Keep in mind that this pick is a booster, so you can wear it on its own as an all-over treatment, or you can mix its light, fluid-like formula into your favorite serum or moisturizer for an added redness-reducing boost.
- Key ingredients: azelaic acid, salicylic acid, allantoin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Serum: Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum
Anua
Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum
Why it’s worth it: If your skin is constantly flushed, it might feel impossible to imagine a world where brightness doesn’t come with redness, but it’s feasible with Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum. “It contains a powerhouse rosacea-fighting ingredient, 10% azelaic acid,” says Dr. Chang. The formula also includes three types of hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate, along with calming ingredients such as green tea, aloe, Centella asiatica, and panthenol to soothe sensitive, reactive skin.
- Key ingredients: azelaic acid, green tea, aloe, Centella asiatica, niacinamide, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50
EltaMD
UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Why it’s worth it: Consider this a mini crash course in color theory: Green neutralizes red, which is exactly what EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is made to do. “Color-correcting green pigment neutralizes redness visually without leaving a green cast. It’s a pure mineral sunscreen that is lightweight in texture and has a non-greasy finish,” says Dr. Chang. “It is great for those with rosacea and sensitive skin due to its proprietary blend of amino acids designed to repair the skin barrier and diminish redness.” It also contains ceramides to protect the skin and Centella asiatica to calm it.
“As a regular makeup wearer (when I’m not working from home), I’m hesitant to wear mineral sunscreen as it can often pill underneath base makeup or leave my complexion looking dull. Surprisingly, this sunscreen feels and acts more like a chemical sunscreen—the supremely silky lotion applies beautifully and absorbs quickly. The only sign it’s a mineral-based formula is the faint smell of zinc oxide that lingers a few minutes after you apply it. The green tint is quite sheer and I find the area around my nose still looks a little red, although if I’m going out and don’t want to apply a full face of makeup, a quick dab of concealer will do the trick.” —Sophia Panych, contributor
- Key ingredients: 12.9% zinc oxide, Centella asiatica, ceramides, amino acids
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Night Cream: Skinfix Barrier+Exo + Ectoin Intensive Repair Baume
Skinfix
Barrier+ Exo + Ectoin Intensive Repair Baume
Why it’s worth it: Skinfix Barrier+ Exo + Ectoin Intensive Repair Baume is a rich, fragrance-free balm-serum hybrid that Dr. Hartman recommends using specifically in the evenings for barrier repair. “Ectoin, while not a direct swap for retinol, acts similarly and is suitable for rosacea-prone skin. It’s a gentle ingredient that, with ongoing use, has been shown to improve skin texture, strengthen the skin barrier, and reduce inflammation.” The formula also includes calming ingredients such as allantoin and arnica, as well as hydrating glycerin and squaleae, to address both redness and dryness simultaneously.
- Key ingredients: ectoin, arnica, allantoin, lactic acid, glycerin, squalane
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Under Makeup: IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Serum
IT Cosmetics
Bye Bye Redness Serum
Why it’s worth it: IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Serum was born from founder Jamie Kern Lima’s struggle with chronic redness and rosacea, which makes sense, considering how targeted and thoughtful this formula is. “It helps calm skin with colloidal oatmeal and minimizes the appearance of redness with a green-tinted formula,” says Dr. Hartman. “The green helps neutralize redness on the skin for a more even-toned appearance.” You’ll also find peptides and centella to soothe irritation, while niacinamide works to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. The lightweight, silky texture absorbs quickly, making it a great choice for redness-prone skin, whether worn alone or layered under makeup.
- Key ingredients: colloidal oatmeal, peptides, niacinamide, Centella asiatica, chromium oxide greens, aloe
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rosacea?
In its most basic definition, rosacea is a chronic, lifelong skin condition that causes redness and small, red, sometimes pus-filled bumps (called pustules) on the face. If you have yet to be officially diagnosed, a board-certified dermatologist will help you determine whether you’re dealing with rosacea, and more importantly, which type of rosacea you may have.
Connecticut-based dermatologist Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD. explains that rosacea is broken down into four subcategories: papulopustular rosacea (characterized by “redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts”), erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (which means “redness, flushing, visible blood vessels”), phymatous rosacea (“skin thickens and has a bumpy texture”), and ocular rosacea (“eyes red and irritated, eyelids can be swollen, and the person may have what looks like a stye”).
What are the symptoms of rosacea?
Redness is the most well-known symptom of rosacea but this very common skin condition—which affects 16 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association—is more than just a blush. “Symptoms of rosacea include facial redness, flushing, patchy dryness, and acne-like bumps,” says Patricia Farris, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Metairie, Louisiana. She adds that patients with rosacea often complain of sensitive skin, making it difficult for them to tolerate many cosmetic and skin-care products. “This is likely due to the fact that there is a disruption in skin-barrier function associated with rosacea,” Dr. Farris says.
Can you treat rosacea?
As stated earlier, rosacea is a chronic condition and there is no cure for it. That said, there are ways to manage and minimize symptoms. First, we recommend seeing a board-certified dermatologist who can help determine the proper course of treatment, which may include prescriptions, laser treatments, and/or over-the-counter products that soothe your symptoms, depending on your budget. Multiple dermatologists also recommend products that repair the skin barrier to help lock in moisture and minimize dryness, like the gentle skin-care products you can shop above.
Meet the experts
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology based in Birmingham, Alabama
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
- Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Westport, Connecticut
- David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group in New York City
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Audrey Kunin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Kansas City
- Patricia Farris, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Metairie, Louisiana
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
