I Found the Products That Work Wonders for Rosacea-Prone Skin

When you have rosacea, you know that once you find a skincare routine that keeps it under control, it's hard to stray from your tried-and-true. Introducing new products can be tricky because they could either make your skin condition better or make it a lot worse. But the tricky thing is, it can be tough to find products that actually do your skin good. Trying to shop for skincare products can be a totally frustrating process.

First, it helps to know exactly what rosacea really is. So for those in the know, it's a common skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels on the face. "It often begins with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than other people," explains Kathleen S. Viscusi, MD, FAAD, FACMS, co-founder and partner at Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta (DESSNA). "Each time we flush and blush, tiny capillaries are at risk and prone to breaking and leaking. This cyclical process of flushing and blushing damages the skin, leaving behind visible red spots and blood vessels after a flare has subsided. Rosacea can present as only the redness described above—a combination of redness and papules and pustules (papulopustular, ie acne-like. And in as many as half (or more) of patients with cutaneous rosacea, it may also affect the eyes (ocular rosacea). Left untreated, ocular rosacea can cause long-term damage to the eyes. A dermatologist is essential to consult when managing this condition."

What's more frustrating is that the cause of rosacea isn't known, although genetics might play into it. "It can be exacerbated by environmental factors, certain foods, medications, and cosmetic products," explains board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD. "Common triggers for rosacea include hot drinks, spicy foods, red wine, other alcoholic beverages, temperature extremes, sunlight, wind, emotions, exercise, and vasodilator drugs."

And anyone can develop rosacea, adds Howard Sobel, MD, founder of Sobel Skin and attending dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. You can be more prone to it if you have family members with rosacea; are female with pale and sun-damaged skin; smoke; and are over the age of 30.

The condition is chronic and not exactly curable, but there are a variety of remedies that may work. Viscusi says that each individual's treatment plan will vary based on the severity of the case, but it can be treated with topical therapies and medications (prescription and over-the-counter options). And much of the treatment and prevention of flare-ups is also avoiding triggers and regularly using broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen that's SPF 30 to 50 (or higher).

"Every rosacea patient should use a gentle hydrating cleanser; a physical, mineral-based sunscreen; and a cream-based moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid also helps to hydrate and glycolic acid is a great humectant exfoliant," Hartman says. And you might want to stay away from a toner, Sobel adds, since it can irritate the skin and make it appear redder.

When shopping for products, you'll want to look at the ingredient labels and choose items that will help you manage the rosacea instead of making it worse. When you have rosacea, you most likely have sensitive skin that can become more inflamed when using products with certain ingredients. So, opt for gentle, skin-soothing, and calming skincare items.

"Niacinamide is one of the best ingredients for soothing rosacea and can be found in many cosmeceuticals or over-the-counter products," Sobel says. "Azelaic acid when used in a cream can help to reduce redness while also treating acne. It is extremely important to wear sunscreen every day to prevent further flare-ups as sun damage fuels rosacea." Hartman also recommends looking for products that contain green tea, argan oil, and aloe.

As for the ingredients to avoid, you'll want to stay away from alcohol, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, lactic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, propylene glycol, witch hazel, camphor, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, and fragrances. This list of items can really exacerbate flare-ups, according to the dermatologists we spoke to.

And if you're ready to shop, take a look at some options below.

Next, Sensitive Skin Types: These Are the Skincare Brands That Just Work

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.