September 25, 2026 ยท Updated September 25, 2026
Skincare for rosacea: a gentle daily routine
The AAD's skincare advice for rosacea: a mild cleanser, a fragrance-free cream moisturizer, daily sunscreen, and the ingredients and habits to avoid.
By Nick, Founder of Skinli. Not a doctor. General education only.
Part of the Rosacea, which puts every step in order.
Skincare for rosacea is short and gentle: a mild cleanser, a fragrance-free cream moisturizer and a daily sunscreen, with a list of ingredients and habits to avoid. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says rosacea often makes the skin sensitive and easily irritated, so skin care is an important part of controlling it. The right routine can help your skin feel more comfortable, reduce flare-ups and improve the results of treatment. This guide sets out the AAD's advice step by step. It is for skin that a doctor has confirmed as rosacea. Skin care supports the treatment a doctor prescribes.
For the basics of the condition, see what rosacea is.
A simple daily routine
The AAD says a dermatologist includes a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen in every rosacea treatment plan. Put together, the day looks like this:
| Time | Steps |
|---|---|
| Morning | Gentle cleanse, any prescribed medicine, moisturizer, sunscreen |
| Night | Gentle cleanse, any prescribed medicine, moisturizer |
The AAD says to apply any rosacea medicine first, then the moisturizer. Your dermatologist may give you a different order for your own medicine, and their directions come first.
Step 1: cleanse gently, twice a day
The AAD recommends washing your face when you wake up and before bed, because cleansing removes oil and dirt that can worsen irritation. To wash without irritating your skin, it suggests:
- Choose a mild cleanser made for rosacea or sensitive skin, and use it in place of soap.
- Apply it gently with your fingertips, using a circular motion.
- Rinse with warm water, using only your fingertips. Rinse well, because cleanser left on the skin can cause irritation.
- Pat your face gently with a clean cotton towel.
The AAD also says to skip washcloths and facial sponges, and to avoid rubbing, scrubbing or massaging the skin. NIH, through its skin institute NIAMS, recommends cleansers made for sensitive skin.
Step 2: moisturize once the skin is dry
The AAD calls moisturizer essential for rosacea, whether the skin is dry or oily. Moisturizer helps trap water in the skin and restores the skin's natural fats. These changes can make the skin feel less irritated and more comfortable.
The AAD says moisturizer can also improve the results of treatment. In one small study it describes, people applied a rosacea medicine (metronidazole gel) to the whole face. On one side, they also applied a gentle moisturizing cream. After 15 days, the moisturized side had less dryness, peeling and roughness, and felt more comfortable. The AAD says other studies found similar results.
Timing matters. The AAD says to wait until your face is dry after washing, because moisturizer applied to dry skin is less likely to burn or sting.
Step 3: sunscreen every morning
The AAD says the sun can worsen rosacea at any time of year and is one of the most frequent causes of flares. It recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and water resistance, applied to all skin that clothing does not cover, even on cloudy days. If sunscreen irritates your skin, it suggests a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both. The guide to sunscreen for rosacea covers the details.
Ingredients to avoid
The AAD recommends avoiding skin care products and cosmetics that contain any of these:
| Ingredient | What it is, in plain words |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Listed as alcohol on the ingredient label |
| Camphor | A cooling ingredient with a strong smell |
| Fragrance | Added scent |
| Glycolic acid | An acid used to peel off the top layer of skin |
| Lactic acid | Another acid used to peel off the top layer of skin |
| Menthol | A cooling ingredient from mint |
| Sodium lauryl sulfate | A foaming ingredient, common in shampoo and toothpaste |
| Urea | An ingredient in some moisturizers |
The AAD says menthol, camphor and sodium lauryl sulfate are common rosacea triggers. Because sodium lauryl sulfate is common in shampoo and toothpaste, the AAD suggests avoiding it in any product you use around your face.
Fragrance-free and unscented are different labels
The AAD says to choose products labeled "fragrance-free," and to avoid products labeled only "unscented." It gives the same advice for sunscreen: if the label says "unscented," choose another one.
How to choose a product
The AAD's tips for choosing:
- Look for "sensitive skin" on the label.
- Look for "non-comedogenic." This means the product is made so it does not clog pores.
- Pick a cream over a lotion or gel.
- Test before you use it on your face. The AAD says that if everything you apply seems to sting, testing can help you find products that do not irritate. Skinli's guide to patch testing a new product shows how.
- Ask your dermatologist. The AAD says that if you have trouble finding gentle products or makeup, ask your dermatologist to recommend some.
The NHS also advises using gentle skincare products for sensitive skin.
Habits to stop
The AAD names several habits that irritate rosacea skin:
- Toners and astringents. The AAD says never use them.
- Exfoliating. The AAD says that if you exfoliate your skin, stop. NIAMS also advises avoiding exfoliants.
- Washcloths and sponges. Use fingertips only.
- Rubbing, scrubbing and massaging the face.
- Hot water. The AAD recommends warm baths and showers instead of hot ones, since heat can trigger rosacea.
Signs a product is irritating your skin
The AAD says to watch for a face that burns, stings or itches when you use a product, or skin that becomes dry and scaly. These are signs the product is irritating your skin, which can cause rosacea to flare. For skin care, hair care and makeup, stop that product and tell your dermatologist. For a medicine your doctor prescribed, call your dermatologist before making any change.
Makeup
The AAD says you can wear makeup with rosacea. It suggests:
- A mild, fragrance-free moisturizing cream first
- A light, liquid foundation that spreads easily and can be set with powder
- Water-based or powder makeup, which is less likely to irritate
- A green-tinted concealer to hide redness, or a yellow-tinted one to hide color changes on light to dark skin
The AAD suggests avoiding waterproof makeup and heavy foundations that need makeup remover. Test makeup the same way as skin care.
Hair care near the face
Hair products can reach the face. The AAD says hair spray on the face triggers rosacea in some people, and it lists some hair care products among common triggers. Check hair products for menthol, camphor and sodium lauryl sulfate, the same as skin care.
Skin care alongside prescribed medicine
If a dermatologist has prescribed a rosacea medicine, skin care works around it. The AAD says to apply the medicine first and the moisturizer after. It says a gentle moisturizer can improve the results of treatment, as the small metronidazole study above showed. Use the medicine exactly as your dermatologist directs.
Some medicines change what you need from skin care. The AAD says a prescription cream with encapsulated benzoyl peroxide can make skin more sensitive to sunlight and indoor light, and mentions a tinted, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher for people using it. Ask your dermatologist whether your own medicine needs any change to your routine.
Adjusting for the weather
Rosacea skin care can change with the season. In cold, windy weather, the AAD says windburn is common in rosacea-prone skin. It suggests wearing a rosacea-friendly sunscreen and a moisturizing cream every day, covering your face with a silk or acrylic scarf, and limiting time outdoors.
In hot weather, heat itself is a trigger. The AAD recommends warm baths and showers instead of hot ones, and cooling down with a cold, wet cloth around the neck or a cold drink when you feel overheated. Sunscreen stays essential all year.
A shopping checklist
Before you buy a new product, check the label against the AAD's advice:
- It says "fragrance-free." The AAD says to skip products labeled only "unscented"
- It says it is made for sensitive skin
- It says non-comedogenic
- It is a cream, if it is a moisturizer
- It contains none of these: alcohol, camphor, fragrance, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, sodium lauryl sulfate, urea
- If it is a sunscreen: broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, water-resistant, and ideally with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both
Then test it on a small patch of skin before you put it on your face.
When to ask a dermatologist
Ask a dermatologist if every product seems to sting, if dryness and burning continue with a gentle routine, or if your redness or bumps are getting worse. Skin care supports treatment, and the AAD says a treatment plan works best when medicine, gentle skin care, sun protection and avoiding triggers are used together. The guide to how rosacea is treated explains what a doctor may offer, and rosacea triggers shows how to find what sets off your flares.
Frequently asked questions
What skin care is good for rosacea?
Good skin care for rosacea is gentle and simple. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing twice a day with a mild cleanser and fingertips, applying a fragrance-free cream moisturizer, and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day. It says to choose products made for sensitive skin, test new products first, and ask a dermatologist to recommend products if everything seems to sting.
What skincare to avoid with rosacea?
The American Academy of Dermatology advises people with rosacea to avoid skin care products containing alcohol, camphor, fragrance, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, sodium lauryl sulfate or urea. It also says never to use an astringent or toner, to stop exfoliating, and to avoid washcloths, facial sponges, rubbing and scrubbing. NIH's skin institute also advises avoiding exfoliants and products that contain alcohol.
Should I use moisturizer with rosacea?
People with rosacea should use a moisturizer. The American Academy of Dermatology says moisturizer is essential for rosacea whether the skin is dry or oily. It helps trap water in the skin and restores the skin's natural fats, which can make skin feel less irritated. In one small study the AAD describes, the side of the face that got moisturizer had less dryness, peeling and roughness after 15 days. NIH also advises moisturizing regularly.
What moisturizer is good for rosacea?
A good moisturizer for rosacea is a fragrance-free cream made for sensitive skin. The American Academy of Dermatology says to choose a cream instead of a lotion or gel, to pick fragrance-free products instead of unscented ones, and to look for products labeled non-comedogenic, which means they do not clog pores. It says to avoid moisturizers containing urea, alcohol, camphor, menthol, glycolic acid or lactic acid.
Does moisturizer make rosacea worse?
A gentle moisturizer helps rosacea, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, which says moisturizer can improve the results of treatment. Some products can irritate, though. The AAD says burning, stinging, itching or dry, scaly skin after a product are signs of irritation. It suggests applying moisturizer only once the face is dry, when it is less likely to sting, and testing new products first.
Should I use toner with rosacea?
Toner is best avoided with rosacea. The American Academy of Dermatology says people with rosacea should never use an astringent or toner, and lists stopping astringents and toners among the ways to prevent flares. A mild cleanser followed by a fragrance-free cream moisturizer is the routine the AAD recommends instead.
Should you exfoliate rosacea?
Rosacea skin should not be exfoliated. The American Academy of Dermatology says that if you exfoliate your skin and have rosacea, stop. It also advises against rubbing, scrubbing or massaging the skin, and against washcloths and facial sponges. NIH's skin institute likewise advises avoiding exfoliants. The AAD lists glycolic acid and lactic acid, two ingredients used in chemical exfoliants, among the ingredients to avoid with rosacea.
Can skin products cause rosacea?
Skin products can trigger rosacea flares, but no source checked shows that they cause rosacea to start. The American Academy of Dermatology lists some skin and hair care products and some makeup among common triggers. It says a product that burns, stings, itches or leaves skin dry and scaly is irritating the skin, which can cause rosacea to flare. The cause of rosacea itself is still unknown.
How should I wash my face if I have rosacea?
Wash a face with rosacea twice a day, gently, the American Academy of Dermatology says. Use a mild cleanser instead of soap, apply it with your fingertips in a circular motion, and rinse with warm water using only your fingertips, so no cleanser is left behind. Pat the face dry with a clean cotton towel. Skip washcloths and sponges, and wait until the skin is dry before moisturizing.
What makeup is best for rosacea?
The American Academy of Dermatology says water-based or powder makeup is less likely to irritate rosacea. It suggests a mild, fragrance-free moisturizing cream first, then a light liquid foundation that spreads easily and can be set with powder. A green-tinted concealer can hide redness. The AAD suggests avoiding waterproof makeup and heavy foundations that need makeup remover, and testing makeup before using it on the face.
Sources
- 7 rosacea skin care tips dermatologists recommend (American Academy of Dermatology)
- How to prevent rosacea flare-ups (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Rosacea: Diagnosis and treatment (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Triggers could be causing your rosacea flare-ups (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Rosacea: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIH))
- Rosacea (NHS)
Copies a ready-to-post summary, then opens LinkedIn.
A doctor can tell you what this is.
Skin that hurts, spreads, bleeds, weeps or does not get better needs a doctor or a dermatologist. They can confirm what it is and offer treatment that needs a prescription.
Skinli gives general education about rosacea and cannot diagnose it. Only a doctor can confirm rosacea by examining your skin and eyes. See a doctor about facial redness that keeps coming back or skin that is thickening, and ask for an urgent appointment if an eye becomes painful or red or your vision blurs.