If you’ve got rosacea, you’ll know that looking after your skin isn’t always easy. To help ease the uncertainty, we spoke to five skincare experts about the cleansers, moisturisers and serums these recommend to their clients with rosacea, plus the in-clinic treatments they rate – and the skincare step anyone with rosacea should definitely avoid.
For the uninitiated, aesthetics expert Dr. Paris Acharya explains: “Rosacea is fundamentally a condition of barrier dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and vascular dysregulation.”
With this in mind, anyone with the skin condition needs to prioritise “repair, calming, and consistency, not activity or intensity,” she adds: “Less is genuinely more. I recommend d a minimal, structured approach to skincare,” says Dr. Paris.
Read on for the skincare to buy, avoid and treatments to book for anyone with rosacea.
1. Barrier comes first
“For rosacea, barrier-first thinking comes first, always,” says dermatological and aesthetic doctor Nora Jaafar. “These patients don’t have ‘sensitive skin’ in the traditional sense – they have a chronically dysregulated inflammatory response, so the routine needs to calm, protect, and minimise triggers.”
Aesthetics doctor Priya Verma agrees: “I always emphasise a gentle, barrier-first approach. Skin with rosacea is often more reactive, so consistency with soothing, non-irritating formulations is key. I recommend a simple routine built around a gentle cleanser, a ceramide-rich moisturiser to support the skin barrier and daily broad-spectrum SPF to protect against UV-triggered flare-ups.”
2. Cleansers for rosacea
“Cleanser-wise, I recommend a cream cleanser such as Cerave’s Hydrating Cleanser, £9.36, or La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Cleanser, £16.50,” says Dr. Nora. “Avoid anything stripping or that includes active exfoliants. Skincare should ideally be fragrance-free.”
Award-winning aesthetic doctor Sophie Shotter adds: “A very gentle cleanser such as Revision’s Gentle Cleanser, £43, is a good place to start.”
3. Avoid double cleansing
While we’ve all been told that double cleansing is the gold standard when it comes to skincare, this is not the case if you’ve got rosacea.
“Double cleansing is only necessary if you’re wearing heavy SPF or makeup, and even then, I keep it gentle, a light cleansing balm to remove that is sufficient prior to cleanser,” says Dr. Nora. “Dr Althea and Beauty of Joseon‘s cleansing balms are great and affordable.”
© Getty Images4. Consider your serum
“In terms of serums, this is where people often overcomplicate things,” cautions Dr. Nora. “I prioritise ingredients that actively reduce inflammation and support the barrier, niacinamide (in low strength), azelaic acid, ectoin, panthenol, and ceramides. Azelaic acid is particularly useful as it targets redness, papules, and background inflammation without compromising the skin barrier. I recommend the Anua 10% Azaleic Acid, £22, or prescription Finacea 15%.”
Dr. Priya rates niacinamide, too. “It helps to reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier, while azelaic acid is excellent for calming redness and addressing associated breakouts. I advise patients to avoid overuse of active ingredients like strong exfoliating acids or retinoids unless carefully introduced, as these can exacerbate sensitivity.”
Dr. Paris adds: “Focus on barrier-supportive and anti-inflammatory ingredients in your serum. Niacinamide, panthenol, and regenerative actives such as NAD+ and PDRN-derived compounds are king. Two I regularly recommend are the Calming Gel by Joanne Evans, £65, and Red Apax by Tiina Meder, £125, both are thoughtfully formulated for reactive skin.”
5. Moisturisers for rosacea
“Moisturiser should be simple but strategic, ceramide-rich, cholesterol and fatty acid balanced formulas that actively repair the barrier. You want something that reduces transepidermal water loss and improves skin resilience over time. La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Moisturiser, £22, is brilliant,” says Dr. Nora.
Dr. Paris agrees that moisturiser is “the cornerstone” of any rosacea routine. “Look for ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to actively repair the skin barrier, alongside calming agents. I particularly love the Allskin|Med Barrier Recovery Cream, £90.50, for this, it’s restorative without being heavy.”
© Getty Images6. Choose SPF wisely
“SPF is non-negotiable, but I lean towards mineral or hybrid formulas, particularly in patients who flush easily,” says Dr. Nora. “Tinted SPFs with iron oxides are ideal as they also offer some protection against visible light, which can exacerbate redness. Uriage’s Roséliane CC Cream SPF50, £20, is a great option.”
7. What to avoid with rosacea
Dr. Nora says anyone with rosacea should sidestep over-exfoliation (no scrubs, minimal acids and actives), and warns that it’s also important to be cautious with toners, especially anything astringent or fragranced.
She adds that facial oils can be tolerated in some patients, but they’re not essential and can sometimes trap heat, which worsens flushing.
Dr. Paris concludes: “Rosacea skin does not tolerate a ‘more is more’ mindset. Restraint is the strategy.”
Clinic treatments for rosacea
In-clinic treatments can be a huge help for anyone with rosacea. Here’s what the experts recommend.
1. Look for lasers
“A top treatment for rosacea is vascular laser, particularly IPL or pulsed dye laser,” says Dr. Nora. “These directly target dilated vessels and background redness.”
Aesthetics professional Dr. Jennifer Owens agrees, explaining: “The top treatment I recommend for my clients with rosacea is BroadBand Light therapy (BBL). It is absolutely superb for treating the redness associated with it and for keeping it under control, while stimulating collagen and keeping skin smooth, fresh and plump.”
2. Mild peels
In certain patients (particularly those with concurrent acne or texture) Dr. Nora uses very mild peels such as mandelic acid or PHA-based peels.
3. Skin boosters
“One of my preferred approaches to rosacea is regenerative treatments such as polynucleotides, which work at a cellular level to calm inflammation, support tissue repair and strengthen the skin over time,” says Dr. Priya.
Polynucleotides can also improve overall skin quality, hydration, and resilience, which indirectly reduces reactivity, seconds Dr. Nora.
4. LED for rosacea
LED light therapy helps downregulate inflammatory pathways and can reduce background redness over time, according to Dr. Paris.
Dr. Priya uses the Medilux LED device within clinic, which she says can be incredibly beneficial for rosacea-prone skin. “LED therapy helps to reduce inflammation, calm redness, and support healing without causing further irritation, making it an excellent option for sensitive or reactive skin types.”
Along the same light-based treatments, Dr. Sophie Shotter rates Lumixa as an in clinic barrier calming technology. “It uses a special light-activated gel mask, which fluoresces under LED light,” she says. “This can be great for supporting barrier function in rosacea patients, but will not be sufficient for more severe cases as a standalone therapy.”
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