If you’re prone to rosacea flare ups, you’ll know how difficult it is to find a suitable skin care product that will help to soothe your irritated skin as well reduce the appearance of the redness that comes with it.
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that most commonly affects people with sensitive skin, and causes redness, bumps, visible blood cells and flushing throughout your complexion.
As well as these symptoms, rosacea can also cause the skin to become extremely dehydrated, which results in dry, flaky skin that doesn’t only have an affect on your skin’s appearance, but can also be painful and sore.
For that reason it's really important to factor in a moisturizer as part of your daily beauty regimen. A good quality moisturizer will help to repair the epidermis and your skin’s natural moisture barrier, which in turn will keep your skin hydrated, and do a much better job of keeping irritants and allergens out of your pores.
However, there are hundreds of moisturizers to choose from and, if not researched carefully, applying the wrong one to your skin could end up irritating your rosacea even further.
So, to help make things a bit clearer and to help you find the right moisturizer for your skin’s needs, we’ve listed five of the best moisturizers for rosacea below, along with a handy buying guide that’s packed full of advice on what to keep in mind before making your purchase.
If you’re in a hurry and need to find a great moisturizer that will help alleviate rosacea, then our top pick is the cream of the crop...
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Best Moisturizer for Rosacea - Reviews
Neutrogena oil-free moisture is ideal for oily skin or allergy-prone skin. In addition, the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Water Gel Moisturizer will instantly boost your skin's hydration level. This water-gel formula absorbs pretty first in the skin and ensures that your skin is smooth and hydrated all day long.
The Neutrogena oil-free moisture for rosacea has an intense and long-lasting moisturizing power that makes it ideal for rosacea flares. This daily gel moisturizer is formed with hyaluronic acid, naturally found in the skin. The hyaluronic acid ingredients will attract and lock in moisture in the skin, which ensures you are hydrated all day long.
The non-comedogenic gel could be a perfect addition to your daily skincare routine. This product is applied after cleansing the skin or under your makeup. The rich cream will improve your skin's elasticity and restore the skin barrier.
Furthermore, this product is not formulated with harmful substances that could irritate the skin, such as lactic acid or glycolic acids. This Gel moisturizer formula is 100% alcohol-free, Oil-Free, Dye-free, Non-Comedogenic and is Clinically proven to keep your skin moisturized for up to 48 hours.
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CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Body and Face Moisturizer are powerful products formulated to help soothe skin and keep your skin hydrated. This product is formulated with hyaluronic acid, ceramides and MVE technology to ensure 24-hour hydration.
Thi rich cream has a velvet texture that feels smooth and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. These best moisturizers for rosacea will absorb quickly into your skin and not give you a greasy or sticky feel.
The Ceramides found in the product will help repair or restore the skin barrier. The ceramides will also help relieve dry skin and soothe your skin without clogging pores or causing breakouts. Remember, dry skin can be a result of a deficiency of ceramides. Therefore the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is the perfect solution to increase your skin's ceramides.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is fragrance-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic and allergy-tested. Additionally, they are the best moisturizers for rosacea, according to dermatologists. They are also suitable for dry, sensitive, and oily skin.
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This daily facial moisturizer from Cetaphil is a lightweight lotion that provides immediate relief and intense hydration to dry, irritated, sensitive skin. The Cetaphil Redness Lotion also helps soothe the redness, hydrate skin, and pain associated with rosacea.
Containing hyaluronic acid, a fantastic ingredient for sensitive skin types. Hyaluronic acid is commonly known for its ability to retain up to 1000 times its weight in moisture and lock hydration into the skin. The daily moisturizer provides deep moisturization to help keep rosacea at bay. It also has ingredients like licorice extract, allantoin, and caffeine, all of which will help soothe your skin.
The Cetaphil Redness Daily Facial Moisturizer is dermatologically tested and fragrance-free to further ensure there's no irritation to the skin. Rosacea patients that previously purchased this moisturizer found that the results were almost immediate and that a little bit of product went a long way, so you'll be getting excellent value for money.
The oil-free formula quickly absorbs into the skin. In addition, its non-comedogenic properties mean that no product is left behind in the pores after use, leading to acne breakouts and further irritation. The Cetaphil Redness lotion is also hypoallergenic, perfect for sensitive skin.
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- Has ingredients like licorice extract, allantoin, and caffeine that help soothe your skin.
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Using minimal ingredients without compromising quality, this dermatologically tested moisturizer from Vanicream has been specially formulated for sensitive skin prone to rosacea. It is adequatly gentle to use even on the most delicate skin and does not irritate sensitive skin.
Free of any dyes, fragrances, lanolin, formaldehyde or anything else that can cause rosacea flare-ups. Vanicream moisturizing cream is ideal if you're looking for a moisturizer that you can use daily without any risk of skin irritation.
The non-greasy formula absorbs into the skin quickly, and its non-comedogenic properties leave your skin feeling silky smooth. Additionally, it is a non-pore-clogging moisturizer that will help prevent acne-like breakouts making it a perfect choice for acne-prone skin.
Furthermore, it repairs the skin barrier and prevents damage from harmful UV rays. Thanks to the super good pump design, it is also easy to apply. This moisturizer is a fantastic choice for all the family and has even been awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Society!
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Skin Food from Weleda is ideal for rosacea-prone skin, skin prone to irritation or skin that needs that extra bit of care. This best moisturizer for rosacea is excellent for anybody that wants a moisturizer that can be used on both the face and the body.
The plant-extract formula provides instant hydration without chemicals that could cause flare-ups. This rosacea moisturizer quickly absorbs into the skin and gets to work straight away, feeding your skin with the moisture it needs to look and feel beautifully soft.
Amongst the natural ingredients in this moisturizer is a pansy extract which is well known for its deeply moisturizing properties and skin hydration support. In addition, the body and facial moisturizer also contain calendula extract, which is rich in essential oils and is kind and gentle to dry, sensitive skin.
Free of synthetic oils, fragrances, preservatives and colorants. Additionally, this light cream offers gentle, effective moisturization. It also has a natural blend of lavender, orange and vanilla that will bring a calming, spa-like effect to your skin care regime.
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IT Cosmetics CC+ are the best moisturizers for rosacea, according to dermatologists. This cream is available in more than ten shades to match different skin tones. The best thing is that this moisturizer will work as a hydrator and function as a full coverage foundation.
The amazing this is that this conditioning moisturizer contains collagen, peptides, and hyaluronic acid as crucial ingredients. In addition, the tinted moisturizer also has niacin, antioxidants, and vitamins that work together to ensure that you have smooth skin.
These dermatologist-approved moisturizers will provide a sleek, natural finish and deliver firmer-looking skin. In addition, it is easy to apply this moisturizer since it only requires you to apply gently every morning and wash it off as you go to sleep.
Furthermore, the moisturizer for rosacea-prone skin will not only give you flawless-looking coverage but will also ensure that you are protected against harmful sun rays.
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This repair facial moisturizer is specially formulated for those with sensitive skin in mind. It contains a few ingredients that provide hydration to your skin and restore the skin to its preferred comfort level. It is a perfect option that will treat rosacea or any other skin concerns you might need to treat.
This soothing formulated with Neurosensine, shea butter, and La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water ensures your skin is evenly hydrated. In addition, this La Roche-Posay daily facial moisturizer is free from preservatives, parabens, fragrances, and alcohol, which in most cases will cause irritation or allergic reactions.
The application of this daily facial moisturizer is pretty straightforward. You will only need to apply it to your skin in the morning and evening after cleansing. This way, the La Roche-Posay is pretty easy to incorporate this moisturizer into your daily skincare routine.
What's more, the La Roche Posay moisturizer is dermatologist-tested and allergy-tested, meaning it is perfect for rosacea-prone skin. This gentle cream will also help repair the skin barrier, protect your skin from irritation and offer continued sun protection throughout the day.
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This super moisturizing face and body cream from Honeyskin feeds your skin using entirely organic ingredients. The body and facial moisturizer offers relief from irritation and leave your skin feeling and looking amazingly smooth and precise.
One of the ingredients in this moisturizer is Manuka honey, which has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The ingredient helps calm and soothe any redness, kill any bacteria, and ensure no breakouts.
This lightweight cream also contains natural ingredients like aloe, which helps soothe and moisturize skin deeply. It also contains multiple skin-feeding vitamins and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), which helps to brighten the skin by boosting collagen production.
Non-comedogenic, paraben-free and fragranced using only natural ingredients, this moisturizer is ideal for anybody with sensitive skin that is prone to irritation and rosacea.
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If you want to purchase a daily moisturizer for rosacea to use during the nighttime, the Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 is the perfect option for you. This lightweight cream absorbs pretty fast and deep into the skin to deliver all the hydrating properties.
The ingredients used to formulate this rosacea moisturizer are gentle and will not cause skin irritation. Therefore this moisturizer has become one of the most reliable solutions for people with acne-prone skin or rosacea-prone skin.
The ultra-hydrating formula will act as an anti-aging product and help fight wrinkles. This best moisturizer for rosacea is fragrance-free and grease-free to ensure you don't stain your bedsheets. Applying this moisturizer is pretty easy since you need to apply it gently to your skin before bedtime.
Additionally, this moisturizer for rosacea will keep you hydrated for up to 24 hours. This daily facial moisturizer will also have visible changes in smoothness, brightness, wrinkles and dark spots.
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If added to your daily skincare regime, this medicated gel will help heal, soothe and control your rosacea symptoms. This rosacea relief moisturizer is formulated with gentle ingredients, and it does not contain harsh chemicals and provide fast and effective relief for irritated skin.
More than just a moisturizer, this medicated rosacea gel from Prosacea contains ingredients specifically formulated to target and reduce the redness and irritation associated with rosacea. As a result, this gel leaves your skin looking and feeling soothed and clear.
The lightweight, water-based gel contains homeopathic sulfur that has been proven to relieve rosacea symptoms such as redness, bumps, pimples and irritation. It also contains super-ingredient aloe vera, renowned for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
This advanced non-prescription treatment is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin without compromising healing power. In addition, this water-based moisturizer contains no alcohol or petroleum-based ingredients to dry out skin or clog pores.
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As with all skincare products, what works well for one person may not necessarily work for you, so it's imperative to make sure that you find a moisturizer that is specifically formulated for your individual needs. You could also need to visit a board-certified dermatologist to find the best moisturizers for rosacea.
To make sure you get it right the first time around, we've put together some key points that you should consider when looking for a moisturizer that will help combat the appearance and soreness of rosacea and leave your skin feeling and looking smooth and precise.
Factors To Consider When Buying the Best Moisturizer For Rosacea
1. Rosacea Type
Like many skin conditions, rosacea comes in many different forms, each with slightly different symptoms. With this in mind, the first thing to consider when you're looking for a moisturizer to aid in your battle against rosacea is what type of rosacea it is that you are suffering from. To help you self-diagnose and get a better idea of what you're dealing with, we've listed these below:
- Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea: Causes flushing, redness and the appearance of visible blood vessels
- Papulopustular Rosacea: Manifests as swollen, red skin with acne breakouts
- Phymatous Rosacea: Causes skin to appear thicker and produces visible bumps on the skin's surface
- Ocular Rosacea: It doesn't affect the skin and the eyes, making them irritated and red. Also makes the skin on the eyelids appear swollen
- Steroid Rosacea: This appears as a side effect of taking steroids, specifically corticosteroids
Finding out which rosacea you're suffering from is the first step in treating and healing it. So you must find this out before purchasing the best moisturizer for rosacea. That way, you'll be able to find the right one that is specific to your needs.
2. Ingredients
Once you've determined which type of rosacea you're dealing with, the next thing to consider is the ingredients that each moisturizer contains. Some will be stronger than others, and some may contain ingredients that will irritate your skin further, so it's an important thing to look at.
As rosacea is most commonly found in people with sensitive skin, you'll want to ensure that the moisturizer you choose is suitable for this skin type. Also, look for a gentle moisturizer on irritated and even cracked skin without exacerbating the flare-up.
Moisturizers containing natural ingredients are best for this, as they won't use any harsh chemicals that could cause skin aggravation or worsen rosacea. For example, one natural ingredient commonly found in moisturizers for rosacea is aloe vera. The natural ingredients will help to soothe and moisturize the skin deeply and bring antibacterial properties to the skin to prevent breakouts.
Manuka honey is also a great natural ingredient that provides deep moisturization and encourages collagen production and skin cell regeneration. The Manuka honey will also help to speed up the healing process. Some other non-irritating ingredients you could look for are soothing cucumber, aloe, and colloidal oatmeal.
Another ingredient that can be found in some moisturizers is hyaluronic acid. Although the term 'acid' can seem a little bit of a scary thing to be putting on sensitive, irritated skin, hyaluronic acid is fantastic for rosacea. This is due to its ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in moisture and lock hydration into the skin. Hyaluronic acid will also help protect the epidermis from irritants and allergens.
Some moisturizers for rosacea are also medicated, so they are ideal as a non-prescription choice for anybody suffering from a terrible flare-up or has found it challenging to shift using other moisturizers. You could also get moisturizers that offer additional hydrating skin calmers like shea butter, dimethicone, and vitamin E.
3. Texture
The texture and consistency of your moisturizer is something else that you might want to give a bit of thought to. Remember the consistency and texture of the moisturizer will affect how effectively the moisturizer absorbs into your skin.
Generally speaking, the ideal texture for a moisturizer used to treat and soothe rosacea should be water-based and lightweight. The fantastic thing about water-based and lightweight moisturizers is that they tend to absorb quickly and efficiently into the skin. This way, there's no risk of irritating your skin further by spending too much time working it in.
There are, of course, thicker, creamier moisturizers available; however, these do tend to take a bit more time to absorb into your skin and can leave a heavy, thick feeling behind. Also, be cautious about these types because they can cause pore-clogging, which leads to acne.
Whichever you decide to go for, make sure that the moisturizer is non-comedogenic; it will absorb into the skin but won't leave any excess product behind that can become trapped in your pores and lead to further irritation or acne breakouts.
4. Complimentary Skin Care
Bear in mind that when you're dealing with rosacea, a moisturizer will be the last step in your beauty regime. So, you'll also need to find a daily cleanser that will help calm your skin, reduce redness, and irritation.
Look for a cleanser suitable for sensitive skin and contains similar ingredients to those you're looking for in your moisturizer. This means that your entire skin care regime can work in harmony and speed up the healing process.
5. Price
It's a good idea to set yourself a budget before you start shopping around so that you can make sure you're getting the best value for money. If you research the ingredients properly, you may find that you're able to get a great quality moisturizer at the lower end of the price spectrum.
Something else to remember and how much product you're getting for your money. Some moisturizers may come in a smaller container; however, this generally means that you don't have to use a lot of the product to get its full benefits, and it may be more effective at healing your rosacea one that comes in a massive pump bottle. Ultimately, try to focus on quality, not on quantity!
Skin Care Tips for Rosacea
1. Learn Your Triggers
People with rosacea have different triggers or items that can make rosacea worse. This is why checking the ingredient used to formulate the best moisturizer for rosacea, or any other skincare product you purchase is crucial. In addition, you must ensure that the product does not have any harmful substances. Some ingredients that will help treat rosacea or soothe your skin are aloe, colloidal oatmeal, and hyaluronic acid.
Elizabeth S. Martin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, advises if you are using a product for the first time, you should test it on a small area first. You have to ensure that the product does not cause burning or redness.
2. Avoid Products That Dry Skin
You don't have to purchase products that will not dry out your skin. So the ingredient that can cause persistent redness includes; alcohol, menthol, camphor, witch hazel, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, fragrances or propylene glycol.
3. Keep your Skincare Routine Simple
You will need to keep your skincare routine simple, and this means you don't have to inco[porate too many products since they all have different ingredients. Always look for skincare products with mild ingredients. Also, it is wise to look for a product that does not have fragrances. If you are unsure about a product, you can skip it or check with a dermatologist.
4. Use Sunscreen Every Day
Sun exposure triggers flare-ups in rosacea complexions; therefore, you need to use sunscreen. However, it is of the essence to keep in mind that most sunscreens contain ingredients that irritate the skin. You will find some that are chemical blockers, they will work fine, but they tend to irritate the skin. Therefore you have to be keen when settling for the best sunscreen.
Although you can find some moisturizers that will protect you from UVA and UVB rays. Most dermatologists like Dr. Noelani González, director of cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai West, recommend using a physical sunscreen. Some of the sunscreens you could settle for are titanium dioxide, niacinamide, or zinc oxide.
5. Take Care of All Your Skin
Rosacea will, in most cases, affect your face, and it is essential that as you take care of the face, you also remember to take care of the rest of your skin. Also, all your skin is likely sensitive if you have sensitive skin. Therefore you should get a gentle cream that you can apply to all areas of your body. For best results, hydrate at least once a day.
Frequently Asked Questions On The Best Moisturizer For Rosacea
1. What causes rosacea?
The actual cause of rosacea is unknown; however, it is believed that there are specific environmental and hereditary triggers that can cause it to flare up. These range from certain foods to air pollution and cause the skin to become extremely dry and sensitive, resulting in redness, skin bumps and visible blood vessels.
2. What is the best moisturizer to use when you have rosacea?
A moisturizer that contains natural ingredients and is gentle enough to use on delicate, sensitive skin is the ideal choice if you're suffering from rosacea. However, each moisturizer is different and has unique ingredients, so it's worth researching what would work best for you. Take a look at our buyer's guide for more information.
3. Why are natural ingredients better for rosacea?
Products that contain harsh chemicals can dry out the skin and cause further irritation. In contrast, beauty products made using natural ingredients will be gentler or sensitive skin, which is essential when dealing with skin irritation such as rosacea. Natural ingredients such as aloe vera or manuka honey are ideal, so keep an eye out for any cleansers and moisturizers that use these in the formula.
4. What type of rosacea do I have?
Rosacea comes in various forms, and finding out which one you're currently suffering from will help you find the correct products for treating it. The four main types are Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea, Papulopustular Rosacea, Phymatous Rosacea and Ocular Rosacea. Each of these symptoms is unique, and we've outlined these above in our buyer's guide.