We all know how important it is to follow a consistent skincare routine every single day, but if you’re prone to rosacea or redness, then the products and ingredients that you use are even more important. Rosacea is a common skin condition where the skin reddens more easily, and this flushing is usually accompanied by sensitivity and uneven texture. Rosacea can be very easily triggered, so trying new skincare products can be tricky because many formulas contain triggering ingredients like fragrance or alcohol. Luckily, affordable skincare brand The Ordinary offers a number of suitable and effective products for rosacea-prone skin.
Whether you’re new to the brand or you want some expert insight into the best products following a recent rosacea diagnosis, you’re in the right place. If you’re wondering if The Ordinary is a good brand for rosacea or which The Ordinary products are best for redness, we have all the answers. Keep reading for the ultimate The Ordinary rosacea routine.
What is rosacea?
Before diving into any products, let’s recap exactly what rosacea is. Rosacea is a common—affecting 1 in 20 people in the UK—chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes redness and flushing (which can be hot to touch and incredibly uncomfortable), sensitive skin, breakouts, thickened skin, and even eye problems. It is not always easy to establish the cause of rosacea, but the condition is often genetic. It can be divided into four subtypes:
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (persistent redness)
Papulopustular rosacea (often nicknamed acne-rosacea due to the presence of pustules)
Phymatous rosacea (thickening of the skin, often the nose),
Ocular rosacea (impacting the eyes).
Can I treat rosacea myself?
Rosacea is a medical condition which must be diagnosed by a medical professional. If you’ve been diagnosed with rosacea, then you should follow your GP or dermatologist’s advice before you try treating the condition yourself. If you think you have rosacea but haven’t been diagnosed yes, it’s important to use products that are gentle and hydrating, and remember that sunscreen is essential—UV is a major trigger for rosacea and general skin redness. Avoid potentially irritating ingredients like alcohol, fragrance, glycolic acid, and physical exfoliants too.
Is The Ordinary good for rosacea?
The Ordinary’s single ingredient approach to skincare means that the brand’s products can be great for treating a wide range of skin types, as well as specific skin concerns like rosacea and redness. Above all, they require a gentle, soothing routine with ingredients that will calm inflammation and offer relief to irritated skin. These include azelaic acid, niacinamide, aloe, and hyaluronic acid.
Like any other brand with a wide range of products, there are several The Ordinary products that aren’t suitable for rosacea or redness-prone skin. The Ordinary’s exfoliating acids and treatments should definitely be avoided, as should any of the brand’s vitamin C and retinoid products.
The best The Ordinary products for rosacea:
Once triggers are identified, rosacea can easily be managed. Above all, it’s extremely important to use products that are soothing, calming, and hydrating in order to get rid of redness. Fortunately, The Ordinary has plenty of products that are suitable for rosacea-prone skin. Scroll down to shop our faves.
The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum
Why we love it: As its name suggests, this multitasking serum is designed to help repair the skin barrier, soothe discomfort, and reduce the look of redness, making it a perfect choice if you have rosacea.
Vitamin B12, gallic acid, bisabolol, niacinamide, and Centella asiatica work together to reduce redness and inflammation, while ceramides strengthen the skin barrier to reduce sensitivity.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Why we love it: Ask any skincare expert or dermatologist what the best ingredient for rosacea is and the answer will be azelaic acid.
Azelaic acid reduces inflammation so it quickly helps to calm the redness of rosacea flare-ups as well as any breakouts caused by rosacea. What’s more, this creamy solution feels instantly soothing.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
Why we love it: This light, silky oil not only works to calm irritation, but also makes for an enjoyable application experience—spend time gently massaging it into your skin.
This plant-based oil is known for its soothing, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for redness and rosacea-prone skin.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Why we love it: Another active ingredient with proven benefits for rosacea, —plus, this niacinamide serum is boosted with the anti-inflammatory benefits of zinc.
Thanks to its potent 10% strength, this niacinamide solution can very quickly help to reduce redness and bumps, while also strengthening the skin barrier to reduce sensitivity.
The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution
Why we love it: This serum may be designed with blemish-prone skin in mind, but its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties make it a great option for rosacea-prone skin as well.
Aloe leaf juice gently hydrates and soothes the skin while N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) helps to even out skin tone. In addition, peptide technology palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 addresses bumpy skin texture.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Why we love it: This ultra-hydrating serum is one of the brand’s bestsellers, with benefits for all skin types, including those prone to rosacea and redness.
Five different types of hyaluronic acid draw water into multiple layers of the skin, while ceramides and pro-vitamin B5 support the skin barrier to prevent the moisture from escaping.
The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser
Why we love it: Although this cleanser is super gentle, it’s still effective when it comes to removing makeup and other stubborn impurities from the skin.
This creamy formula uses a plant-derived glycolipid cleansing agent to cleanse the skin without damaging the skin barrier or impacting the skin’s pH. The result? Skin is left feeling clean but calm.
