Cinderella’s Hearth: Beating the Splotches and Patches

I think we can safely assume that Cinderella aged well. Think of all the skin creams she probably had to develop for those vain stepsisters of hers. Plus, once she got to the castle she probably had apothecaries and wise women available 24/7.

Me? My skin has been after me since I was five and had my first bout of guttate psoriasis. Then came cystic acne, and when that was over, rosacea arrived like a bad fairy. Oh, I had good years from about 30 to 60, where I’d only get a few psoriasis patches on inconspicuous places on my face and a very occasional pimple, and the rosacea was usually just the flush that comes after a glass or wine or too much chocolate—but I feared my skin wasn’t done torturing me, and I was right.

Sadly, about two months ago, my face started itching extravagantly in the way only a psoriasis flare can. Before too long, the leathery, tiny red, scaly patches had arrived again. Then, three weeks ago, my cheeks suddenly exploded in rosacea that made me look like W.C. Fields. ⬇️

So, to the Google Machine I went, which is now just an AI machine that is prone to misinformation and hallucinations. After some extensive digging, I found information suggesting a gentle face wash and moisturizer from a company called Vanicream could be the answer for me. Apparently a lot of dermatologists recommend both products. So I bought the Vanicream Liquid Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, and the moisturizer for sensitive skin. Both come in pump bottles and you only need one quick pump from each bottle to do the job. Even better, the cleanser is about $10 (8 ounces) and the moisturizer is about $15 (16 ounces). Both will last for months.

I had only used the products twice before the rosacea was 90 percent gone and the psoriasis patches had shrunken considerably. Facial psoriasis is especially hard to treat, so I’m delighted with the results. On top of that, my skin tone was less blotchy and looked smoother. I only use a very light tinted moisturizer and mascara for makeup, and my skin has a more polished look now.

I use the products daily before bedtime because mature women are not supposed to scrub their faces twice a day—unless you are lucky enough to have some oil left in your skin. And people with sensitive skin like I have definitely only want to do it once a day. (A lot of trouble with faces, including acne, is caused by over washing highly sensitive skin.)

I’m recommending both the cleanser and moisturizer with no reservations, so I hope you’ll investigate them if you’re in the market for some new skincare.

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Kate Wolford was the publisher and editor of The Fairy Tale Magazine for many years. She’s now enjoying being Resident Fairy Godmother.

Image from the National Rosacea Society.