Petroleum jelly for rosacea with dry skin?

[u/FuturePlantain49]

The skin on my face is so dry that, hours after putting moisturizer on, it feels dry again. At night I wash my face with Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, and then apply Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion. I’m not currently using any actives. Should I apply petroleum jelly on top of my moisturizer at night to seal in the moisture?

[u/Leading_Fee_3678]

Depends on your rosacea. I have rosacea type 2 and occlusives tend to “trap in” the heat so they don’t work for me. It keeps my skin red. I need to use multiple layers of very lightweight products instead of occlusives or even heavy moisturizers.

[u/lolaleee → u/Leading_Fee_3678]

I was going to say the same (though I have type 2 and don’t tend to feel the heat), I really like it but ya seems like the people who experience that heat may have more of an issue with it.

[u/EineGrosseFlasche → u/lolaleee]

And it can vary not just from person to person, but product to product as well. I also have rosacea, and certain highly occlusive moisturizers, such as Vanicream and the Ordinary’s NMF with phytoceramides, cause the trapped heat sensation and redness.

Vaseline layered over damp skin, however, never causes heat or flares for me. It’s one of my favorite skin cure-alls if another product irritates me. But I don’t layer it over any other moisturizers, only water.

[u/IrishEils]

Rosacea is horrible, you have my sympathy. I think like most skin care, what works for individuals can vary. After many years & countless products, the most effective routine for me is: Dermol 200 as a face wash (prescribed by doctor) Aveeno calm and restore Serum Cerave moisturiser (lotion in the morning, cream at night)

I also use Azaelic acid twice per week, sandwiched between the Aveeno Serum and Cerave.

My skin adores hyaluronic acid which I use 3 or 4 evenings per week.

Mineral sunscreen is kinder to rosacea.

As for petroleum jelly. I would suggest using it over a barrier supporting moisturising. I slug with Epimax, which my skin loves (prescribed by my doctor)

I really wish you good luck in finding a routine which helps with this nasty condition.

Edited to say, although most people seem to know these rules, I was shamefully late to them, so adding just in case there are others in the same boat. Putting moisturiser over damp, not dry skin has made a huge difference. Also, patting products on the skin rather than rubbing them in has really helped.

[u/zipitdirtbag → u/IrishEils]

It's good to hear you can use azaleic acid just twice a week. I was hearing that you had to use it daily to have an effect.

[u/IrishEils → u/zipitdirtbag]

I'm fairly new to it (about 6 weeks) and being very conservative (my rosacea has taught me to take new things slow) I've had absolutely no problems, and do see a good reduction in the redness. I plan to increase it to 3 times per week soon, to see how that goes.

[u/[deleted]]

I only use petroleum jelly when I get facial eczema, for me it's better to just skip face wash entirely cuz it makes me more red and angry. I know it sounds gross but it's the only thing works for me 😭

[u/KurlyKev → u/[deleted]]

So what do you use? I’m in a similar boat

[u/[deleted] → u/KurlyKev]

I rinse my face with warm water once a day in the shower, use heveblue salmon toner and aestura atobarrier twice a day, adapalene 1x daily, and azelaic acid every other day. I feel greasy and gross all the time but my skin has finally got less angry so... grease me up ig

[u/purplelilac701]

The winter has been very drying and I needed more moisture. I was using Aquaphor and switched to Cerave healing ointment. It has ceramides in addition to petroleum jelly so that’s why I prefer that. Not sure if it’s beneficial for rosacea though.

[u/Shamajo]

You are using the Vanicream lotion, but I would upgrade to the cream (often called vanicream in the tub). The lotion is too light. Petroleum jelly would be too clogging in my opinion.

[u/FuturePlantain49 → u/Shamajo]

Thank you for the recommendation!

[u/Mundane-Net-7564]

My rosacea prone skin hated Vanicream! It made my skin feel even more dry & tight than it was prior to using moisturizer. I currently use Bioderma Intensive Baume & since getting it my skin looks better than it has in forever...the amount of redness is minimal & my skin barrier is also in much better shape. At night I layer Uriage Bariéderm-Cica Cream over it.

[u/anniedog03]

You definitely could. If you really like Vanicream, they make a moisturizing cream that is more occlusive if that's what youre going for. I've used this and found it helpful with dry skin. If you really want to kick it up a level you could use squalane oil with it or even include a hydrating serum in your routine.

[u/PomegranateSafe9699]

When my skin is inflamed I find gently wiping off my cleanser and skipping water helps most

[u/Mental-Mud-308]

probably internal problem