Derms say these moisturisers for rosacea even out red, irritated skin
If you're one of the 415 million people who struggle with rosacea, you know how frustrating it is to deal with facial redness or splotchy, irritated skin. The condition is commonly characterised by redness, flushing, bumps, and even pustules on the skin, and can be triggered by sun exposure, extreme temperatures, and spicy foods, says board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD.
"Oftentimes, rosacea is also characterised by an increased sensitivity of the skin," Dr. Garshick adds. And with increased sensitivity, you may be leery of slathering on too many creams and lotions—but the right moisturiser can make a world of difference (more on that ahead).
The Best Moisturisers For Rosacea
"Moisturising when you have rosacea is so important because having dry skin on top of rosacea-prone skin is a disaster," explains Rachel Nazarian, MD, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist. "Since rosacea patients already have a sensitive skin barrier, weakening it further by stripping away and not replacing moisture makes it more likely for them to experience irritation."
So whether you need a new cream that's more suited for your skin type or you're on the hunt for more to add to your collection, here are 12 of the best moisturizers for rosacea, according to experts.
What to consider
Ingredients
If you have rosacea you're probably aware that certain things make your skin flare up. When it comes to ingredients things like fragrance, dyes, alcohols, and active ingredients like alpha and beta-hydroxy acids can make things worse. "Alpha-hydroxy acids, like lactic acid and glycolic acid, and beta-hydroxy acids, like salicylic acid, have exfoliating capabilities, and therefore may cause additional including redness, irritation, or dryness," says Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
On the other hand, ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and allantoin maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, and could do your skin a solid. "Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, can calm skin, reduce redness, and address uneven skin tone," says Dr. Camp. "Ceramides are lipids (fats) that normally occur in the epidermis that trap in moisture."
Additionally, he explains that hyaluronic acid, a popular ingredient found in skincare, naturally occurs in the dermis and helps skin attract and retain moisture. Therefore, getting an extra boost of it in your moisturiser is a big plus. There's also allantoin—a botanical that is "synthetically derived when added to skincare and has soothing and hydrating properties that are effective in treating sensitive skin," says Dr. Camp.
Texture
With different brands come different feels to each product. If you have dry skin, you may have a better experience with thicker moisturizers. "Products that contain oils tend to be thicker in consistency and help trap moisture within the skin," says Dr. Camp. With that in mind, water-based or gel moisturizers that are more lightweight are best for those who have oily or acne-prone skin
How we chose
To find the best moisturizers for rosacea, editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert consulted three board-certified dermatologists for their recommendations, and then the entire Women's Health team put them to the test. We also gathered insight from an additional group of anonymous testers about their experience to narrow it down to these 12 options.
So, without further ado, these are the 12 best moisturizers for rosacea.
Calm + Restore Redness Relief Moisturizing Cream
This cream contains oats, which have proven anti-inflammatory properties. The ceramide and vitamin B5 also helps restore the skin's moisture barrier, while soothing redness, itchiness, and dryness. And if you're sensitive to fragrances, you'll also be happy to know that this cream is completely fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
Another key ingredients that makes this stand out amongst the others? Purified feverfew (a kind of flowering plant). Not only does it reduce redness but it's also super strong with a potency that's 10 times stronger than vitamin C. Plus, it protects your skin from environmental damage.
This cream is a standout for Women's Health managing editor, who has suffered with facial redness for years. She finds the formula to be super soothing and rich, minus the heaviness. "It absorbs quickly and layering other products over it works very well—I often use a tinted sunscreen to both hide the rosacea and prevent it damaging sun—the Aveeno doesn’t interfere at all with that application," she says. Additionally, McLaughlin has tested several prescription solutions for rosacea, and says that the Aveeno Calm + Restore product line is similar in effectiveness.
Daily Facial Moisturizer With Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid
Dr. Garshick and Dr. Nazarian back Vanicream's Daily Facial Moisturizer for people with sensitive skin. It's free of fragrance, parabens, and sulfates—and for only $13, it's a total steal! "It contains hyaluronic acid and ceramide," says Dr. Garshick. "So it's going to help to hydrate and also support the skin barrier while still being very gentle on the skin."
This budget-friendly product is also a win with WH editors, too. "It is appealingly neutral right out of the tube, without any harsh scent or other irritants," says McLaughlin. "Its overall a gentle, light application, non-irritating, and easy to use over your whole face if desired (versus a cream where I would apply only to the affected area)." That said, she believes it's better suited to a person who prefers a thinner lotion than a thick cream. She also notes that it tends to lie on top of the skin for a bit and has a more slick feeling than other products she's tried.
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
This super lightweight cream was designed to help repair the skin’s natural protective barrier with key ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and glycerin. "Niacinamide is particularly good for rosacea because it has soothing properties while also helping to calm the skin," says Dr. Garshick. "Even though it's great for sensitive skin, it's also oil-free and won't clog pores." She adds that this is can be an ideal formula for those who have a combination of acne and rosacea as well.
"It's light but has body, and easily absorbs into my skin," says assistant food editor Joy Cho. "It leaves my skins feeling moisturized but not oily or weighed down." She notes that it can be a bit difficult to squeeze the product out of the tube, but it's ultimately a small inconvenience compared to all the pros. Plus, a little bit of product goes a long way.
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
This product is all about restoring, hydrating, and protecting the skin. Because this cream is so rich and thick, it's a great option for anyone with very dry, irritated skin. "It's going to help calm redness and inflammation," says Dr. Garshick, who appreciates the non-greasy finish to this product. "It's nice, especially for somebody who has rosacea who's experiencing more dry skin." Bonus: it can also be used on burns, cuts, and scrapes.
WH associate editor Charlotte Walsh is a big fan of the way it locks in moisture for hours after application. "A little goes a long way here—you really only need a dime-sized amount for your whole face," she says. "I've tried some other creams where you have to use a lot of product and the moisture doesn't truly sink in, and this was the complete opposite." She adds that it calmed down her mild rosacea before applying makeup and prefers to use the cream as a daily moisturizer or an added layer of protection after an intense treatment. One caveat is that the formula tends to separate and break apart, so be sure to give it a good shake beforehand.
Like Butter Moisturizer
This moisturizer takes after its name. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid to treat dry, red skin. It also contains green tea to soothe skin and one percent colloidal oatmeal to reduce redness. The rich texture is perfect for those who deal with eczema or itchy skin, and the packaging is super trendy, too.
If you're concerned about dullness, you'll be happy to know that our testers appreciate the glowy finish this moisturizer gives them. Some even experience immediate relief from their symptoms like itching and irritation after application. Still, the packaging makes it difficult to get all the product out, which can sometimes lead to a messy experience.
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe is a staple for dermatologists, which is one of many reasons why it makes the list. "It contains ceramide as well as hyaluronic acid to support the skin barrier," says Dr. Garshick. "It's also non-greasy, which is great because it absorbs very quickly." She adds that this affordable moisturizer is an ideal option for people with oily skin who want to hydrate their skin without that greasy or sticky finish.
Some users don't like that this formula can only be used at night, meaning they have to buy a different product for daytime use. However, they agree that the results and benefits are worth it.
Redness Relieving Daily Facial Moisturizer
Whether you layer SPF over your favorite moisturizer or find a two-in-one, like this pick from Cetaphil, protecting your skin from harming UV rays is important. "Sun exposure can potentially exacerbate rosacea," says Dr. Camp. This cream has an SPF of 20 and is also a standout because it has a slight tint for those who want to mask any redness. Dr. Nazarian notes that it's also a physical blocker (AKA a mineral sunscreen), which is easier on the skin than a chemical one. Plus, it has caffeine in it to help your skin vasoconstrict—a process that decreases blood flow to the skin.
That said, testers love the way this moisturizer plumps their skin and evens tone. The only major downside is that it only contains SPF 20, which isn't as high as the general recommendation of 30 or higher for adequate protection.
Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment
As previously mentioned, combining a moisturizer with SPF can be a smart move if you take a less-is-more approach to your skincare. Dr. Garshick notes that this treatment from Dr. Jart uses mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which can be helpful to people with rosacea who tend to have sensitivity to certain sunscreens.
The cream also has undertones of green and beige which neutralize redness and evens skin tone. "The key ingredient here is something known as centella asiatica, which is known to have calming effects on the skin and reduces redness," she says. "It'll help camouflage and conceal some redness while still providing protection throughout the day."
Note: The formula is thick and may require one lighter moisturizer as a base before applying the treatment on top.
SOS Daily Skin Barrier Redness Recovery Moisturizer
This vegan, cruelty-free moisturizer is packed with skin-plumping ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides. It also contains allantoin to lock in moisture and sooth irritation while replenishing the skin barrier. Additionally, some of our testers saw improvements in the appearance of their acne scars after just a few uses. Meanwhile, other users with keratosis pilaris also felt their skin get softer and less irritated.
One thing to note is that it may not be the best thing to put on before foundation, as it may cause it to pill up. That said, while it might be more time consuming, it's best to really work it into your skin before layering on other products. Overall, it's perfect for sensitive skin, plus the packaging is super cute!
Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream
Although this cream is a bit high in price, it's worth the splurge. The oil-free formula uses lactobacillus extract to help sooth redness and blotchiness. It also contains other key ingredients like caffeine, green tea, and shea butter. Testers who are prone to sensitivity appreciate the fact that it's fragrance-free and doesn't contain drying alcohols.
At the same time, some users feel that the amount of product you get isn't worth the price. Others believe that while they didn't have any negative results, they also didn't see much progress either.
Meet the experts
Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.
Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
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