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If you're dealing with redness, irritation, sensitivity to skincare, or any combination thereof—your skin barrier has been compromised, and rosacea may be the culprit. But as common as it is, the skin condition isn't always catered to in skincare products. "Rosacea is an inflammatory skin disorder," explains Audrey Kunin, dermatologist and founder of DERMAdoctor. "It is characterized by a red, ruddy complexion, as well as blemishes and often sensitivity. Visible webbed blood vessel formations (telangiectasias) can also be associated with rosacea."
If you're dealing with an outbreak, it's important to be gentle with your skin. Harsh peels? Not right now. SPF and a hat for extra sun protection? Definitely. In the meantime, here are 15 of the best rosacea creams to help calm your skin quickly.
The Best Rosacea Creams
Best Non-Greasy
Tower 28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery CreamRead more
Pros
- Huge tub lasts a long time
Cons
- Some reviewers find it too heavy for face
Kunin recommends this drugstore favorite, which comes in at around $20 for a large tub. "Nonprescription topicals that include ceramides and help restore barrier function, such as CeraVe Cream, can help with stinging and burning," says the derm.
Customer Review:
"My teenage daughter loves this cleanser and lotion for her very sensitive skin. She has very red patchy skin and it really helps." —Lisa
| Size | 16.0 oz. |
|---|---|
| Skin Concern | Eczema, Dry Skin |
Pros
- Contains antioxidants
Cons
- Relatively small size
Kunin may be biased—she founded the brand—but nonetheless, she recommends this face cream, which contains an antioxidant blend, hydrating hyaluronic acid and squalane, as well as calming oleanolic acid.
Customer Review:
"I’ve tried $300 Rx creams for my flushing/rosacea and Calm Cool and Corrected is really only thing that helps prevent flares and soothes if I do have an episode. I’m on my 4th or 5th jar and plan to never be without it!"—Raegan C.
| Size | 50 ml |
|---|---|
| Skin concern | Red, rosy, irritated, challenged, sensitive or rosacea-prone skin |
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Best Non-Greasy
Tower 28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream
Pros
- Agrees with most skin types
- Accepted by the National Eczema Association
Cons
- Small tube
Traveling? Reach for this cream. Used the wrong product, and paying the price with your skin? Reach for this cream. Had one too many last night? You get it. Made with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and calming allantoin, it brings skin back to stasis, without bells or whistles.
Customer Review:
"I loved this product, just like the rest of the SOS line. Definite improvements in skin texture, clarity, and moisture level - even after age 50! Thanks, Tower 28!!!" —Jamie S.
| Size | 1 oz |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Skin irritation, sensitivity |
Pros
- Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
Cons
- Some reviewers said they experienced pilling
Those with sensitivity skin already know Aveeno is one of the few brands they can trust. This fragrance-free moisturizer does just as it claims—calms and restores—courtesy of oat, ceramides, and vitamin B5.
Customer Review:
"I suffer from Rosacea and nothing had been working to keep it at bay - including prescription topicals. This cream has it under control. I could not be happier." —Simsmom
| Size | 1.7 oz |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Sensitivity, redness |
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Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Nourishing ingredients
Cons
- May be too heavy for oily skin types
Along with some of your favorite nourishing ingredients—squalane, shea butter, aloe, for example—this dermatologist-formulated moisturizer also has skin-soothing allantoin.
Customer Review:
"I have acne prone skin (specifically rosacea) and so I was eager to try this moisturizer. So far I haven't had any breakouts and it makes my skin feel hydrated during these winter months. Will continue to use!" —awheels1012
| Size | 50 ml |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Dryness, sensitivity |
Pros
- Slight tint helps neutralize redness
Cons
- May not blend in as easily with deeper skin tones
This moisturizer from Cetaphil combines sunscreen, tinted moisturizer, and skin soothing into one handy product that keeps redness at bay, instantly.
Customer Review:
"I have mild rosacea so I need something that helps to blur the flareups and is gentle, this has an SPF of 20 which is a nice boost for every day but I prefer a higher coverage so I wear it over another lightweight higher SPF on days that I'm going to be outdoors. It has a natural finish and feels like a moisturizer without being too heavy, it's breathable and doesn't cause me to breakout, it's also fragrance free as well. Love it!"
| Size | 1.7 oz |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Sun protection, redness |
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Pros
- Great for oily and combination skin
Cons
- May not be enough for severe rosacea
If you relied on Clinique to keep your skin balanced in high school, you were onto something. The brand's gentle moisturizer contains Lactobacillus extract to help repair skin's natural microbiome function—and is excellent for oily skin.
Customer Review:
"I have mild rosacea and have been using Clinique's Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser for a while but I needed something more to help with dryness. This moisturizer is AMAZING!! My skin has never looked or felt so good. I have even received compliments from complete strangers!" —Mimi
| Size | 1.7 oz/50 ml |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Redness, oily skin, rosacea |
Pros
- Works instantly and over time
Cons
- Only effective on light-to-medium skin tones
This balm works via basic color theory: As the color wheel goes, green neutralizes red. Thus, this green-tinted formula—which also has soothing panthenol and peptides—helps cancel out redness on the spot.
Customer Review:
"I have rosacea on nose, chin, cheeks and neck…after applying I felt as though the tone evened out and I looked younger. Freckles still visible but that’s my childhood sun exposure and my Irish heritage." —Tamara L
| Size | 15 ml |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Redness |
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Pros
- Cooling, soothing texture
Cons
- Not thick enough to be a moisturizer, in most cases
Think of this treatment as a Band-Aid for that flushing that comes after a workout, an adverse reaction to a product, or anything else that triggers redness. The biomimetic peptides and soothing botanical extracts will help bring skin right back.
Customer Review:
"Helped reduce the redness and irritation on my skin. Goes on smoothly and doesn’t leave you greasy." —Lori
| Size | 1.67 oz |
|---|---|
| Skin Concerns | Free Radical Damage, Itchy Skin, Redness, Rosacea, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Sun Damage |
Pros
- Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
Cons
- Some reviewers were bothered by the small pieces of colloidal oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal, aloe, ginger, and aloe take center stage in this calming cream, which is, indeed, super soothing. Plus, the lightweight formula can be used day or night.
Customer Review:
"When I apply this product on my clean face in the mornings, it calms my skin and I don't see redness. Lightweight and soothing. Convenient to carry on the go with my makeup bag." —Malama
| Size | 1.7 oz |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Sensitivity, irritation |
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Pros
- Contains multiple ingredients to reinforce the skin barrier
Cons
- May not be moisturizing enough for dry skin
Though this moisturizer can be used on all skin types, the lightweight texture is great for oily skin. Made with sensitivity-reducing glycogen, allantoin, and natural prebiotics, it's specifically formulated to repair the skin barrier.
Customer Review:
"I can usually tell right away if a moisturizer is going to irritate my dehydrated sensitive skin. This did not and left a smooth non-sticky non-greasy feel. I used it just over a toner."
| Size | 2 fl oz |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Rosacea, sensitivity |
Best for Stressed Skin
Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream
Pros
- Deeply hydrating
- Rich texture
Cons
- May be too thick for oily skin types
Some of our favorite calming ingredients are present in this soothing cream, from a strengthening peptides and ceramides and redness reducing ginger. Plus, it's tested safe for sensitive skin.
Customer Review:
"Very calming during winter and perfect for repairing your barrier. A little too thick for daytime use as it gets warmer." —Kristen
| Size | 1.7 fl oz |
|---|---|
| Skin Concerns | Dryness and Dehydration, Hypersensitive Skin, Redness |
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Pros
- Great for mature skin
Cons
- May be too thick for oily skin types
Skin can be sensitive at any time, but anyone who has gotten an intensive skin treatment or procedure can tell you that's a whole other story. This cushiony moisturizer is suitable for those times, as the creamy texture protects from stress, while centella asiatica extract promotes healing.
Customer Review:
"This face cream is wonderful on my sensitive skin and doesn't cause me to break out. It is very moisturizing but not at all greasy. Another big plus is that it doesn't pill under my sunscreen. I love this product." —Helen I.
| Size | 1.7 fl oz |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Inflammation, redness, irritation |
Pros
- Works quickly
Cons
- Some reviewers said it left a greasy finish
This face cream can start calming irritation in as little as 30 seconds—and keeps skin hydrated for an additional 24 hours. The key ingredient is the brand's D-Sensinose postbiotic, derived from Avène Thermal Spring Water.
Customer Review:
"I've used this product for a few months. It feels great on my skin. It absorbs quickly, and I don't notice any smell. I have uneven skin tone with a lot of redness and this really calms it down." —Beth
| Size | 1.3 oz |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Redness, hyperreactivity |
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Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Nourishing ingredients
Cons
- Some reviewers said the effects were mild
Avocado-green and pleasingly creamy, this moisturizer is chock-full of skin-soothers like panthenol, green algae, and turmeric, as well as sunflower seed and jojoba seed oils to keep skin moisturized.
Customer Review:
"This stuff is amazing! It’s so moisturizing and redness goes away almost instantly. My skin loves it and it gives a cooling sensation! It’s also very affordable, I will be purchasing again!" —Abigail
| Size | 50 ml |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Inflammation and redness |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Triggers or Exacerbates Rosacea?
"Consuming hot (in temperature) or spicy foods and beverages or alcohol can cause blood vessels to dilate, which can cause flushing," says Kunin. Also, prepare yourself for the ugly scientific truth: "It has been theorized that Demodex mites may exacerbate the inflammatory process," she explains—though it's not clear whether the mites cause the reaction, or if rosacea causes an overgrowth of Demodex mites.
What Ingredients Are Helpful for Addressing Rosacea?
Rosacea can be addressed with both OTC products as well as prescriptions. "Topical azeleic (Azelex) acid has long been a recognized effective ingredient in treating rosacea," says Kunin, who also name-checks ceramides. As far as prescriptions, go, she says, "More recently, topical ivermectin (Soolantra) has also been shown to be beneficial. Flushing can respond to topical medications such Rhofade or Mirvaso."
