Dermatologists Recommend Top 7 Best Moisturizer for Rosacea

Despite how it may appear, those suffering from rosacea are not alone in experiencing spontaneous redness, flushed skin, dryness, spider veins, and overall sensitivity.

However, using the best moisturizer for rosacea can help soothe irritation and minimize redness while also preventing facial flushing.

We compiled this list of the 7 top-rated selections to help you deal with rosacea after analyzing dozens of formulas and recommendations from different skin care specialists.

Check them out now!

What is the best moisturizer for rosacea?

What Is The Difference Between Rosacea And Redness?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, an estimated 14 million people suffer from rosacea. 

Despite its prevalence, rosacea is still mistaken as redness since "it is uniquely defined by persistent redness of the middle portion of the face," reveals Rachel Westbay MD, board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical.

However, according to Suzanne Friedler MD FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the duration of your redness can be a critical indicator. 

To illustrate, if your skin flushes after sprinting outside but goes away within a few minutes, it is most likely just redness. 

Yet, if you notice that the redness lasts longer and does not completely clear away, that is the start of rosacea.

Rosacea lasts longer than redness

Another significant distinction between rosacea and redness is that rosacea is typically caused by a trigger. 

According to Kristina Collins MD FAAD, the creator of Foy and a double board-certified dermatologist, rosacea triggers may range from light, heat, and stress to alcohol, caffeine, friction, and hot beverages. 

On the other hand, "hormonal changes can worsen flushing and redness," says Audrey Kunin MD, the creator of DERMAdoctor and a board-certified dermatologist.

Without further ado, check out our top-picks of the best moisturizer rosacea now!

Best Moisturizer For Rosacea

You know that there are many benefits moisturizer with tons of great products.

Hence, we spent hours researching the best moisturizer rosacea, assessing each product to see if it contains active ingredients with calming, anti-inflammatory qualities. We also looked at how well they worked at reducing redness. 

Check this list out right now!

Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer

This non-comedogenic face cream combines two rosacea-friendly soothing additives: hyaluronic acid and green tea.

We also like that it contains allantoin, a natural extract that soothes irritated skin and aids in the healing process—a big bonus for people prone to breakouts. 

This product is also ideal for individuals with sensitive skin as it has no active chemicals that can irritate the skin.

Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer is one of the rosacea best moisturizer

Cetaphil Redness Relieving Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 20

This SPF 20 face lotion counteracts redness while reducing irritation thanks to a faint tint and skin-soothing components including vitamin E and allantoin.

We particularly like how this rosacea best moisturizer dries to a non-greasy finish, as other sunscreen-moisturizer hybrids leave the skin oily throughout the day.

It did, however, leave a white tint, which means it may not work for people with deeper complexion tones.

Cetaphil Redness Relieving Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 20

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

"I like the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for patients with rosacea since it has ceramides and hyaluronic acid to moisturize, all while being cheap and fragrance-free," says Courtney Rubin MD MBE FAAD, board-certified dermatologist, and chief medical officer and co-founder of Fig.1. 

This best Cerave moisturizer for rosacea is popular among people who have sensitive skin, and the hyaluronic acid and vital ceramides contained therein are critical in keeping hypersensitive, rosacea-prone skin hydrated and comfortable. 

Furthermore, the pillow-soft lotion can be used on nearly any skin type.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream

Though all of the best face moisturizer for rosacea on this list are suitable for sensitive skin, the Vanicream is recognized to be the most effective for very reactive skin.

The ingredient list is brief, with petrolatum, an occlusive substance that serves to trap and lock hydration into your skin,  as the key component.

One thing that made us like this moisturizer is that it is non-irritating, wonderful for anyone battling with itching, dryness, and flaking, and very economical.

Vanicream is the best moisturizer for dry rosacea skin

Eucerin Redness Relief Night Creme

Dr. Friedler suggests the Eucerin Redness Relief Night Crème to help counteract the effects of rosacea while you sleep. 

This fragrance-free product has a gel-cream texture that softly cools, relaxes, and hydrates dry, sensitive skin on contact, due to licochalcone, a natural skin-soother obtained from licorice root that is popular for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Do you know that this item has almost 5,000 5-star evaluations on Amazon? This has proven how customers love the Eucerin Redness Relief Night Creme.

Eucerin Redness Relief Night Creme

Cosrx Snail Mucin 92% Repair Cream

Although slathering your face with snail mucin (a kind of substance naturally produced from snails) may sound unappealing, it is actually quite effective for rosacea. 

With peptides, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid, snail mucus, especially when incorporated into this soothing Cosrx cream, may help soothe and repair sensitive skin. This is likely why it has over 13,000 buyers on Amazon!

Cosrx Snail Mucin Cream is among the best moisturizer for face rosacea

Customers have generally preferred not just this product but the entire snail mucin line from Cosrx, including the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, 100ml.

Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream

For over a century, Weleda Skin Food has been a go-to for nourishing dry skin.

This lotion does not immediately address irritation or redness, but the natural formula guarantees not to aggravate the problem while nourishing your skin. 

This rosacea best moisturizer contains naturally beneficial substances such as vitamin E and calendula flower extract.

Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream

So you have gone through the top 7 products that we highly recommend for those with rosacea. 

Before jumping into a useful buying guide, let’s look at those products once again:

How To Choose The Best Moisturizer For Rosacea?

If you suffer from rosacea, you understand how difficult it can be to get products that will help you and any flare-ups that may arise.

There are a few things to bear in mind, particularly when it comes to choosing the best moisturizer for face with rosacea.

Ingredients

Dermatologists across the board advise choosing substances with anti-inflammatory properties and those that assist with enhancing your skin's protective moisture barrier. 

Here are our recommendations:

Niacinamide

The holy grail substance boasts antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics that soothe rosacea-prone skin and lessen the appearance of irritation, redness, and hyperpigmentation. 

Furthermore, azelaic acid exfoliates skin gently to avoid clogged pores and promote a smooth, even-toned complexion.

Aloe vera

Aloe Vera may help temporarily relieve redness and provide relief during a flare up," says Sarah Akram, celebrity esthetician and creator of Sarah Akram Skincare.

It is also a natural humectant, which helps restore moisture back to the skin, reducing rosacea redness and providing calming hydration to sensitive skin.

Aloe vera is beneficial to those with rosacea 

Azelaic Acid

"Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3 that is often utilized in skin-care products," says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner in New York City. 

It calms, brightens, and strengthens the skin barrier, which is essential for rosacea-prone skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

"As a humectant, hyaluronic acid holds moisture in the skin and keeps it hydrated," adds Dr. Maclellan, the head of Proactive Dermatology Group, adjunct faculty at Harvard Medical School, and founder of Cortina. 

The substance provides much-needed comfort to dry, rosacea-prone skin through skin-plumping hydration while also supporting a healthy skin barrier.

What is more, any components that may irritate the skin should be avoided.

"Exfoliants such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids, as well as retinoid, can be irritating, resulting in increased redness," notes board-certified dermatologist Aleta Simmons, MD. 

So, stay away from them!

Some good and bad ingredients for rosacea

You may also like: Best moisturizer with Vitamin C

Non-comedogenic

"Rosacea and acne outbreaks often coexist," notes board-certified dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD, FAAD, of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics. 

"Even moisturizers that advertise being incredibly moisturizing can still clog your pores and increase your chance of breaking out." 

For this reason, look for non-comedogenic products, which will not clog pores.

Fragrance-free

According to Dr. Tanzi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder and director of Capital Laser and Skincare in Washington, D.C, rosacea-prone skin is frequently sensitive, hence the simpler and milder the formula, the better. 

It means you should avoid potentially irritating components, and one of the most common (and dangerous) ones is fragrance.

You should go for fragrance-free moisturizers

Product type

Consider the type of moisturizer you desire, such as gel, cream, or lotion. "Moisturizer vehicle selection is customized to each patient," Simmons explains.

Those with extra-dry skin should use a gel-to-cream or cream moisturizer (like the Nivea Soft Crème 100Ml), and those with average to oily skin should use a gel, lotion, or water-based one.

How To Apply Moisturizer for Rosacea?

If you have found a moisturizer that works for your rosacea, ensure to use it on a regular basis to keep your skin hydrated.

Rodney suggests using moisturizer for your clean skin after washing it with lukewarm water and allowing it to air dry. 

Apply your prescription rosacea cream first, allow it to dry, and then use your moisturizer. 

Best way to use moisturizer for rosacea

Use it for the first time? Perform a patch test and keep it on for a few hours or overnight to determine if you have any irritation.

Notably, moisturizing at least once a day helps hydrate your skin, and reduce peeling, burning, irritation, and redness. It replenishes the protective barrier of your skin as well.