Regular use of gentle skincare products can prove to be effective at managing rosacea and can help your skin appear healthy. When selecting the best skin products for rosacea what you really want to look for is quality products that specifically work to minimize inflammation and irritation.
The National Rosacea Society offers some excellent tips for choosing skincare products for sensitive skin:
Avoid products with ingredients that will aggravate your skin condition:
Some common irritants include witch hazel, alcohol, eucalyptus oil, menthol, peppermint and fragrance. It is also recommended that you avoid exfoliating agents and astringents.
Go for fragrance -free products:
From makeup to moisturizers and cleansers, it is best to choose products that do not contain fragrances. Fragrance has been found to trigger contact dermatitis and other allergic irritations that aid in making the skin weak and prone to infections.
Stick to the basics:
As someone with a problem skin, you may be tempted to want to try out any product on the market. However, your best bet is to actually use fewer products by choosing products that have more than one role.
Patch test:
Not all ‘allergy tested’ products may work for your particular skin. Before applying a product on your face, test it on a less sensitive area such as your arm to see if you have any adverse reactions to the product.
We’ve done extensive research to come up with the best skin products for rosacea. Below is a review of the products including the pros and cons of each:
Best Rosacea Cleanser
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The Hydrating Cleaner by CeraVe is one of the most highly rated cleansers for rosacea. This gentle cleanser is infused with Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE), a patented formulation that allows the ingredients to deeply penetrate the skin to nourish and hydrate.
The cleaner is formulated to thoroughly remove makeup, oil and dirt without stripping the skin’s protective barrier.A major plus for the CeraVe hydrating cleanser is that it is non - comedogenic so it does not block pore, which could cause whiteheads, blackheads and acne cysts.
To avoid irritation, your rosacea prone skin needs to be hydrated regularly. Unlike other cleansers, CeraVe does not leave your face feeling taut and dry; instead, it cleanses and hydrates, leaving your skin soft and moist.
PROS
- MVE patented formulation for deep cleansing
- Hydrates and cleanses
- Non-irritating ingredients
- Non-comedogenic
- Protects skin’s natural barrier
- Ceramides keep skin moist and soft
CONS
- May not be suitable for drier skin (the non-foaming regular CeraVe may be a better choice)
- Some users complain about the scent
- A bit pricey
Best Rosacea Exfoliator
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As someone with sensitive skin, you may not be too keen on exfoliation products. However, the National Rosacea Society says that people with sensitive rosacea prone skin can exfoliate but this should be done using the right products and technique.
We chose the TreeActiv Fouri -in -One Acne Treatment because it contains natural products that are sure to be gentle on the skin.
This treatment works as a daily cleanser, dry scrub, spot remover and mask. It aids in unclogging your sebaceous glands, removing any infections from pores and clearing bacteria and other irritants on the skin while leaving your skin feeling moisturized.
This product is marketed as a treatment for acne but it works excellently on rosacea-prone skin.
The TreeActiv treatment contains:
Sulfur mud:
Aids in unclogging pores, removing dead skin cells, eliminating blemishes and preventing breakouts by nourishing the skin with essential minerals.
Bentonite clay:
Helps to eliminate toxins in the skin and to calm itchy irritated skin.
Crystallized sugar:
Serves as a humectant to keep skin hydrated.
Honey Powder:
Acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial ingredient that also helps the skin to lock in moisture.
Grapefruit essential oil:
Works as an antioxidant, which cleanses the skin, fights infection and minimizes inflammation.
Aloe Vera:
Helps the skin to heal while keeping it hydrated.
Lime Essential Oil:
Works to minimize inflammation, keeps the skin firm and improves skin tone.
PROS
- Contains powerful but gentle natural ingredients
- Works to combat symptoms of both acne and rosacea
- Suitable for all skin types
- Four-way formulation
- Anti-inflammatory, reduces redness
CONS
- Slightly funky smell
- Mask has very granular consistency (be gentle when applying to sensitive skin)
- You need to carefully balance water and TreeActiv treatment to form a consistent mask/scrub
Best Rosacea Face Moisturizer
Honeyskin Organics Organic Moisturizer Cream for Face and Body
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This multipurpose face and body cream easily ranks as our best moisturizer for rosacea. It is packed with some of the most nourishing ingredients for the skin including Aloe Vera, Manuka Honey, Shea butter, Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil.
Manuka Honey is a potent type of medicinal honey that works as an antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. For rosacea skin, it works magic in speeding up the healing process.
Aloe Vera is the main ingredient in this moisturizer and it helps to ensure that all the other natural ingredients penetrate the skin deeply. Aloe is also perfect for minimizing itching, burning and redness associated with rosacea.
Another great plus for the Honeyskin moisturizer is that it is packed with the world’s most nourishing and moisturizing oils including coconut oil, olive oil, coco butter, hempseed oil and shea butter.
PROS
- Non allergenic
- Fragrance free
- Non greasy
- Gentle enough for rosacea-prone skin
- Minimizes wrinkles and skin
- Great for skin tightening and firming
CONS
- Some ingredients may not work with some people e.g. polysorbate 80
- Strong musty smell may be off-putting
- May leave the skin slightly dry for those with already dry skin
Best Rosacea Toner
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Toners make the face feel firm and tight, which is a feeling some people desire. However, you need to be careful with toners if you have rosacea, as they can tend to dry out the skin.
The alcohol-free toner by Neutrogena is our favorite toner for rosacea because it has the vital benefit of not drying out your skin or causing irritation.This tone is formulated with mild purifiers that help to gently eliminate impurities thus allowing the skin to rejuvenate.
PROS
- Alcohol free toner
- Does not dry or irritate skin
- Suitable for all skin types
- Gentle purifiers help with skin conditioning
- Non-comedogenic, oil-free, and hypoallergenic
CONS
- May leave a sheen on the face
- It is not fragrance-free
- May take a while to see significant changes to skin
- Slight tingling sensation
Best Rosacea Vitamin and Supplement
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Certain minerals and vitamins can be especially effective in treating, soothing and improving the look and feel of your skin.Vitamin A is one of those essential compounds that can be helpful in treating problem skin.
Vitamin A boosts epidermal differentiation, suppresses formation of androgen and slows down activity in the sebaceous gland. Vitamin A deficiency, on the other hand can cause the skin to become rough and dry, which can aggravate itchiness.
We elected the Now Foods Vitamin A as the best supplement and vitamin for rosacea as it contains safe levels of Vitamin A. Specifically, it contains 25,000 IU from fish liver oil.
If you are not a fan of tablets, these Vitamin A capsules will work great as they come in the form of a soft gel made from gelatin.
You can find our full review of supplements for Rosacea here.
PROS
- More affordable than other skin care systems
- Helps to clear pores
- Aids in skin cell regeneration
- Reduces sebum production
- Minimizes redness on problem skin
CONS
- May cause slight skin dryness
- Not suitable for pregnant women
- May have adverse effects for people with bovine and dairy sensitivities
Best Rosacea Essential Oil
Organic Pure Cold Pressed Unrefined 100% Natural Jojoba Oil by Leven Rose
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Jojoba oil is one of the best essential oils for rosacea -prone skin and any skin type for that matter.
Although most people know jojoba as a carrier oil for essential oils, it also works magic as a moisturizer and healing emollient for skin when used on its own.
This 100% natural and unrefined jojoba oil from Leven Rose can be applied all over the body to minimize inflammation and sooth the skin.
What’s really cool about this particular brand of jojoba oil is that it is stored in a dark amber bottle and comes with a glass dropper. This packaging helps to protect the oil from oxidation and extends its shelf life.
Jojoba oil has similar properties to the sebum produced by the skin. As such, it is easily absorbed into the skin and hair and works to restore the moisture and protective layer of the skin that may have been stripped away by soaps.
PROS
- Natural organic oil
- Easily absorbed into the skin
- Works as an anti-inflammatory
- Restores moisture in extremely dry skin
- Suitable for all skin types
- Appropriate storage for longer shelf life
CONS
- May cause breakouts on some people
- Some users complain of cooking oil smell
- Not hypoallergenic
- Not USDA certified organic
Best Rosacea Sun Screen
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A study by the National Rosacea Society found that direct exposure to sun was a leading cause of flare-ups for people with rosacea.
Daily use of sunscreen is recommended to protect your skin from flare-ups and redness associated with rosacea.
A good sunscreen for rosacea should be chemical free, contain titanium dioxide or zinc and have an SPF of at least 15 or higher to protect against UVB/UVA rays.We considered these factors when choosing the best sunscreen for rosacea and settled for the Eltamd UV Clear SPF 46. This broad-spectrum sunscreen has no parabens and is non-comedogenic so it will not block your pores.
Despite being a ‘heavy’ sunscreen, the Eltamd applies very well and is easily absorbed into the skin. You can apply makeup on top of this sunscreen and not have to worry about greasy white streaks or residue.
The sunscreen contains hyaluronic acid, which aids in keeping the skin calm and moist, which is especially helpful for people with rosacea.
You can find our full review of recommended sunscreens for Rosacea here
PROS
- Non -greasy
- Applies easily, lightweight formulation
- Broad spectrum protection
- Can be used under makeup Cleanses, moisturizes and calms skins
- Suitable for ace -prone skin
- Contains lactic acid to reduce shine
CONS
- More expensive than other sunscreens
- May cause slight skin peeling
- Packaging is not user-friendly
Best Rosacea MakeUp
Clinique Redness Solutions Makeup SPF 15 with Probiotic Technology Calming Alabaster
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Good quality makeup can be a great way to minimize the appearance of blood vessels and redness associated with rosacea.
If you have a problem skin, you have no option but to invest in very high quality makeup and cosmetic products; anything less stands to aggravate skin irritations and increase flare-ups.
This is why we chose the Redness Solutions Makeup by Clinique as one of the best makeup for rosacea.
The makeup features a color -correcting formulation that instantly minimizes blushing and redness. It also comes with ingredients that help to calm the skin therefore reducing flare-ups.
Made with probiotic formulation, the Redness Solutions Makeup protects the skin’s natural barrier while the broad spectrum SPF and antioxidants minimizes the impact of environmental pollutants on the skin.
PROS
- Reduces Redness
- Contains SPF suitable for skin types: 1, 2, 3
- Oil free, lightweight
- Calms and soothes skins
- Color correcting formulation
- Probiotic technology strengthens skin barrier
- Contains antioxidants
- Minimizes flare ups
CONS
- Doesn’t last 24 hours
- Can be cakey
- May cause skin to dry
- May not provide heavy coverage
- Requires a bit more work to remove makeup
Best Rosacea Shampoo
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A flaky scalp is a common symptom of moderate to severe rosacea. To manage the ensuing dandruff, you would need to use a shampoo specifically intended to combat this condition.
The Selsun Blue Medicated Maximum Strength Dandruff Shampoo is one of the best shampoos for rosacea as it contains selenium sulfide and menthol, which help to sooth an itchy scalp and minimize dandruff.
This specially formulated shampoo not only aids in eliminating serious dandruff; it can is also helpful in preventing seborrheic dermatitis, a skin condition affecting the scalp.
PROS
- Contains scalp soothing formulation
- Helps to combat serious dandruff
- Prevents seborrheic dermatitis
- Makes hair soft and easy to manage
- Controls scalp itchiness
- Non greasy
- Does not contain parabens, mineral oils or water
CONS
- Smell may be a bit offensive
- May leave a residue
- May slightly change color of dyed hair
- Relatively pricey
Conclusion
Choosing the best skin care products for rosacea can be a bit of a headache; this skin condition is already stressful on its own and so we’ve done the job for you. The products we have compiled here are rated as being some of the most effective for managing rosacea.
Generally, avoid products with a drying effect and instead choose those that hydrate, moisturize, soothe and protect your from direct exposure to the sun’s UVB/UVA rays.
For best results when using these products, determine your rosacea triggers and avoid them; otherwise, your rosacea symptoms will not abate even with the best products.