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This arsenal of skincare and make-up buys will help calm redness and soothe irritated skin
According to Bupa, rosacea is thought to affect one in 10 people in the UK. The skin condition causes redness and texture in the skin: “It can be like sensitive skin with a bit of a short fuse,” explains NHS doctor Kemi Fabusiwa. “It disrupts the normal inflammatory processes in your skin, leading to redness, bumps, and visible blood vessels, particularly around the centre of the face.”
However, rosacea can affect people in different ways. “I would argue that many individuals who have ‘a bit of redness’ have mild rosacea or rosacea-prone skin. It definitely exists on a spectrum,” says Dr Beibei Du-Harpur, a dermatologist within the NHS. There are four types of rosacea and they may overlap, with various symptoms, such as red flushing of the skin, texture in the skin, irritation around the eyes and, in extreme cases, a thickening of the skin.
Though rosacea is a chronic skin condition that will need careful maintenance, the great news is you can reduce symptoms with a simple (and often inexpensive) routine. “Rosacea skin tends to be very sensitive, so it is important to identify products that work for you and try not to change them too much,” advises Dr Du-Harpur. Speaking generally, adapting a skincare routine with a small number of steps will help you on your way. “An ideal routine would be quite simple: a fragrance-free cleanser, a hyaluronic acid serum, a lightweight moisturiser, and, of course, sun protection every single day,” suggests Dr Fabusiwa.
When curating your skincare routine, it’s important to be mindful of ingredients. “Look for ingredients that are calming and anti-inflammatory, like oat extract, green tea and niacinamide. Fragrance is a big no-no, and anything with a high alcohol content can be drying and irritating,” explains Dr Fabusiwa. In addition to your everyday products, using a treatment step can further reduce the symptoms of your redness. “I would always advise someone with rosacea to seek medical attention and obtain a prescription treatment if they can, as these will be more likely to yield an effective outcome. Over-the-counter options I like include products containing azelaic acid, as this is something we commonly prescribe in the management of rosacea.”
From staple skincare to make-up products such as foundation and concealer, we’ve rounded up the best rosacea products to help you manage redness. Have patience, give it time, and you’ll find your redness can be reduced, without needing to spend lots of money or invest lots of time.
We’ve compiled a great mix of the best rosacea products, including our favourite moisturisers, foundations, serums, cleansers and SPFs, to help you find everything you need to care for your skin. As each product performs a different function and is suited to different skin types, we haven’t included a best overall pick, but instead have tried to cover all bases of your skincare routine.
For those who have already spent too much time and money on solutions that do not work, we would advise turning to the La Roche Posay toleriane range. This has been formulated specifically with reactive, sensitive skin in mind, and is gentle enough not to irritate, while still potent enough to make a difference. This particular moisturiser is great for use twice a day, though, if you would prefer a richer or lighter texture, there are many in this general family that do a similar job.
If you have oily skin or you struggle to get your make-up to last for a long time, you’ll like this moisturiser from Avene. This lightweight gel absorbs quickly and is densely hydrating, yet sits undetectable in a matter of moments. This, in turn, will allow your make-up to last for longer, as one of the main reasons your foundation can separate is if the skin feels dry and, consequently, absorbs moisture from your make-up.
This IT Cosmetics CC cream is a great all-rounder. The founder of the brand, Jamie Kern Lima, had rosacea herself, so, she created this one-step skincare, make-up and SPF hybrid. This offers full coverage and sits comfortably on hot skin, as it contains hydrating ingredients such as niacin. It’s great for all skin types, in particular dry skin, and is available in a natural, radiant or completely matte finish in a decent range of shades.
For drier skin, Dr. Sam’s moisturiser offers a rich, buttery texture. It will relieve any tightness in the skin and leaves a soft balmy residue, which is great for creating a hydrating base for make-up or soothing bare skin at the end of the day. We found this to be especially great as an intensive treatment for particularly dry skin days, working quickly overnight to alleviate tightness and discomfort in the skin.
If your skin is on the oily side, or you prefer using a powder, the L’Oreal infalliable 24 hour fresh wear compact offers an exceptional level of coverage and longevity. It went viral on TikTok with good reason – this velvety matte foundation covers redness, lasts the day, and won’t draw further attention to any bumps in the skin.
If you wish to target areas of redness alone, the Maybelline concealer offers generous coverage but feels hydrating on the skin. The handy sponge tip also makes this great for touch-ups when you’re on the go, as you can gently layer coverage, if you need to.
Whichever make-up option you choose, sealing it in place is key. Your skin may well be slightly hotter to the touch when you have redness or rosacea, meaning make-up is more prone to sliding or even melting away altogether. Gently pressing in a translucent powder, such as this one, will seal your make-up in place and prevent it from disappearing throughout the day.
From Caroline Hirons (the skincare expert with a cult following), this cream cleanser is the perfect step to begin your skincare routine. Designed to thoroughly melt away make-up and cleanse the skin of SPF and the general grime of the day, this feels no more abrasive than a rich moisturiser. What we liked about this product was that it was gentle and creamy but, at the same time, worked quickly to dissolve even long-wear make-up.
Every type of rosacea is different, and having a one-to-one is essential in helping you to correctly manage your symptoms. Klira is an online service developed by dermatologists, designed to custom blend formulas to target your skin concerns. The brand uses prescription-strength active ingredients, so you can effectively treat your skin without needing an in-person trip to the doctor. Though there are several skin services of this nature, Klira offers the widest variety of solutions and the widest variety of options to customise your formula. You can, for example, opt for a richer or lighter base to house your blend of active ingredients.
The Outset is a brand co-founded by A-list actress Scarlett Johansson. Unlike many celebrity launches, the ethos behind The Outset is to encourage the use of a relatively nondescript, simple and gentle skincare regime. Everything in the range is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, enabling you to care for your skin with an entirely ethical routine. The serum and moisturiser were our favourite picks for lightweight formulas with a deeply hydrating impact on the skin.
Though relatively affordable, this sophisticated SPF offers a lightweight texture and factor 50 protection from the sun’s harmful rays. As a result, you’ll achieve adequate sun protection without disrupting any make-up that you may wish to wear on top. This SPF sets to a completely invisible finish, so it is suitable for all skin tones and won’t leave any unsightly marks on your collar or clothes.
If you find your skin especially distressed, this product is something you can look to for quick and powerful comfort.
While we love the original Cicaplast moisturiser, it is far denser and richer in consistency. This serum, on the other hand, is lightweight, and therefore easier to use.
We found this serum wasn’t something you necessarily need in your day-to-day rosacea management, but served as a quick-acting remedy to any moments of extreme skin discomfort.
Vichy’s Mineral 89 range is known for being as simple as possible. The formulas contain relatively few ingredients, reducing the risk of introducing any aggressors to sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. Instead, the products simply focus on rehydrating and strengthening the skin barrier.
This moisturiser is lightweight and easily absorbed but provides instant and lasting hydration to hot and bothered skin. We tested this across a long period, in various climates, and it worked well against everything from extreme cold winds to sticky heat.
Though there are many green colour correctors on the market, Dr. Jart’s remains the most effective. The formula is designed to sit directly on flushed skin, helping to counteract the severity of redness. To apply this successfully, we found that using a small amount and adding more bit by bit was the best approach. If you prefer more of a glowing skin finish, the same technology is also available in lightweight drops. Our top pick is the original cream, however, because the coverage is better.
Skin that is prone to redness will be easily exacerbated by touch. Luckily, this rich, slippy cleanser from The Inkey List will melt make-up away instantly, meaning you won’t need to work this product into the skin for very long at all.
The ingredients in the formula are designed to deeply hydrate and comfort the skin, while also being powerful enough to break down even waterproof mascara. An affordable, high-performing cleanser that comes in a tube that will last you for months, this is ideal for removing your everyday make-up.
The exact cause of rosacea is not yet known. However, much research has been done into possible causes, such as abnormal facial blood vessels and the possibility of microscopic mites on our faces causing a reaction with certain skin types.
There are several simple steps you can take that are likely to help ease your rosacea symptoms. This includes avoiding known stressors, such as certain products or even alcohol and caffeine. Speak to your GP or dermatologist, as they may be able to prescribe cream or gels to be applied directly to the skin. Similarly, there are tablet medication options out there that could also help.
While there is currently no cure for rosacea, the above methods are your best chance at easing and calming its appearance.
For some people, rosacea can cause itching, also known as pruritus. It is more common in those who also suffer from bumps on the skin caused by rosacea.
The Vichy mineral 89 100H moisture boosting cream is a great all-rounder. For days when your skin is feeling particularly irritated, the La Roche Posay cicaplast B5 serum will provide instant and lasting comfort. To manage your skin most effectively alongside your everyday routine, a personalised Klira special will wield the most transformative results.
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