If you frequently experience facial redness, irritation and small bumps, you may have rosacea. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, rosacea impacts more than 14 million people in the U.S. alone, commonly aged 30 to 50. And since there’s no cure for this common skin condition, many are left with the difficult task of treating their own flare-ups.
I have written about expert-backed solutions to common skin care concerns for over three years and suffer from moderate rosacea myself. I spoke to dermatologists about common triggers of rosacea flare-ups and how to avoid them, plus the best skin care ingredients to help tame redness and inflammation. I also compiled our experts’ recommendations for the best cleansers, sunscreens, moisturizers and more to consider for rosacea, as well as NBC Select staff favorites.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best products for rosacea | Best products for rosacea | Why trust NBC Select?
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When shopping for rosacea treatments, dermatologists recommend considering the following key factors:
- Gentle ingredients: Look for products that are fragrance-free and have gentle, hydrating ingredients to soothe irritated skin, including niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and aloe. Azelaic acid is also a gentle acne-fighting ingredient that can help prevent and reduce bumps caused by rosacea, experts say.
- Sun protection: Experts emphasize the importance of wearing sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to avoid further redness and irritation. Consider mineral-based sunscreens, which have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide rather than chemical filters, and are often less irritating for those with sensitive, rosacea-prone skin.
- Product type: When dealing with rosacea, experts recommend a “less is more” approach in your routine — focus on using moisturizers, facial cleansers, serums and sunscreens that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin, and avoid any harsh exfoliants, scrubs and alcohol-based toners. Be cautious when using acne treatments or retinol, which can usually be too harsh on sensitive, rosacea-prone skin, according to the dermatologists I spoke to.
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Best skin care products for rosacea and redness in 2024Below, I compiled expert-recommended moisturizers, facial cleansers, serums, sunscreens and more to help tame redness and irritation from rosacea. I also included products I and other rosacea-prone NBC Select editors use to reduce flare-ups.
Best overall moisturizer: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
What we like
- Helps restore skin barrier
- Lightweight formula
- Up to 48 hours of hydration
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
La Roche-Posay is an expert-recommended brand for people dealing with rosacea or acne-prone skin (or both). I use this moisturizer every night before bed since it’s both gentle on my rosacea and hydrating enough to keep my flaky, dry skin at bay. The moisturizer has ceramides and niacinamide, both of which can help soothe and calm rosacea flare-ups, says Dr. Erum Ilyas, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology. I pair this moisturizer with the brand’s Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, which is a gel face wash that maintains my skin’s moisture and doesn’t irritate it (unlike most other cleansers).
Best for redness: Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream
What we like
- Specializes in redness relief
- Oil-free
- Thick cream formula
Something to note
- Slight green tint
Clinique’s Redness Solutions product line includes cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens that can benefit those prone to redness and rosacea. Though the products typically look green when you initially apply them, experts say the green hue goes away when you blend it into the skin. In fact, the green particles work to camouflage the red color, according to the dermatologists I spoke to. The Clinique Daily Relief Cream is a great option for those with blotchy red spots: The cream not only reduces the appearance of redness, but also works to gently calm irritated skin, according to the brand.
Best overall cleanser: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
What we like
- Helps with oil control
- Great for very sensitive skin
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
For people with very sensitive skin (especially those who might feel a burning or stinging sensation when trying new products, which is common with rosacea), experts recommend Vanicream. This cleanser has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance — the program evaluates products based on the NEA’s criteria of ingredients and contents to ensure they’re beneficial for people with sensitive skin. The dermatologists I spoke to also recommend the brand’s moisturizing cream for very dry, sensitive skin, which is also one of our favorite moisturizers for dry skin.
Best overall sunscreen: EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen with SPF 46
What we like
- Great for acne-prone skin
- Hydrating formula
- Soothes redness and irritation
Something to note
- Has chemical filters
- Pills easily
Best for mature skin: Senté Dermal Repair Cream
What we like
- Reduces fine lines/wrinkles
- Very hydrating
- Soothes irritation
Something to note
- Expensive
This Senté cream has heparan sulfate analog, an ingredient that mimics the naturally-occurring molecule heparan sulfate, which reduces redness and hydrates the skin. This cream is a favorite of Ginsberg: “I have mature skin, and rosacea can complicate finding skin care to help with fine lines because sometimes active ingredients can cause a flare-up,” she says. Her dermatologist recommended the Senté Dermal Repair Cream, which she says noticeably soothes her rosacea-prone skin. “It’s on the thicker side, so it really moisturizes, but it feels light on my skin and absorbs well. It is on the expensive side, but it’s worth it.”
Best foaming cleanser: Aveeno Calm + Restore Redness Foaming Cleanser
What we like
- Specializes in redness relief
- Helps remove makeup
Something to note
- Foaming formula
Foaming agents can often be too harsh on rosacea-prone skin because they remove most of the oil on the face, which can lead to even more dryness and flaking, experts say. However, there are a few that can be safe for sensitive, rosacea-prone skin, including this one from Aveeno. “It recognizes that by adding calming and hydrating ingredients to balance the foam of the cleanser, those that need their cleanser to foam in order to feel clean can [use it] while limiting the risk of excess dryness,” says Ilyas.
Best budget-friendly cleanser: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
What we like
- Hydrating formula
- Good for sensitive skin
- Up to 48 hours of hydration
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser is an NBC Select Wellness Awards winner and comes recommended by dermatologists thanks to its gentle, non-foaming formula that hydrates and soothes rosacea-prone skin. Ginsberg says she’s used this cleanser since she was 16 years old and loves that it’s both affordable and gentle on her skin. “It’s also great for travel because you don’t have to rinse it off with water — you can massage it in and then (gently) wipe it off,” she says.
Best acne treatment: Differin Gel
What we like
- Great for acne-prone skin
- FDA approved
- Reduces risk of scarring
Something to note
- Topical retinoid
- Can be irritating
Though retinoids can be too harsh on sensitive skin, they can still work for those who are rosacea-prone if they’re introduced slowly, starting with just once a week before building up tolerance. “I find the best approach is to first create a simplified routine that directly addresses the rosacea, followed by consideration of adding retinol and retinoids once inflammation in the skin is under control,” says Ilyas.
Adapalene gel, which is an OTC retinoid treatment that treats mild to moderate acne and blackheads, is considered a milder retinoid compared to other options like tretinoin and tazarotene, says Illyas. Both she and Dr. Gabriela Soza, a board-certified dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology, recommend Differin Gel (which contains 0.1% adapalene) as a suitable acne-fighting option for people with rosacea.
Best face mask: Mediheal Best Korean Sheet Mask
What we like
- Cooling and refreshing
- Hydrating
- Budget-friendly
Something to note
- Scented
NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez, who has mild rosacea and eczema, uses these Mediheal sheet masks a few times a week to calm irritation. “These are my go-to face masks when my redness is particularly bad and the results are amazing,” says Rodriguez. “The mask feels cool and soothing and doesn’t irritate my skin at all. Once I take it off, the redness has gone down substantially and my face feels less sensitive.” These masks, which come in a pack of 10, have three types of cica, an ingredient that helps soothe irritated skin, treat acne and reduce redness, according to the brand.
Best barrier cream: Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
What we like
- Repairs skin barrier
- Good for sensitive skin
- Calms irritation
Something to note
- Expensive
- Thick texture
If you’re looking to repair a damaged skin barrier, consider this Avène cream, which comes recommended by Ginsberg. “As I’ve gotten older, my skin has become more dull, and I refused to give up my at-home peel pads even though they’re not good for my rosacea,” she says. “So, I needed the most soothing barrier repair cream I could find to use after — I tried [this cream] and haven’t looked back.” It’s extremely thick (almost like toothpaste consistency, but silkier), says Ginsberg, so she warms it up in her hands before applying it. “When I first put it on, it leaves a pretty greasy sheen, but overnight, it sinks into my skin and I wake up completely hydrated without a hint of redness,” she says.
Best for sensitive skin: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
What we like
- Non-greasy
- Good for all skin types
- Thick and moisturizing
Something to note
- Tub packaging
Much like Cetaphil’s gentle skin cleanser, the brand’s moisturizing cream can be a great option for those with very sensitive skin. The cream, which earned the top spot on our list of 100 best moisturizers, has a non-greasy formula with no added fragrance to avoid irritation. It can also provide up to 24 hours of hydration, according to the brand. If you’re looking for a daytime moisturizer, Cetaphil’s Redness Relieving Daily Facial Moisturizer has SPF 20 and a tinted formula to reduce the appearance of redness.
Best bar soap: Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar
What we like
- Cleanses both face and body
- Great for very sensitive skin
Something to note
- Bar formulation
One of our favorite bar soaps, Dove’s Beauty Bar is a great budget-friendly cleanser for sensitive skin, says Dr. Apple Bodemer, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. The hypoallergenic formula is safe to use as both a facial cleanser and body soap, and it has mild and moisturizing ingredients like glycerin that can help maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier, says Bodemer.
Best serum: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream
What we like
- Great for acne and dullness
- Gently exfoliates skin
- Oil-free
Something to note
- Thick formula
Ilyas recommends this serum to help improve redness and generally even out skin tone, including any dark spots caused by bumps and blemishes. The serum has 10% azelaic acid and is gentle enough to use up to twice a day, according to the brand.
Best nighttime lotion: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
What we like
- Lightweight formula
- Oil-free
Something to note
- For nighttime use
One of our favorite moisturizers for acne-prone skin, this Cerave nighttime lotion has ceramides that can help restore the skin barrier and soothe rosacea-prone skin, says Ilyas. You can also purchase the brand’s AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion for the daytime, which has a gentle formula and SPF 30 (the minimum amount of sun protection recommended by experts).
Best acne spot treatment: Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur + Niacinamide Spot Treatment Mask
What we like
- Great for acne-prone skin
- Removes dead skin cells
- Reduces excess oil
Something to note
- Has 10% sulfur
Sulfur is an ingredient that helps to gently even out skin tone and reduce bumps caused by rosacea, says Ilyas. She recommends this spot treatment mask from Sunday Riley, which you can apply to blemishes or textured areas of the skin. The treatment helps remove dead skin cells, draw out impurities and reduce redness, according to the brand. After letting the mask dry on the skin, the brand recommends washing it off with warm water.
Best tinted sunscreen: Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Sunscreen
What we like
- Tinted formula
- Water-resistant
- 100% mineral sunscreen
Something to note
- No shade variety
This Isdin tinted sunscreen can cover up redness and protect the skin against the sun, which is rosacea’s biggest trigger, says Soza. It also has peptides and antioxidants to also help minimize signs of fine lines and wrinkles, according to the brand.
Best serum for redness: The Inkey List Azelaic Acid Serum
What we like
- Specializes in redness relief
- Soothes irritated skin
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
When redness is a major concern, this azelaic acid serum, which comes recommended by Ilyas, has green-colored micro particles that can help mask redness. It also has 0.3% allantoin, which is a chemical compound that can help soothe irritation, according to the brand.
Frequently asked questions
Rosacea is best known as an inflammatory skin condition — the skin reacts to a trigger, which results in broken blood vessels and an increased sensitivity of the skin overall, says Ilyas. Unlike most people who have a baseline level of redness to their complexion, people with rosacea can experience recurrent flushing and bumps that look like acne breakouts, which can be accompanied by warmth, burning, itching and other skin sensitivities.
Though rosacea breakouts may look like adult acne, they don’t behave as such: “You go to pop the ‘pimple,’ but they don’t really come to a head [and] they just get angrier at you,” says Ilyas. “This is followed by the skin starting to swell or thicken, taking on an ‘orange-peel’ appearance with widened patulous pores.”
The location of the bumps on your face can also help you figure out whether they’re regular pimples or the result of rosacea. “Hormonal acne or other forms of adult acne tend to involve more of the lower face, whereas with rosacea we see the involvement of the nose, the central part of the cheeks and the center of the forehead,” says Bodemer.
Triggers for rosacea flare-ups vary from person to person, but the most common ones are sun exposure and heat, experts say. Other triggers include alcohol, spicy foods, hot beverages and chocolate.
“I like to joke with my patients that all the fun things in life can trigger rosacea,” says Soza. Emotional triggers can also be a cause of rosacea for many people, according to Bodemer.
Since there isn’t a known cure for rosacea, the best way to manage it is to figure out your specific triggers and avoid them when possible. Keep a symptom diary to track when you flare-up and jot down what you did before it, including what you ate. “I see people who are very sensitive to simple carbohydrates, so when they're eating more junk food and more processed sugars they will tend to flare more,” says Bodemer.
Because people with rosacea tend to have dry and flaky skin that’s both sensitive and reactive, they’re more likely to have certain reactions to skin care products, says Bodemer. When crafting a gentle skin care routine, it’s important to first see a board-certified dermatologist who can evaluate your rosacea and come up with a treatment plan, which may include one or more prescription medications like doxycycline (an oral antibiotic) and metronidazole (a topical treatment).
Below are a few gentle, hydrating ingredients experts recommend for people with rosacea and overall skin sensitivities:
- Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid hydrate the skin and soothe irritation. Aloe and ceramides work to restore the skin’s moisture barrier and prevent it from drying out, says Ilyas.
- Azelaic acid and topical sulfur help unclog pores, plus prevent and reduce bumps caused by rosacea. They also work to even out your skin tone by reducing redness and inflammation of the skin. “Azelaic acid is even FDA-approved for rosacea to help treat the inflammatory papules and pustules (red bumps and whitehead-like breakouts),” says Soza.
You should also focus on wearing a mineral-based sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. “I cannot emphasize the importance of sun protection and sunscreen enough,” says Soza. Mineral sunscreens (also called physical blockers) contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide rather than a chemical base, so they don’t absorb into the skin and can be less irritating for those prone to rosacea, she says.
Take a “less is more” approach when crafting a skin care routine for rosacea, says Ilyas. Taking a closer look at your skin care products, eliminating redundancy and choosing multitasking products can reduce the chances of using items that can potentially aggravate the skin over time, she says. That means skipping out on common skin care additions like toners (including witch hazel and alcohol-based toners that can aggravate rosacea), acne treatments, retinol and exfoliants.
Be mindful of certain acne treatments People may consider acne treatments to help with rosacea bumps, but that may only make rosacea worse, according to Ilyas. “Although people can get breakouts with rosacea, they are not the same — anyone with rosacea that has tried to ‘pop’ their pimples will tell you it doesn’t work,” she says. Avoid acne-fighting products with harsh ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid , which can irritate sensitive, rosacea-prone skin. Both Ilyas and Soza recommend using azelaic acid to control acne instead.
Limit your retinoid usage
Retinoids can dry out the skin and sometimes cause rosacea flare-ups, so it’s best to avoid them if you have moderate to severe rosacea. However, people with mild rosacea don’t necessarily have to stay away from them altogether: “You should ease into it and take it slow — start applying once a week, increasing frequency as you build tolerance,” says Soza.
If you choose to use retinol or a retinoid, apply a small pea-sized amount to the full face, and use the “moisturizer sandwich technique,” which means you moisturize, apply the treatment and then moisturize again, says Soza. “This will help your skin stay hydrated while still maintaining efficacy,” she says.
Avoid harsh exfoliants
Exfoliating can be a key step in any weekly skin care routine, and people with rosacea may be tempted to exfoliate to help reduce the flaky dead skin caused by the condition. However, experts say you should avoid exfoliating altogether if you have rosacea.
“The more you inflame the skin [with exfoliants], the more flaking you're going to have,” says Bodemer, adding that the flaking on the skin is due to the inflammation caused by rosacea. You should also avoid any products that have small beads or require scrubbing. If you’re really insistent on exfoliating, simply use water and a soft washcloth, experts say.
Ilyas recommends limiting or avoiding the use of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), which are chemical exfoliants. “Although people with rosacea may use these for anti-aging benefits, care should be taken to avoid excess irritation — rosacea alone can make the skin sensitive and adding in chemical exfoliation can aggravate this irritation,” she says.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Erum Ilyas is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology. Dr. Ilyas specializes in adult and pediatric medical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and skin cancer treatment.
- Dr. Apple Bodemer is a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
- Dr. Gabriela Soza is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in New York City.
I am an updates editor at NBC Select who has written a variety of skin care stories, including treatments for cystic acne, keratosis pilaris and dark under-eye circles. For this article, I spoke to three dermatologists about how to tame rosacea and highlighted their recommendations for the best products to consider. I also included recommendations from NBC Select editors who have rosacea.
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