Even though I didn’t know it, I was definitely a lucky teenager. I sprouted breasts* early, was well-liked but under the radar (no drama, thanks!), and had clean, clear skin.
Then I grew up.
I still have the boobs, of course, and other than a period in my early twenties I’m drama-free, but the skin – oh, the skin! It took a turn for the worse. A couple of years ago I found out I have rosacea, which Google Health defines thusly:
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition involving inflammation of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyelids. It may appear as redness, prominent spider-like blood vessels, swelling, or skin eruptions similar to acne.
For me, rosacea presents itself with red cheeks (not that cute pink blush, but a blotchy, inflamed red) and, of course, those “skin eruptions,” which are deep, painful, and can stay visibly red for weeks, no matter how much tea tree oil I use. They’re also accompanied by a stinging sensation, which I’ve somehow managed to get used to. Yuck, right?
When I was diagnosed, my doctor put me on a topical treatment (read: medicated face wash and toner) and cautioned me to avoid hot showers, cold weather and heated beverages. That just plain wasn’t going to happen: I live in Seattle, and sometimes a hot shower followed by a cup of steaming coffee is all that keeps me from going crazy and trying to “kill the rain.” So I took the meds, which worked, and started making my showers and beverages just a little cooler, which probably helped too.
After a couple of years, I got sick of putting chemicals on my face and started trying more eco-friendly face wash options. Some worked, some didn’t…but I have to admit that thusfar, none have taken away the deep-pore adult acne that has me worried about running around makeupless. This imbalance just boils up from inside me. It’s like laying seige to a castle, and trying to take control without breaking down the walls. How do I get at the underlying cause without harming my skin?
That’s where Gauri (the naturopathic princess from Getting Healthy) came in: “Have you tried any supplements to fight the rosacea from the inside out?”
From the inception of The Demoiselles, my goal has been to remind all of you to take care of your bodies from the inside out – with lots of water, exercise and good food – so you can ignore all those outside stop-gaps like makeup, “shapewear” and other falsifying enhancers and truly enjoy fashion…but somehow, I completely ignored that sentiment when it came to my own skin. If your body is healthy, it’s beautiful…why didn’t I believe the same would be true of my face?
So, on Sunday, I started taking Cod Liver Oil (eeew) and Vitamin E (pretty!) supplements. Gauri suggests that I let them work over two months, and then decide if they’ve made a difference. So, here’s my face, as of today:
When I go, I go big: no makeup, super close up (and you can click it to get even closer). See the red blotches around my nose; the uneven tones on my cheeks and chin? That, plus those red marks, is rosacea!
In two months, I’ll snap another photo of my face. It will be just as bare, and hopefully, just as coyly smiley. We’ll see if these supplements do what they’re supposed to.
Do you have any skin problems? How do you combat them?
*Does anyone else think of creepy science fiction stories when they hear the phrases “budding breasts” and “sprouted” in reference to puberty?
loading...
Interesting! I hope this works out for you.
I have vitiligo over much of my arms, legs, and hands. It’s a condition where you don’t produce pigment in part of your skin–mostly well-known for being the condition Michael Jackson had. It’s not so bad on me; I’m super pale, so you can really only tell if I tan.
I used to cope by never wearing shorts, and avoiding short sleeves. I don’t tan generally (mostly because, well, I don’t tan, I burn) but even a little sun will make it noticeable. I don’t think there’s much I can do, except try to accept it and convince myself that others probably don’t think it’s as unattractive as I do.
.-= Steph´s last blog ..An update on the epic project of doom =-.
[Reply]
Jennifer Nicole Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Steph: a family friend has vitiligo, and when I was a kid my first reaction was that it was *interesting*, not ugly. Trust your body – it’s strange to some, but others see it as a beautiful and unique part of you!
(Seriously!)
.-= Jennifer Nicole´s last blog ..Inside Out: In This Skin =-.
[Reply]
loading...
Posted by Steph | November 10, 2009, 9:52 am@ The Demoiselles :: Inside Out: In This Skin: Even though I didn’t know it, I was de.. http://bit.ly/A10eG
[Reply]
loading...
Posted by The Demoiselles | November 10, 2009, 1:55 pmI’m pre-rosacea too. It’s the delicate Irish fair skin that I have. The only thing that has ever ever worked for me is Proactive.
With it.. clear, enough to use only a dusting of powder
Without, breakouts including those horrible painful under the skin ones that linger and just HURT.
Oh, yeah, and I’m 37 so it doesn’t end.
.-= Princess Poochie´s last blog ..Asheville Weekend Outfit at French Broad Chocolate Lounge =-.
[Reply]
Jennifer Nicole Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Poochie: I *have* heard that it continues to worsen over time. Have you tried supplements?
[Reply]
loading...
Posted by Princess Poochie | November 10, 2009, 2:14 pmMore naked face…scary! RT @TheDemoiselles Inside Out: In This Skin | The Demoiselles http://bit.ly/32Uz0e #rosacea
[Reply]
loading...
Posted by Jen | November 10, 2009, 3:52 pmRT @craftyasparagus: More naked face…scary! RT @TheDemoiselles Inside Out: In This Skin | The Demoiselles http://bit.ly/32Uz0e #rosacea
[Reply]
loading...
Posted by The Demoiselles | November 10, 2009, 6:45 pmOh I used ALL KINDS of stuff trying to get my skin to calm down. It was sometimes dry and flaky, sometimes would breakout like crazy, sometimes red and splotchy. It was quite annoying. I eventually realized I’d been too influenced by my teenage days when all the marketing was geared to make you think that oil was bad for your skin and so I avoided oils like crazy.
Once I started green-ing up all my other beauty products, though, I eventually got some all-natural skin products from Lush. I’ve had to adjust the routine a few times with the climate change from my recent move, but my skin is happy, balanced and healthy now.
For the record, I use UltraBland to wash, Eu Roma Water to tone and Celestial to moisturize. I will probably switch to a heavier cream once winter hits, but I’m sure I will stick with the Lush line. And I drink lots of water!
.-= Emily Ann´s last blog ..Dear How I Met Your Mother, =-.
[Reply]
Elle Reply:
November 11th, 2009 at 7:15 am
I’ve heard really wonderful things about Eu Roma Water from Lush! I’ve always wanted some. I used to use Mac Fix+ spray, but it’s too… chemicaly. Maybe I’ll finally pick up some Eu Roma!
[Reply]
Emily Ann Reply:
November 11th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Oh yes, I definitely recommend it!
Also, I know this summer Lush was running a promotion that allowed you to sample different face soaps/moisturizers/etc in a little sample kit (that’s how i found my perfect combo). They aren’t doing it online anymore, but the last time I was at the Lush store in Wicker Park, they were still doing it. It would be worth looking into if you are interested in trying anything else in their skin care line.
.-= Emily Ann´s last blog ..mornings and stuff =-.
[Reply]
loading...
Posted by Emily Ann | November 10, 2009, 10:06 pmI was JUST having a minor meltdown about my skin this morning and then this was the first blog post that popped up in my reader when I got to work! I am constantly battling acne problems, I feel like I have tried EVERYTHING and nothing completely knocks it out. Things will help for a little while and then stop working, or they’ll clear up my skin to a degree but I still get pimples. It’s just a never-ending problem. My dad is like the vitamin guru and has been putting some special supplements in with my normal vitamin to help me out, so we’ll see if that works! I think a lot of it is hormones so ultimately I just need to work on controling my stress, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and exercising or moving around every day. I really feel like I’ve warped back in time to junior year though, which is really frustrating!
.-= Keely´s last blog ..Wow it’s only 7:30 and I’m ready to zzzzzzzzzzz… =-.
[Reply]
loading...
Posted by Keely | November 11, 2009, 12:46 pmI don’t have any real problems, just blackheads & skin that’s prone to oiliness. I just started using the oil cleansing method with jojoba oil and I’m really interested to see how it works. I’ve been doing it about 4 days and my skin is significantly less oily, but I’ve had a few pimples pop up. I’ve always been told that any skincare regimen should be given at least a month to see true results though, so I’m sticking it out!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Drumroll, please! Annoucing… =-.
[Reply]
loading...
Posted by Michelle | November 12, 2009, 8:42 pmI wash with honey and water, pat dry, and do acne control once in a while
My skin has been better since I started taking supplements of zinc to help combat it
But I need to start sloughing of the cells, I can feel my skin to be quite leathery on top
Style on a String :: Because style has nothing to do with money.
.-= Serena from Style on a String´s last blog ..Sunday’s Style Inspiration =-.
[Reply]
loading...
Posted by Serena from Style on a String | November 15, 2009, 1:51 pmI hope it works for you, Jen!
[Reply]
loading...
Posted by Gauri | November 16, 2009, 4:09 amhey, my name is doulas..i have suffered from it my entire life..i hope the best for you and am looking forward to your new post. Your looking great though, keep up the good work and i might try it.
Myspace.com/kingtiger87
Take care, best wishes.
[Reply]
loading...
Posted by Douglas | May 2, 2010, 11:10 pm