used to have a tendency towards flushing, but it has become a lot more frequent, prolonged (eg lasting hours to days after a 'trigger') and severe (my face often feels like it is 'on fire' now). I would greatly appreciate any advice, it is driving me crazy! I've already tried the Aveeno Ultra Calming Moisturizing Cream (SPF 15), with feverfew, and it just made me redder and more blotchy. I know I should go and see a dermatologist, and I'm working on it but, where I live, there are hugely long waiting lists for doctors, let alone specialists, so it could be a long time until I get a referral... I know the book says to seek treatment sooner rather than later as it can prevent rosacea from developing to its later stages. Does this mean that doing nothing about it is causing irreversible damage???

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for any advice you can give!

Chili.