My Winter Rosacea Skincare Routine

It's freezing and I hate it but these are the products making it less terrible

Photo by Jo Jo on Unsplash

I’m trying something new today and taking a post I’d usually put on my blog and sharing it here on Substack instead. I’m trying to see whether Substack could potentially host my personal writing and my rosacea content. There’s a poll at the bottom of this post related to this, so please vote and make your voice heard!

As always, here’s a disclaimer: I’m sharing this to show you an example of the order of my routine, this is not a prescriptive list of things that I think every person should be using. This will be far too much faff for some, but it works for me.

I have type 1 and type 3 rosacea, with classic combination skin. My rosacea is mostly under control with no active flare ups.

This post is here to serve as a jumping off point for you, so you can do research and then apply your findings to your skin type, budget, energy levels etc.

Anything with a * is a PR sample, if there isn’t one that means I bought it myself. Links may be affiliate, which means that if you purchase from my link I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you. It’s a great way to support my free content here and I really appreciate everyone who uses my links!

This post was written alongside a separate one on my blog, where I shared all of my best tips for surviving winter with rosacea. It’s a great place to start if you’re wanting to take a rounded approach to your skin. You can read it HERE.

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EVENING SKINCARE ROUTINE

Cleanser

I choose my cleansing formula depending on what I’m removing from my skin, and how my skin is feeling that day. I apply to dry skin, rub in, add water to emulsify, and then remove with my hands and tepid water. I find flannels/washcloths too aggravating over time and using anything warmer than tepid will dry out and irritate my skin.

• Cream/gel cleanser: This is my standard, everyday cleansing step. I typically use a gel or a cream, depending on how my skin is feeling. My most used ones are the No7 Derm Solutions Comforting Cream Cleanser (currently less than £8!) or La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser.

• Cleansing balm: I love a cleansing balm when I’ve been wearing make up as it removes everything so quickly and easily, using oil to break down make up with minimal rubbing. In my eyes, the Elemis Naked Cleansing Balm is perfect (make sure you’re getting the ‘Naked’ version, as that one has no fragrance).

Spritz

A spritz step in your routine is very much a ‘nice to have’. Personally, I flipping love using one to add a little oomph to my skincare routine, but if you don’t have the time, money, or energy, don’t worry about it.

• My current favourite is the Curel Intensive Moisture Spray.

Eye Cream

I’ve been using the No7 Future Renew Eye Serum for a while and my undereyes haven’t been this happy in ages. They look and feel less dry, less crepey, and my make up definitely goes on better. I don’t think eye creams are essential for anybody, but if you think your undereyes could use a little help, this is a great one to start with.

Serum

I have two steps to my serum routine, which is excessive for most people. I’ll repeat what I said above: do what you can be bothered to do, what you can afford to do, or what your skin can tolerate. This works for me, but your skin/life may be different.

• Essence/Lotion: I use the Dr Jart Intensive Soothing Repair Treatment Lotion*. Lotions or essences are like really liquid-y serums and this one is great. You only need a few drops for the whole face, so this bottle will last me ages.

• Serum: I’ve been using the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum* (which I’ve just checked and I first reviewed it on my blog 11 years ago - bonkers!) It’s a cult product for a reason and my skin is loving it.

Moisturiser

• Five nights a week, I’ve been using the Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream, which I got in the Amazon Prime sale. It’s a really great, standard moisturiser that has made a nice addition to my winter routine.

• The remaining two nights a week, I’ve been using the COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Overnight Spa Mask (which I also got in the Prime sale for a ridiculous £11!) I’d heard such good things about this, and I’m happy to say they’re all true. This is such a gorgeous product, one that I really see and feel a difference the following morning after use. I wish I’d stocked up at that price, then I’d be using it every night!

Lip Balm

• The Laneige Sleeping Mask in ‘vanilla’ is absolutely saving my lips in this weather. It’s thick without being sticky, leaves my lips feeling incredibly, and smells absolutely divine. Highly recommend.

MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE

Cleanser

As with my evening routine, I’ve been using the No7 Derm Solutions Comforting Cream Cleanser.

Spritz

I have a lot of skincare, so I use a different spritz in the morning and evening. You do not need to do this! If you want to include a spray in your skincare, just pick one and use it in both routines. I do my morning and evening skincare in different locations, so I just have separate routines for ease.

• The By Sarah Reviver Hydrating Mist* is a beautifully gentle and hydrating spray that also looks really smart on my dressing table (the latter is not as important as the first points, but it’s so rare for skincare for sensitive skin to look good as well as do good, so I wanted to mention it!)

Exfoliator

I’m still using the Mortar & Milk PHA Barrier Repair Serum twice a week. I’m working on a blog post all about exfoliators for sensitive skin and this will feature heavily. PHAs (poly hydroxy acids) are better suited to sensitive skin and having it in a serum step is such an easy way to apply it. I only use 3 drops per application, so the bottle is designed to last a really long time (Pamela, the founder, purposefully chose a 100ml bottle - twice the industry standard - to avoid packaging waste).

Moisturiser

I’m alternating between two moisturisers at the moment:

• The first is the Purito Wonder Releaf Centella Cream Unscented moisturiser. It’s a really hydrating, slightly thicker cream that would be a good standard moisturiser to have in your winter stash. I’ve seen some people saying it’s a dupe for the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 (which I love as well), but I don’t think that’s a good comparison. I love the latter, but the Purito moisturiser is a completely different texture - much lighter and easier to apply.

• The second is the Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturiser*. It is a really light and lovely product that contains Vitamin C, so I’m introducing it into my routine slowly to be safe, as my skin can be picky with Vitamin C. Naturium has only just launched in the UK, and there are a few bits from them that I’m trying and really liking (more on that in the future!)

Oil/Barrier Cream

For chilly dog walks, I’ve been using either the By Sarah Skin Balm*, or the Purito moisturiser above with a few drops of the By Sarah Hero Facial Oil* mixed in. Both are keeping my skin happy and calm, even with the absolutely grim weather at the moment!

Sunscreen

If I hear one more person say they don’t wear sunscreen in the winter because 'it’s not hot’, I’m going to cry. You absolutely do need sunscreen in the winter, especially if you have rosacea as UV exposure is one of the biggest rosacea triggers. I’ve been trying out quite a few new ones recently (would you be interested in a post with multiple mini reviews of new sunscreens?), so here are two of the best:

• Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics. I recommended this in my ‘what I got in Japan’ beauty round up post, and I’m still just as in love with it. It’s the lightest and loveliest sunscreen I’ve ever tried in my life. And it’s only £13.

• COSRX Ultra Light Invisible Sunscreen. Seriously, why does anyone else try making sunscreens when South Korea are showing us all up like this? Another beautifully light sunscreen that feels like absolutely nothing on the skin. Also, this is currently £10… madness.

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Written down that all seems like a lot - which it will be to some! - but each full routine takes me less than five minutes and it’s a lovely screen-free quiet moment in my day, so I don’t begrudge it. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by skincare, my advice is to focus on the core three products: cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen. They are the most important steps in any routine, anything else is a bonus.

Before you go, don’t forget about the separate post I’ve written with all of my best tips for surviving winter when you have rosacea - I’m not one to toot my own horn, but it’s got some good advice! You can read it HERE.

I hope you found this post useful. If so, would you please vote in the poll below? It’s really going to help me plan out my content for the future and let me know where to focus my time and effort.