How to Be Lovely: VMV Red Better Line

Blame it on all the Audrey Hepburn quotes and books I've been reading, that even when it comes to skincare, I have come to choose the simpler options. Fuss and complications arise at scented, multi-chemical, tongue-twisting facial washes and moisturizers and as most of us have sensitive skin types, when life swings to crazy, meaning breakouts here and there, redness all over the face and easily irritated skin, the only thing left to do is stick to the simplest form of skincare we know. In my case, that will be VMV.

L-R: Daily Therapy Moisturizer, Deeply Soothing Cleansing Cream, Spot Corrector, Flare Up Balm

Originally, the VMV Red Better Line was formulated to treat people suffering from rosacea, a skin condition that's known as redness, sometimes including acne. I may not know redness {rosacea occurs most often in North Americans} but I know acne. And I know hyper-sensitive skin.

According to my BFF, Wikipedia:

 Rosacea /roʊˈzeɪʃiə/ is a chronic condition characterized by facial erythema (redness).[2] Pimples are sometimes included as part of the definition.[3] Unless it affects the eyes, it is typically a harmless cosmetic condition. Treatment in the form of topical steroids can aggravate the condition.[4]

It primarily affects Caucasians of mainly north western European descent and has been nicknamed the 'curse of the Celts' by some in Britain and Ireland, but can also affect people of other ethnicities. Rosacea affects both sexes, but is almost three times more common in women. It has a peak age of onset between 30 and 60.[citation needed]

Rosacea typically begins as redness on the central face across the cheeks, nose, or forehead, but can also less commonly affect the neck, chest, ears, and scalp.[5] In some cases, additional symptoms, such as semi-permanent redness, telangiectasia (dilation of superficial blood vessels on the face), red domed papules (small bumps) and pustules, red gritty eyes, burning and stinging sensations, and in some advanced cases, a red lobulated nose (rhinophyma), may develop.

Triggers that cause episodes of flushing and blushing play a part in the development of rosacea. Exposure to temperature extremes can cause the face to become flushed as well as strenuous exercise, heat from sunlight, severe sunburn, stress, anxiety, cold wind, and moving to a warm or hot environment from a cold one such as heated shops and offices during the winter. There are also some food and drinks that can trigger flushing, including alcohol, food and beverages containing caffeine (especially, hot tea and coffee), foods high in histamines and spicy food. Foods high in histamine (red wine, aged cheeses, yogurt, beer, cured pork products such as bacon, etc.) can even cause persistent facial flushing in those individuals without rosacea due to a separate condition, histamine intolerance.

Observations:

• Smells like coconut and milk! Hypoallergenic skincare usually means no fragrance and that is just BORING. As the Red Better Line's main component is coconut oil everything smells like coconut cream. Yummy!
• Light as a feather. Having hyper sensitive and combination of dry and oily skin, the humid weather {during the months of March and April} were intolerable and the only way makeup wouldn't slide into that dreaded stage of hulas was to use a very light, easily absorbed moisturizer and VMV's Red Better moisturizer was my best bet. It was so light that when I brought it to somewhere dry and cooler {that would be Toronto}, my skin felt thirsty and I had to switch a more potent moisturizer.
• The Spot Corrector is a keeper. At Php 400 a pop, it has become a staple to my daily routine, you know, for when you suddenly have breakouts, in which case, is often, in my life. It acts quickly, though not 100%, it manages to diminish swelling and redness.
• No breakout, no allergies. VMV's claim to fame has always been its being the only {at least for me} hypoallergenic skincare. My friend M who has mild psoriasis swears by this and despite not having any skin conditions, just really sensitive skin, my face is not reacting badly with VMV. I love. This product's VH rating is -76.
• Glue-less boxes. Very, very earth friendly. What's not to like?

 Do you use VMV, too? What's your red better experience?
xx