15 Best Skincare Products for Rosacea, According to Skin Experts
By Katarina Avendaño | Beauty & Health Editor at Good Housekeeping
When shopping for skincare products on the market, those with rosacea often have to be mindful about what they are putting on their skin. As someone who has rosacea, I am always looking for hero products that not only calm my redness and irritation, but also offer other powerhouse ingredients for overall skin health.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, rosacea is a long-term inflammatory skin condition that causes redness and rashes, and often appears on the nose, cheeks and sometimes the eyes. “While anyone can develop rosacea, it commonly occurs in individuals between 30–50 years old. Although it may be more likely to develop in those with fair skin, it can also occur in those with darker skin types,” says Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD.
Even though doctors believe that genetics and certain environmental factors could play a role in rosacea, scientists are still researching the exact causes of this skin condition. "There are several causes of rosacea. Eating spicy foods, either cold or hot weather and red wine/alcohol can all cause rosacea flares," says Dr. Shari Sperling, DO. Although there is no cure for rosacea, there are ways to manage and reduce flare-ups with soothing skincare ingredients, topical and oral prescriptions, light therapies, laser treatments and avoiding rosacea triggers.
When it comes to finding a skincare routine that works best for you, it's ideal to select products that are soothing and nonaggressive. “I recommend using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer with hyaluronic acid serum (ideally one with vitamin B3, sunscreen) and potentially a topical prescription,” says Dr. Kenneth Mark, Cosmetic Dermatology Expert. He also adds that you should avoid acne products, retinoids and overly exfoliating cleansers such as those with salicylic acid.
It's always recommended that you see a doctor before treating any skin conditions on your own, but if you are experiencing redness or flushing of the skin, here are the best rosacea skincare products — ranging from toners to serums, that have been recommended by dermatologists and our skin experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute —that can help.
Cleansers
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Dr. Divya Shokeen, MD, FAAD explains that "products for rosacea should focus on calming the skin and minimizing irritation." Therefore, one of her favorite products is the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. This product contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help restore the skin’s natural barrier. It’s effective at removing makeup and buildup from the day, yet gentle enough to not strip the skin and leave it dry. In fact, its MVE Delivery Technology gradually releases ceramides over a period of time, hydrating the skin throughout the day.
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Add the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser to your skincare arsenal if you are looking for a daily cleanser that won’t be harsh on the skin. It’s also effective enough to use for removing makeup and excess oils without stripping the skin. Plus, Dr. Garshick states that this cleanser “is free of common irritants found in other cleansers such as fragrance, dyes, parabens, formaldehyde and other preservatives, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin.”
Moisturizers
Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
This dermatologist-recommended cream helps nourish and heal the skin.“It contains a post biotic restorative ingredient, helping to support the skin barrier and also protect the skin from external irritants,” explains Dr. Garshick. Although this is a rich cream, it's a non-comedogenic formula so it won’t clog pores or feel greasy.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
The Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer is a lightweight formula that is suitable for sensitive skin. “This moisturizer contains a combination of ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier and niacinamide which has soothing properties, while also supporting the skin barrier and calming the skin. It helps to replenish moisture using glycerin and can be used all year,” says Dr. Garshick.
Sunscreens
MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen
Mineral moisturizers are ideal for sensitive skin because they tend to cause less irritation. In our Beauty Lab's sunscreen test, this pick came out on top for best mineral formula. It didn't sting skin (or eyes!), and also didn't leave skin feeling dry.
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
A great sunscreen is the CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 that contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad spectrum protection. Dr. Garshick recommends this product because "it contains hyaluronic acid to help provide moisture, ceramides to help support the skin’s natural barrier, as well as niacinamide which can soothe the skin." This sunscreen has also been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and the Skin Cancer Foundation Daily Use Seal of Approval.
Serums
Vichy Minéral 89 Prebiotic Concentrate
This unique concentrate is made with Vichy volcanic water, vitreoscilla ferment and niacinamide. Dr. Garshick likes this product because these ingredients “help to boost repair of the skin barrier and soothe the skin.” It also boosts the skin’s elasticity and improves the appearance of fine lines. According to Vichy’s website, you can apply this concentrate after cleansing, then follow with serums and moisturizer.
Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%
“Using the same ingredient found in a commonly used prescription for rosacea, this azelaic acid serum works to reduce bumps associated with rosacea as well as redness and inflammation,” says Dr. Garshick. This concentrate by Naturium not only contains a glycinated azelaic acid complex, but also vitamin C and niacinamide, which work together to improve the appearance of the skin.
“Serums should definitely have niacinamides and green tea polyphenols, but remember to focus on lower percentages. Niacinamide should be less than 5%, more of it can actually do the opposite effect,” say Dr. Shokeen. Therefore, she recommends SkinCeuticals 10 AOX, a lightweight serum for sensitive skin. This formula includes L-Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) and Ferulic Acid which work together to neutralize free radicals and improve the appearance of fine lines.
theraderm OPC Reparative Serum
This expert recommended serum received the Good Housekeeping 2023 Beauty Award for calming sensitive and inflamed skin. This product contains powerful antioxidants known as OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins), a group of compounds which belong in the class of polyphenols, which have shown to reduce inflammation, signs of aging and protect against free radicals. “Over the week, I used it twice a day, and the redness on my cheeks subdued significantly,” said Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann.
Color Correctors
Colorescience All Calm Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50
If you are looking for a product that soothes the skin, provides coverage for redness and offers sun protection, the All Calm® Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50 can do all three in one product. Plus, “it contains a patent pending BioSolace™ complex which helps to relieve sensitivity or irritation,” says Dr. Garshick.
In our Beauty Lab's tests, they rated this affordable option the best color corrector for redness. Green color correctors are a great for cancelling out redness, but our experts also liked the peach version.
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel
Dr. Garshick likes this gel because it “helps to calm and hydrate the skin while also reducing redness.” This product not only contains hyaluronic acid for moisture, but thyme, olive and cucumber extract that work together to soothe the skin.