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09/26/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/26/2024 11:28

Rosacea Treatment: Best Creams, Gels, and Laser Therapies

Key takeaways:

  • Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness, burning, and pimple-like spots on your face.

  • Rosacea treatment is based on the type of symptoms you have. Options include different medications (like pills and creams), and laser therapy.

  • If you want to save, over-the-counter medications like creams and gels can be a great option for treating rosacea symptoms.

01:48
Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD | November 30, 2023

Rosacea is a common skin condition that usually starts with facial flushing or blushing. It can lead to permanent skin redness, burning, and pimple-like spots. It's more common in women and those with fair skin, but it can affect people of all ages and skin types and tones.

Rosacea is often confused with acne, but they're different conditions with different treatments, so it's important to get the right diagnosis. The cause of rosacea isn't known, but it may be a combination of an altered immune response, inflammation caused by microorganisms on the skin (demodex mites), and damage from ultraviolet light.

The best medication and treatment for rosacea depends on what type of symptoms you have. Creams, pills, and lasers are all effective at treating certain symptoms, from redness and flushing to rosacea pimples. Rosacea creams and gels are usually used as the first treatment, and for most people they're enough to keep symptoms under control. You can find some topical treatments over the counter (OTC), while others are available by prescription only.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

  • Dealing with rosacea: Read about how three women managed their rosacea symptoms and reduced their facial redness.

  • Facial flushing: From rosacea to menopause, learn the top reasons your face gets red.

  • Acne vs. rosacea: Learn how to tell the difference between these two common skin conditions.

For other people, combining topical treatments with oral antibiotics or lasers may be needed. More on those below.

OTC rosacea creams and gels

Some OTC creams can also treat different rosacea symptoms and improve overall skin health. No matter what products you use, it's important to avoid ones that will irritate your skin and worsen rosacea symptoms.

Here are some ingredients to look for in your OTC rosacea creams and products:

  • Ceramides: lipids (fat molecules) that help your skin stay moisturized and healthy

  • Hyaluronic acid: a sugar found naturally in your skin that helps it stay hydrated

  • Niacinamide: a form of vitamin B3 that helps lower inflammation and redness

  • Mineral sunscreens: sunscreens that contain only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (or both)

  • Azelaic acid: topical antiseptic found in both prescription and OTC options

  • Sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur: antibiotic found in both prescription and OTC options

Prescription rosacea creams and gels

There are several prescription creams and gels that are FDA approved to treat rosacea symptoms. These can help reduce redness and flushing or treat pimples associated with rosacea, depending on which medication you choose. Some people may benefit from using a combination of different prescription creams and gels.

  • Metrogel (metronidazole): This is an antibiotic that helps reduce skin inflammation. Metrogel is available in a cream, gel, or lotion. Because it usually costs less than other prescription topical treatments for rosacea, it's often a first-choice medication for rosacea.

  • Sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur: This is an antibiotic that helps lower skin inflammation. Sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur comes in different strength creams, gels, and cleansers. Some insurances may cover this.

  • Mirvaso (brimonidine) and Rhofade (oxymetazoline): These are the two rosacea medications that reduce redness and flushing. They do this by causing small blood vessels to narrow (constrict), which lowers blood flow. They work well, but access can be an issue. Your prescriber may need to submit a coverage appeal to your insurer to get coverage for Mirvaso (brimonidine) and Rhofade (oxymetazoline).

  • Azelaic acid:Azelex and Finacea (both azelaic acid) also help lower skin inflammation and the number of rosacea pimples. They are often not covered by insurance.

  • Soolantra (ivermectin): This is an anti-parasite medication that, when used as a cream, helps lower inflammation and kills demodex mites. Soolantra is also rarely covered by insurance.

Oral medications for rosacea

Some people with rosacea pimples need more than rosacea creams and other topical treatments to treat their symptoms. Adding a short course of low-dose antibiotic pills can help improve symptoms quickly. Commonly used antibiotics include:

Laser treatment for rosacea

Certain lasers, like the pulsed dye laser (PDL), can help reduce the redness you get with rosacea from flushing and broken capillaries. While they're worth pursuing, treatments can be expensive since they're not covered by insurance, and multiple sessions may be needed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main trigger for rosacea?
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There are many different rosacea triggers, and they vary from person to person. Some common ones include:

  • Hot environments

  • Spicy foods

  • Alcohol

  • Stress and anxiety

  • Sun exposure

This list of rosacea triggers can help you identify what may be affecting your rosacea.

Do any vitamin deficiencies cause rosacea?
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Some small studies suggest that vitamin B deficiency may be linked to rosacea. However, in some people, certain types of vitamin B can also trigger rosacea (see below). So, more research needs to be done. Taking too many supplements can be harmful, so talk with a healthcare professional before starting anything new.

What drugs cause rosacea?
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While no medication causes rosacea, several can worsen or trigger rosacea symptoms. Here are some common ones to watch out for:

The bottom line

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes redness, burning, and pimple-like spots on your face. How you treat rosacea depends on the type of symptoms you have. For most people, rosacea creams and gels are all that's needed to manage symptoms. These are available OTC or by prescription. Other people may need combination therapy, with oral antibiotics or lasers in addition to topical treatments.

Why trust our experts?

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.
Edited by:
Sophie Vergnaud, MD
Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is an experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist who spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London.

References

Algarin, Y. A., et al. (2024). The role of vitamins and nutrients in rosacea. Archives of Dermatological Research.

Alia, E., et al. (2022). Rosacea pathogenesis, common triggers, and dietary role: The cause, the trigger, and the positive effects of different foods. Clinics in Dermatology.

View All References (7)
expand_more

American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2023). People with darker skin tones can get rosacea.

Baldwin, H., et al. (2021). Evidence of barrier deficiency in rosacea and the importance of integrating OTC skincare products into treatment regimens. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

Baylor College of Medicine. (n.d.). Laser treatment with pulsed dye laser.

National Rosacea Society. (n.d.). Causes of rosacea: Demodex mites & microbes.

National Rosacea Society. (n.d.). Factors that may trigger rosacea flare-ups.

Sharma, A., et al. (2022). Rosacea management: A comprehensive review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Wilkin, J. (n.d.). Causes of rosacea: Introduction. National Rosacea Society.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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