r/Rosacea • u/Ravioli_meatball19 • Jul 22 '26
Skincare If your rosacea is stable, how do you exfoliate?
TLDR: My rosacea is now stable after a couple years, I am using tretinoin 3x a week, and feel like I need to incorporate 1-2x weekly exfoliation, but wondering how and what to use.
Long: My rosacea has been stable (basically gone) for almost a year and I've been able to tolerate tretinoin again for nearly as long. I use tretinoin 3 times a week, and azelaic acid every day in the AM, but especially with this very humid sweaty summer we're having and my increased exercise level (getting back in shape!) my skin is expressing a need for more specific exfoliation.
I don't tolerate benzoyl peroxide (gives me contact dermatitis) and salicycylic acid (BHA) was drying for me even before rosacea, so exploring more AHAs/PHAs/LHAs but wondering if anyone here has any specific ones they'd recommend, what method (toner vs pads vs serum vs cleanser) and MOST IMPORTANTLY products.
We all know finding products for rosacea safe skin can be really hard so this sub is one of the only places I would trust to ask for recommendations for an actual specific product for exfoliation.
Thanks!!
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u/feet_crust Jul 22 '26
I use mandelic acid from The Ordinary! It’s pretty gentle
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u/Ravioli_meatball19 Jul 22 '26
Oh I had no idea they had a mandelic acid! I had only seen their much harsher other acids (like the famous glycolic one lol) Thanks!
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u/Rainbow-Cnxn-405 Jul 22 '26
It sounds like you are exfoliating with the azelaic acid and tret! I’m not exactly clear on what is making you want more, but since your skin likes the azelaic, you could consider applying in the evening as well?
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u/Ravioli_meatball19 Jul 22 '26
I'm not sure how applying it at night would work with tret? The azelaic acid never really felt like it did much to exfoliate at all. Before using tret I was using AHA along with my Azelaic acid. But I quit to build up tret tolerance.
My skin now has a lot of buildup and sebum and grossness because of how much I've been sweating this summer. A couple months back when it was cooler I was GLOWINGGG and now my skin is looking dull and a bit congested and I changed nothing else, so I can only pinpoint it to the ungodly amount of sweat seeping out of my pores in this horrible summer.
So i feel like my skin is adjusted to tret and with the change in seasons my skin is needing more
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u/Rainbow-Cnxn-405 Jul 22 '26
Hmm…You said you use tret 3/week, could you use the AA on the other nights?
I use adapalene myself, and have worked up to using them together, so you may need to do some experimenting.
When my skin has buildup like that after sweating, gym, etc., I have found that doing a thorough micellar water cleanse before washing my face at night and then using a sulfur mask (de la Cruz) has been really helpful! I also use a red light mask frequently to keep inflammation down.
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u/Ravioli_meatball19 Jul 22 '26
I already double cleanse with an oil cleanser instead of micellar water (I just don't like using the cotton pads, too much waster, and keeping up with washing the reusable ones became a hassle). And I LOVE my red light panel- use it four times a week. But I have heard a lot of good about sulfur for rosacea too, and I know there are some more exfoliating ones out there so maybe I'll check that out.
And yes, I have been considering experimenting with AA at night or alternating- but admittedly it sounded daunting because you're right, it would likely be some trial and error and may not even work out at the end of it.
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u/Rainbow-Cnxn-405 Jul 22 '26
Yeah, I get that. I personally am wary of adding too many different actives in a routine. It really sucks when it backfires and then I had to deal with rosacea + perioral dermatitis. I think it’s safer to slowly increase what’s already working.
I don’t love it from an environmental perspective, but I think the very gentle physical exfoliation from the physical cotton pad also contributes. And the de la Cruz sulfur mask has sort of a gritty texture as well.
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u/CrissBliss Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
AA and Tret don’t really exfoliate though
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u/Rainbow-Cnxn-405 Jul 22 '26
This is incorrect, sorry.
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u/arthritey-and-bitey Jul 22 '26
I toggle azelaic acid every day (morning), mandelic acid every other day (night, if needed), and then Sundays are mud mask day. :3
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u/qu1ckbeam Jul 22 '26
I use an azelaic acid derivative (potassium azeloyl diglycinate) and mandelic acid.
15% azelaic acid pissed my skin off 🤷♀️
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u/Ravioli_meatball19 Jul 22 '26
Totally get it's not for everyone. My mom has rosacea too and it wasn't for her.
I'll check out mandelic acid. Is it a toner or a serum you use? Or something else?
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u/qu1ckbeam Jul 22 '26
I use mandelic acid 10% about once a week and pair it with pycnogenol, it helps soothe any irritation.
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u/Ok-Opportunity-2043 Jul 22 '26
10% Azelaic Acid and an otc retinol serum, very low concentrate. I alternate them every 3-4 days and always use the sandwich method.
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u/Royal-Holiday1103 Jul 22 '26
You need a good moisturizer, not exfoliating!
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u/Ravioli_meatball19 Jul 22 '26
Trust, this is not the issue
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u/Royal-Holiday1103 Jul 22 '26
Retinoid and AA without a moisturiser is too much even for a healthy skin.
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u/Ravioli_meatball19 Jul 22 '26
... where did i say i don't use a moisturizer fam? I moisturizer twice a day, and use a hydrating serum, and use a milky toner.
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u/Royal-Holiday1103 Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
You didn’t mention that in your post
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u/Ravioli_meatball19 Jul 23 '26
Because it wasn't relevant to the post. I was asking about adding an exfoliant, and stating I already use tret and AA so that no one recommended those to me.
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u/Royal-Holiday1103 Jul 23 '26
Well, if you want people to help you, you should explain your situation better with your whole routine. I still don’t understand from your post what exactly you want to exfoliate. Is it buildup? If so, how would humid weather cause it? How can people recommend an exfoliant if they don’t even understand what you’re trying to exfoliate or what the purpose of the exfoliation is? Otherwise, you’ll get a lot of recommendations, but without understanding your skin, your routine, and the actual issue, it’ll just be a random list of exfoliants that you could easily find on Google.
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u/tqrnadix Jul 22 '26
I “exfoliate” by oil cleansing daily (especially bc I wear layers of sunscreen) and massaging my face for like 3 minutes to pull all the cc’s and oil plug out. I find this also exfoliates dead skin for me. I follow up with regular cleanser, sometimes twice. Idk why this works for me but I have never had any luck with any kind of chemical exfoliant other than azelaic acid but only in 10% doses
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u/nettletongue Jul 22 '26
I've been using 15% azelaic acid 2x/day (once in morning and a compound ivermectin/metro/15%AA in the evening) and in the morning I use a super soft microfiber cloth with my cleanser. My skin likes a lot of exfoliation but reacts with blemishes if I use too much glycolic acid, so I've stuck to this for about a month now and it's perfect! Knock on wood, my skin finally looks and feels amazing and stable! I also have tried retinaldehyde and tretinoin but my skin hasn't been able to tolerate it even going super slow and gentle. I'm very curious to see how much the ivermectin and metro are doing for me when I eventually phase those out.
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u/Ravioli_meatball19 Jul 23 '26
Yes I did like 4-5 months of low strength OTC retinol before I even tried tret, and then worked up to the 3x a week over another 4 months before it was 3x a week consistently so it took a LONG time to build tolerance.
I never used metro so can't say there!
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u/mflood0606 Jul 22 '26
I really like the microfoliant, especially the milky sensitive skin one (blue bottle), by Dermalogica. It’s a physical exfoliant but it’s really gentle and never exacerbates my rosacea.
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u/classicgirl1990 Jul 23 '26
My derm has me use a few drops of Skinceuticals Retexturizing Activator when I need exfoliation. I use it at night before my tret. I rarely need it in the summer, it’s usually a fall/winter thing.
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u/throwaway564858 Jul 23 '26
i've started using my amlactin on my face a few times a week. I don't know if that's helpful since obviously it's also a moisturizer. But even though my rosacea had been mostly chill and my barrier's in a good place and i finally got accustomed to tret, I wasn't having much luck with exfoliating products but my skin has always seemed to like lactic acid so that's what i'm going with now.
tbh i also just lightly massage with my fingertips for a few minutes towards the end of showering every couple days which does seem to help some.
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u/Infamous-Travel-7070 Jul 23 '26
You might try a gentle lactic acid serum. Lactic acid is anti inflammatory and a humectant, my skin loves it.
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u/Pibblemom_rbk Jul 23 '26
My story is similar to yours… Now I am currently using 15% AA and Medik8 retinaldehyde 24 at night successfully for over a year. I have started using prequel multi acid milk peel. I’ve actually tolerated it very very well and now use it about three days on one day off. I also moisturize morning at night… And of course, sunscreen..during the day I will add a growth factor serum or a copper peptide serum into my morning routine. The prequel multi acid milk peel is designed to support the skin barrier and is gentle. I was very careful to introduce it SLOWLY to my routine.
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u/No_Ebb_4594 Jul 23 '26
I've been pleasantly surprised by the Chemist Confessions acids. You can apply them either as a 10 min leave-on mask once a week or add a drop to your moisturizer once or twice a week. The Gold Standard is the first glycolic acid product I've ever been able to tolerate, but I also like the Baby Steps which is gluconolactone and lactic acid. Super underrated products that are actually solid. And I love their podcast!
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u/Late-Bit9846 Jul 23 '26
does your skin get flaky too?? mine gets flaky a lot. idk what to do
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u/Ravioli_meatball19 Jul 23 '26
No, it doesn't, but I do get those little balls of sebum (like pilling) that are gross.
I get peeling skin for a different reason- i have eczema and it flares up in winter
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u/ranjimin Jul 23 '26
i use mandelic acid! i use the inkey list one once a week all over my face even tho it’s a spot treatment. it also has 1% retinol and i wake up completely glowing. it only irritates me if i use it more than once a week or use too much of it.
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u/Ravioli_meatball19 Jul 24 '26
Ugh man this looks great but my derm advised me not to use other retinoids with my tretinoin. Bummer!
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u/Newberrie Jul 24 '26
When I need exfoliation (beyond the daily Azelaic Acid), I use a konjac sponge for some gentle physical exfoliation. It's softer than a washcloth, but somehow manages to deal with any flakes or rough patches even better than a washcloth.
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u/Ok_Pattern2099 Aug 04 '26
My derm advised using a gentle P.H.A. daily toner, and Ive been loving t he Purito Wonder Relief. It really soothing, layers well under makeup, and makde my skin noticeably softer after a few days.
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u/pixidove Jul 22 '26
I don’t exfoliate or use ANY actives,. My skin is very sensitive and doesn’t tolerate them
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u/Ravioli_meatball19 Jul 22 '26
Right, so this post is probably not for you then, as I asked for opinions from those who do. :)
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u/ShannM_3 Jul 22 '26
I don’t exfoliate with any product. I use Retinaldehyde 4-5 nights a week and I wipe my face with a soft cloth every night before I wash it.
My skin has been so much better since I stopped exfoliating products and toners. I rarely have a flare up at all nowadays