OTC Retinols or Vitamin C for Oily Rosacea W/blackheads? Doctor Answers, Tips
Rosacea Treatment: Q&A
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OTC Retinols or Vitamin C for Oily Rosacea W/blackheads?

I'm a 49 y/o WF; peri-menopausal; hypothyroid. I have acne rosacea (severe w/blackheads & cysts in addition to breakouts) no longer well controlled w/Oracea. I've used Cerave cleanser & G.M. Collin Sensiderm Gel moisturizer. (Condition is so extreme that I regularly get blackheads & acne between creases of lids & brows & IN my eyebrows. I even have a purplish blackhead @ my lower lash line!) Will OTC retinols help? Vit C instead? I know Rx's would be too harsh. Tried to add photo but couldn't.

1 Doctor Answer | Asked by CrowChasingButterfly in Huntsville, AL
+1

How to improve acne and rosacea in perimenopause

Cysts can be part of rosacea but blackheads are part of acne. Both acne and rosacea will improve with low dose doxycycline like Oracea, but acne would improve with retinols and vitamin C whereas rosacea will be more irritated and get worse. If the condition is severe and there are cysts, there are no over the counter medications that will improve it and it needs to be evaluated and treated by a board certified dermatologist. Also, consider the fact that hormonal changes during... more
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