Rosacea is the name given to red patches that appear on the face, most often across the nose and cheeks.
It’s a common skin condition. In fact, it’s estimated that one in 10 people in the UK have it at some point in their lives. Rosacea is more common in women over 30 and those with light skin tones.
Here at Face Dr, our team of experts have decades of experience with a range of skin concerns, including rosacea. We know how important skin is for our confidence, and how it feels to search for the perfect product, but not knowing where to start.
We’ve rounded up the best skincare products for rosacea to help those looking for products they can use at home to reduce redness. Want to skip the research and get expert-approved recommendations straight away? Book a free online skincare consultation to find out the best products for you.
Before we dive into our favourite products, what exactly does rosacea look like?
What is rosacea?
Mild rosacea can appear as light redness that comes and goes, lasting only a few days or weeks. Symptoms can be more severe with either permanent redness or patches of skin becoming inflamed and swollen. Some people may also have patches that are hot to the touch or feel like they’re stinging or burning.
Common symptoms of rosacea include:
- Red patches across your nose and cheeks
- Broken blood vessels
- Rough, dry skin
- Large open pores
- A hot, stinging or burning sensation
What causes rosacea?
The exact cause of rosacea is unknown but it’s thought to be genetic, so if you have it, someone in your family may experience it too.
There are well-known triggers that cause rosacea flare-ups. For most people, these include:
- Sunlight
- Hot drinks
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Spicy food
- Stress
- Food intolerances like dairy and gluten
If rosacea is bothering you, you can try to identify and avoid your triggers with lifestyle changes. If the problem persists or gets worse, your GP can prescribe treatments like topical creams or oral medication.
Unfortunately, rosacea cannot be cured. But there are some skincare products out there which can help reduce the look of redness and discomfort.
What are the best products for rosacea in 2024?
Ready to try an at-home skincare product for rosacea? We’ve rounded up our favourites on the market to get you started including high street and cosmeceutical options.
We generally recommend going for a cosmeceutical product over a high-street brand. That’s because they contain a higher concentration of active ingredients that penetrate deeper into the skin. This makes them more effective and quicker to deliver results. If you’re on a budget, however, there are some high street options out there that can deliver some visible results.
High street products for rosacea
Avene Antirougeurs Calm Soothing Mask
Good for: Stopping the stinging
Price: £17.50
For a once-a-week treat, try the Avene Antirougeurs Calm Soothing Mask. It hydrates and cools irritated and inflamed skin and works to reduce the look of redness. If you’re experiencing any stinging or burning, this may be the product for you. Studies showed that 70% of those tested saw a reduction in skin burning sensations when using the mask.
Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream
Good for: Red blotches
Price: £43
Clinique’s Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream is a moisturiser you can use twice a day as part of your normal skincare routine. It calms and soothes irritated and inflamed skin and works to reduce the appearance of redness and even out blotchiness. It also strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier to make it less sensitive.
Cetaphil PRO Tinted Moisturising Day Cream
Good for: Daily sun protection
Price: £24.99
We all know we should be wearing sunscreen daily, even in the winter. But it’s especially important for those with rosacea as the sun could make redness worse or cause a flare up. This Cetaphil PRO Tinted Moisturising Day Cream has an SPF of 30 and a tinted formula which helps to even out skin tone and reduce the look of redness. It’s been tested on those with redness-prone skin to ensure it doesn’t cause any further irritation.
Cosmeceutical products for rosacea
#1 ZO Skin Health Rozatrol
Good for: Targeted action
Price: Get in touch at hello@myfacedr.com to find out more about pricing
This Rozatrol treatment serum can be applied directly to any problem areas for powerful targeted action. Natural extracts like lactose and milk help to soothe the skin and minimise the appearance of redness and soreness. An amino acid complex helps to brighten your complexion, while antioxidants help to minimise inflammation and damage caused by oxidative stress. It also acts as a mild exfoliant to even out your skin tone and reduce the signs of aging.
#2 Bioderma Sensibio AR BB Cream
Good for: Immediate results
Price: £16
The Bioderma Sensibio AR BB Cream is a daily cream that soothes skin to reduce the hot and burning sensations. Glycerine and canola moisturise and strengthen the skin’s barrier and light-reflecting powders and pigments conceal redness and make the skin tone look more even. This gives you immediate results and the cream also works to reduce redness over time for long-lasting changes.
#3 Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence
Good for: Reducing skin’s sensitivity
Price: £39
As the name suggests, the Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence works to reduce the look of visible redness in the skin. It’s a toner so can be applied after cleansing and before moisturising, twice a day. It also boosts the skin’s hydration barrier making it less sensitive.
#4 iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum
Good for: Restoring comfort
Price: £50
This lightweight serum uses antioxidants and botanicals to hydrate and soothe the skin. Natural extracts work to restore balance and calm irritation and inflammation. Redness and soreness are reduced and any stinging and discomfort is calmed.
#5 La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense
Good for: Occasional flushing
Price: £20
This non-oily serum is applied directly to any problem areas. It calms red and inflamed skin and provides immediate relief from any stinging and burning sensations. After four weeks of using the product, it’s said that redness is reduced, leaving you with a more even complexion.
#6 SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective
Good for: Blemishes and redness
Price: £60
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective serum is designed for those with sensitive and redness-prone skin. It uses ingredients like cucumber, thyme and olive oil extracts to soothe the skin and reduce redness. Botanical ingredients calm any inflamed and irritated patches and Hyaluronic acid moisturises the skin. Apply two to three drops to the face or other areas of the body if needed.
#7 PCA Skin Dual Action Redness Relief
Good for: Post procedure
Price: £102
Though on the pricier side, PCA Skin Dual Action Redness Relief is the product to turn to if you’ve just had a procedure to tackle rosacea. It’s safe to use post procedure when your skin may be extra sore and sensitive. Botanical extracts calm and comfort the skin. Ingredients like niacinamide strengthen the skin’s barrier and bisabolol soothes the skin. Apply one of two pumps to your skin after cleansing.
#8 iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum
Good for: Those with other skin conditions like acne as well as rosacea
Price: £72
The iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum has a strong Vitamin C and E blend with olive leaf extracts to give your skin antioxidant protection. Kojic acid prevents blemishes and zinc sulfate reduces inflammation. The serum reduces redness and irritation while helping your skin heal and repair damage.
Need help choosing which product is best?
Those are our top skincare products for those with rosacea with something for those looking to target the visible signs of redness, those wanting to reduce discomfort from stinging and burning, and those looking for a daily product to include in their routine.
But which one is best for you? If you’re looking for products for rosacea but don’t know where to start, our skincare experts are on hand to help. You can book a free online skincare consultation with our skin experts. Over a 30-minute call, they’ll be able to analyse your skin and then recommend the best products for your exact skin type rosacea.
If you have any other concerns, or any other burning skincare questions, our experts are on hand to help.