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Skin care for rosacea

Maintaining your skin health is the first and most crucial step in managing rosacea. Many rosacea patients can reduce their symptoms without medical treatments by following a healthy skin care routine.

Young woman with rosacea, cream is applied to her right cheek

If you can’t keep symptoms under control using these measures, you should have your rosacea medically reviewed by a doctor to decide on further treatment options. Skin care products should always be formulated for sensitive skin. They should not contain:

  • Alcohol
  • Fragrance
  • Colours
  • Essential oils
  • Witch hazel

In general, avoid soaps and any heavy cosmetics or sunscreens that must be scrubbed or wiped firmly to remove.

Cleansers and moisturisers suitable for rosacea

Daily skin care should always include broad spectrum sunscreen, moisturising and cleansing the facial skin. We recommend using a children’s sunscreen. It will be equally as effective as an adult sunscreen for sun protection, but without potentially irritating ingredients such as fragrances and colours.

Good quality and effective skin care products for rosacea vary in price; try the cheaper ones first.

Brand Moisturisers Cleansers

Cerave

Facial Moisturising Lotion

Hydrating Cleanser

Cetaphil

Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion

Moisturising Cream

Moisturising Lotion

Gentle Skin Cleanser

Propaira

Micellar Cleansing Cream

Bernier

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SolarCareB3 Moisturiser

SolarCareB3 Intensive Moisturiser

La Roche Posay

Toleraine Sensitive Facial Moisturiser

Toleraine Sensitive Riche Facial Moisturiser

Toleraine Ultra Light Sensitive Moisturiser

Toleraine Ultra Overnight Sensitive Moisturiser

Toleraine Caring Wash Cleanser

Toleraine Dermo Cleanser

Avene

Tolerance Control Extreme Soothing Skin Recovery Cream

Extremely Gentle Cleansing Lotion

Bioderma

Sensibio Defence Active Soothing Cream

Sensibio Micellar Oil Cleanser

Cosmeceutical products with ingredients that relieve rosacea symptoms

“Cosmeceutical” skin care products contain ingredients known to enhance skin health and repair. In rosacea, the main actions of cosmeceutical ingredients are:

  • Protect or repair the epidermal barrier: niacinamide/nicotinamide, chitosan, colloidal oatmeal, panthenol and allantoin.
  • Reduce inflammation: aloe vera, feverfew, bisabolol (chamomile extract) and gingko biloba.
  • Act as an anti-oxidant: vitamin C and green tea.
Product Ingredients and actions

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum

Niacinamide: anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, skin barrier repair
Zinc: soothing

Propaira Rozaway cream

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Available from the front counter at Spot Check Clinic

Niacinamide: anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, skin barrier repair
Zinc: soothing
Bisabolol: anti-inflammatory
Allantoin: soothing

Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid 15% gel (Finacea) is available over the counter from pharmacies. If used twice daily for 3-4 months, it can be effective against the lumps and pustules that frequently occur in rosacea.

Facial rosacea is treatable

Rosacea is a long-lasting condition requiring different treatment types at various stages. Medical treatments include prescription creams and antibiotics for settling inflammation, while laser and IPL can reduce redness and visible blood vessels.

Rosacea requires a commitment to skin health. Daily sunscreen, cleansing and moisturising are necessary, and certain cosmeceutical product can help relieve mild symptoms.

“Rosacea requires a commitment to skin health.”

Rosacea treatments at Spot Check Clinic

Our doctor is a primary care physician with a special interest and qualifications in the diagnosis and management of rosacea. You do not need a referral from a GP for a rosacea assessment or treatment appointment at Spot Check Clinic. Treatments available include:

Dr Chris Miller
Written by Dr Chris Miller Accredited skin cancer doctor

MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci

14 Jan 2024

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