Derm-approved skin care to soothe rosacea and redness

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If you frequently experience facial redness, irritation and small bumps, you may be dealing with rosacea , a common skin condition that impacts more than 14 million people in the U.S. alone, according to the American Academy of Dermatology . It most often impacts those between the ages of 30 and 50 years old. And, since there’s no cure, many are left with the difficult task of treating their own flare-ups.

I've written about expert-backed solutions to common skin care concerns for over four years and suffer from moderate rosacea myself. I spoke to dermatologists about common triggers of rosacea flare-ups and how to avoid them, plus the best skin care ingredients to help tame redness and inflammation. I also compiled a list of expert-approved cleansers, sunscreens , moisturizers and more to consider for rosacea, and NBC Select staff favorites.

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Best skin care for rosacea and redness

Listed below are expert-recommended moisturizers, facial cleansers, serums, sunscreens and more to help tame redness and irritation from rosacea. Products used by myself and other rosacea-prone NBC Select editors are also included.

Best overall moisturizer

La Roche Posay Toleraine Double Repair Face Moisturizer

La Roche-Posay is an expert-recommended brand for people dealing with rosacea or acne-prone skin (or both). I use this moisturizer every night before bed since it’s both gentle on my rosacea and hydrating enough to keep my flaky, dry skin at bay. The moisturizer has ceramides and niacinamide, both of which can help soothe and calm rosacea flare-ups, says Dr. Erum Ilyas , a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology. I pair this moisturizer with the brand’s Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser , which is a gel face wash that maintains my skin’s moisture and doesn’t irritate it (unlike most other cleansers).

Best serum for redness

Prequel Redness Reform Soothing Serum

“ Prequel is one of my absolute favorite brands that I use year round no matter what state my sensitive, eczema-prone skin is in. I know their products are safe and will prevent and combat my flare-ups,” says former NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez . “It’s one of those brands that just gives me peace of mind, especially because I know they have multiple seals of acceptance.” This serum has both the National Rosacea Society and the National Eczema Association’s seal of acceptance, so it’s safe for very sensitive skin. It blends arnica, oat and vitamin F to calm the skin and a slight green tint to neutralize redness, according to the brand. It’s fragrance-free and you can use it day and night.

Best facial spray

Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray

I’ve been a huge fan of Tower 28 for years, specifically its barrier cream and this facial spray, both of which have the National Rosacea Society’s seal of approval . The SOS Daily Rescue spray went viral on social media because it instantly reduces redness and soothes irritation (a huge plus for those with rosacea). It has hypochlorous acid , which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, according to the brand. I spray this on my face after every workout, especially when I can’t get to the shower for a little while — it turns down the heat- and sweat-induced redness on my face, and makes my skin feel clean without needing to fully cleanse.

Best overall cleanser

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

For people with very sensitive skin (especially those who might feel a burning or stinging sensation when trying new products, which is common with rosacea), experts recommend Vanicream. This cleanser has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance — the program evaluates products based on the NEA’s criteria of ingredients and contents to ensure they’re beneficial for people with sensitive skin. The dermatologists I spoke to also recommend the brand’s moisturizing cream for very dry, sensitive skin, which is also one of our favorite moisturizers for dry skin .

Best azelaic acid cream

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Exfoliator

Ilyas recommends this azelaic acid cream to help tone down redness, even out skin tone and decrease dark spots caused by bumps and blemishes. The serum has 10% azelaic acid and is gentle enough to use up to twice a day, according to the brand.

Best cream for redness

Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream

Clinique’s Redness Solutions product line includes cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens that can benefit those prone to redness and rosacea. Though the products typically look green when you initially apply them, experts say the green hue goes away when you blend it into the skin. In fact, the green particles work to camouflage the red color, according to the dermatologists I spoke to. The Clinique Daily Relief Cream is a great option if your skin has blotchy red spots: Not only does the cream reduce the appearance of redness, but it also gently calms irritated skin, according to Clinique.

Best foaming cleanser

Aveeno Calm + Restore Redness Foaming Cleanser

Foaming agents can often be too harsh on rosacea-prone skin because they remove most of the oil on the face, which can lead to even more dryness and flaking, experts say. However, there are a few that can be safe for sensitive, rosacea-prone skin, including this Aveeno cleanser . “It has calming and hydrating ingredients to balance the foam of the cleanser, so those that need their cleanser to foam in order to feel clean can [use it] while limiting the risk of excess dryness,” says Ilyas.

Best overall sunscreen

EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46

The EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen is a favorite among experts and NBC Select staff because it’s free of heavy moisturizers that can clog pores, plus has niacinamide, which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient that tames rosacea. It’s the only sunscreen I’ve tried that doesn’t flare up my rosacea and soothes any blotchy redness on my face. Similarly, former NBC Select managing editor Leah Ginsberg uses it on her fair, sensitive skin every day following her dermatologist’s recommendation because it doesn’t cause flare-ups for her, either. “I [also] love the texture and it never burns my eyes if I sweat,” she says. The mineral-based sunscreen has zinc oxide, an ingredient that’s better suited for sensitive skin compared to chemical filters, experts say.

Best for mature skin

Senté Dermal Repair Cream

This Senté cream has heparan sulfate analog, an ingredient that mimics the naturally-occurring molecule heparan sulfate, which reduces redness and hydrates the skin. This cream is a favorite of Ginsberg: “I have mature skin, and rosacea can complicate finding skin care to help with fine lines because sometimes active ingredients can cause a flare-up,” she says. Her dermatologist recommended the Senté Dermal Repair Cream, which she says noticeably soothes her rosacea-prone skin. “It’s on the thicker side, so it really moisturizes, but it feels light on my skin and absorbs well. It is on the expensive side, but it’s worth it.”

Best budget-friendly cleanser

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser is an NBC Select Wellness Awards winner and comes recommended by dermatologists thanks to its gentle, non-foaming formula that hydrates and soothes rosacea-prone skin. Ginsberg says she’s used this cleanser since she was 16 years old and loves that it’s both affordable and gentle on her skin. “It’s also great for travel because you don’t have to rinse it off with water — you can massage it in and then (gently) wipe it off,” she says.

Best acne treatment

Differin Acne Treatment Gel

Though retinoids can be too harsh on sensitive skin, they can still work for those who are rosacea-prone if they’re introduced slowly, starting with just once a week before building up tolerance. “I find the best approach is to first create a simplified routine that directly addresses the rosacea, followed by consideration of adding retinol and retinoids once inflammation in the skin is under control,” says Ilyas.

Adapalene gel, which is an OTC retinoid treatment that treats mild to moderate acne and blackheads, is considered a milder retinoid compared to other options like tretinoin and tazarotene, says Illyas. Both she and Dr. Gabriela Soza , a board-certified dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology, recommend Differin Gel (which contains 0.1% adapalene) as a suitable acne-fighting option for people with rosacea.

Best barrier cream

Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream

Ginsburg recommends this Avène cream to anyone looking to repair their skin barrier. “As I’ve gotten older, my skin has become more dull, and I refused to give up my at-home peel pads even though they’re not good for my rosacea,” she says. “So, I needed the most soothing barrier repair cream I could find to use after — I tried [this cream] and haven’t looked back.” It’s extremely thick (almost like toothpaste consistency, but silkier), says Ginsberg, so she warms it up in her hands before applying it. “When I first put it on, it leaves a pretty greasy sheen, but overnight, it sinks into my skin and I wake up completely hydrated without a hint of redness,” she says.

Best for sensitive skin

Cetaphil Body Moisturizing Cream

We love using Cetaphil's gentle cleanser for washing our faces without stripping or irritation, and this moisturizing cream is a great option for those with sensitive skin. The cream, which earned the top spot on our list of 100 best moisturizers , has a non-greasy formula with no added fragrance to avoid irritation. It can also provide up to 24 hours of hydration, according to the brand. If you’re looking for a daytime moisturizer, Cetaphil’s Redness Relieving Daily Facial Moisturizer has SPF 20 and a tinted formula to reduce the appearance of redness.

Best bar soap

Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar