Dermatologists Recommend These Products for Rosacea More Than Any Others

We asked the experts to share the best skincare products for rosacea, alongside the ingredients to look out for.

Eleanor Vousden's avatar
By
last updated
in Buying Guides
A skincare collage including a bathroom sink with products, a woman wearing a face mask and a marble sink
(Image credit: @emmahoareau, @ironnsalt, @leatngu)
Jump to category:

For most of my adult life, I actually thought my rosacea was stubborn acne. While hormonal acne was indeed present in the form of cystic spots, I was often battling small, angry papules and redness around my nose, chin and cheeks that even the most dedicated skincare routine wasn't helping with. It was only after a recent diagnosis with a dermatologist that I was surprised to learn I actually have rosacea (fun fact: it's often misdiagnosed as acne by patients themselves), and ever since, I've been determined to understand the skin condition better. As it turns out, my current skincare routine was probably making matters worse.

If you've landed here, you probably have a lot of questions around rosacea, too. So, I've enlisted the help of Dr Emma Craythorne, dermatologist and founder of Klira, to explain what rosacea is, how to treat it and the best products to build into a skincare routine for rosacea.

Skincare products on bathroom sink

(Image credit: @emmahoareau)

What Is Rosacea?

"Rosacea is a very common, chronic disorder that can present with a variety of skin changes," says Dr Craythorne, who explains that it predominately affects the central part of the face and can present in the form of facial redness, papules (small, hard spots that don't come to a head), pustules (spots that have a pus-filled head) and flushing. It can also present in the form of visible veins and sometimes skin thickening.

"Although generally considered common, assessment of the true prevalence of rosacea is challenging because of the variable clinical manifestations, the existence of other skin disorders with overlapping features, and underdiagnosis is highly likely," explains Dr Craythorne. "Rosacea can present in many ways, and often people will never visit a healthcare professional to get a diagnosis—something that is likely to increase in the UK due to the availability of healthcare for skin complaints."

Dr Craythorne says that rosacea primarily occurs in adults over the age of 30, and the disorder occurs more frequently in females than in males. "Occasionally, [it] occurs in adolescents, a population in which rosacea is often mistaken for acne vulgaris. Rarely, rosacea occurs in children," she says.

Rosacea can occur in all skin tones; however, it is often trickier to spot the symptoms in those with deeper complexions, which can mask some of the more obvious symptoms such as redness, so it can often be underdiagnosed, says Dr Craythorne. "Because it can appear quite differently, rosacea really covers a blanket term of conditions, [so] diagnosis and subsequent treatment can be different."

What Causes Rosacea?

Mirror selfie

(Image credit: @ironnsalt)

The exact cause of rosacea remains unclear, but several key factors contribute to its development. According to Dr Craythorne, genetics plays a significant role, so if it runs in your family, you may be more susceptible to rosacea too. Our immune systems also play a part in rosacea. Individuals with rosacea often have an overactive immune system, which overreacts to triggers like microorganisms, ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and physical or chemical trauma. This leads to chronic inflammation and blood vessel issues in the skin.

Another contributing factor is the presence of demodex mites, microscopic organisms that live in sebaceous (oil) glands. We all have these in our skin; however, those with rosacea tend to have higher numbers of these mites, or they may have an abnormal immune response to them, which can exacerbate symptoms. Dr Craythorne explains that vascular hyperreactivity—where the blood vessels in the face are overly sensitive to environmental stimuli—is also a key characteristic of rosacea, leading to persistent redness and flushing. It's thought that extreme temperatures (and even some spices) can exacerbate rosacea symptoms.

Dr Craythorne recommends keeping a flare log to better understand your rosacea flares and possible triggers. "Really understand your skin," she says. "Think about your genetics and think about what your flares are. Keep a flare diary for three months to see if there are specific triggers—don’t decide on a whim what a trigger is, as you will get it wrong—be patient and keep the diary for real results."

What Is the Medical Treatment for Rosacea?

There is no cure for rosacea, but medical treatments can significantly control the symptoms, as well as adopting a good skincare routine (more on that in a moment). But in terms of medical, prescription formulas, Dr. Craythorne advises starting with topical treatments that have proven efficacy. Some of the most effective treatments include:

Azelaic Acid (15%): Reduces inflammation and improves redness.
1% Ivermectin: Targets inflammation and can help reduce demodex mite levels.
Tretinoin (0.05%): This prescription form of vitamin A helps improve skin turnover and manage symptoms. Dr Craythorne recommends tretinoin as opposed to other retinoid forms such as retinol when treating rosacea.

Treatment often takes several weeks to show significant results, so patience and consistency in your routine are really key. If topical treatments don’t provide enough relief after 12 weeks, oral medications like antibiotics or isotretinoin may be prescribed.

What Skincare Ingredients Can Help Rosacea?

Skincare swatches

(Image credit: @peonylim)

Thankfully, there is plenty of skincare we can access over the counter to treat rosacea if you don't have access to a dermatologist. Dr Craythorne recommends focusing on skincare ingredients that are proven to treat rosacea. "Keep your skincare simple and targeted – only use products that have a good evidence base," she says. Good over-the-counter skincare ingredients include:

Azelaic Acid: This anti-inflammatory ingredient reduces redness and calms the skin.

Niacinamide: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, niacinamide can help reduce redness and strengthen the skin barrier.

Ceramides: These are essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier, which can prevent flare-ups.

Sunscreen: Daily broad-spectrum SPF is non-negotiable, as UV light is a common trigger for rosacea flares. You should also actively avoid sunbathing or the use of sunbeds, too.

"Once you have the routine that works, don’t deviate from it—the skin will ebb and flow in terms of how it behaves, but don’t swap and change routines too quickly—real results to make a meaningful difference take time, at least eight weeks," says Dr Craythorne.

What Ingredients Should Be Avoided?

There are some ingredients you should steer clear of in your skincare routine. These include:

Fragrances: These can irritate the skin and exacerbate redness.

Alcohol-based products: These dry out the skin, making it more vulnerable to inflammation.

Harsh exfoliants or scrubs: These can physically damage the skin barrier and increase redness and sensitivity.

Foaming cleansers: These often contain surfactants that strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to irritation.

It's important to keep skincare simple and gentle, using products specifically formulated for sensitive skin.

How We Chose the Best Products for Rosacea

rosacea-282726-1684523474585-main

(Image credit: @ROSEGALLAGHER)

So, what are the expert-approved products for rosacea? We asked Dr Craythorne and makeup artist Rose Gallagher, who also happens to have been diagnosed with rosacea—two types, in fact—and uses her social platform as a place to share images of her real skin and product recommendations to others who are dealing with the same diagnosis. I've also included the products I've been recommended since being diagnosed with rosacea. Scroll ahead for our recommendations.

The Best Products for Rosacea

1. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

2. Lumene Oat Milk Oil Cleanser

3. Klira The Klira Special

4. Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Gel

5. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Rich Moisturiser

6. La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+

7. The Inkey List Redness Relief Solution

8. Dr Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment

9. Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm

10. It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream With SPF 50+

11. Garnier Micellar Reusable Make-Up Remover Eco Pads

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Eleanor Vousden
Eleanor Vousden
Beauty Editor, Who What Wear UK

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections.

With a degree in fashion journalism from the London College of Fashion, she has 10 years of industry experience and has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.

Eleanor’s journalistic focus is providing readers with honest and helpful beauty content. She has interviewed celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson.