Dermatologists Say These Moisturizers For Rosacea Soothe Red, Irritated Skin (2025)

We fully stand behind all of our recommendations, but this Aveeno moisturizer earned our best overall distinction. It's from a reputable and affordable brand, combines derm-loved, gentle ingredients that calms our red skin, and it has a rich, creamy texture that absorbs relatively quickly.

This face cream contains oatmeal, which has proven anti-inflammatory properties. The combination of ceramide and vitamin B5 also helps restore the skin's moisture barrier, while soothing redness, itchiness, and dryness. And if you're sensitive to fragrances, you'll also be happy to know that this Aveeno cream is completely fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.

Another key ingredient that makes this stand out? Purified feverfew (a kind of flowering plant). It reduces redness, and it's 10 times stronger than vitamin C.

This cream is a standout for Women's Health managing editor Laura McLaughlin, who has suffered with facial redness for years. She finds the formula to be super soothing and rich, but isn’t too heavy. "It absorbs quickly and layering other products over it works very well—I often use a tinted sunscreen to both hide the rosacea and prevent sun damage—the Aveeno moisturizer doesn’t interfere at all with that application," she says. Additionally, McLaughlin has tested several prescription solutions for rosacea, and says that the Aveeno Calm + Restore product line is similar in effectiveness.

The rich consistency absorbs quickly, but she occasionally notices some pilling when she uses too much product or when she layers the cream under my face makeup. Still, it’s no big deal and not a real hindrance.

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Dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, and Dr. Nazarian back Vanicream's Daily Facial Moisturizer for people with sensitive skin. It's free of fragrance, parabens, and sulfates—and for only $13, it's a total steal that is just as effective as other similar products that are four-times as expensive! "It contains hyaluronic acid and ceramide," says Dr. Garshick. "So it's going to help to hydrate and also support the skin barrier while still being very gentle on the skin."

This budget-friendly product is a winner for WH editors, too. "It is appealingly gentle right out of the tube, without any harsh scent or other irritants," says McLaughlin. "It’s overall a gentle, light application, non-irritating, and easy to use over your whole face if desired."

Vanicream has a lightweight feel that is better suited to a person who prefers a thinner lotion than a thick cream. (Sorry to my dry skin girlies, but we’ve got plenty of other suitable recommendations ahead.) The only thing to really keep in mind is it takes a little time to fully absorb into the skin so if you’re in a rush, this may not be your ideal rosacea moisturizer.

Caring for acne and rosacea requires a delicate balance. We need light hydration to avoid excessive greasiness, soothing ingredients to calm redness, and a non-comedogenic formula to prevent zits. That’s where La Roche-Posay’s super lightweight moisturizer comes in clutch. The oil-free and non-comedogenic formula won’t clog pores and is great for sensitive skin, making it one of Dr. Garshick’s no-fail picks.

"It's light but has body, and easily absorbs into my skin," adds assistant food editor Joy Cho. "It leaves my skin feeling moisturized but not oily or weighed down." I agree with Cho and found it’s especially lovely to use in the spring when my skin needs the right balance of hydration without looking overly-greasy.

La Roche-Posay promises this moisturizer provides up to 48 hours of hydration. While I won’t go two days without cleansing my face (eek, my oily spots would look extremely shiny during this window), I did notice that my skin became noticeably softer and moisturized within the first two weeks of use. This cream has been in my rotation for months and each time I revisit this La Roche-Posay product, my skin looks calmer and feels softer. I also haven’t dealt with pesky pimples since using this moisturizer, which isn’t the norm when experimenting with new additions to my routine.

The only real downside of this rosacea moisturizer is the container. While travel-friendly, it can be a bit difficult to squeeze the product out of the tube, but it's ultimately a small inconvenience compared to all the pros. Plus, a little bit of product goes a long way so a single tube can last for several months before you need to replenish your stash.

Because this cream is so rich and thick, it's a great option for anyone with very dry, irritated skin. "It's going to help calm redness and inflammation," says Dr. Garshick, who appreciates the non-greasy finish to this product. "It's nice, especially for somebody who has rosacea who's experiencing more dry skin." Bonus: A combo of proteins, copper-zinc folate complex, and mineral-rich thermal spring water help calm and soothe burns, cuts, and scrapes, says Dr. Camp.

WH associate editor Charlotte Walsh is a big fan of the way it locks in moisture for hours after application. "A little goes a long way here—you really only need a dime-sized amount for your whole face," she says. "I've tried some other creams where you have to use a lot of product and the moisture doesn't truly sink in, and this was the complete opposite." She adds that it calmed down her mild rosacea before applying makeup and prefers to use the cream as a daily moisturizer or an added layer of protection after an intense treatment. One caveat is that the formula tends to separate, so be sure to give it a good shake beforehand.

This Topicals moisturizer takes after its name. It's formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid to treat dry, red skin. It also contains green tea to soothe skin and one percent colloidal oatmeal to reduce redness. In addition to niacinamide, this moisturizer contains squalane, an oil with properties similar to the skin’s natural sebum, says Dr. Camp.

If you're concerned about dullness, you'll be happy to know that it leaves behind a glowy finish to my complexion. The radiance is so natural-looking that I can skip layering my go-to glow-enhancing face primer underneath my foundation. I even experienced immediate relief from eczema symptoms like itching, irritation, and redness after application, earning it a new spot in my winter skincare routine.

Still, the packaging makes it difficult to get all the product out, which can sometimes lead to a messy experience. It’s a relatively minor issue, but might bother someone who is very tidy.

Nighttime rosacea creams like this one from CeraVe are epic because they help minimize redness and irritation overnight so we wake up with softer skin. CeraVe is a staple for dermatologists, which is one of many reasons why it makes the list. A trifecta of calming niacinamide, moisturizing hyaluronic acid, and ceramides hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier, says Dr. Nazarian.

I love that CeraVe has a non-greasy feel that absorbs very quickly into my skin. CeraVe says this face moisturizer is compatible with all skin types, but given the lightweight, lotion-like feel someone with oily and combination skin will especially appreciate that it hydrates without leaving behind that pesky greasy look or sticky finish. My skin irritation and redness have lessened over time since incorporating this moisturizer into my routine—and I’m confident it’ll also help your sensitive skin out, too.

Not to mention, if you’ve got acne-prone skin you’ll love that this moisturizer boasts a non-comedogenic formula, meaning it won’t clog pores leading to unwanted pimples. Teens and adults dealing with acne alike will love this one. (Ahem, it’s me, hi!) And it has a lotion-like texture that even plays well when layered under my Armani Luminous Silk foundation and mixed with Charlotte Tilbury foundation for a lightweight tinted moisturizer.

People with rosacea are super prone to sun damage. That’s why Dr. Camp recommends slathering on sunscreen to prevent any flare-ups. Even better, use this two-in-one SPF moisturizer from Cetaphil. This moisturizer provides SPF 40 coverage—more than the SPF 30 suggestion from the American Dermatology Association—and is also a standout because it has a slight tint for those who want to mask any redness. Dr. Nazarian says that it's also a physical blocker (AKA a mineral sunscreen), which is easier on the skin than a chemical one. Mineral sunscreens also naturally offer broad-spectrum coverage against the sun’s ultraviolet A (UVA) rays that cause signs of aging and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays that cause burns and skin cancer.

While mineral sunscreens are impressive, they’re challenging for those with more melanin-rich complexions because they can leave our skin looking ashy or purple. I do wish Cetaphil made tints in deeper tones, but I can get away with wearing this SPF moisturizer if I layer it under my tanner summertime face powder. Someone darker than shade 9 in my favorite Armani foundation will likely experience minor white cast, so they’d be better off picking a different rosacea moisturizer and pairing it with one of these sunscreens for darker skin tones.

Dr.Jart+ uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect sensitive skin from the sun. But what makes this moisturizer truly worthy of inclusion into your routine is the unique tint. It has undertones of green and beige which neutralize redness and even out our skin tone because red and green are opposite from one another on the color wheel, according to Dr. Camp. I only need a little bit of this Dr.Jart+ cream to help diffuse mild redness, but the tint is just too light for my complexion which is a major bummer.

That said, there are some other things I still enjoy about this cream and think could be helpful diffusing mild redness in those with fair complexions. Notably, it’s made with centella asiatica, which is known to have calming effects on the skin and reduces redness. "It'll help camouflage and conceal some redness while still providing protection throughout the day," says Dr. Garshick.

Note: The formula is thick and requires some extra work to rub it into the skin, but the end results are totally worth the relatively small effort.

Living in New York during the winter and testing a slew of skincare products has caused pesky irritation, like redness and itching. However, this pick has my skin literally covered with allantoin to lock in moisture and soothe irritation while replenishing my skin barrier. Itching? Buh-bye. Redness? I don’t know her. TBH, I love this moisturizer so much that I’d immediately buy a jumbo size bottle just to slather all over my body. The relief is sweet, fast-acting, and gets better with regular use.

I’m not the only fan of this vegan, cruelty-free moisturizer moisturizer. Dr. Nazarian appreciates that Tower28 uses a few different types of hyaluronic acid to pull in moisture for a quicker hydration effect, and says this product is also good for sensitive and acne prone skin types. Beyond hydrating hyaluronic acid, Dr. Camp likes that Tower 28 is infused with ceramides to help protect the delicate skin barrier. Overall, its super gentle ingredients are handy for calming my sensitive skin, plus the packaging is super cute!

That said, it’s best to really work Tower28 into my skin before layering on other products to avoid pilling.

Although this cream is a bit high in price, it's worth the splurge—and even earned snaps from multiple derms. This multitasking rosacea moisturizer cancels out redness, while probiotics found in lactobacillus extract improve the skin barrier and minimize inflammation, says Dr. Nazarian.

Since it’s formulated without fragrance, alcohol, parabens, and phthalates, Dr. Camp says this green-tinted moisturizer is a winner because it reduces the appearance of redness and contains shea butter for extra hydration. The oil-free formula also includes green tea to calm irritated skin.

I enjoy using this face cream for some much-needed hydration and calming my skin. However, I do think paying $38 an ounce is a bit of a stretch even for someone as skincare obsessed as myself. Price aside, Clinique soothes and hydrates my face without feeling too heavy. So if you’re got the extra funds and are looking for a richer face moisturizer this is a solid pick.

Meet the experts

• Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
• Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
• Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist based in New York.

Why is fragrance bad for rosacea?

As a scent-obsessed beauty editor, I know it’s super tempting to use skincare products infused with enticing aromas, but when dealing with rosacea it’s best to avoid fragrance. “There's zero skin benefit to fragrance, and the risk is much higher for flaring rosacea. Ultimately, although it may make the sensory experience of applying skincare more enjoyable, the risk isn't worth it,” says Dr. Nazarian.

What other rosacea skincare products can I use?

Congrats! You’ve finally nailed down your dream rosacea moisturizer. To further level-up your results, you can incorporate a gentle cleanser and broad-spectrum sunscreen into your at-home routine.

You should also skip harsh soaps, exfoliating serums, and physical face scrubs with granules that can cause more damage than they’re worth.

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