What’s The Best Facial Cleanser For Rosacea?
My rosacea diagnosis has been an interesting ride, to say the least. It’s been a long time since my first rosacea flare, and I’ve come a long way in making my skin as healthy as possible. My search for the perfect facial cleanser led me to become more educated about ingredients and products overall. In this post, I will share what I think is the best facial cleanser for rosacea, along with a few other product options for those living with rosacea.
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Table of Contents
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic but treatable skin condition that causes redness, flushing, and pimples on the face. It’s usually characterized as flare-ups and remissions. It can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes.
There are four different types of rosacea:
- Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) – is characterized by flushing, redness, small visible blood vessels on the skin’s surface, and a burning or stinging sensation.
- Papulopustular rosacea (PPR) – is characterized by bumps, pimples, and redness.
- Phymatous rosacea – characterized by thickened skin and enlarged tissue in areas like the nose, chin, and forehead.
- Ocular rosacea – characterized by eye symptoms such as dry eyes and pain or discomfort in the eyes.
What causes rosacea?
The cause of rosacea is unknown. We can make some educated guesses about what might be causing symptoms.
The main thing doctors believe causes rosacea is inflammation caused by a reaction to something in your skin. Many different factors could be causing this reaction, including:
Sun exposure: The sun can cause irritation and inflammation, which can worsen symptoms.
Stress: If you’re under a lot of stress, your body may produce more cortisol (a type of hormone) than usual, which can also increase inflammation in your skin.
Medications: Some medications can cause skin reactions that lead to rosacea-like symptoms.
Certain foods: Some foods can trigger rosacea symptoms. These include spicy foods, alcohol, and hot beverages. Here is an exhaustive list of rosacea triggers.
How can you stop your rosacea from flaring up?
Rosacea flare-ups can be absolutely devastating. They can make you feel like there’s no hope for your skin and that you’ll never be able to have the skin you’ve always dreamed of. But I’m here to tell you: it’s possible!
I know how hard it is to live with rosacea flares, but there are some ways to prevent them.
The first step is knowing your triggers. What makes you flare up? Hot weather? Stress? Alcohol? You’ll need to pay attention to what sets off your rosacea, so you can avoid those things when possible.
Many people with rosacea have a compromised skin barrier. A good skincare routine will keep your skin barrier protected. Improving your skin barrier can help defend your skin from environmental and rosacea symptoms.
If you have trouble avoiding or knowing what triggers are, consider seeing a dermatologist who can help guide you through this process.
Best Facial Cleanser for Rosacea
As someone who suffers from rosacea, I’ve spent a lot of time researching products and ingredients and experimenting to find the best facial cleansers for dealing with my rosacea.
There’s a lot of conflicting information about what to use and what not to use on your face, so it can be challenging to figure out what is safe and what isn’t.
The best way I’ve found to find the right cleanser for your skin is by doing your research and trial and error.
Important things to keep in mind when shopping for facial cleansers is to know what skin type you have. Are you combination, dry, or oily?
Many complain that rosacea products are more geared towards combination to dry skin. They struggle to find face cleansers that will work for their oily skin. My skin is combination to dry, and the products I use on my skin may not work for you so. I have included several cleansers for oily skin that are highly recommended by rosacea sufferers.
You also want to buy skincare products free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and artificial fragrances/colors/dyes. Many studies have shown these ingredients irritate sensitive skin like rosacea.
Gentle cleansing is key when you have rosacea-prone skin. You will also want to wash your face twice a day, as it’s important to remove all of the bacteria, excess oil, and makeup from your face. It’s important to note that you should never scrub or rub your skin when cleansing, as this can irritate it further.
It can be challenging trying to find products that are safe to use on sensitive rosacea skin. I recommend doing a patch test when introducing a new product to your skin care routine. You can learn more about how to do that here. I’m usually impatient and end up using the product and skipping the patch test. It’s backfired a couple of times, and I ended up with skin irritation and an itchy rash… I’d recommend the patch test, speaking from experience. Lol!
Best Cleanser for Rosacea
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
This micellar water gently removes makeup and impurities. It’s formulated with a unique cleansing micelle formula that helps to remove all traces of makeup while respecting the skin’s essential moisture layers. It removes daily impurities and leaves your complexion perfectly clean, fresh, and highly purified.
I use this product as the first step in my skincare routine. I’ve tried other brands, but this one is my favorite. Make sure if you purchase it, and you get the one for sensitive skin. Note: I only use this if I’ve worn makeup, as it removes my mascara and makeup like magic.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser Non-Foaming Face Wash with Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, and Glycerin
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a gentle, fragrance-free, and paraben-free cleanser that helps maintain the skin’s natural protective barrier. Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, and Glycerin combine to provide 24-hour moisture without irritation or tightness. Hyaluronic Acid also reinforces healthy skin by attracting and maintaining moisture. This particular cleanser is a non-foaming moisturizing face wash with a lotion-like consistency. It feels smooth as it cleanses.
This gentle skin cleanser is the second step in my skincare routine. Its rich, creamy lotion soothes my dry, hyper-sensitive skin. I prefer non-foaming cleansers as they don’t strip my skin and leave it feeling tight.
Recommended for: Normal/dry and combination skin
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
All three of the essential ceramides help maintain the skin’s natural barrier. Hyaluronic acid + Amino Acids help attract and retain moisture to hydrate skin throughout the day. Dermatologist tested, non-comedogenic, fragrance free, oil free, hypoallergenic formula with no dyes or fragrances. Hydrates as you cleanse with a creamy lather that transforms into a hydrating foam to gently remove dirt and excess oil from the skin.
Some rosacea sufferers prefer this ceraVe cleanser over the non-foaming one I have listed above, especially if they are more on the normal to oily side.
Recommended for: Normal/combination skin
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser is a daily facial cleanser for sensitive skin. This rich and creamy cleanser removes oil, makeup, and impurities without over-drying or irritating the skin. It leaves a smooth, comfortable feeling without the tightness of some other cleansers.
I’ve used this one for years and find it a little lighter than the CeraVe. I rotate these to cleansers in my skincare regimen. They are both exceptional products.
Recommended for: Normal/dry and combination skin
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
The Gentle Facial Cleanser deep cleans without drying or irritating skin. It is formulated to be gentle enough for everyday use and effective at removing dirt, oil, and makeup. This cleanser is ideal for those with a history of sensitivity or eczema. Plus, it’s completely soap-free, fragrance-free, and dye-free. Dermatologist tested and approved by the National Eczema Association (NEA).
Many rosacea sufferers really like this facial cleanser. I have it and use it randomly, but it’s not my go to. It doesn’t work with my skin type, as well as the ones I mentioned above. My skin is more on the dry side. This product made my face feel tight. I think it would be better suited for someone with normal to oily skin.
Recommended for: Normal/oily skin
Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser
This daily cleanser is formulated with a blend of nourishing oat and calming feverfew, which helps soothe irritated, dry skin while strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier for long-term resilience. The refreshing milky gel face cleanser gently removes dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities. It has the lightness of a gel and the efficacy of a makeup remover, leaving your skin looking healthy, cleansed, hydrated, soft, and smooth.
I have yet to try this one, but I plan to. I’ve purchased Aveeno Calm + Restore Triple Oat Hydrating Face Serum, and it is soothing and feels lovely on my skin. It’s an excellent choice for soothing irritated skin.
Recommended for: Normal/combination skin
Aveeno Calm + Restore Redness Relief Face Wash
This gentle foaming cleanser is formulated to soothe and calm irritated, dry skin for mild-to-moderate facial redness and dryness. It removes dirt, oil, and makeup while visibly reducing the look of redness, leaving your skin feeling clean, healthy, and comfortable. This daily cleanser contains soothing feverfew, which has been shown in clinical studies to reduce the look of redness, and chamomile and cucumber extracts that help hydrate. It won’t clog pores and is tested on sensitive skin.
Recommended for: Normal/combination skin
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a gentle, hypoallergenic face wash that effectively cleanses even the driest and most sensitive skin. This creamy cleanser contains a unique skin-nourishing polyglycerin formula that leaves your face feeling moisturized and naturally soft. Dermatologists developed this gentle cleanser that can be used daily. It effectively cleanses the skin removing oil, dirt, bacteria, and makeup from sensitive skin, leaving it clean and refreshed. Clinically proven to be gentle on sensitive skin, it is ideal for all skin types.
Recommended for: Normal/combination skin
Selfless by Hyram Centella & Green Tea Hydrating Gel Cleanser
Dry and irritated skin doesn’t stand a chance against Selfless by Hyram Centella & Green Tea Hydrating Gel Cleanser: a complexion-calming, pH balanced cleanser that reduces the look of redness and gently removes excess dirt and oil while soothing the appearance of redness, irritation, and sensitivity.
Recommended for: Normal/combination skin
Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser
Designed to soothe and calm the skin, UltraCalming Cleanser is an extremely gentle face wash that promotes healing and protection. It features an exclusive anti-ozonate complex and is pH-balanced, non-foaming,, and ideal for all environmentally aggravated skin conditions. This product is a gel cream cleanser. This would be a great option for oily skin types.
This cleanser is a bit on the pricey side; check here to see if you can get a better price.
Recommended for: Normal/combination skin and oily skin
Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash
Cleanse your skin with Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, a dermatologist-recommended cleanser that’s gentle enough for sensitive skin types. This face wash is soap free and oil free, so it won’t clog your pores. The hypoallergenic formula cleanses without drying or irritating your skin. Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash is as gentle on your face as water but removes oils, makeup, and sunscreen effectively without stripping your face of natural oils. It is recommended for oily skin rosacea sufferers.
This is another product you may get cheaper here. I’m all about saving money!
Recommended for: Normal/combination skin and oily skin
Conclusion
I will preface that my findings are based purely on my personal experience and the results I’ve seen for my skin type. Everyone is different and will react to skin care products differently. I love these cleansers, and I feel comfortable recommending them to those suffering from rosacea. Take care of your beautiful face!
If you liked this blog post, check out my favorite foundations for Rosacea!
