^{This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Galderma Laboratories, L.P., the maker of Mirvaso® Gel and Soolantra® Cream. All opinions are my own.}

I have what I consider to be two very different physical personas. Most often, if I’m in public, I’ve got my seemingly well put-together, former beauty queen face on. Even if my skin looks naked, I’ll still be wearing light CC cream to disguise any and all depigmentation and over-sized sunglasses to hide whatever other imperfections may be looming underneath. However, my other, i.e. “hibernation,” persona is a completely different story. I don’t wear a bra, not like I really need one in the first place, alternate between two sets of Christmas-themed flannel pajama sets, refuse to wear makeup in an attempt to let my tired skin breathe, and rarely venture further than my living room for fear of my red and blotchy skin being judged. I used to think I just had bad acne, thanks to my oily Italian heritage, but apparently bumps and pimples are among the most common symptoms of rosacea, and nearly half of sufferers (myself included) think they have acne before being correctly diagnosed with rosacea by a doctor.

Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition estimated to affect approximately 1 in 20 Americans, which causes over 70% of sufferers to have low self-esteem and feel embarrassed. Some of its triggers include sun exposure, certain foods or drinks, skin care products, family history, weather and temperatures, exercise, stress, and Demodex, the gross little mites that live on our skin.

For anyone who has experienced similar feelings of social leprosy associated with rosacea, I’m sure you’ve tried treatment after expensive treatment to mitigate your skin’s condition. About a year ago, I found a treatment that helped called Mirvaso^® (brimonidine) Topical Gel, 0.33%*, the first and only FDA-approved treatment developed and indicated for persistent facial redness of rosacea. It worked so well for evening out my skin tone and mitigating my skin’s inflammation without over drying or irritating.

I’m now incredibly excited to also try Soolantra^® (ivermectin) Cream, 1%, which is an FDA-approved once-daily, topical treatment for the bumps and pimples of rosacea and a powerful tool to fight this challenging condition.

Featuring the active ingredient ivermectin, which has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic properties, Soolantra Cream takes a unique approach to reducing the bumps and pimples of rosacea. While the exact mechanism of action of Soolantra Cream is unknown, the anti-parasitic qualities of ivermectin may be linked to the death of Demodex mites, which are thought to play a role in rosacea-related skin inflammation. If you want to give it a try for yourself, they won’t make you break the bank, which is awesome. You can download a special Soolantra Cream Savings Card here.

What have you tried for your rosacea?

Important Safety Information – MIRVASO^® Topical Gel

Indication: MIRVASO® (brimonidine) Topical Gel, 0.33%* is an alpha adrenergic agonist indicated for the topical treatment of persistent (nontransient) facial erythema of rosacea in adults 18 years of age or older. Adverse Events: In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (≥1%) included erythema, flushing, skin burning sensation and contact dermatitis. Warnings/Precautions: MIRVASO Gel should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, thromboangiitis obliterans, scleroderma, or Sjögren’s syndrome. Alpha-2 adrenergic agents can lower blood pressure. MIRVASO Gel should be used with caution in patients with severe or unstable or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease. Serious adverse reactions following accidental ingestion of MIRVASO Gel by children have been reported. Keep MIRVASO Gel out of reach of children. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.

*Each gram of gel contains 5 mg of brimonidine tartrate, equivalent to 3.3 mg of brimonidine free base

Important Safety Information – SOOLANTRA^® Cream

Indication: SOOLANTRA® (ivermectin) Cream, 1% is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea. Adverse Events: In clinical trials with SOOLANTRA Cream, the most common adverse reactions (incidence ≤ 1 %) included skin burning sensation and skin irritation. Warnings/Precautions: Not for oral, ophthalmic or intravaginal use.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit WWW.FDA.GOV/MEDWATCH or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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