Yes, for sure! Talk with a dermatologist. I have rosacea, I wish you could see my before and after pictures! I use Cetaphil or Eucerin Redness relief soap to cleanse, a facial peel from Exuviance because OTC retinoids are too harsh for me, and I use sunscreen/moisturizer everyday. Vitamin C cream is also supposed to be helpful.

Just chiming back in to clarify my earlier remarks. I think skin care is a very individual matter. What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. The obvious answer to "Do facial products make a difference?" Is YES, but that doesn't mean a more complex or more costly, skin care regime will automatically improve your skin. The "difference" can just as easily be negative as positive. And, to add to the confusion, even dermatologists differ in their recommendations and treatments. It's a Wild West out there in skin-care land

My personal philosophy is to keep MY skin comfortable and to introduce new products carefully, one at a time, to see how my skin reacts. Sometimes I'll keep using a product because I like the feel or the fragrance--happiness isn't bad for the psyche. I try to remember that signs of aging aren't going to be erased no matter what products I put on my face. I also try to remember my best skin is the skin on my torso and inner arms which has been washed daily with a mild soap for decades and protected from sun for most of my life. I try to keep that fact in mind when I see the advertisements for the latest "miracle" product.

For long bouts, I tried using products with salicylic acid to clear pores, as well as benzoyl peroxide (Paula's Choice, plus her Vit C serum). I used these for months at a time, but honestly, could not tell the difference between the "before" and "after."

Same goes for home SA and GA peels, which managed to burn my skin without unclogging. Two years ago, I treated myself to my first (and so far only) facial. It felt lovely, and while my skin look slightly better immediately after, it returned to its regular appearance within a few days. Months later, I read about the difference between blackheads and sebaceous filaments, which look like tiny blackheads on your nose, but are actually filaments that return within a week of being extracted. In other words, you can't get rid of them, and their appearance and visibility are determined genetically.

From what I've read and been told by doctors, the only products that make a visible difference are prescription retinoids (Retin-A, Tazorac, etc), which require daily use over the long haul.

But I still hope that there are cheaper and efficient options out there.

I'm going to second annagybe, "Some people win the genetic lottery, some don't. But skin care does help"

Yes, consistency is the key. But more than expensive products I think a consultation with dermatologist would help. Over moisturising is also a problem like over cleaning is.

And yes, sunscreen.

Oooh I had no idea about these filaments! Why has noone told me what they are...