Rosacea cream can refer to a variety of gels, ointments or other topical lotions and creams that may help reduce symptoms of rosacea. There are a number of products that may be fall into this category — some are prescription only medications and others are available over the counter or in natural foods or health food stores.
When discussing rosacea cream available by prescription, the medications likely to be mentioned include the following: metronidazole, azelaic acid, sulfur creams, medicines with retinol, especially tretitnoin, and benzoyl peroxide. Sometimes lower strength over the counter medications contain similar ingredients. For instance, it’s common to find sulfur creams, antibiotic lotions, gels with retinol and other topical products with benzoyl peroxide.
One thing that must be noted about all of these medications is that they can have side effects and at best they can control but not cure rosacea. The condition continues to mystify professionals and as yet there is no cure. Patients may respond in unique ways to any of these rosacea creams, though most people find greatest benefit from metronidazole, available in name brands like MetroGel® and MetroCream®. It is thought the combination of anti-swelling agents and antibiotic elements helps to address discoloration, appearance of pustules and papules, and additional inflammation from bacterial agents.
Ironically, some prescription and non-prescription rosacea cream types may work for some people and exacerbate rosacea for others. In particular, products with retinol or benzoyl peroxide may dry the skin and promote redness or even breakouts. It can take some experimenting to find creams or other topical treatments that are most effective with fewest side effects. A few things should almost always be avoided. Even though rosacea can look red and irritated, creams with hydrocortisone may ultimately exacerbate the condition and shouldn’t be used unless a doctor recommends it for very short-term use.
Over the counter treatments for rosacea may contain low strength versions of ingredients in prescription rosacea cream, or they may veer off and offer different “active” medications that might help the condition. Most dermatologists recommend strongly that people avoid these creams because of the potential harm to skin instead of help. This especially applies to over the counter cortisone, retinol, and alpha hydroxy acids, or beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid. Especially when rosacea is first noted, doctors help patients through modifying diet and activities, which may exacerbate the condition, and by giving both prescription oral and topical medications. These may help control the condition and minimize long term side effects of rosacea like the development of red lines on the skin and scarring.
Another definition of over the counter rosacea cream are creams that are safe to use with rosacea but that don’t necessarily improve it or exacerbate it. Many people still would like to use a moisturizer on the skin that won’t cause more problems. Though there are again many products that claim to be safe, it’s a good idea to ask a doctor to look over any ingredient list for potential irritants. There are some good lotions and creams that may not create extra problems for the person with rosacea, and these include those with minimal ingredients and with none of the ingredients listed in the previous paragraph.
