& it wasn’t ivermectin

I’ve had rosacea for as long as I can remember. I was first diagnosed in elementary school. I remember classmates asking why my nose was so red and I would lie and say I scraped it swimming. I often went home crying. Luckily, as I got older it was pretty manageable or at least I got used to it — some redness, occasional bumps.

A couple years ago it got so. much. worse. seemingly out of nowhere. I couldn’t understand why — my diet and health had never been better. This past year I decided to really dedicate myself to finding something that worked and yall I tried everythingggg—prescription, over the counter, home remedy, homeopathic, lifestyle… you know how it goes. When I read about ivermectin on reddit, and all the testimonies of it as a miracle product, I was convinced it would be the fix. I was consistent and put that ish on every night. I started with the walgreens lice cream, but when that wasn’t working I gave the horse paste a try. I cannot begin to tell you how disappointed and discouraged I was that it wasn’t working. I had good and bad days on it, but after 12 weeks I had to face that it wasn’t going anywhere.

I saw someone on here mention benzoyl peroxide and when I saw the la roche posay duo treatment at the store the next day I decided to give it a try. A hail mary, if you will.

I was shocked—it cleared 80% of my pustules within a week.

I am now working on treating some of the discoloration and scarring that has come with years of bumps. (any recs welcome!) but I am so happy to have found something that helps. I hope it never stops working!!!

I am sharing because I felt so helpless when ivermectin wasn’t “my” thing. It’s cliche but true — everyone’s skin is different. It’s so frustrating, such a finicky and difficult condition, prominent on your face. I hope someone with similar skin to mine gives this a try and finds it helps.

current routine (very simple! working to build up)

PM: -cleanse with only water -la roche posay duo treatment 5.5% benzoyl peroxide -vitamin e oil+vanicream gentle moisturizer -caster oil eye serum

AM -cleanse with only water -vitamin e oil+vanicream gentle moisturizer -good molecules mineral sunscreen