15 Best Skincare Products for Rosacea, According to Skin Experts (original) (raw)
Cleansers
Best Overall Cleanser for Rosacea
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Dr. Divya Shokeen, MD, FAAD explains that "products for rosacea should focus on calming the skin and minimizing irritation." Therefore, one of her favorite products is the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. This product contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help restore the skin’s natural barrier. It’s effective at removing makeup and buildup from the day, yet gentle enough to not strip the skin and leave it dry. In fact, its MVE Delivery Technology gradually releases ceramides over a period of time, hydrating the skin throughout the day.
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Best Value Cleanser for Rosacea
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Add the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser to your skincare arsenal if you are looking for a daily cleanser that won’t be harsh on the skin. It’s also effective enough to use for removing makeup and excess oils without stripping the skin. Plus, Dr. Garshick states that this cleanser “is free of common irritants found in other cleansers such as fragrance, dyes, parabens, formaldehyde and other preservatives, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin.”
Moisturizers
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Best Overall Moisturizer for Rosacea
Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
This dermatologist-recommended cream helps nourish and heal the skin.“It contains a post biotic restorative ingredient, helping to support the skin barrier and also protect the skin from external irritants,” explains Dr. Garshick. Although this is a rich cream, it's a non-comedogenic formula so it won’t clog pores or feel greasy.
Best Value Moisturizer for Rosacea
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
The Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer is a lightweight formula that is suitable for sensitive skin. “This moisturizer contains a combination of ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier and niacinamide which has soothing properties, while also supporting the skin barrier and calming the skin. It helps to replenish moisture using glycerin and can be used all year,” says Dr. Garshick.
RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Niacinamide, According to Skincare Pros
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Sunscreens
Best Overall Sunscreen for Rosacea
MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen
Mineral moisturizers are ideal for sensitive skin because they tend to cause less irritation. In our Beauty Lab's sunscreen test, this pick came out on top for best mineral formula. It didn't sting skin (or eyes!), and also didn't leave skin feeling dry.
RELATED: Best Mineral Sunscreens
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Best Value Sunscreen for Rosacea
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Serums
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Best Overall Serum for Rosacea
Vichy Minéral 89 Prebiotic Concentrate
This unique concentrate is made with Vichy volcanic water, vitreoscilla ferment and niacinamide. Dr. Garshick likes this product because these ingredients “help to boost repair of the skin barrier and soothe the skin.” It also boosts the skin’s elasticity and improves the appearance of fine lines. According to Vichy’s website, you can apply this concentrate after cleansing, then follow with serums and moisturizer.
Best Value Serum for Rosacea
Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%
“Using the same ingredient found in a commonly used prescription for rosacea, this azelaic acid serum works to reduce bumps associated with rosacea as well as redness and inflammation,” says Dr. Garshick. This concentrate by Naturium not only contains a glycinated azelaic acid complex, but also vitamin C and niacinamide, which work together to improve the appearance of the skin.
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Best Serum for Rosacea with Vitamin C
SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX
“Serums should definitely have niacinamides and green tea polyphenols, but remember to focus on lower percentages. Niacinamide should be less than 5%, more of it can actually do the opposite effect,” say Dr. Shokeen. Therefore, she recommends SkinCeuticals 10 AOX, a lightweight serum for sensitive skin. This formula includes L-Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) and Ferulic Acid which work together to neutralize free radicals and improve the appearance of fine lines.
Good Housekeeping 2023 Beauty Award Winner
theraderm OPC Reparative Serum
This expert recommended serum received the Good Housekeeping 2023 Beauty Award for calming sensitive and inflamed skin. This product contains powerful antioxidants known as OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins), a group of compounds which belong in the class of polyphenols, which have shown to reduce inflammation, signs of aging and protect against free radicals. “Over the week, I used it twice a day, and the redness on my cheeks subdued significantly,” said Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann.
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Color Correctors
Best Overall Color Corrector for Rosacea
Colorescience All Calm Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50
If you are looking for a product that soothes the skin, provides coverage for redness and offers sun protection, the All Calm® Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50 can do all three in one product. Plus, “it contains a patent pending BioSolace™ complex which helps to relieve sensitivity or irritation,” says Dr. Garshick.
RELATED: 11 Best Color Correctors of 2023, According to Experts
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Best Value Color Corrector for Rosacea
Elf Camo Color Corrector
In our Beauty Lab's tests, they rated this affordable option the best color corrector for redness. Green color correctors are a great for cancelling out redness, but our experts also liked the peach version.
RELATED: Best Color Correctors
Best Gel Color Corrector for Rosacea
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel
Dr. Garshick likes this gel because it “helps to calm and hydrate the skin while also reducing redness.” This product not only contains hyaluronic acid for moisture, but thyme, olive and cucumber extract that work together to soothe the skin.
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Other skincare products
Best Overall Micellar Water for Rosacea
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
This fragrance-free formula is perfect for removing makeup and buildup on sensitive skin. Dr. Garshick likes it because “this won’t leave the skin feeling dry or irritated.” Plus, this is a rinse-free formula that soothes the skin, so there is no need to wash it off.
RELATED: 12 Best Micellar Waters for Every Skin Type
Katarina Avendaño (she/her) is the senior SEO editor for Good Housekeeping, where she writes and edits lifestyle content and contributes to SEO strategy. Before joining GH in 2021, she was the digital editor at New York Family, where she was responsible for the website’s content and strategy. Katarina received her bachelor's degree in communications and Spanish from the University of Washington.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.