By Kaitlyn McLintock

As someone who’s struggled with rosacea for years, I can confidently say that it’s is one of the most stubborn—not to mention irritating—skin conditions to manage. It’s not just the chronic redness (although that’s difficult to deal with in of itself); it’s also the sensitivity, the burning sensation, and the small red bumps that pop up in large expanses across my face. Luckily, over the course of a few years, I’ve found ways to quiet my rosacea, so that it doesn’t loom as large in my mind (or in my mirror), but it took time, research, and a lot of trial-and-error to do so.

What Is Rosacea?

What I’ve found is that the first step in managing rosacea is to understand what it is in the first place. While the causes of rosacea are still unknown, we do know that it’s an inflammatory skin condition that presents itself in a variety of ways. Signs and symptoms range from chronic redness and sensitivity to rash-like bumps, visible blood vessels, and thickening of the skin, among other things. While it’s best to see a dermatologist to diagnose and treat the condition, there are some things you can do at home to lessen its effects.

What Triggers Rosacea?

Common triggers of rosacea encompass everything from certain lifestyle habits to specific types of weather and skin and hair products. Things like stress, heat, cold, wind, exercise, spicy food, alcohol, and sunlight can all trigger flare-ups. Some people say excessive caffeine consumption triggers their rosacea, so all coffee lovers beware.

While my daily coffee doesn’t seem to make a difference in my case, I notice that sunlight, heat, and exercise do. In fact, my worst flare-ups are usually in the summertime, especially after I spend time at the beach on warm days. That’s why I’ve taken to wearing SPF daily and limiting my sun exposure in general. I also turn on the A/C when temperatures soar and cool down as quickly as possible after a workout.

What Skincare Products Should You Avoid?

We need to talk about the skincare products that can make rosacea worse, because there are quite a few. To calm and prevent flare-ups, it’s recommended that you stay away from products that contain strong acids (such as glycolic acid), artificial fragrance, and alcohol. Also be wary of sulfates and astringent ingredients, which can prove too irritating for skin that’s already sensitive and inflamed. Don’t use harsh physical exfoliators, either. One of the worst things you can do is inflame your skin further by rubbing it with harsh granules.

What Skincare Products Should You Use?

Dr. G recommends reaching for skincare products that contain soothing ingredients like vitamin K, arnica, and tea extracts. These ingredients reduce redness and inflammation. Try Dr. Goldfaden’s Pure Start Gentle Detoxifying Facial Cleanser, which will cleanse the skin from dirt, makeup, and impurities without stripping it of moisture (it’s safe for even the most sensitive skin). The Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate is another good option for fellow rosacea sufferers. It contains the aforementioned arnica, which is helpful for calming skin around the eye area.

Another product worth investing in is the Radical Difference Advanced Antioxidant Serum, which contains tea extracts that calm and soothe the skin. Regular application of this fragrance-free serum can even reduce the appearance of redness.

As someone who’s tried it all, trust me. Recognizing your skin’s triggers and using the right products works wonders to calm and quiet rosacea. With that being said, you don’t have to find all the answers on your own. As with any skin concern or condition, it’s best to see a dermatologist if you think you’re struggling with rosacea. After all, only an expert can give you a true diagnose and thoroughly answer all questions pertaining to your unique skin.

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Kaitlyn McLintock is a beauty and wellness writer based in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in such publications as Popsugar, Byrdie, Hello Giggles, Who What Wear, and more. When she’s not writing, researching, and editing, or testing out the latest skincare and makeup products, she’s drinking coffee and spritzing Goldfaden’s Mist RX all over her skin.

By Kaitlyn McLintock

There are people who use oils and moisturizers interchangeably. If parched skin presents itself, they reach for whichever product is closest to them, either distributing a few drops of a silky oil around the skin or dispensing a dollop of creamy moisturizer. Any moisturizing product is better than none, so by that logic, oils, and moisturizers are kind of the same thing, right? The answer is not quite. Let us explain.

While it’s true that both oils and moisturizers alleviate the look and feel of dehydrated skin, they do so differently, and in order to use these products most effectively, you need to know how and why they work the way that they do. Before we get ahead of ourselves, however, we need to add 2 new words to our skincare vocabulary—humectant and occlusive.

Let’s start with the word humectant first. A humectant is anything that pulls water into the skin, either from the air or a topical product (popular humectants include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera). These ingredients literally increase the amount of water that’s present in our skin cells, thus hydrating our skin. An occlusive, on the other hand, is something that forms a barrier on the skin, preventing the water that’s already in our skin from leaving it.

So, how does that apply to the oil vs. moisturizer debate? Well, to put it simply, oils are occlusives, and moisturizers are humectants. In other words, oils trap water in the skin, preventing trans-epidermal water loss (which is otherwise known as TEWL), but they don’t pull any added water in. Moisturizers, on the other hand, are often formulated with humectants such as glycerin or aloe vera as the primary ingredient, meaning they have the ability to draw new water into our skin cells.

Keep in mind that this isn’t necessarily a hard and fast rule, because there are many products on the market that include both humectants and occlusives as ingredients. Take Goldfaden’s Vital Boost Moisturizer, for instance. This antioxidant-rich moisturizer is formulated with a combination of glycerin and hyaluronic acid (humectants), and jojoba and grapefruit oil (occlusives). This fusion of ingredients hydrates the skin instantly and keeps that hydration there long-term.

Because oils and moisturizers work differently, one isn’t necessarily better, or more effective, than the other. In fact, many people use moisturizers and oils in tandem (this is our favorite tip, especially for those of us who live in cold climates or are prone to dry skin). After cleansing, toning, and treating the skin, apply a moisturizer. After the moisturizer is applied, follow up with an oil. Why the back-to-back application, you ask? It’s simple. The oil will seal in the moisturizer, keeping the skin hydrated for longer and warding off the dreaded tenants of dry skin such as redness, flakiness, and itchiness. (We like using the Fleuressence Native Botanical Cell Oil, which is formulated with a mix of omega fatty acid-rich oils—including baobab, Kalahari, rosehip, and jojoba oils).

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Kaitlyn McLintock is a beauty and wellness writer based in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in such publications as Popsugar, Byrdie, Hello Giggles, Who What Wear, and more. When she’s not writing, researching, and editing, or testing out the latest skincare and makeup products, she’s drinking coffee and spritzing Goldfaden’s Mist RX all over her skin.

Name: Cheyenne Adler 

Location: Brooklyn, NYC

Age: 25

 

Tell us a little about yourself…

I’m a curly-haired Capricorn on a mission to make the most out of every day I’m given! I dream of moving to Bali or Tulum (give me all the tropical sanctuary vibes) and love ending the day with a bit of cannabis and a cocktail. 

Can you describe your skin type? 

I have combination skin that tends to react to seasonal and hormonal changes so I do like to switch up my products based on what my skin needs!

What are your skin goals?

I’m all about the glow, baby! My definition of skin goals is clear, hydrated, glowing skin.

What do you look for when creating a skincare routine? 

I’m super low maintenance so I really love it when my routine is streamlined and every step or product is targeted to meeting my skin’s needs! I’ve been making the move to all clean products this year and I’m really excited about that! 

First thoughts when trying the Bodycare Regimen

BEFORE

The first thing I noticed after using Goldfaden MD for a week was how soft and smooth my skin felt. I typically forget about exfoliation in my routine, but after using the Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub, I don’t think I’ll ever stop exfoliating regularly. There’s a noticeable difference in the way my skin feels after cleansing with the Pure Start and mixing that with a bit of the Doctor’s Scrub. My face feels clean and physically lighter (bye bye dead skin!). 

2nd week… We’re seeing magic happen! I’ve always been pretty insecure about my dark circles and any small discoloration that comes from blemishes in the past so I am so excited to see how well the Wake Up Call and Bright Eyes have worked with my skin. After applying the two products at night, I wake up not only feeling refreshed but looking like I got a full night’s beauty sleep. My eyes are less dark and puffy and the discoloration on my skin has definitely brightened up. It makes me so happy to have products that really do the work! 

AFTER

3rd week… It’s like night and day from when I began this skincare routine! My skin texture is smooth and hydrated with my pores tighter than they’ve ever been! Hallelujah! What I love most about the results of the Bodycare Regimen is that I can see AND feel a difference in my skin. My skin tone has evened out and is brighter than ever. I’m feeling more confident with the appearance of my under eyes and I’m so excited that I’ve found clean products that really work. 

Is clean beauty something that you feel passionate about?

Definitely. I think you can really tell a difference in how your skin feels and responds to clean products. In these past few years (my post-college years lol), I’ve started caring more about what it means to be “healthy” and have good overall “wellness” and ultimately, it all comes down to caring about what you’re putting into AND onto your body. Your skin is the largest organ in your body so we’ve got to give it only the best of the best and when it comes to skincare, that’s clean beauty. 

What else do you feel passionate about?

I’m extremely passionate about mental wellness and destigmatizing the occurrence of mental illness in black women. As a recovering work-a-holic who lives with daily anxiety and depression, I know what it feels like to not understand what’s happening in your brain and wish more than anything that there was someone who looked like you to hold your hand and say everything is going to be OK. I’d really like to be that person for other people. 

How do you stay focused and motivated throughout the day?

I try to schedule my day in productivity blocks so that I know when I need to focus on certain things, but also have time to decompress and let my mind rest between switching projects. As someone who mentally switches between multiple projects and type of work daily, I’ve learned rest is crucial to staying motivated without burnout. 

What are some of your favorite foods that keep your skin healthy?

I love avocados in all contexts: guacamole, smoothies, salads – if it has avo in it, i love it. 

What’s on your WFH playlist?

Currently, I have ‘WAP’ by Cardi B and Meg Thee Stallion on repeat! 

Fill in the blank:     Living life without a plan     is underrated.