Choosing the right facial cleanser for rosacea is an important part of minimizing your symptoms. The one word you need to remember for this part of your daily routine, is “gentle”. Gentle cleansing done twice daily removes excess oil, bacteria, skin mites and other micro-organisms, dust and other environmental deposits and of course, any stale makeup or skin care products. You don’t want to scratch your face clean if you can help it, as it may only exacerbate your symptoms.
Choose a facial cleanser for rosacea that is suitable for your skin type.
If You Have Oily Skin
The best way to cleanse your face is to wash with a mild soap. The best soaps are pure and unscented, such as the Dove or Cetaphil brands which don’t block skin pores or leave any residue. Another alternative is to use medicated soaps like Gamophen. Medicated soaps are more applicable if you have acne rosacea.
If You Have Dry Skin
In cases like this, non-soap cleansers will be your best option. A wide range of non-soap cleeansers are available and come with the added advantage of washing off easily and have a neutral pH which closely resembles the pH of your skin. You should search for products in your location which advertise that they are particularly designed for sensitive skin.
If You Have Very Dry Skin
If your skin is very dry then it’s unlikely that you’ll suffer from acne-rosacea, as this tends to be more associated with oily skin conditions. If this is the case, you should look for a non-soap cleanser which is also creamy and low-foaming. There are formulas available that will leave a thin film on your skin which helps it retain moisture.
The Best Facial Cleansers for Rosacea
Here are a list of specific products that have been recommended by the Mayo Clinic for rosacea patients:
Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser
This is a soap free, unscented and non-comedogenic cleanser which not only moisturizes your skin but also helps it retain a supple and resilient texture. This product contains chamomile and Vitamin E which are known for calming and soothing the skin while also nourishing it.
Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Cleanser
The people who market this product claim that it is a suitable facial cleanser for rosacea sufferers. It is a soap-free gel which makes it ideal for dry to very dry skin. The non irritating formula gently removes makeup and other skin debris and is also unscented and non-comedogenic.
Aveeno Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser
The secret to this soothing cleanser is the ingredient feverfew, which is similar to chamomile. The product distributors claim that it will visibly reduce redness and calm irritated skin while is cleanses. Like the others mentioned here, it is also fragrance free, non-comedogenic and a non-soap product. They say it will remove makeup and stale oil and debris without drying out or irritating your skin.
Tips for Cleansing Rosacea Affected Skin
Here are some suggestions that have been developed by leading dermatologists for your daily skin cleansing regime.
- Use a facial cleanser for rosacea that is suitable for your skin type and avoid using any abraisive implements to wash your face.
- It is preferable to use lukewarm water rather than hot or cold, as rosacea flare ups are often in response to extreme temperatures.
- Pat your face dry with a thick towel. Try not to rub it dry, as this may irritate the skin. Rubbing the skin with a towel may also increase risk that bacteria from the towel may impregnate the skin.
- Try to wait up to 30 minutes after cleansing before you apply any topical medications if that’s what you’re using. The reason for this, is that damp skin is more suscepetible to stinging and irritation. If you find that you can apply medications earlier than 30 minutes without irritation then do it.
- Wait another 10 minutes after applying medications before you put on your makeup, sunscreen protection or moisturizer.
- If you have ocular rosacea then pay careful attention to your physician’s instructions about how to wash your eyes
Other Products to Consider
Which product you will settle on will depend entirely on where you live and what can be obtained there. Some products can be obtained online from anywhere in the world, so you may like to review the following products:
Skin Effects Redness Control Calming Gel Cleanser by Dr. Dover
– One of the few facial cleansers with a quick acting constrictor to help reduce skin redness and decrease the dreaded post-shower redness response.
Osmotics Cosmeceuticals ‘Blue Copper 5’ Anti-Aging Cleanser
– One of the few facial cleansers with the newest copper peptide formulation and two of the strongest topical anti-inflammatory antioxidants.
ROC Dermalogic Calmance Facial Cleansing Fluid
– One of the few facial cleansers with a pure liquid base that allows anti-inflammatories quick penetration into the superficial layers of the skin. It may also double as an excellent hydrating mask to reduce taught skin sensations.
Dermalogica Ultra-Calming Facial Gel Cleanser
– This is a superb cleanser for cleansing the skin and calming inflamed rosacea skin.
Dermalogica Clean Bar for Sensitive Skin
– This is a superb cleanser for cleansing the skin and calming inflamed rosacea skin. For those that must use bar cleansers, this is the one to use.
Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser for Hyper-Sensitive Skin
– This is a superb cleanser for cleansing the skin and calming inflamed rosacea skin. For those that must use bar cleansers, this is the one to use.
NEW Toleriane Foaming Dermo-Cleanser for Hyper-Sensitive Skin
– This is a superb cleanser for cleansing the skin and calming inflamed rosacea skin. This is an excellent deep pore cleanser for rosacea skin.
RosaSkin Daily Cleanser for Rosacea and Sensitive Skin
– One of the few facial cleansers with pure Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Organic Honey, and Cold-Pressed Buckthorn Oil that dissolves clogged pores while gently moisturizing the skin and reinforcing thin, hypersensitive rosacea skin. This is also a special cleanser as it was developed for post-laser treatment cleansing.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
– This is an excellent cleanser for inflamed rosacea skin with clogged pores.
Amino Genesis Really – Really Clean Cleanser
– This is an excellent cleanser for inflamed rosacea skin and with new amino acid assimilation technology it holds the potential to thicken and repair rosacea-thin skin.
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