Which Rosacea Cream Works Best?

The treatment for rosacea depends on the suspected cause and severity of the symptoms. In cases of mild to moderate rosacea, the use of topical rosacea creams, gels and ointments are recommended, either through prescription only or over-the-counter products. The conventional creams are not without side effects, and some people prefer to look for more natural and holistic solutions to their symptoms, and turn to their natural or health food store or even the internet.

There are so many products available to treat rosacea, and I can only review a few rosacea cream treatments to help you make an informed choice.

NATURAL ROSACEA CREAMS

ZENMED Skin Support System

ZENMED specialise in products to support the skin which are only available over the internet. ZENMED Skin Support System is specifically for rosacea and has no artificial colors or fragrances and does not irritate the skin. It doesn't cause the pores to clog. It uses natural anti-inflammatory botanicals to decrease flushing and redness by helping to constrict the blood vessels near the skin surface. It uses natural anti-bacterial agents to kill bacteria which may cause breakouts. It also uses natural collagen boosting agents.

As well as a gentle cleansing cream, this system also has an anti-redness mask and a support serum, forming a three-step process. It's a highly effective system well worth trying out.

Rosacea Moisturizing Cream

Only available over the internet, this fragrance-free rosacea cream is made by a company called Beauty Naturally whose products contain the purest botanical and herbal ingredients. It contains ingredients such as licorice, horse chestnut and hyaluronic acid which help to build up a protective barrier, to calm and reduce inflammation, puffiness, itching and burning as well as to soften and strengthen the skin. It has had mixed reviews but, on the whole, people found that it was soothing, and helped to reduce redness and dryness.

DermaMed Rosaderm

It took many years of research to develop this all-natural topical treatment for rosacea. It contains ingredients such as aloe vera, carrot seed oil, chamomile, lavender, tea tree and vitamins B, C, D and E. DermaMed Rosaderm reduces inflammation, soothes irritated skin and promotes healthy new skin growth. This helps to reduce facial redness, flushing and broken blood vessels. It can be bought over the internet and has good reviews.

Many companies are selling rosacea cream treatments, many of which are expensive and not very beneficial. For example, Clinique are marketing a redness solutions daily relief cream which contains hydrocortisone which, as mentioned earlier, may make the symptoms of rosacea worse. It’s always advisable to seek the advice of your dermatologist.

CONVENTIONAL ROSACEA CREAMS

Metronidazole

Metronidazole is a topical antibiotic gel, available in brand names like MetroGel® and MetroCream® by prescription only. It is thought that the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce skin redness, papules and pustules.

One study showed that the use of topical metronidazole alone can help some sufferers to prevent rosacea flare-ups once the rosacea has been brought under control. Metronidazole is said to be a safe and effective treatment, but a few side effects have been reported such as a burning, stinging and dryness of the skin.

Finacea

Finacea, a prescription only medication, is a recent topical gel treatment mainly used to reduce skin redness, papules and pustules of mild to moderate rosacea. Finacea contains 15% azelaic acid, an active ingredient naturally occurring in wheat, rye and barley and appears to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

There are, however, reported side effects including burning, stinging, tingling and itching of the skin, and sometimes abnormal changes in skin color. Many people have found that Finacea gel has a better effect than metronidazole.

Hydrocortisone

Topical steroid creams such as hydrocortisone have long been prescribed as an effective over-the-counter preparation for skin problems such as eczema and rosacea. Topical steroid creams reduce inflammation, swelling, burning and itching of the skin, and are popular because they give quick relief and are perceived to be safer than prescription strength treatment.

However, the use of hydrocortisone and other topical steroid creams have been heavily criticized by some dematologists who believe that they should never be prescribed for rosacea because they can make symptoms much worse and cause the skin to get thinner.

Cetaphil® Moisturizing Cream

Cetaphil is a fragrance-free, non-greasy moisturizing cream that has been recommended for many years to help alleviate the dry skin associated with eczema and psoriasis. A recent study has shown that the use of Cetaphil Mosturizing Cream used twice daily ameliorated dryness and roughness and reduced irritation and discomfort in rosacea sufferers. Overall the participants were very satisfied with the product. Cetaphil can be bought over-the-counter in most pharmacies and some department stores, but can be a little pricey.

I hope my reviews have been helpful. Personally, I think it's worth trying a natural solution before you resort to conventional treatments like steroids. The ZENMED system has a 60 day guarantee and so is well worth giving a trial.