11 Best Moisturizers for Rosacea, According to Derms 2023

This new and improved version of Paula’s Choice soothing moisturizer contains the perfect cocktail of skin-soothing ingredients that help reduce the look of rosacea, according to Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. “This product takes the right approach by using topical anti-inflammatory antioxidant ingredients—like mushroom extract—to combat redness and irritation, and by using calming emollients—allantoin—which can be used safely to condition skin.”

What you get is a cushioned, soft cream that instantly calms skin, deeply moisturizes, all while targeting the look of redness.

“Vanicream’s hyaluronic acid moisturizer is an inexpensive and non-irritating choice to help moisturize the skin,” says Dr. Collins. The budget-friendly moisturizer also contains ceramides to support your skin’s moisture barrier—a must for reactive, rosacea-prone skin—all while being dye, paraben, and fragrance-free.

For rosacea-prone skin in need of rich moisture, you can’t go wrong with Aveeno’s Redness Relief Moisturizer, according to Dr. Friedler. The nourishing cream is formulated with oat kernel flour—a favorite for sensitive skin—skin-soothing feverfew (aka wild chamomile), along with ceramide and vitamin B5 to instantly reduce the look of redness, calm sensitivity, and support a healthy, moisturized skin barrier. “This product worked better than my expensive creams,” reported one Amazon shopper in a 5-star review. “I saw immediate improvement to my winter-dry skin.”

If a gel moisturizer is more your speed, you’re going to want to try the Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer. “[It’s a] helpful moisturizer for those with rosacea because it’s ultra-hydrating and infused with squalene and probiotics that are extra soothing for the skin,” says Dr. Maclellan. It also contains bisabolol—an ingredient derived from chamomile that’s a derm-favorite for rosacea. “Bisabolol provides soothing benefits and helps with redness and irritation,” explains Alain Michon MD, Medical Director at the Ottawa Skin Clinic.

The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid Brightening Cream is another affordable, dermatologist favorite. Azelaic acid is beloved for its smoothing and skin brightening benefits that help support even skin tone and texture, and most importantly, its anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe sensitivity and reduce the look of redness. And it’s the hero ingredient in this brightening cream, packing a 10 percent concentration. Use it to target rosacea-prone areas, or apply all over the face to support a brighter, more even-toned complexion.

“I love this treatment for those with rosacea as it contains green pigments to cancel out redness, along with SPF which is so important for those with rosacea, as sun exposure can trigger flare ups,” explains Courtney Rubin MD MBE FAAD, board-certified dermatologist, and chief medical officer and co-founder of Fig.1. The secret? Centella Asiatica (also known as tiger grass or cica), a K-beauty staple that soothes and moisturizes skin. Combine the calming centella with the cream’s buildable pigments and natural matte finish, and you’ve got a skin-care and makeup hybrid in one.

To help combat the effects of rosacea while you snooze, Dr. Friedler recommends the Eucerin Redness Relief Night Creme. The fragrance-free moisturizer has a gel-cream texture that gently cools, calms and moisturizes dry, sensitive skin on contact, thanks to a key ingredient called licochalcone, a natural skin-soother derived from licorice root—a favorite for its anti-inflammatory benefits. And did I mention that it has over 5,000 5-star ratings on Amazon?

La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer is specially formulated with sensitive skin in mind—and it’s one of Dr. Friedler’s favorite moisturizers for rosacea prone skin. For just over $20 bucks, you’re getting some of the best rosacea-friendly ingredients: ceramide-3 to nourish and strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier and niacinamide to soothe inflammation, boost your barrier, and help brighten the look of redness. Plus, it has over 19,000 5-star ratings on Amazon—so you know it’s worth the hype.

“A great option to help with rosacea is the SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer,” says Dr. Michon. “[It’s] ideal for helping combat environmental triggers in order to alleviate any skin blotchiness and discomfort associated with rosacea. It cools while promoting smoothness, skin radiance, and neutralizes redness effectively.”

To build on the treatment’s redness reducing benefits, Dr. Michon recommends layering the SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore Cream ($136) on top, saying it’s “an effective anti-aging cream that helps rebuild the skin’s moisture barrier.” The combo will run you a pretty penny, but is sure to kick your rosacea redness to the curb.

Originally $19, now $18

“I love the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for those with rosacea as it features ceramides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, all while being affordable and free from added fragrance,” shares Dr. Rubin. The hydrating cream is a favorite among those with sensitive skin, and the hyaluronic acid and essential ceramides inside are major keys to keeping sensitized, rosacea-prone skin hydrated and comfortable. What’s more, the pillow-soft cream can be used all over, on virtually any skin type—and who doesn’t love a multipurpose moisturizer?

“Rosacea is a condition that makes skin ultra sensitive to many ingredients, and can flare up if the products disrupt the natural barrier, or even if they disrupt the natural good bacteria found on skin,” explains Dr. Nazarian. Which is why she loves Bliss Mighty Biome Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer Concentrate. “[It] supports the healthy bacteria on our skin, avoiding disruption of the natural pH, and has many hydrating-boosting ingredients, like ceramides and squalane, to strengthen the skin barrier. All great for rosacea-prone skin.”