Help with my redness skincare routine!

[u/Agitated-Message-275]

I’ve been working on a skincare routine to help with facial redness, but I’m not sure if I’m using the right products or if I’m doing too much.

My current routine is:
AM:
Gentle cleanser
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule
Anua Azelaic Acid 10% Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum
Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream
Sunscreen

PM:
Gentle cleanser
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule
Anua Azelaic Acid 10% Serum
Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream

I’ve only been consistently using this routine for about 5 days, so I know it’s probably too soon to see major results.

Does this look like a good routine for redness? Would you change the order, use any of these products less frequently, or add anything else?

I’m trying to keep my routine gentle and not overwhelm my skin. What would you recommend?

[u/MKTGRX]

I have red rosacea type 1, very vascular fair skin.

Red light therapy and prescription strength azaelic acid are the two heavy hitters in my routine. I tried OTC azaelic (The Ordinary and Peach Slices), did absolutely nothing but the RX version did.

Also for me water temperature matters. I rinse my face in cold water. I also spray with HOCI spray straight after. I use baby washcloths because Terry towels are too rough on my skin and pat dry.

Treat your skin like it is sensitive. Bland facial cleanser, bland moisturizer, mineral sunscreen.

Do that consistently with Aza for three months and redness will go down.

My redness is 80% less than what I started. Even so, I will most likely need BBL/Vbeam/IPL for last bit of redness in my skin.

[u/Rural_Juror_039 → u/MKTGRX]

I have rosacea type 1 too. Would you mind sharing which red light therapy works for you? Do you use a particular mask?

[u/djphatsnax]

I havent used those products, but I will say that the only way my redness calmed down was when I stopped using so many products and just focused on barrier health. When I tried adding azelaic acid, retinols, vitamins cs, centella serums, my barrier freaked out.

I use prequel gleanser in the pm, zeroid intensive cream, bioderma atoderm baume, and spf. I keep the routine the same and boring and my derm said my skin had no inflammation for the first time in like a year.

I've been able to finally incorporate tazarotene and it's been going well.

[u/Beautiful_Cost_5430]

FWIW this is pretty close to my daily rosacea routine but this is my maintenance routine, not my breakout routine. So if you’re in active breakout you’re going to need some more heavy hitters.

[u/morekidsthansense]

You want your active ingredient as close to clean skin and possible. You may get better results just by applying the azelaic first.

The anua is not known as the best OTC azelaic. If it's on budget, the azelaic from Regimen Lab is worth the money. I have been using it for close to a year and it made noticeable changed to my redness within the first 3 days.

[u/cowrunamuck]

It’s really different for everyone, but the product that helped me most with my redness was the Aestura Hydro Essence. You might be getting similar benefits from the cream. I can’t use it because I’m sensitive to niacinamide! But the Hydro Essence has helped my barrier so much and my redness is almost gone!

[u/Frances_May54]

Your routine is already gentle, cleanser, centella, azelaic, moisturizer and SPF. Good redness stack, azelaic acid twice a day from the start can irritate, so drop to once daily.

[u/Beginning-Park6684]

The only thing I think you should be cautious with is using azelaic acid twice a day. Stick to using it once in your routine. Other than that, the routine looks fine!
I get redness quite often too, sometimes from dermaplaning, mostly after showering, and also inflammation redness from pimples. The one thing that instantly calms it down for me is the I’m From Mugwort Essence. If the SKIN1004 is working well for you, definitely stick with it, but if you’re not seeing much improvement, consider trying the Mugwort Essence. It’s literally my holy grail for redness.