Have your cheeks been flushed, and no, you’re not blushing? It may be time to consider the best skincare for rosacea to help calm things down. While it’s normal for skin to flush on occasion—after a long run, spending time outside on a chilly (or hot!) day, or even in the presence of crush— but if your face is red, inflamed, and irritated more often than not, there’s a chance you have an underlying condition. “Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition of the face that primarily affects the cheeks, nose, chin, and eyelids,” explains Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Skin Care for Rosacea
While redness is the most common symptom of rosacea, it is not the only thing to stay on the lookout for. According to Navin S. Arora, MD, rosacea can cause acne-like breakouts, visible blood vessels, eye irritation, and even thickened skin over time. Experts say the key is to avoid (as best as possible) a rosacea flare-up—a period when symptoms are worse than normal—when skin gets redder, more irritated, and rougher in texture, with acne-like bumps and breakouts. Unprotected sun exposure, extreme temperatures, stress, and the consumption of alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine are common triggers. “While these things can cause temporary flushing in anyone, people with rosacea experience a much more pronounced and persistent reaction,” board-certified dermatologist Richard Bottiglione, MD tells Vogue.
Lifestyle choices directly impact rosacea severity—in a particularly forward facing way—just as much as choosing the right skin-care products. “Factors like alcohol or sun exposure because even short daily UV exposure through car windows can keep rosacea chronically active,” board-certified dermatologist Azideh Shirazi, MD explains. “In rosacea, irritation accumulates quietly before a flare appears.”
Below, we’re sharing the best skincare for rosacea as well as insights into ingredients and in-office treatments to consider on your quest for calmer, more comfortable skin. Just remember, no product is universal, and that’s especially true when seeking out skincare for rosacea: “Since everyone’s skin reacts differently, patch testing new products is always a good idea,” says Dr. Arora.
Best with Azelaic Acid: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream
- Why We Love It: For a budget-friendly pick, The Ordinary’s brightening cream features a star anti-inflammatory ingredient that’s particularly effective at treating rosacea. “Azelaic acid is actually one of my favorite non-prescription treatments for rosacea. I call it the jack of all trades because it’s very beneficial for all skin types,” says Dr. Shirazi. “It helps reduce inflammation, calms redness, and also treats the breakouts without disrupting the skin barrier.” Fellow board-certified dermatologist Dara Spearman, MD agrees, adding that while the ingredient is usually well tolerated, its it’s still important to monitor for dryness or stinging. The sweet spot in application? Starting with once daily and only increasing to twice daily “Using it consistently over several weeks often yields the best results,” she adds.
- Key Ingredients: Azelaic acid, dimethicone, azelaic acid, tocopherol
- Texture: Gel-cream
- Fragrance: No
- More To Know: Free from fragrance, alcohol, mineral oil, parabens, and formaldehydes
- Size: 1 oz