Need Help With Cosmetics And Hair Products.

[Chrissyb]

I am gluten and dairy free and with in the last year I have developed rosecea. I have not been real strict on my cosmetics and hair products about not containing gluten, but I am now thinking that I really need to get on top of it. I really need some help on what to use and not to use and if anybody has any idea of how to control my rosecea I would love to hear them. My face use to be verly clear and smooth. I always had a rosey color to my checks but now it is not attractive it is ughly. When I leave the house I really need to put makeup on but it just makes it worse, I have to take it off as soon as I get home. I just want my life back. PLEASE ANYBODY HELP ME!!!!!!

[rosetapper23]

I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles! I don't know if switching to gluten-free products will help or not, but I guess it's worth a try. I use the Desert Essence Organics line for shampoo and conditioner (they are essential-oil based). Another good line of shampoos and conditioners is made by EO (which means "essential oils).

As for makeup, I use Loreal Visible Lift makeup, which the company has assured me is gluten free. I suffer from Dermatitis Herpetiformis on my face and neck, so if it contained gluten, I would know immediately. Also, in order to hide the scars from my most recent DH outbreak (which turned out to be exacerbated by a staph infection), I use an expensive spray-on makeup by Dior called Airflash on top of the Loreal makeup. I don't actually spray it on my face--instead, I spray a small amount into the palm of my hand, and I use a small cosmetic brush to "paint" my face and neck. The look is nearly flawless, and friends have assured me that they can't see my scars at all. It lasts really well, and it doesn't cause itching or any other discomfort. Even though the Dior product is expensive ($65.00), it lasts a very long time. The last can lasted me more than a year, and I used it daily.

[JNBunnie1]

I use Everyday Minerals makeup, on the rare occasion I bother , and I use

Ecover chamomile and Marigold scent dish soap as shampoo. This got

started when I tried to use it as dish soap and it just didn't cut it, so it was sitting

there not being used when I ran out of shampoo one day. Might not agree with

your hair, I do not process my hair with color or chemicals in any way, and it stays

super soft and shiny. Also- way cheap! I also use conditioner I get from Trader Joe's.

[Madagascar]

i have rosacea as well. the best thing i've found is to avoid the foods that trigger it - for me, citric acid (ingested or topical) is the primary thing. i completely avoid that. peppers, paprika, smokehouse flavoring (like smokehouse almoonds), poppyseeds - all of those trigger it for me. because i'm new to the gluten-intolerant idea, i don't really know if i react to it on my skin yet.

the best thing i've found to soothe my skin is vanicream. the dermatologist recommended it and i like it a lot. it's remarkably cheap - like $14 for a pump bottle that holds a pound at Walgreen's. it says it's for sensitive skin, "formulated without dyes, lanolin, fragrance, masking fragrance, parabens, formaldehyde. i haven't called them to ask about gluten ingredients, but looking at the list of ingredients on the bottle, i think they are all ok. it's kinda thick, but it sure makes my skin happy.

[Takala]

I don't have roseacia but do have super sensitive skin, and am still entranced that my hair grew back in much thicker since the diet change. But it is also curlier. The grey grew in a LOT darker, much darker than I've had my normal hair be, so it gets colored. We are also on well water here, and I notice several of the neighbors (without my saying anything) also seem to be battling the ornery dry hair look.

Hair color: Garnier Nutrisse

Hair shampoo: This really varies, depending on what I have done that day. Normally, I just rinse it with plain water, then rinse it with apple cider vinegar mixed with water, (7 parts water to 1 part vinegar) or spritz it with that, to correct the pH. Then, if I want it to look more "curly," I apply a small amount of coconut oil or shea butter, about a pea sized amount in my palm, and rub it in thoroughly, finger- tousle it, and let it air dry. The coconut oil or pure almond oil also makes a nice skin moisturizer. ( I have a super sensitive dog, which likes to lick people in greeting, and I really do not want to set him off because I used a fancy moisturizer. The other reason I don't put a lot of goo on my self )

Hair shampoo, from a bottle: For my spouse, I got him Dove brand, which will call out the gluten ingredients. (he does not want to shop for this, he just wants to find soap in the cupboard to use). But it is a bit too perfumey for me. Here, again, I go on a combination of reading the label to avoid the obvious wheat and oat ingredients, and how my skin reacts to it. I've used a simple cucumber body wash successfully (that I am having trouble finding here in the stores now), a bar of plain soap I'm not allergic to, (Ivory, in a pinch), the Dr. Bronner's soaps, some Alaffia shea butter body washes that I got from Whole Foods. Getting soaps to lather in our well water is challenging, so I want to be able to rinse the stuff out without going thru an entire tank of water.

Deodorant: was having some terrific reactions from an unknown ingredient in several brands, and that is a miserable place to get a rash, gave up and tried baking soda one day, it worked much better, never went back. Ditto I have reacted to cornstarch baby powders sometimes, so I think there is a cross contamination problem. I don't react to the Gold Bond powder, inspite of all its herbal stuff. I am also reacting to whatever they put in those so- called "moisturizing" strips on disposable razors, made overseas, I hate those things.

Makeup: Bare Minerals for the eyeliner and detail work. I have a powder compact of Zuzu, but I don't wear liquid foundation. Gluten free lipstick, either Ecco Bella or Hemp Naturals.

[Mindala]

I just thought I'd add that I also use Dessert Organics for Shampoo, and Zuzu and Ecco Bella Make-up.

[KikiB]

Have you seen a dermatologist for the rosacea? I also have rosacea and use two different prescription creams to keep it under control. Finacea and Noritate.

[Chrissyb]

Thank you all for your wonderful advice. I know I need to watch for trigger foods, but sometimes the thougt of taking more foods out of my diet just makes me cry.