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Best Creams for Rosacea: Treat Rosacea Flares with Creams, Serums and Oils

As a dermatologist with rosacea, I understand the frustration and discomfort that comes with facial redness and flushing. Drawing from my personal experience and 25 years of treating rosacea patients, I've carefully curated this collection of rosacea creams and serums, selecting the most effective and soothing formulations for oily, dry, and aging skin types.  The calming creams, serums, and oils in this collection are meant to be applied after washing your face.

Each face cream, serum, or oil contains potent, yet gentle ingredients like niacinamide, caffeine, and argan oil to calm and soothe the skin. Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, you'll find a redness treatment that suits your specific needs and helps you manage your rosacea with confidence.

If you need help choosing, visit my blog on rosacea creams or take our skin type quiz. Once you take the quiz, you'll see your skin type octagon next to the rosacea creams that are best for you.

As someone who has tried countless products over the years, I know how challenging it can be to find a rosacea treatment that truly works. That's why I've done the research and testing of many face products for you, selecting only the most effective and well-tolerated formulas. I'm confident that this curated collection of rosacea- friendly creams, serums, and masks to treat rosacea flares will hydrate your skin without causing facial redness or a rosacea flare. These soothing creams can be used safely along with prescription rosacea creams for best results.

Over the years, I have experienced many rosacea flares from products that claimed to help rosacea. Don't make the same mistakes I made. Instead, benefit from my personal experience and expertise as a dermatologist living with rosacea,. Take the first step towards clearer, calmer skin today by shopping for rosacea treatments using your Baumann Skin Type. 


Dr. Leslie Baumann, MD. Board-Certified Dermatologist

 
 
 
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Zerafite Soothing and Calming Moisturizer

Zerafite

Zerafite Soothing and Calming Moisturizer

$55.00

Zerafite Barrier Repair Moisturizer

Zerafite

Zerafite Barrier Repair Moisturizer

$50.00

Plated SkinScience INTENSE Serum

Plated Skin Science

Plated SkinScience INTENSE Serum

$244.00 - $258.00

PAORR Organic Moroccan Argan Oil

PAORR

PAORR Organic Moroccan Argan Oil

$32.50

Derma Made Ceramide Barrier Cream
Sale

Derma Made

Derma Made Ceramide Barrier Cream

$35.00 Regular price $70.00

Derma Made Nia-genic Lotion
Sale

Derma Made

Derma Made Nia-genic Lotion

$46.00 Regular price $92.00

Essopi Triple Antioxidant Cream

ESSOPI

Essopi Triple Antioxidant Cream

$108.00

Plated SkinScience DAILY Serum

Plated Skin Science

Plated SkinScience DAILY Serum

$244.00 - $258.00

Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer

Alastin

Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer

$43.00 - $78.00

Plated SkinScience DAILY + INTENSE Serum Duo

Plated Skin Science

Plated SkinScience DAILY + INTENSE Serum Duo

$554.00

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS Red Better Daily Calming Moisturizer

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS Red Better Daily Calming Moisturizer

$44.00

Essopi Triple Antioxidant Serum

ESSOPI

Essopi Triple Antioxidant Serum

$108.00

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Hydrating + Calming Gel Serum

SkinCeuticals

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Hydrating + Calming Gel Serum

$80.00

PCA Skin ReBalance

PCA Skin

PCA Skin ReBalance

$59.00

EltaMD AM Restore Moisturizer
Sale

EltaMD

EltaMD AM Restore Moisturizer

$32.80 Regular price $41.00

PCA Skin Anti-Redness Serum
Sold Out

PCA Skin

PCA Skin Anti-Redness Serum

$70.00

Revision Skincare Vitamin K Serum
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Revision

Revision Skincare Vitamin K Serum

$62.00

Alastin Soothe & Protect Recovery Balm

Alastin

Alastin Soothe & Protect Recovery Balm

$46.00

PCA Skin Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum

PCA Skin

PCA Skin Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum

$125.00

ClarityRx Glimmer of Hope Shimmering Facial Oil

ClarityRx

ClarityRx Glimmer of Hope Shimmering Facial Oil

$58.00

Shea Terra MD 100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil
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Shea Terra

Shea Terra MD 100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil

$24.00

Obagi Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream

Obagi

Obagi Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream

$110.00

SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer

SkinCeuticals

SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer

$78.00

Replenix Caffeine Fortified Calming Serum

Replenix

Replenix Caffeine Fortified Calming Serum

$99.00


How I Find the Best Rosacea Creams: A Dermatologist's Perspective

When searching for the ideal cream to help calm rosacea, it's essential to consider the ingredients carefully. Calming moisturizers should contain anti-inflammatory ingredients to help reduce redness, stinging, itching, and other symptoms associated with rosacea flare-ups.

Just as important as what the cream should contain is what it should not include. To minimize the risk of irritation or exacerbation of rosacea symptoms, the cream should be free from ingredients with a low pH that cause stinging, or comedogenic ingredients. Rosacea creams should not have retinoids, common allergens, barrier-damaging emulsifiers, alcohols, exfoliating ingredients, and topical steroids like hydrocortisone. Hydroxy acids should be avoided when rosacea is active - but salicylic acid can be used because it has unique soothing properties that make it popular as an anti-redness treatment.

Instead, look for creams that contain soothing and calming ingredients such as bisabolol, allantoin, and aloe. These ingredients help to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and provide a comforting sensation to the skin.

Rosacea Symptoms: How the Right Cream Can Help

If you have rosacea, you know how frustrating the symptoms can be – redness, flushing, and inflammation. The good news is that the right cream can help control these symptoms. Look for creams with ingredients like caffeine, which can constrict blood vessels and reduce flushing. Argan oil, safflower oil, and evening primrose oil are also great choices because they contain linoleic acid, a fatty acid that soothes the skin.

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is another ingredient to watch for. It helps calm the skin by activating the PPAR pathway, which reduces inflammation. Niacinamide also works on the prostaglandin pathways and stabilizes the skin's immune responses, which can help prevent rosacea flare-ups.

Salicylic acid, which is similar to aspirin, is another ingredient that can be helpful for rosacea. It works by affecting the arachidonic acid pathway, which is involved in inflammation. By choosing a cream with these ingredients, using them in a skin care routine with prescription rosacea medications, and avoiding rosacea triggers, it will be easier to manage your rosacea symptoms and enjoy clearer, calmer skin.

Rosacea Creams for Different Skin Types: Oily, Dry, and Combination

When it comes to managing rosacea, the serums, oils, and creams in this collection serve as the crucial third step in your morning and evening skincare regimen (after cleansing and an eye cream). If you choose to follow with a moisturizer, it should be tailored to your specific Baumann Skin Type. If you have oily skin, you may prefer a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid, which helps plump the skin without adding excess oil. On the other hand, those with dry skin will benefit from a soothing barrier repair moisturizer. For those with aging skin concerns, incorporating antioxidants like green tea and resveratrol can provide additional soothing benefits while combating signs of aging. By determining your Baumann Skin Type, we can help you create the ideal rosacea-friendly routine that addresses your unique needs, ensuring that you achieve the best possible results in managing your rosacea symptoms and other skin concerns.

Calming Rosacea Flare-Ups: Tips and Product Recommendations

When dealing with a rosacea flare-up, it's crucial to have a plan in place to help soothe and calm your skin. One of the most important steps is to choose a gentle, non-irritating rosacea-safe face wash that won't further aggravate your skin. After cleansing, reach for a cream, serum, or oil from this collection that contains anti-inflammatory ingredients such as niacinamide, caffeine, or argan oil.

Look for a products to use in your rosacea skin care routine that are specifically designed for sensitive skin. Until your skin calms down, use products free from harsh ingredients like exfoliators, acids, retinoids, benzoyl and peroxide, which can worsen facial flushing.

In addition to selecting the right products, it's essential to practice gentle skincare habits. Use lukewarm water when cleansing, and pat your skin dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing. Avoid using abrasive scrubs or washcloths, which can further irritate your skin. If you need sun protection, opt for physical sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as these are less likely to cause irritation compared to chemical sunscreens.

By following these tips and incorporating soothing, rosacea-friendly products into your routine, you can help calm flare-ups more effectively and maintain a more comfortable, balanced complexion.