What is the best moisturiser for rosacea?

23rd February, 2021 • 4 min read

If you often have redness across the centre of your face, you might have a common skin condition called

rosacea
. Women get it more often than men, and it’s more common in people with lighter skin.

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Whether you think you might have rosacea or you’re already treating it, finding the right rosacea moisturiser – and using it every day – can help.

This is because rosacea makes your skin very sensitive. Harsh skincare products can irritate skin and make your symptoms worse. But carefully choosing your face moisturiser will help to lock in water, making your skin feel more comfortable. Some studies also suggest using a moisturiser may improve the results of rosacea treatment.

Read on to learn more about rosacea and get tips on finding the best face lotion for rosacea.

What is rosacea?

Rosacea usually affects your face and there are many signs and symptoms. The first signs that can help you tell if you have it include:

  • redness (blushing) on your cheeks, forehead, chin and nose, which comes and goes
  • a burning feeling when using water or skincare products on your face

Other rosacea symptoms can include:

  • dryness
  • swelling, especially around the eyes
  • yellow-orange patches of skin
  • sore eyelids, and flakes or crusts around eyelashes
  • thickened skin with a bumpy texture, mainly on the nose
  • tiny broken blood blood vessels that do not disappear
  • small pink, red or pus-filled bumps (spots)

It’s not known what causes rosacea, but it’s thought that your family history, immune system and environment play a role.

There are also things that commonly make rosacea symptoms worse, including sun exposure, stress and alcohol. You can read more about rosacea

here
.

What to look for in a face moisturiser for rosacea

Like any skincare products you use for rosacea, a moisturiser for rosacea should be gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, as well as non-greasy and unperfumed.

Look for products with ingredients that help to calm and soothe skin, and help prevent redness from irritation. Some moisturisers that are specially designed for rosacea even have a green tint, which can reduce the appearance of redness.

Sunlight can cause rosacea flare-ups and make your symptoms worse, so consider trying a moisturiser that contains sunscreen – or wear sunscreen as well. Look for a sunscreen with SPF30 or higher that protects against both UVA and UVB rays – usually labelled as ‘broad spectrum’.

Examples of moisturisers for rosacea

Rosaliac UV Light Anti-Redness Moisturiser SPF15

Created for rosacea-prone skin, this moisturiser promises to hydrate, soothe and help reduce the appearance of redness. It’s been tested on sensitive skin and doesn’t contain any fragrance – a common rosacea trigger.

Eucerin AntiRedness Soothing Care

Designed to help soothe and protect very sensitive and redness-prone skin, this cream doesn’t contain any fragrances or alcohol and won’t block pores (non-comedogenic).

CeraVe Moisturising Cream

This gentle, fragrance-free moisturising cream contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate and restore the skin’s natural barrier. Rich, yet non-greasy and fast-absorbing, it’s suitable for very dry skin.

Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser

This light moisturising lotion is suitable for sensitive and dry skin. It’s fragrance-free and doesn’t block your pores (non-comedogenic).

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Oil-Free Facial Moisturiser

Designed for sensitive skin, this water-based lotion is oil-free and won’t block your pores. It’s lightweight, so it absorbs quickly. It’s also free from fragrances and alcohol, both of which can irritate rosacea.

Key points

  • rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness across your nose, cheeks, forehead and chin
  • a moisturiser for sensitive skin can help to hydrate and soothe skin and work alongside any rosacea treatment
  • a good moisturiser for rosacea has no alcohol or fragrances, but contains ingredients that help to calm, soothe and prevent irritation
  • for the best results, use a moisturiser every day

Disclaimer

All links to third party products referred to in this article are being provided as a convenience and for information purpose only, and do not mean that the writer favours some products or companies over the others, nor does this constitute our sponsorship or endorsement of, or affiliation with, or responsibility for these companies. There is no or limited evidence for the use of these products for rosacea.

Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.