The Serum That Reduced the Appearance of My Rosacea Redness in 3 Months

In September last year, I went to see my dermatologist Dr Andrew Freeman from The Skin Centre on the Gold Coast. It was time for my annual skin check, a review of my perioral dermatitis and a general skin chat.

During this appointment, he also diagnosed my facial redness, flushed cheeks, broken blood vessels, and dry, rough texture around my nose as the early signs of rosacea.

I guess I shouldn't have been shocked. I've had naturally-flushed cheeks my whole life that become more obvious when stressed, embarrassed, hot or drinking alcohol.

Naturally, I Googled more about rosacea immediately after my appointment and found out:

"Rosacea can affect anyone (UM OK) but is most common in middle-aged women (hang on, I'm 30...) who have light skin (check, I'm basically transparent) and Celtic or Scandinavian ancestors (yep, my family is Irish/English/Norwegian)."

OK OK OK I get it; my dermatologist was right. I had rosacea, and not long after I just got my perioral dermatitis under control.

Thankfully, under the guidance of my skin specialist, I found a serum that significantly reduced the appearance of my rosacea redness.

Here's my review, complete with before and after pictures.

Best Skincare Ingredients for Rosacea.

There are a few different types of rosacea, but I was diagnosed with subtype one, known as erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR). Symptoms include flushing and redness in the centre of your face, visible broken blood vessels, sensitive skin and dry skin.

Dr Freeman explained to me exactly what ingredients to look for in the best skincare products for rosacea. The first? Nicotinamide, also known as niacinamide.

"This is a type of vitamin B3 that is now widely used in the beauty industry, as well as the medical industry. It is probably best categorised as an anti-inflammatory for certain skin conditions, especially rosacea, however, it is safe in all skin types," he said.

"It works to both improve the angriness of the rosacea but also prevent some of the environmental triggers that can set rosacea off."

You can learn more about niacinamide in our vitamin B3 YouTube video below.

The second useful ingredient for treating rosacea? Resveratrol.

“Resveratrol has been clinically shown to reduce oxidative stress on cells and, importantly in rosacea, reduce UV-induced cell damage. Just like vitamin B3, there are multiple variants of resveratrol that have antioxidant, rejuvenating and skin brightening benefits."

The Best Rosacea Serum I've Found: asap Super B Complex.

I knew it was time to buy a serum with niacinamide and resveratrol to get my redness and skin texture under control. 

I spent a few weeks researching, and then decided to purchase the asap super B complex 30ml serum because it contained both recommended ingredients and claimed to prevent dehydration, boost collagen production, minimise the appearance of redness and inflammation, and leave the skin glowing. 

The main asap Super B Complex ingredients are:

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) to reduce and prevent dehydration while boosting collagen production and minimising the appearance of redness and inflammation (it's also great at targeting congestion).

• Resveratrol is an anti-inflammatory antioxidant that prevents environmental damage to the skin.

• Hyaluronic Acid to lock moisture into the skin while plumping and visibly reducing the appearance of dehydration and fine lines, creating a healthy skin barrier.

• Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid gently exfoliate dead skin cells to minimise the appearance of pores, uneven texture/tone, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines while stimulating collagen production.

• Xanthan gum assists with texture.

My asap Super B Serum Review.

I applied this serum every second evening between October and December 2020 after cleansing and before a facial oil.

asap super B complex 30ml has a thin consistency with a gooey, wet texture that spreads very easily across my whole face and immediately gives a cooling and soothing sensation that lessens sensitivity.

I can confidently say using this product has improved my skin texture, reduced the appearance of redness, and left my skin feeling much more hydrated and glowy.

Here are my before and after photos taken three months apart after consistently using asap Super B complex. I still get some slight flushing now and again, but nothing like the texture and redness I experienced before.

Aside from the results, I find this serum is excellent value because of the combination of ingredients that essentially replaces three products in my skincare routine.

It's my exfoliating treatment, hydrating serum and niacinamide product all in one. I avoid exfoliating more than once per week due to a fear I will compromise my barrier again and trigger perioral dermatitis, so this serum is all I use to keep my face looking radiant and clear.

Would I repurchase? Already have! I am almost finished my current bottle of Super B complex and would recommend it to anyone with dry skin or a sensitive skin condition like rosacea.

*But if you think you might have rosacea, always go and see a dermatologist or dermal therapist first. Then buy the serum, OK?

You can shop more rosacea skin care here. Want more rosacea recommendations? Check out these stories below:

• 6 Products I Ditched to Manage My Perioral Dermatitis (Plus the Ones That Helped)

• The 10 Best Skin Products For Treating Rosacea & Redness

• Our Editor's Top Picks For Rosacea-Prone Skin