What Dermatologists Want You to Know About Moisturizers for Rosacea (2024)

If you’re someone who often struggles with different lotions because of your sensitive skin, Dr. Akhavan says you may have better luck with Vanicream. “I commonly recommend Vanicream for patients with ultra-sensitive skin,” he says, adding that it has a lot to do with the fact that this product is known to be free from fragrance and other common skin irritants.

What the reviewers say: “I wanted a ceramide face moisturizer that wouldn’t clog my pores or irritate my...skin type and this is it. I’ve got sensitive, rosacea, and acne prone skin and this is not irritating. It hydrates well but is a bit on the shiny side. I don’t mind the shine because I only use it at night, and in the morning it has sunk in. This is a great moisturizer if you’re looking to strengthen your barrier. Having said that, if you’re sensitive to hyaluronic acid, it might not be your best bet. Luckily, my skin tolerates it and gets benefit from it.”

According to Dr. Turner, the star ingredient in this product is centella asiatica or cica, a plant that has long been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine due to its many benefits.

“It’s loaded with potent bioactive compounds that can help quell inflammation, boost hydration, repair damage, and many more,” he continues, adding that because this is a rich cream, it’s better for dry skin types.

What the reviewers say: “I received samples of this cream, and love it! 49-year-old Mom, with rosacea, red cheeks, and super dry skin, and nothing has helped me BUT this specific line has 1000% helped soothe and calm my redness. I use the moisturizer first and then the color-correcting cream (same line), it acts like a foundation but better! I use a cream blush and it does not separate, it actually makes the cream makeup look more natural.”

Derms like Cetaphil because the products are affordable, easy to find, and gentle on sensitive skin, Dr. Turner says. “This formula in particular is best for rosacea-prone skin because it features ingredients allantoin, licorice extract, and caffeine, all of which can relieve redness and calm irritation as well as mineral SPF 40 to protect skin from UV (a common rosacea trigger),” he continues. “It’s also tinted, so it could help even out the complexion and neutralize redness.” This set comes with a redness-relieving night cream for 24-hour soothing.

What the reviewers say: “Today is my second day using it and I have to say it is amazing, and the tint did reduce my redness appearance too, it looked very natural after I really blended it with circular motions (and does not clog pores at all).”

This formula from Paula’s Choice is available in a lightweight iteration for oily skin and a heavier version for drier skin types, according to Dr. Turner. “In addition to prebiotics, it contains nourishing squalane and soothing plant extracts like algae, mushroom, and allantoin.”

What the reviewers say: “Honestly, I love this moisturizer. I have a touch of rosacea and wanted a moisturizer that would deliver on hydration and not lead to redness. This surpassed my expectations and it smells nice.”

When it comes to moisturizers for those with rosacea, Arash Akhavan, M.D., F.A.A.D., The Dermatology & Laser Group says the one that most often gets the stamp of approval in his office is this CeraVe one.

“Despite its name, this product is a great moisturizer for both day and nighttime use,” he explains. “It contains a blend of three ceramides, as well as hyaluronic acid, to help restore the skin barrier. It also contains the anti-inflammatory vitamin niacinamide to help manage redness.”

What the reviewers say: “It’s light and doesn’t leave an oily residue on the face. Have been using it for both am and pm and it works well.”

Looking for a moisturizer for rosacea that fortifies your skin barrier? This pick from Tower 28 claims to do just that, with the help of ceramides (supports skin barrier), hyaluronic acid (hydrates), and allantoin (which locks in moisture). With over 106k hearts on Sephora, shoppers love the product.

What reviewers say: “I have always had sensitive skin and this cream is what I have been needing to heal my dry skin after I cured my rosacea. This cream healed my dryness, my face bumps, and redness. Please don’t get rid of this!”

Dr. Ryan says that this SkinCeuticals pick is a good formula for those with oily skin because of its light gel-cream texture, which is formulated with calming plant extracts like cucumber, thyme, and olive leaf.

“The star ingredient, though, is azelaic acid, an ingredient that is used in prescription treatments for rosacea to quell redness and smooth out coarse texture.”

What the reviewers say: “I have been using this twice per day since January as a part of my treatment for rosacea. This product was recommended to me by my dermatologist. It is lightly fragranced with a natural botanical scent. I keep it in the fridge for an extra soothing feel. I have very dry skin and this is not quite enough moisture for me. I always follow this with a moisturizer. It has calmed my skin and helped reduce redness. In combination with the other products I am using, it has also helped smooth my skin so I don't have rough and flaky spots.”

What the reviewers say: “My facial technician recommended this for my red irritated itchy skin & it worked great! Gentle & moisturizing without any irritation.”

This budget-friendly, non-comedogenic formula is recommended by Dr. Turner because it’s made with soothing, antioxidant-rich extracts like green tea and aloe, as well as sodium hyaluronate to provide lightweight moisture that won’t weigh down or congest rosacea-prone skin.

What the reviewers say: “This has been a repeat buy many times over. This moisturizer has been the best for my oily & and acne-prone skin for close to a year now. Definitely very hydrating but doesn’t give that ‘glowy’ look that others do, which is perfect for my skin type. I like to mix in a thicker moisturizer on occasion in the winter but this stuff does the job well.”

If you’re looking for something that will work for all skin types, look no further than this La Roche-Posay moisturizer, which claims to work well no matter your skin type: dry, oily, or combination!

“This product contains ceramides and glycerin to repair the skin barrier,” according to Dr. Akhavan. “As with many La Roche-Posay products, this moisturizer also has prebiotic thermal water that has been shown to decrease skin inflammation.”

What the reviewers say: “I have sensitive skin and have struggled to find a moisturizer that actually works. The cream goes on smooth, light, and dries quickly with a wonderful soft feel and no smell. It actually moisturizes my skin!! No reactions- really love this product.”

This is another great product for those looking to grab something affordable for their rosacea-prone skin, according to Dr. Rabach, who likes it because it “contains calming ingredients like feverfew.”

What the reviewers say: “I like this because it doesn't make my face feel greasy it's a good moisturizer not sure if it really affected the redness on my face. The scent is very mild for those who are sensitive to smells.”

If you’re looking to try a moisturizer with a lighter touch, Dr. Akhavan says you may want to try this drugstore item. “I love this product for anyone looking for a lighter feeling moisturizer, or for patients with acne-prone skin,” he says. “This gel moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid, which provides deep hydration without clogging pores.”

What the reviewers say: “Love how this makes my skin feel! I have been using this for years! It works very well with my skin. It’s not greasy, thickness is just right, just the right amount of moisture. Doesn’t leave a greasy residue.”

For those who need some deep moisturizing, Dr. Turner recommends this intense treatment from Skinfix. “This is a sleeping mask that features a blend of hydrating and soothing natural ingredients (like cucumber and honey) as well as many biomimetic lipids like ceramides and cholesterol to help fortify the skin barrier and promote more nourished, balanced, and calmer-looking skin,” he says.

What the reviewers say: “I’ve had troubled red skin for a long, long time. Since I started using this as a daily moisturizer, I’ve noticed my dryness and redness reduce significantly! I love this product and would recommend it to everyone suffering from similar issues to at least TRY it. The consistency does not feel heavy on your skin and I haven’t experienced any clogging of my pores from this. I use it in the morning after cleansing as well as a second moisturizer in the evening (after cleansing and a different water-gel-based moisturizer).”

“This is another moisturizer that is great for patients with very dry skin,” according to Dr. Akhavan, who loves it for its high concentration of lipids, including ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, which he says can help restore the skin’s barrier and improve the appearance of rosacea-prone skin.

What the reviewers say: “This is a staple in my skincare routine. I’ve been using it for about four months and I already see a big difference in my skin. I can’t go back now, I can’t wait to see what it does after another couple of months.”

With a combination of hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and a variety of antioxidants, Dr. Akhavan says that this moisturizer can provide intense hydration while repairing the skin barrier and reducing redness. “This is a lightweight formulation that provides hydration,” he adds.

What the reviewers say: “This is one of the best products for your skin. Has a higher amount of hyaluronic acid than most. You will love your skin after using this.”

Dr. Akhavan says this moisturizer is perfectly formulated for patients with rosacea, as it is full of antioxidants and other ingredients to decrease redness. “It features chamomile, arnica, and shea butter to calm redness and hydrate sensitive skin,” he continues.

What the reviewers say: “I used to work at a spa and we use and sell these products in our facials and those that have said it is too thick of a moisturizer are not using it right. You barely need to touch it to get enough on your finger to cover your whole face—it’s thick for a reason. It lasts forever and it really does help if you have eczema and rosacea and you get dry skin.”

If you’re experiencing a flare-up, Dr. Turner says this may be a beneficial product to try. “It features a proprietary blend of postbiotics, compounds produced by probiotics, to help relieve the skin of irritation and redness.”

He also notes that it contains the brand’s signature spring water, which he says may help soothe and calm.

What the reviewers say: “This works for me. In fact, it is almost like a miracle. I have very reactive rosacea-prone skin. The description says that it restores skin’s barrier, soothes visible redness, tightness, and overheating. I’ve used an entire tube, and for me, it really does what it says. The added bonus is that it is preservative-free. This is definitely worth a try if you suffer from reactive skin or rosacea flares. I have not had a flare since using this product.”

Free from dyes, fragrances, and parabens, Dr. Rabach says that this moisturizer is ideal for those with sensitive skin. “[It] provides effective hydration without irritation,” she adds.

What the reviewers say: πI’ve been using Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream, and it has quickly become my go-to moisturizer. It’s incredibly gentle on my sensitive skin, providing deep hydration without causing irritation. The texture is rich but not greasy, and it absorbs well, leaving my skin feeling soft and smooth. It’s perfect for daily use and has helped improve the overall appearance of my skin. If you’re looking for a reliable, non-irritating moisturizer, I highly recommend Vanicream!”