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Rosacea Awareness: Discover the Ultimate Treatment Products

Rosacea affects more than 14 million American adults, and even though it's a somewhat debilitating skin condition, it can effectively be controlled. Categorized as red, flushed skin, often with small bumps that resemble acne (but aren't), the emotional effects of rosacea may have more of an impact on some than the physical appearance. If rosacea flare-ups have you second-guessing your skincare routine and how to care for your skin, this is everything you'll want to know about the condition and what to do and use so you can get your skin back to healthy, with a more even skin tone and less redness and texture, once and for all.

Table of Contents:

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic yet controllable common skin condition that primarily affects the skin on the face. For most people who deal with rosacea, the signs of the condition include flushing, blushing, broken or visible capillaries, bumpy, almost pimple-like blemishes, and red, thickened skin. Rosacea is common in those with sensitive skin and fair skin tones, but it can affect any skin type and tone.

The exact cause of rosacea remains a great scientific unknown; its symptoms are generally the same from one person to the next. While some evidence points to the underlying cause of rosacea as defects in immune system functionality, others pinpoint facial blood vessels as the reason for flare-ups and the presence of Demodex mites on the skin. Anecdotal evidence also draws a connection between genetics and skin condition, yet one definitive cause of rosacea remains to be determined. What is known, despite the underlying cause of rosacea, is that high levels of inflammatory proteins called cathelicidins in the skin can contribute to skin redness, and specific triggers can bring on a bout of rosacea, which is why it is essential to recognize what can set off your skin and avoid them.

Common rosacea triggers include:

  • Heat
  • Cold wind
  • Eating hot or spicy foods
  • Alcohol
  • Sun exposure
  • Stress
  • Certain skin, hair, and makeup products
  • Exercise
  • Some medications

To help control the effects of rosacea-prone skin, it's important to visit your dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis. There's no medical test to diagnose rosacea-prone skin. Still, your dermatologist can assess your skin and eyes, particularly if they are in a rosacea-induced state, and ask a few questions, which is usually enough for him or her to make an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor may also want to rule out other medical conditions, such as lupus, which can be misdiagnosed as rosacea since some symptoms are similar.

Not all rosacea is the same, and four types of rosacea occur:

  • Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea causes persistently red, flushed skin. Often, blood vessels on the face become enlarged and more visible due to trigger exposure but disappear independently. Failing to treat this type of rosacea can cause more extensive areas of skin redness to persist for extended periods and potentially become permanent.
  • Papulopustular rosacea surfaces as small whitehead-like pustules and red, swollen bumps that can be mistaken for acne. This type of acne tends to appear on the cheeks, chin, and forehead, as well as the chest, neck, and scalp. Facial redness and flushing are also common.
  • Phymatous rosacea causes the skin to become thick, bumpy, swollen, and sometimes discolored, with the potential for scarring. This type of rosacea is often seen on men's noses, making them appear bulbous and swollen.
  • Ocular rosacea affects the eyes rather than the skin, causing them to appear red, bloodshot, and watery. The eyes typically burn, feel irritated, and may be constantly dry and sensitive. Cysts often form on the eyelids, too.

The earlier your skin is accurately diagnosed as rosacea-prone, the better. That's because if you suffer from the condition and understand which type of rosacea affects your skin or eyes, along with the help of your dermatologist, you can learn about your triggers and control or avoid exposure to them. Since there is no cure for rosacea, mitigating the factors that bring on an episode of reactive skin is critical to reducing the effects of rosacea on your skin. Your dermatologist may also prescribe medication or recommend a laser treatment to help control active flare-ups.

Treatment Approaches for Rosacea

Finding an effective rosacea treatment for your skin may require trial and error until you settle on the right combination. Often, your dermatologist will recommend a multi-prong treatment approach that consists of topical and oral medications, lifestyle changes, and a rosacea-specific skincare routine. Ultimately, the best rosacea treatment is the one that works for your skin to keep it calm, soothed, and free of flare-ups. What works for one person may not necessarily be the best tactic for another, so taking a personalized approach to your treatment for rosacea is key.

A handful of rosacea prescription medications are FDA-approved for the condition in addition to using light and laser devices and treatments (with or without medications), like IPL (intense pulsed light), BBL (broadband light), and PDT (photodynamic therapy) that target inflammation and redness.

As far as rosacea skincare goes, it's crucial always to wear sunscreen since UV exposure can exacerbate rosacea and even cause the condition to progress over the long term. You'll also want to follow a basic skincare routine since the skin can be more on the sensitive side that consists of a gentle, soap-free cleanser (and only rinsing it off with lukewarm water) and fragrance-free moisturizer, which will help the skin retain water. Other dermatologist-recommended rosacea skin care products include a barrier repair cream, anti-redness serum, antioxidant serum, and collagen-boosting creams to improve the skin's health over time. You'll likely also be advised to use skincare products with azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sulfur; it's best to avoid any skincare products with fragrance, alcohol, camphor, menthol, urea, sulfates, and glycolic and lactic acids.

Lifestyle Tips for Managing Rosacea

Skincare and medication are only one part of the puzzle in rosacea skincare to keep its symptoms under control. Making some changes to your lifestyle is also essential, which may include avoiding certain environmental factors, like cold and heat, which can prompt a flare-up, steering clear of drinking alcohol, eating spicy foods, and doing your best to keep your body and skin calm and always hydrated.

One of the best ways to treat rosacea-prone skin is to fully understand which specific triggers cause a flare-up. While common triggers like sun, heat, cold, wind, and alcohol can send your skin into overdrive, for others, it may be dairy, a specific vegetable, or meat. Recognizing your triggers and avoiding them will help keep your skin calm.

The best products for rosacea are gentle ones made for sensitive skin and with calming ingredients that help hydrate the skin while reducing inflammation and irritation. Using a broad-spectrum SPF daily is important for rosacea-prone skin since sun exposure can bring about an onset of rosacea symptoms. Controlling your stress levels and taking full stock of your diet and what foods and drinks may contribute to your rosacea are other ways to help prevent it. No matter how mild or extreme your rosacea may be, taking care of yourself and maintaining a positive outlook, especially when undergoing rosacea treatment, is necessary.

The Ultimate Rosacea Treatment Products

There are plenty of skincare products on the market that work for easily irritated, red, and inflamed skin. While some of those may be helpful if you have rosacea, the best products for rosacea are those that work to calm the skin and nurse it back to health for the long term.

Creams

Dry, desensitized skin is a common side effect of rosacea, and the appropriate over-the-counter cream can make a difference. Within rosacea creams, you're bound to find ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which moisturize the skim; niacinamide, which reduces inflammation within the skin for less redness; and even azelaic acid and sulfur, which can help mitigate the red, desensitized look of rosacea-prone skin.

Best for: Adding hydrating to the skin, which can help to soften the texture, and helping to lower inflammation-causing redness

Gels

Both over the counter and medicated gels can help mitigate the effect of skin flushing and redness. Gels are also comforting on the skin, can reduce the feeling of heat radiating from within, and can help constrict blood vessels so they are less visible on the skin’s surface.

Best for: Skin flushing and papules

Serums

Unlike creams, which hydrate the skin, serums act as powerful boosters to deliver much-needed ingredients to the skin. In a serum, you’ll find targeted ingredients that provide a specific function, like reducing redness and irritation and boosting the skin’s overall health.

Best for: Taking down redness and restoring a damaged skin barrier

The Best Skin Care Products for Rosacea

If rosacea is an issue, properly caring for your skin is essential for controlling the condition. An accurate diagnosis by your dermatologist will help you understand the type of rosacea your skin is affected by. From there, with the help of your doctor, you can develop the best rosacea treatment plan for your skin based on your triggers and what ingredients your skin responds well to. 

Rosacea skin care is an essential component in controlling rosacea and its symptoms. Using gentle yet hydrating products free of fragrance and harsh ingredients will help keep the skin under control. It's also critical to protect the skin from the sun daily and make the necessary lifestyle changes to limit rosacea-induced redness, dryness, texture changes, and minor blemishes.  

1. SENTÉ Dermal Repair Cream (1.7 oz.)

Skin that suffers from rosacea needs gentle TLC. This lightweight cream formulated by Sente who received the National Rosacea Society Seal of Acceptance delivers a serious dose of much-needed hydration thanks to a heparan sulfate analog while helping to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Perfect for sensitive skin, a combination of green tea soothes irritation and redness while sodium hyaluronate keeps the skin well-hydrated.   “I have very sensitive skin and have been recently diagnosed with Rosacea. This is a great product! Moisturizes my skin, is not heavy, leaves it feeling soft and plump but most importantly does not irritate my skin.” – Anonymous

2. Eminence Organic Skin Care Calm Skin Chamomile Cleanser 8.4 fl. oz

If you’re looking for the best face wash for rosacea, then this soothing cream version isn’t one to gloss over. Perfect for red, sensitive skin, this gentle cleanser lifts away pore-clogging impurities while a blend of organic botanicals goes hard to work to reduce irritation. There’s no need to worry about post-cleansing dryness, because after using this antioxidant-rich cleanser, your skin will emerge perfectly hydrated and balanced yet calm and soothed.    Very creamy hydrating cleanser that is terrific for sensitive and rosacea skin. A little goes a long way. I use it as a second cleanse and massage well into skin before splashing with tepid water. Brings down redness.” - Kimberly 

3. iS Clinical Cleansing Complex (6 oz.)

1068 reviews

$48.00

Gel cleansers are a good choice for rosacea-prone skin because they’re usually low-foaming and won’t strip away much-needed oil. We give two thumbs up to this canella asiatica-rich face wash, which helps reduce signs of flushed skin, while removing every trace of makeup, dirt, and whatever else may be lurking on your skin. As a bonus, the refreshing cleanser contains naturally derived and sensitive-skin-safe exfoliators helping improve rough, bumpy texture.   “My favorite face wash! I have super super sensitive skin and this is extremely gentle but gets my skin clean without stripping it! Highly recommend.” - Austyn

4. jane iredale HydroPure Color Correcting Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and CoQ10 1 fl. oz

On those days when redness is at its peak, and your skin needs to calm down fast, reach for this green-hued color-correcting serum. Thanks to hyaluronic acid, it's super hydrating, so your skin will never feel tight or dry, but it's the serum's ability to neutralize redness in the skin with a green tint and allantoin that makes it a winner.   “I really like this for my rosacea that I have been battling for the last five years! It really does help counter my redness in my cheeks & nose. It also feels great as an additional moisturizer for my dry sensitive skin.” - Theresa

5. PCA SKIN Anti-Redness Serum (1 fl. oz.)

Flushed skin that surfaces from rosacea triggers doesn't stand a chance against this anti-redness serum. Thanks to a blend of active botanicals and nutrients, including aldavine, capparenols, and bisabolol, any evidence of inflammation, sensitivity, a ruddy complexion, and broken capillaries is diminished. All that you'll see after using this serum consistently is healthier, more even-toned skin.    “I have rosacea and am pretty red in the cheeks, I have been using this for a few months now and have noticed a nice difference in amount of redness to my cheeks. It's non irritating and I often mix it with an antioxidant power house like Paula's Choice Light Serum. I'll continue to use this product.” - Anna 

6. REN Clean Skincare Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask 50ml

When your skin needs a dose of moisture and comfort, this mask does the job well. Great for dry, reactive, and sensitive skin types, a light layer of this mask helps to balance the complexion and reset the skin, primarily if environmental triggers have caused a rosacea flare-up.   “This is a great gem of a mask. I have dry skin, and I use concentrated actives both morning and night, which can sometimes leave my skin irritated and flaky. This mask comes to the rescue, it's extra gentle, soothing, and deeply moisturizing. The texture is more like a heavy moisturizer than a mask, and I often find that I don't need to wipe off any excess, I like to let it sit until the morning and I wake up with comfortably moisturized skin. A very useful product to keep on hand as part of your routine.” – Gigi

7. Jan Marini Rosalieve (1 fl. oz.)

This power-packed anti-redness serum helps reduce rosacea's effects on the skin, like flushing and red areas. Chock full of redness-reducing peptides and antioxidants, this lightweight serum also contains azelaic acid to reduce blemishes and inflammation and shea butter and hyaluronic acid to leave the skin well-nourished and hydrated.   “Total game changer for redness! Can't live without this product!” – Jennifer

8. SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer (1.67 fl. oz.)

A dermatologist favorite, this moisturizer helps take down red skin and irration on contact. Rich in bisabolol nad squalene, skin is left hydrated and comforted in next to no time.   “Helps control any irritated redness I get due to my mild rosacea.” – Grace

9. Colorescience All Calm Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50 (1 fl. oz.)

When improving the look of red, rosacea-prone skin, there's nothing this corrector can't do. A 3-in-1 treatment, the niacinamide-rich cream calms, soothes, and reduces redness in the skin. Plus, it acts as a mattifying primer to control shine, while SPF 50 and antioxidants protect the skin from the sun.   “I've hunted many years for a bb cream that actually covers any redness for my rosacea and this was IT. Have purchased it more than twice now.” – Grace

10. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (1.7 fl. oz.)

Sunscreen is nonnegotiable for rosacea, and this lightweight, oil-free one protects acne-prone and sensitive skin. It's clear, so there's no lingering white residue, and it leaves skin hydrated, too.   “I don't think I have enough great things to share about this sunscreen. The redness on my face has gone down dramatically, it applies evenly and without a weird after feeling or film. This sunscreen is expensive but its a game changer and you only have to apply 1-2 pumps for proper coverage.” - Skingal
Elise Minton Tabin
Elise Minton Tabin Writer and expert

Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with more than 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine, where she reported on beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. A self-professed beauty junkie and retinol and sunscreen pusher, Elise knows what’s new, what works and who’s the best to go for every procedure under the sun. Follow Elise on Facebook, Instagram, and on her beauty blog, elisetabin.com

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