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What I Tested…
Prequel Redness Reform Soothing Serum ($20)
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel ($80)
Tower28 SOS Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser ($20)
Jan Marini Rosalieve ($105)
Why I Tested…
How I tested…
I tested each product for a minimum of two weeks, alternating using it in the morning and at night. I noted how my skin felt immediately after, throughout the day, and when I woke up the next morning. I also noted any visible changes in redness and breakouts. Finally, I took note of which products I actually made a difference in how my skin looked and felt, and which I would want to incorporate into my routine after testing was over.
Test Results…
Prequel Redness Reform Soothing Serum. I’ve talked about Prequel before, since their products are great for skin that’s sensitive to hyaluronic acid. But this serum takes the cake for rosacea-prone skin. It had a waitlist and the National Rosacea Society seal — two signs it would be as good as it claimed. It feels so good going on your skin, like a tall glass of water injected in every cell (dramatic, but it’s true). When I used it in the morning, my “wake-up redness” went down much quicker than usual. It’s made with soothing oats and aloe, and panthenol and bisabolol keep your skin dewy and hydrated. After two weeks, I wouldn’t say that any of my redness had been reduced permanently, but it did a lot to keep my skin barrier healthy — one of the keys to keeping rosacea under control — even when I got a little too much sun at the beach. ($20)
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel. One night I decided to pick at every pore on my face (sorry, we all do it) and in hopes of an overnight cure, I patted a generous amount of this serum onto my stressed-out skin. The next morning, I was delighted to find there actually was magic in this bottle — in the form of botanical ingredients like thyme, olive, and cucumber extracts — since every spot I’d picked was now virtually healed. This serum does have added fragrance, and it smells herby and little minty, so I preferred using it at night rather than catching whiffs of a garden all day. And it does contain hyaluronic acid, but for some reason, this one didn’t seem to irritate my HA-averse skin. It’s definitely an investment, but with its healing and soothing powers, I’m definitely keeping it in rotation. ($80)
Tower28 SOS Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser. I love that this cleanser is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and essential-oil free, all of which can potentially be triggers for rosacea. It has electrolytes to hydrate and nourish your skin, plus aloe and oat. It feels great on the skin, has a good amount of slip, and definitely had me feeling like my skin was thoroughly clean after each use, even after applying layer after layer of sunscreen after a boat day. The one downside is that it contains niacinamide, which dries and irritates my skin. If your skin tolerates the ingredient well, then this cleanser will be your new obsession. ($20)
Jan Marini Rosalieve. I wanted this treatment to be the one thing that both cured my rosacea and kept breakouts at bay — a unicorn in the skincare world. This serum contains 5% azelaic acid, which I’ve used in the past in the form of a 15% prescription from my derm. I did see results for a while — when I was using it daily, my skin stayed incredibly clear — but ultimately it was too strong for my skin and left my barrier damaged, and my skin red and flaky. I also have to mention that it has a distinct smell that reminds me of a spray tan, but if you layer it, it goes away quickly. If you know your skin tolerates azelaic acid, this one could be a game changer for you. ($105)
Sidenotes…
Prequel gets bonus points for aesthetic and packaging. The bottles are chic and sturdy, and the minimalist design makes me want to keep it out on my vanity tray.
The SkinCeuticals serum may resemble something that witches would brew (can you tell I’m excited for Halloween?), but don’t let that deter you. It soaks in well. Just wait a few minutes before applying the next layer in your skincare routine.
FYI, the Tower28 cleanser does not contain the brand’s hero ingredient, hypochlorous acid, so if you’re looking for its antibacterial benefits, I would opt for the spray or new serum.
The Fine Details…
Prequel Redness Reform Soothing Serum, $20, prequel.com, amazon.com
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel, $80, dermstore.com
Tower28 SOS Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser, $20, tower28.com
Jan Marini Rosalieve, $105, dermstore.com
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