A Complete Guide to Rosacea Treatment
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Rosacea Treatment: A Complete Guide

Rosacea Treatment: A Complete Guide
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Updated on January 14, 2025
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There are a number of treatment options for rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can result in periodic flares throughout your lifetime.


Topical medications, oral treatments, and laser therapy can help alleviate symptoms, such as skin redness or flushing that can develop around the cheeks and spread to the chin and forehead. Your dermatologist can come up with a plan to diminish the redness, swelling, and acne-like pimples linked to the condition. Getting care is important because rosacea can worsen over time.


Medication

Multiple rosacea treatment options will focus on diminishing redness caused by increased blood flow to the facial area and widening (or dilating) of the blood vessels underneath the skin. This flushing is common in a subtype of the condition known as erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.

Topical Treatments for Redness

To combat redness, your doctor may prescribe a topical gel or cream designed to constrict your blood vessels and reduce discoloration.

Medications often prescribed for redness include:

The drug brimonidine topical (Mirvaso) can also be used but it is known for sometimes leading to “rebound” redness that can be worse than original symptoms.

Although effective, topical gels applied to the skin only temporarily reduce superficial redness, according to Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills, California. Since rosacea redness can return after the medication wears off, you’ll need to reapply these products daily.


Be mindful that side effects can occur with topical creams and gels. You may have increased redness, burning, pain, or itching.

 Side effects are generally mild and lessen over time, but they can also persist and become bothersome.


See a doctor if side effects are severe or don’t resolve. You may need an alternative medication to get rid of rosacea symptoms.

Topical Gels and Creams for Breakouts

Topical gels and creams are also effective for treating acne-like bumps or pimples caused by papulopustular rosacea.

These medications reduce swelling and redness. Side effects of these medications can include burning, itching, dryness, or tingling. The good news is that side effects may lessen with continual use.

Effective treatments for these types of breakouts include:

  • azelaic acid (Finacea)
  • metronidazole (Metrogel, Noritate)
  • sulfacetamide sodium and sulfur (Plexion)
  • ivermectin cream (Soolantra)
  • benzoyl peroxide (Epsolay)

Antibiotics

Antibiotic treatment either oral or topical can have an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect that can help calm the skin.

Initially, your doctor may prescribe a low dose of the antibiotic doxycycline (Oracea), which is safer to take long-term.

If that doesn’t work, there are other antibiotic treatments that can be effective. 

Retinoid

In some cases, a dermatologist may recommend using a retinoid to help unclog pores and reduce inflammation.

A retinoid is a form of vitamin A. While often used for acne and anti-aging treatment, the medication can be irritating to the skin, especially for people with sensitive rosacea. As a result this medication is not advised for everyone with rosacea. If you have questions be sure to talk to your physician about whether or not this treatment makes sense for you.

Retinoids that can help with rosacea flares include:

  • tretinoin
  • adapalene gel


Your doctor may prescribe an oral form of retinoid called isotretinoin (Accutane) for four to six months. For rosacea, the drug is prescribed at a much lower dose compared with when it’s prescribed for acne.

If you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, be sure to talk to your doctor before taking isotretinoin, which can cause birth defects.

Eye Drops 

Rosacea can also affect your eyes. This is known as ocular rosacea, and it can produce symptoms similar to eye allergies. Topical ophthalmic eye drops can reduce red eyelids, pink eye, itching, sensitivity to light, tearing, and grittiness.

Eye drops used for ocular rosacea include:

  • cyclosporine eyedrops (Restasis)
  • Antibiotic eye treatment drops
  • Artificial tears
Some ocular rosacea patients require a low dose of oral antibiotics.

A recent study also found that omega-3 fatty acid pills may help with dry eye symptoms that are associated with ocular rosacea.


Laser and Light Therapy

Your doctor may include laser therapy as part of your treatment plan for skin thickening or visible blood vessels. This type of therapy can eliminate or decrease the size of blood vessels and reduce redness, as well as remove thick skin.


  • Laser treatment uses wavelengths of light to emit heat that causes blood vessels to disintegrate.


  • Light therapy uses intense pulses of light to improve skin texture. It is more gentle than laser treatment.

The effects of these treatments often last for several years, but the results are not permanent and new blood vessels can appear.

Skin thickening can also return after treatment, requiring follow-up laser treatments.

Results from laser or light therapy aren’t immediate, and you may need multiple treatments.

Side effects can include temporary redness, skin tightening, itching, and pain.

Permanent scarring can also occur, but there’s a low risk of scarring when a highly experienced dermatologist performs the procedure.

Lifestyle Changes

For many people rosacea flares can be set off by triggers including sunlight, wind, spicy foods and hot drinks.

In order to reduce flares, you can make lifestyle changes that can help you avoid the triggers that affect you the most.


To pinpoint triggers, keep a rosacea diary and write down your meals and activities for each day, and then make a note of days when symptoms appear or worsen.

If your symptoms worsen after exposure to sun or wind, wear a scarf to protect your face from wind or icy temperatures. Everyone with rosacea should be using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher before heading outdoors.


Avoiding certain skin care products may also improve symptoms. Some astringents, cleansers, moisturizers, and products containing alcohol can irritate your skin. Use nonsoap cleansers and fragrance-free products.


Complementary Therapies

In addition to medications and laser treatments, there are complementary treatments that may help relieve rosacea symptoms.

Some natural remedies may also reduce rosacea redness, acne, eye symptoms, and inflammation.

Complementary therapies that have been used to help rosacea symptoms include:

  • Raw honey can reduce redness and inflammation.
  • Tea tree oil, which must be diluted before use, has been found to kill microscopic mites that can cause rosacea inflammation.
  • Aloe vera has a natural cooling effect that can reduce redness.
  • Chamomile tea, when cooled, can help soothe irritation and itchiness.
  • Green tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in addition to UV protective qualities that can help skin.
  • Oatmeal masks can be used as a gentle exfoliant to unclog pores without causing more inflammation.

Talk with your doctor before using any complementary therapy to treat rosacea.

Mental Health Treatment

Past research has found that people with severe rosacea symptoms have increased risk of certain mental health disorders including depression and anxiety.


Mental health professionals can also help people who feel their condition is affecting their daily life.


The Takeaway

  • Rosacea is a chronic condition that can result in redness, flushing of the face and acne-like bumps.
  • There are multiple treatments to help calm the classic symptoms of rosacea including topical therapy, oral medications and laser therapy.
  • You can also make lifestyle changes to avoid common rosacea triggers to minimize flare ups of the condition and enjoy a clearer complexion.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Rosacea. Mayo Clinic. October 17, 2023.
  2. Frequently Asked Questions. National Rosacea Society.
  3. Rosacea Diagnosis and Treatment. American Academy of Dermatology Association. April 3, 2024.
  4. Rosacea. Mayo Clinic.
  5. Brimonidine (topical application route). Mayo Clinic. January 31, 2024.
  6. Top 6 Benefits of Niacinamide. Cleveland Clinic. December 19, 2022.
  7. Rosacea: Learn More – What are the treatment options for rosacea? InformedHealth.org [Internet]. September 19, 2023.
  8. Medical Therapy for Rosacea. National Rosacea Society.
  9. Engin B, Özkoca D, Kutlubay Z, et al. Conventional and Novel Treatment Modalities in Rosacea. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. February 20, 2020.
  10. Algarin YA, Pulumati A, Jaalouk D, et al. The role of vitamins and nutrients in rosacea. Archives of Dermatological Research. May 2, 2024.
  11. Frequently Asked Questions. National Rosacea Society.
  12. 7 Rosacea Skin Care Tips Dermatologists. American Academy of Dermatology Association. April 3, 2024.
  13. 6 Natural Ways To Find Relief From Rosacea. Cleveland Clinic. March 21, 2024.
  14. Studies Find Associations Between Rosacea And Psychiatric Disorders. National Rosacea Society. May 18, 2021.
  15. Rosacea: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. May 2024.
Meet Our Experts
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Jacquelyn Dosal

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments of inflammatory skin diseases, as well as laser treatment of the skin and injectables.

Dr. Dosal writes cosmetic questions for the certifying exams for the American Board of Dermatology. She is also the deputy editor for the American Academy of Dermatology's podcast, Dialogues in Dermatology.

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Valencia Higuera

Valencia Higuera

Author
Valencia Higuera is a writer and digital creator from Chesapeake, Virginia. As a personal finance and health junkie, she enjoys all things related to budgeting, saving money, fitness, and healthy living. In addition to Everyday Health, Higuera has written for various publications, including Healthline, GOBankingRates, MyBankTracker, and The Mortgage Reports.
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See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Rosacea. Mayo Clinic. October 17, 2023.
  2. Frequently Asked Questions. National Rosacea Society.
  3. Rosacea Diagnosis and Treatment. American Academy of Dermatology Association. April 3, 2024.
  4. Rosacea. Mayo Clinic.
  5. Brimonidine (topical application route). Mayo Clinic. January 31, 2024.
  6. Top 6 Benefits of Niacinamide. Cleveland Clinic. December 19, 2022.
  7. Rosacea: Learn More – What are the treatment options for rosacea? InformedHealth.org [Internet]. September 19, 2023.
  8. Medical Therapy for Rosacea. National Rosacea Society.
  9. Engin B, Özkoca D, Kutlubay Z, et al. Conventional and Novel Treatment Modalities in Rosacea. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. February 20, 2020.
  10. Algarin YA, Pulumati A, Jaalouk D, et al. The role of vitamins and nutrients in rosacea. Archives of Dermatological Research. May 2, 2024.
  11. Frequently Asked Questions. National Rosacea Society.
  12. 7 Rosacea Skin Care Tips Dermatologists. American Academy of Dermatology Association. April 3, 2024.
  13. 6 Natural Ways To Find Relief From Rosacea. Cleveland Clinic. March 21, 2024.
  14. Studies Find Associations Between Rosacea And Psychiatric Disorders. National Rosacea Society. May 18, 2021.
  15. Rosacea: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. May 2024.
Additional Sources
  1. Rosacea: Overview. Mayo Clinic. September 22, 2021.
  2. Frequently Asked Questions. National Rosacea Society.
  3. Rosacea Treatment: How to Treat the Redness. American Academy of Dermatology.
  4. Rosacea Treatment: Acne-Like Breakouts. American Academy of Dermatology.
  5. Rosacea: Diagnosis and Treatment. Mayo Clinic. September 22, 2021.
  6. Rosacea: Who Gets and Causes. American Academy of Dermatology.
  7. Rosacea Treatment: Eye Problems. American Academy of Dermatology.
  8. Rosacea Treatment: Thickening Skin. American Academy of Dermatology.
  9. Goldgar C, Keahey DJ, Houchins J. Treatment Options for Acne Rosacea. American Family Physician. September 1, 2009.
  10. Rosacea: Diagnosis and Treatment. American Academy of Dermatology.