An excellent consumer report about how to choose a moisturizer. The article gives some background on how moisturizers are formulated, how they work, and the operation of common active ingredients. A table at the end of this document compares about 75 available moisturizers, classifying them under Face, Hands and Feet. This list of products is perfect for anyone searching for the best moisturizer for rosacea.
Skin Therapy Letter, Volume 10, Number 5, June 2005, Moisturizers: What They Are and a Practical Approach to Product Selection, J. N. Kraft, BSc (Hons) and C. W. Lynde, MD, FRCPC
Abstract: Moisturizers are widely used products that are important in many dermatologic and cosmetic skin therapies. They contain varying combinations of emollients, occlusives, and humectants to achieve their beneficial effects, and there is an overwhelming number of formulations available. To develop a rational approach for prescribing moisturizers, commercially available products can be categorized on the basis of application site.
Key Words: dry skin, emollients, humectants, moisturizers, occlusives
There is a vast array of moisturizers available on the market today and consumer demand for these products is growing. These products range from value brands that provide basic moisturization to luxury therapeutics with claims of anti-aging benefits. A recent US study found that moisturizers are the third most commonly recommended OTC topical skin product (13.4%) behind hydrocortisone (27.6%) and anti-infectives (23.4%)
The article has the following sections:
- What Are Moisturizers?
- How Do Moisturizers Work?
- Emollients
- Occlusives
- Humectants
- Where Are They Used?
- What is the Ideal Moisturizer?
- Formulation Characteristics
The following moisturisers look to be of potential interest to rosacea sufferers. These are listed in the comparison table.
A summary of some Canadian-marketed moisturizing products/active ingredients by sites of use (many of these products are available in the US as well). This list does not profess to be all-inclusive but includes many of the popular brands used by dermatologists in their practices.
- Facial Moisturizer, Active Ingregients
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer (Galderma), Cyclomethicone, glycerin
- Complex 15 Face Cream (Schering Plough), Dimethicone, lecithin
- Dormer 211 Face Cream (Dormer), Hyaluronic acid complex, lecithin
- Dove Sensitive Essentials (Unilever), Petrolatum, mineral oil, dimethicone
- Enydrial (Roc Laboratories), Hypoallergenic base
- Eucerin 5% Facial Cream (Beiersdorf), 5% Urea
- Hydra + Destressant (Roc Laboratories) , Hypoallergenic base
- Hydraphase UV SPF30 (La Roche Posay) , Glycerin, thermal spring water
- Impruv (Stiefel), Glycerin, shea butter, squalene
- Neutrogena Moisture Cream (Johnson and Johnson), Glycerin, dimethicone, petrolatum
- Nutrilogie 1 Intensive Care for Dry Skin (Vichy Laboratories), Sphingo-lipid, urea, glycerin
- Nutrilogie 2 Intensive Care for Very Dry Skin (Vichy Laboratories), Sphingo-lipid, urea, beeswax, shea butter
- Oil of Olay Moisture Cream & Oil of Olay Complete All Day Cream (Proctor and Gamble) Hypoallergenic base
- Spectroderm (Glaxo Smith Kline Consumer), Dimethicone, glycerin
- Toleriane Riche Smooth Protective Cream (La Roche Posay), Shea butter, squalene, glycerin
- Toleriane Soothing Protective Care (La Roche Posay), Glycerin, squalene
- Vichy Thermal Fix 1 and 2 (Vichy Laboratories), Filladyn, sunflower oil, glycerin
- Vichy Novadiol Intensive Re-Densifying Care Face and Neck (Vichy Laboratories), Phytocomplex, beeswax, glycerin
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118 Comments over 3 pages ↓
Thanks everybody for all the information. I was diagnosed with Rosacea & Serb dermatitis in Jan. I was at my wits end w/ the red face, and white flaking skin that I fell into a BIG depression. My first dermatologist wanted me to purchase only the products she sold (she would not recommend any OTC moisturizers, cleansers, or sunblock). She also was perscribing me steroids every freakin’ time I saw her, and kept telling me “oh its fine to use them for a month at a time.” After reading here about the dangers I ditched her. My next dermatologist gave me some samples of PROMISEB and it truly gave me back my life. It is safe to use every day even for babies. No side effects listed or reported.
It is a new product (been out in US for a year or so.) Has no steroid in it. Mostly all natural w/ shea butter. It is also an antifungal and moisturizes with out causing breakouts. I have been using it for 5 weeks. LOVE IT. My white flakes are almost gone! You do need a perscription . My 1st derm also had put me on metrogel products that only made my skin dry & worse. I did radically change my diet. Try to eat mostly fruit, veggies, cut way back on dairy, and only drink wine about 2x’s a month. Also drink only zephyrhills water which has a good alkaline level. I eat processed foods and sugar sparingly. Hard to be on this healthy, boring diet, but having normal skin is worth it for sure. I also started using Oil of Olay Classic oil free moisturizer with SPF 15 which I like too. Lesson learned if your dermatologist is not helping you find another. By the way this nightmare started for me due to menopause…. hope this info helps.
Hi friend, I am so glad to hear your rosacea is better….why did you change your diet? do you find that it helps keep the breakouts away?
Hey Carolina…..After reading all the info on rosacea & serb dermatitis everyone kept saying changing their diet was very helpful & I was desperate. So I gave up MOST of my favorite foods. Slowly and carefully trying to figure out which ones really cause me problems. Yes I think it helps. Hardest part is not having drinks every weekend…miss those terribly! I think controlling my serb derm is the key to my face remaining clear of redness as well. I also have learned that using a GENTLE non soap to wash is essential as well as rinsing w/cool water, and then I barely use a towel to dry my face I just fan my face dry with a paper fan I use to keep me cool during my hot flashes!! This has REALLY helped a lot. After washing my face it barely looks red now when before I was embarrassed to let anyone see me!
Hi, friends — Like many rosaceans, I have extreme facial sensitivity and can’t tolerate most cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, etc., all of which sting and burn. I use Vanicream moisturizer, which I want to mention since it’s not on the list above and it works for me. You can occasionally but rarely find it in drugstores; I buy it from drugstore.com. Has a very simple list of ingredients that you can check out on the drugstore.com website. Also, surprisingly inexpensive. It comes in a light lotion and in a thicker cream, which does take a little time to melt into your skin, but is altogher worth it.
I would just like to say that i wholeheartedly agree that changing your diet helps. Cuttin gout yeast/sugar/tomatos etc will make a difference. I’ve only been doing this for about a month and already there’s a change. I agree with the lady above though, i love to have a drink and that has to go which is a shame, but the clear soft skin is sooooo worth it. All the best of luck. Also, i tried LiveLive Organics Bee yummy skin food moisturiser. Its very expensive but well worth it as it doesnt aggrivate my (very sensitive to most things) skin. Good luck everyone.
I love CeraVe’s moisturizer. I add green tea to it and it feels quite nice. It use it only at night. I have moderate rosacea with erythema & visible red veiny spots.
Confused.. i thought Benzyl Alchol was to avoid when choosing moisturizers? And the cetaphill has it?
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“No wonder it burned me when I first started dealing with this issue. Lol. I wash my face with Dove nonfragrance for sensitive skin, take Oracea pills once a day, use Elidil in the morn n night along with Differin at night. For moisturizer I use vaseline lightly. My skin has improved 100%+ I’m a woman of color so it might be different for you.”
I haven’t been to a dermatologist yet so I’m not sure if it’s rosacea but I have these large sore red bumps on my forehead, especially right between my eyebrows. They seem to come and go (Extremely attractive as you can imagine.)They aren’t cysts, nothing is in them but everything I do seems to aggravate them and make them redder. Makes me very self conscious at work. I was just searching the internet, trying to figure what the heck it could be and after reading up on rosacea, I’m wondering if it could be a type of it. Thanks to all of you for sharing. It’s been really helpful.
Hi Guys,
I’ve just been reading your comments and they are very knowledgeable and helpful,
my skin started to get very sensitive after I used the sunbed a few times back in 1988, I developed a rash and was prescribed hydracortizone cream by my doctor….after the rash had gone I kept getting a redness to my cheeks and chin and have suffered ever since. I’ve tried everything in the past and it hasn’t really worked I’ve just had to cover it up with a thick concealer.
When Clinique launched their Redness Solutions Range I had a sml sample and now I’ve never looked back, my skin has greatly improved and I don’t even wear foundation now.
I’d recommend this range to anyone..
Ps….I live in the UK…and as the weather gets colder my skin finds it tougher..
Hi. I am 36 and have always had very dry skin. Actually as a child I was diagnosed with ichthyosis. Around age 30 is when my rosacea kicked in. I have tried so many different products….Aveeno, Clinique, Philosophy, my derm prescribed metrogel. The metrogel just made my skin drier.
At the moment I am using First Aid Beauty. I discovered their products at Sephora. I bought the cleanser and Ultimate Repair Cream. I love it so much! My skin is actually moisturized and calmer than it has been in a very long time. Give it a try!
have suffered w/rosacea for years. think i first really noticed it after my first child,whom i had in my early 30′s…hormones ? i’m 51 now and been going thru god awful menopause the last couple years,which i am sure has made the situation worse. have tried dermatologists expensive creams,cosmetics,antibiotics(which i do not want to be on all my life !)and Clinique’s bulls**t cotisone…cause they advertised the redness thing. i was so pissed off w/myself i bought cortisone for like 35 bucks,that i could have gotten at the friggin’ drug store for like a couple bucks-store brand.have done the aveeno,proactive years ago…more for the kids…def.dried the skin,garnier moister gel,olay burned,…guess i’ll give shelly’s comment a try…sephora. last step…laser=$$$ ! I’ll miss the vino too ! ‘specially special occasions. ah,maybe for my birthday and new years !
hydracortizone…ah,you all probably already knew what i was talkin’ ’bout !
First, I have to tell you, I have been in the medical field for over 25 years. I sought help from a dermatologist. She prescribed antibiotics and strong facial washes for me for 15 years. Though it did help clear my face somewhat, I was very annoyed when I discovered that by changing my diet I was able to get off all treatments and my face has been completely clear for over 10 years! No more doctor visits or prescriptions. I was vegetarian during the time I was diagnosed with Rosacea but when I decided to go vegan (for compassionate reasons) my face (and all my allergies) completely cleared! I firmly believe Rosacea is an allergic reaction. I take care of my skin with gentle cleansers (Suki has wonderful products) and I don’t wash my face in hot water. I stay away from alcohol, sugar, I don’t smoke, I wear sunblock….and I drink plenty of water….so I am still careful but no one believes I was ever treated for Rosacea.
I hope this helps, it is certainly worth a try.
Greetings and thanku to everyone for all your helpful words. It helps so much not to feel so alone with this. I wonder Laurie if you would say some more about your diet as I do believe allergies have a lot do with my rosacea. Nothing has helped so far. I wake every morning with a bright red sore face. I too have spent a fortune on dermatologists, doctors, creams, supplements.
Has anybody else found that being in front of a computer makes it worse?
Thank you for any replies.
Sure, I will tell you what I found by “accident” with regard to my diet. I was a vegetarian from about the age of 30. During this time I developed rosacea. I was treated by a dermatologist who never ever even inquired about my diet and whether it was good or bad for my skin condition….during my daughters college years we became animal activists and discovered that vegetarianism was not enough to help stop animal cruelty…we decided to go “vegan”. This diet has done more for my health and well being than anything the dermatologist ever did! I do not consume any animal products at all. No Milk, dairy, cheese, meat, eggs, fish..nothing that comes from an animal. Not only has my face completely cleared (I mean COMPLETELY) but I do not have any cholesterol problems, blood pressure issues , no more allergies and no weight problems, no arthritis,no diabetes… nothing!…and I am a 54 year old Nana with plenty of energy! But aside from cutting out the animal products, I also cut out most white sugar, all alcohol (I never really drank anyway, and wine has sulfates which will irritate), I don’t smoke. I drink plenty of water (no soft drinks or concentrated juice, too much sugar) I eat lots of fruit, vegetables and grains. There are lots of good informative books about being vegan and the benefits of it. Believe me your face will thank you. Most recently Dr. Neil Barnard recently put out a book called the “21 Day Kickstart”. This one explains this way of eating in easy to understand terms and also has some recipes.
A couple of other tips:
Do not wash your face in a hot shower or with a washcloth (washcloths tend to have laundry detergent residue still in them and this can irritate your face, not to mention the fact that scrubbing will too. I use a gentle foaming/lotion cleanser (Suki…love it) and tepid water. Try not to sit over hot bowls of soup or tea (so as not to “steam” your face) and never use any kind of exfolliant or peels.
Also, if per chance, you are allergic to gluten (a lot of people are) you may want to cut that out of your diet too…but give the vegan diet a try for 6 months and see if that is sufficient. I know this works…I work for a Dr and have suggested this to teenagers with acne and their faces clear up too…so it is not just for Rosacea! I do believe it would help people with Psoriasis and other skin disorders too.
Hope this helps you.
Laurie
I hope this
I agree that your diet has a tremedous effect o your skin. I cut out the fast foods and especially sodas. I also use quadriderm (or generic product) and swear by it. I’m also taking skin vitamins, Maxi -Hair, by Country Life which are great!
I agree completely about the benefits of a vegan diet. I have been vegetarian for a long time and eliminated dairy and eggs from my diet a year ago, after I was diagnosed with gallstones and diabetes Type 2. I have lost 30 pounds in weight (I also eat only unrefined carbohydrates, no white flour, no sugar, no alcohol). I have never smoked. My rosacea is not completely gone, but it is much better. I manage it by using Topix Replenix CF Serum in the morning under a sunscreen with at least spf 30, as directed by my dermatologist. In the evening, I just use Topix Replenix CF Cream. I clean my face with Toleriane cream cleanser, followed by Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foaming Cleanser, and tone with pure rosewater.
Once a year I have an IPL treatment for maintenance, and that’s all.
I think diet has a huge effect on our skin, and in fact on everything! My diabetes is now completely under control with diet only, no medications, and I feel much better. My cholesterol is also low.
The only really unavoidable trigger for me is cold and/or windy weather. I can’t stay indoors all the time, so this does set off the flushing and stinging reaction, but otherwise I’m doing much better than a year ago.
I heartily endorse what Dr Neil Barnard says – I have two of his books, and all my family are now vegetarian, although as my daughter keeps chickens, she does still eat eggs.
I urge everyone with rosacea to experiment with this diet, and see what happens.