My Rosacea Loves to Flare in the Summer—These 7 Redness-Reducing Skincare Products Save Me

The TLDR on rosacea: it’s caused by an overgrowth of demodex mites (yes, little, living organisms) on the skin. I hope I didn’t gross anyone out—it’s the truth! Sulfur, a popular skincare ingredient that smells, unfortunately, a bit like rotten eggs, has been proven to reduce mites on the face, and therefore, calm a flare. Not the sexiest, but it works. This is my go-to.

Review: "It's a bit harsher on the skin than some other options, but I’d recommend this to anyone who is dealing with acne in addition to rosacea or is a bit more oily. This guy will help absorb excess oil and unclog pores, while simultaneously targeting those little demodex mites." — Samantha Holender

My most irritating flares would happen during a day at the beach. Reason being: my skin would get overheated. Now, I throw one of my favorite cryotherapy tools into the cooler and whip it out every hour or two. (A regular ice cube works just as well, for what it’s worth.) While it may look a little over the top to strangers on their beach walk, I quite frankly couldn't care less. The things I’ll do for good skin!

Review: "My ice roller has seen the world—she comes with me on every single vacation. The titanium roller stays cooler longer than any other option on the market. A nice 10-minute roll a few times a day truly keeps my flares under control." — Samantha Holender

If the heavier ice roller isn’t in the cards (or you’re looking to splurge on a fun, new device), I highly recommend this. Stay away from the heat option and stick to cryo. Just make sure you wipe down the metal tip with rubbing alcohol to keep it clean.

Review: "This is nice and compact, so it's always easy to keep on hand. I try and do it at least once in the morning and once at night, and I've noticed a big difference; my skin gets far less irritated when I'm exposed to short bursts of sun exposure. It's also a nice bonus that it depuffs my under-eyes." — Samantha Holender

Azelaic acid is a superpower ingredient as is—it tackles texture, acne, pores—but it’s extra incredible at addressing the redness associated with rosacea. I’m on a 15 percent azelaic acid cream prescribed by Dr. Garshick, but I’d recommend this alternative in a heartbeat. It's as close to 10 percent (what’s legally allowed over-the-counter) as possible.

Review: "In addition to 10 percent azelaic acid, this serum includes oat kernal extract to help calm redness even further. A little product goes such a long way, the texture is silky, and the dry down is velvety." — Samantha Holender

Most people dealing with rosacea are going to be dealing with dry skin and potential burning (especially during a flare), and a compromised skin barrier. I swear by this calming, nourishing moisturizer, which avoids fragrance, essential oils, and acids. Frill-free is your best bet.

Review: "If I could only use one product for the rest of my life: it’s this. It gives glow and hydration—plus, I swear that anti-inflammatory purslane is a magical ingredient for redness reduction." — Samantha Holender

A French pharmacy staple, this rich cream reduces redness and cools the skin on application. Keep it in the fridge for an extra soothing treat—you won't regret it.

Review: "I'm always amazed by how quickly this makes a visible difference. It's clinically proven to reduce visible redness by 48 percent (!!), so when I layer this under a tinted SPF or green color corrector, you'd never even know I'm dealing with redness." — Samantha Holender

Physical sunscreens, which reflect the sun’s UV rays as opposed to absorbing them like chemical sunscreens, are the gold standard for rosacea. They’re the gentlest and least likely to cause irritation. I never, ever leave the house without a thick layer and reapply, like clockwork, every 80 minutes during a beach day.

Review: "There's a reason every dermatologist I've ever met tells me to use this sunscreen. It's truly the best. There's no pilling. It doesn't irritate my skin—or my eyes. And feels cooling upon application." — Samantha Holender