Redness, irritation, sensitivity — you name it, these formulas target it.
You’d probably expect your skin care for rosacea to target redness without irritating your sensitive skin, but the best products tackle more than a flushed complexion. Yes, it’s the most well-known symptom of rosacea, but this very common skin condition — which affects 16 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association — is more than just a blush.
“Symptoms of rosacea include facial redness, flushing, patchy dryness, and acne-like bumps,” says Patricia Farris, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Metairie, Louisiana. She adds that patients with rosacea often complain of sensitive skin, making it difficult for them to tolerate many cosmetic and skin-care products. “This is likely due to the fact that there is a disruption in skin-barrier function associated with rosacea,” Dr. Farris says.
If these symptoms sound familiar, a dermatologist can help you determine whether you’re dealing with rosacea, and more importantly, which type of rosacea you may have. Connecticut-based dermatologist Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, explains that rosacea is broken down into four subcategories: papulopustular rosacea (characterized by “redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts”), erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (which means “redness, flushing, visible blood vessels”), phymatous rosacea (“skin thickens and has a bumpy texture”), and ocular rosacea (“eyes red and irritated, eyelids can be swollen, and the person may have what looks like a stye”).
A board-certified dermatologist can help determine the proper course of treatment, which may include prescriptions and/or innovative over-the-counter products that soothe your symptoms. Multiple dermatologists also recommend products that repair the skin barrier to help lock in moisture and minimize dryness.
Sounds difficult to find? Actually, there are so many products that we needed a few of our most trusted dermatologists to pare them down. Ahead, find expert recommendations for moisturizers, masks, cleansers, and more to add to your rosacea-specific routine.
Best Overall: Eau Thermale Avène Antirougeurs Calm Soothing Mask
As we said earlier, redness isn’t the only rosacea symptom to look out for. The condition can also come with irritation and inflammation, which may require something a little more intensive, like Eau Thermale Avène’s Antirougeurs Calm Soothing Mask. Washington, D.C.-based board-certified dermatologist Emily Porter Gerson, MD, says it’s one of her favorite skin-calming treatments because of ingredients like dextran sulfate, a derivative of antibacterial sulfur. “This green-tinted mask is incredibly soothing and fortifies the skin’s natural protective barrier,” she says.
Best for Uneven Texture: Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
Audrey Kunin, MD, Kansas City-based board-certified dermatologist says azelaic acid is one of the best ingredients for soothing rosacea flare-ups. “[Azelaic acid is] anti-microbial and helps prevent pore-plugging,” she says. “It also has a side benefit of helping reduce post-inflammatory acne hyperpigmentation.” Since Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster has a high concentration of the star ingredient, Dr. Kunin suggests adding it into your rosacea treatment routine. Keep in mind that this pick is a booster, so you can wear it on its own as an all-over treatment or you can mix its light, fluid-like formula into your favorite serum or moisturizer for an added redness-reducing boost.
Best for Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Multiple dermatologists have gushed over La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist (and TikTok-favorite) Whitney Bowe, MD says it’s her go-to for all of her rosacea patients because it contains prebiotic thermal water, “which supports the skin microbiome,” she says. It’s also infused with moisture-retaining ceramides, which Dr. Bowe says can help support your skin barrier and seal in moisture, making it great for dry skin. “Moreover, it’s fragrance-free, which is important because fragrance can be irritating and can contribute to rosacea flares,” she adds.
Best Moisturizer: SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer
Multiple dermatologists we spoke to say they recommend SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer moisturizer to their patients for its soothing feel that works wonders on red patches and irritation. “This works by strengthening the skin’s defense against environmental triggers like temperature, weather, and sun exposure, which can trigger rosacea flares,” explains Dr. Robinson. This topical includes a moisture-retaining mix of squalane and bisabolol, an extract derived from chamomile that’s known for its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask
If you’re suffering from papulopustular rosacea, also known as acne rosacea, Peter Thomas Roth’s Therapeutic Sulfur Mask can help with issues like redness, blemishes, and inflammation without drying out or irritating your skin in the process. Both Dr. Kunin and Dr. Robinson recommend it because of its star ingredient, sulfur, which has therapeutic anti-microbial and pore-cleansing properties that are gentler than most exfoliants on the market. It also contains aloe vera to soothe and calm any problem areas.
Best Multi-Tasker: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension
Though it’s a cream-based formula, consider The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension as a treatment. As its name suggests, this treatment has a high concentration of azelaic acid, a multi-tasking treatment known for its ability to ease redness, target pimples and blemishes, and reduce hyperpigmentation for a more even skin tone. Michele Green, MD, a New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure that she loves this skin-enhancing pick for its creamy yet non-greasy formulation and ability to “target acne, rosacea, and sun damage.”
Best Cleanser: Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser
Dr. Gerson says that green tea is essential to any rosacea-focused skin-care regimen. “This ingredient contains molecules called polyphenols that are proven to reduce inflammation,” she says. When your rosacea flares up, Dr. Gerson suggests washing with the Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser. It’s a delightfully creamy face wash that’s soap-free and infused with anti-inflammatory green tea, making it a safe pick for all sorts of sensitive skin types.
Best Night Cream: Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream
What makes the Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream worth every penny is that it’s one of the best skin-care products for easing redness flare-ups. Its ultra-gentle, fragrance-free formula and creamy texture feel cooling and soothing to the skin upon application, and one of our testers previously shouted out this luxurious moisturizer for its ability to provide major redness relief.
Though its name says day cream, our tester also reported that this cream has a thick consistency that takes a moment to absorb, so you may want to reserve it for your nighttime routine. “The oil-free cream soothes and refreshes the face instantly and helps prevent flushing over the long term,” she said. “Regular makeup wearers should use a light hand — or apply it at bedtime — since concealer and foundation slip around when layered on top.”
Best Skin-Care Device: LightStim for Acne
Yes, topicals are a great place to start for your rosacea-focused routine, but Dr. Kunin says LED skin-care devices, like the LightStim for Acne, can make a huge difference. “Blue light helps kill blemish-forming bacteria,” she says. “For rosacea-prone individuals, use of light therapy can help reduce some of the need for potentially drying or irritating topical medications.” This complexion-clearing gadget treats your skin to 36 LED blue and red lights that calm redness, irritation, and inflamed blemishes. It’s like the spot treatment of skin-care tools; simply place it on any flare-ups, let the device do its thing for three minutes, and you’re all set.
Best for Mature Skin: SkinFix Barrier+ Triple-Lipid Peptide Cream
When it comes to soothing rosacea-prone skin, Dr. Bowe recommends finding a moisturizer that focuses on repairing the skin barrier. That’s why she suggests slathering on the SkinFix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream, a creamy formula that treats your skin to “barrier-friendly ingredients” like hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin along with moisture-replenishing shea butter. Of course, this cream also has the added benefits of peptides, an ingredient known for its skin-firming properties — making it a great moisturizer for mature skin.
Best Sunscreen: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 Glow
No matter what your skin type is, you should use (and reapply) a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day — and those prone to rosacea symptoms like skin redness should be especially cautious when it comes to harmful UV rays. For optimal sun protection, Dr. Bowe suggests adding the Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 Glow to your skin-care routine if you have rosacea (or even if you don’t).
“Sun exposure can exacerbate rosacea, but chemical sunscreen filters and the fragrances in many sunscreens can be an issue for rosacea patients,” she says. “Focus on a mineral sunscreen like this one by Colorescience, which is fragrance-free and gives your skin a luminous, healthy glow.”
Best Cream Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Joyce Davis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, suggests washing your face with a gentle cleanser like CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser. The Best of Beauty winner removes pore-clogging dirt, excess oil, and stubborn makeup without leaving your skin feeling dry and tight afterward. You can thank the moisture-retaining ceramides and skin-plumping hyaluronic acid for that. Though this isn’t a foaming cleanser, its cushiony formula and skin-soothing results will leave you and your skin feeling more than satisfied with each cleanse.
Best Calming Mask: First Aid Beauty Arnica Relief and Rescue Mask
New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, says the First Aid Beauty Arnica Relief and Rescue Mask is a must for your rosacea skin-care routine, thanks to its skin-soothing properties. “This mask is a great option for those dealing with dry and sensitive skin as the arnica is anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce redness while calming and soothing the skin,” she says. “It also contains shea butter and glycerin helping to both moisturize and hydrate the skin.”
Best for Redness: DermaDoctor Calm Cool + Corrected Anti-Redness Tranquility Cream
To tackle chronic redness, Dr. Kunin developed the DermaDoctor Calm Cool + Corrected Anti-Redness Tranquility Cream. This derm-developed facial moisturizer is formulated with skin-calming ingredients like chamomile extract and aloe vera to reduce the look of red patches and skin irritation. Along with this rich cream’s list of skin-soothers, it also contains a moisturizing blend of hyaluronic acid, squalane, and shea butter, plus antioxidant vitamin E to guard your skin from free radicals.
Best Drugstore Product: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Dr. Davis says you don’t need a fancy (or expensive) redness-reducing formula to treat your rosacea. Her number-one recommendation for rosacea patients is Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser, which has a mild yet effective formula. The brand’s beloved face wash has won both Best of Beauty and Readers’ Choice Awards for its relieving, lotion-like feel that soothes skin with a blend of moisturizing glycerin and ant-inflammatory niacinamide. “This face wash is crazy gentle,” says one of our testers in her review of the cleanser. “We mean dermatologist-gold-standard kind of gentle.”
