What Is a Safe Skincare Routine for Rosacea?
Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition that causes facial flushing, visible blood vessels, sensitivity, and red bumps. Because the skin is often very sensitive and harsh products can trigger flares, a simple, gentle, and consistent routine is important.
Key Principles for Rosacea-Safe Skincare
- Keep it simple: Use fewer products, fewer steps, and fragrance-free products.
- Daily SPF: UV light is a major trigger—use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day.
- Introduce actives slowly: Patch test and start 2–3 times weekly to assess tolerance.
- Know your triggers: Common ones include heat, sun, wind, alcohol, spicy food, hot drinks, stress, and harsh skincare.
A Simple AM Routine
- Gentle Cleanser (optional): If your skin isn’t oily on waking, you can rinse with lukewarm water only. Otherwise use a mild, non-foaming, fragrance-free cleanser. I like Cetaphil cleansers.
- Moisturiser: If your skin is dry you may need to use a light moisturiser such as products from Cerave/Cetaphil. If your skin is not dry this is not essential.
- Sun Protection (must-do): Broad-spectrum SPF 30–50. I like the Anthelios range (La Roche Posay)
- Other tips: Green-tinted products neutralise redness - for example Eucerin redness relief.
A Simple PM Routine
- Cleanser: Use a gentle cleanser, for example Cetaphil foaming cleanser.
- Targeted Treatment (if using): Apply prescription or over-the-counter actives (see below) on clean, dry skin. Start 2–3 nights per week and increase as tolerated. Always test new products on a small area of the skin for a few days first.
- Moisturiser:Use a light moisturiser such as Cerave/Cetaphil. This is not needed if your skin is oily.
Active Ingredients
- Ivermectin (prescription): In my experience this is the most effective active ingredient for inflammatory rosacea.
- Azelaic acid: Anti-inflammatory, reduces bumps and redness.
- Metronidazole: Less effective than Ivermectin.
- Brimonidine/oxymetazoline (prescription): I do not recommend this due to rebound redness / flares.
Use With Caution (Introduce Slowly or Avoid During Flares)
- Retinoids:Can be helpful, particularly where there is also sebaceous hyperplasia or overlap with acne but must be introducted very gradually to avoid flares.
- Exfoliating acids (AHA/BHA, PHA): I would generally avoid these in patients with sensitive skin.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): Often irritant, use with caution.
Avoid
- Harsh foaming cleansers with SLS/SLES
- Physical scrubs, stiff brushes, dermarollers at home
- High-alcohol toners, strong menthol/eucalyptus/camphor
- Fragrance/allergens (including essential oils)
- Very hot water, saunas/steam during active flares
When to Seek Medical Care
- Frequent or severe flares despite a gentle routine
- Persistent bumps/pustules or significant redness
- Eye symptoms (dry, gritty, burning, red eyelids) suggesting ocular rosacea
- Skin thickening of the nose/cheeks (rhinophyma changes)
Effective prescription options include topical/metronidazole or ivermectin, oral antibiotics (e.g., low-dose doxycycline), systemic retinoids and vascular laser for redness and visible vessels.
Take the next step: How I can help
Contact me if you’re struggling with rosacea or would like a personalised plan including prescription options and laser treatments.
I consult with private patients at several well-appointed and conveniently located sites across central London:
- London Bridge Hospital: Conveniently situated within The Shard, next to London Bridge station.
- Skin55 Ltd: Located at 55 Harley Street, this beautiful Edwardian building houses one of the largest private dermatology facilities in the UK with a comprehensive laser suite.
- OneWelbeck: Located close to Bond Street underground station. Mohs surgery, lasers, and other skin surgeries are performed in the state-of-the-art surgical suite here.
A new consultation is £250, a follow up consultation is £220. For more information on fees, please visit Prices.