Rosacure has been around for a while and is easily available, but it seems that only a few rosacea-support members rave about it. The products genesis and marketing are good, so lets look at some of the available background information and product reviews.
The marketing for rosacure says :
“Its two key ingredients are methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a sulfur compound that is used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions and silymarin (Lady’s Thistle Extract), a bioflavonoid. The combination of MSM and silymarin exerts a synergistic effect in reducing the appearance of facial redness.”
So lets look for more information on MSM and silymarin.
Wikipediea: Silymarin
Silibinin (INN) (silybin, Legalon®) is the major active constituent of silymarin, the mixture of flavonolignans extracted from plant Milk thistle (Silybum marianum). It is used in treatment and prevention of liver diseases because of its hepatoprotective (antihepatotoxic) properties. Clinical tests showed also its ability to protect against certain types of cancer (skin and prostate), probably due to its antioxidant properties.
Wikipedia: Methylsulfonylmethane
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM, or dimethylsulfone) is an organic sulfur compound belonging to a class of chemicals known as sulfones. It occurs naturally in some primitive plants and is present in small amounts in many foods and beverages.
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MSM is sold as a dietary supplement that is marketed with a variety of claims and is commonly used (often in combination with glucosamine and/or chondroitin) for helping to treat or prevent osteoarthritis. Retail sales of MSM as a single ingredient in dietary supplements amounted to $115 million in 2003. However, clinical research on the medical use of the chemical in people is limited to a few pilot studies that have suggested beneficial effects.
Here is one unpublished (as far as I know) paper from Canderm with some background information.
Open Evaluation of Silymarin Cream in the Management of Facial Redness Associated with Rosacea
Managing facial redness (erythema) is an important cosmetic goal in rosacea treatment. A cream combining silymarin, tacopheryl acetate, acetyl glucosamine, and hyaluronic acid in a hydrating oleosome base was formulated to provide control of cutaneous erythema and to improve homeostasis of cutaneous microcirculation. We conducted an open, prospective evaluation of results of applying this cream twice daily to reduce facial redness in both new and existing patients with rosacea. After 6 and 12 weeks, the mean redness score for all facial areas (cheek, chin, forehead, nose) was reduced (P>.001) in 29 of 32 enrolled patients, and the mean redness score was lower (P< .001) after 12 weeks than after 6 weeks. Concurrent use of topical metronidazole was well tolerated and did not alter the efficacy of the cream. One (3.5%) of the 29 patients discontinued therapy because of burning, stinging, and increased redness. Silymarin cream was safe and effective in reducing facial redness associated with rosacea.
Some comments from members of rosacea-support ;
rose jill says “I used rosacure for a very long time, a long time ago no results, at least it did not aggrivate my skin.”
Aimee says “I have used Rosacure for a number of years now.” and “I have been using Rosacure for many years now. It is a very good moisturizer for me and may help to reduce flushing, but I cant say for sure on that. It has not been a miracle for me, but as I have said before on this board that I always try new products that come out and when they don’t work because they are too harsh or too perfumey or any of the other million of things that go wrong with new products, I always go back to Rosacure.”
Marcella says “I have used it for at least 5 years. Never has burned me….. easily tolerated and a great moisturizer. I highly recommend it.”
Bihbi Cat says “Rosacure was the first topical I bought even before my derm diagnoses of rosacea, as a GP said they thought that might be what I had and I spotted a nice, convincing ad in a mag for Rosacure. It does moisturise but from memory it’s a bit greasy and I think it caused a bit of flushing for me — certainly didn’t do anything to curb the flushing, though I did hear someone here say you supposedly have to use it for some weeks to see results — they were still waiting for the results to kick in.”
flamepoint says “I have been using Rosacure since last September. It’s my favorite product. It’s great in the winter if you have dry skin and I just go easy on it in the summer so it’s not too heavy. Shoppers Drug Mart carries it out here for about $35.00. Don’t need a prescription. Just ask for it at the pharmacy.”
Erika says “I’ve found that Rosacure didn’t do anything for me, good or bad. I found it too oily which for me results in redness. I can see where it would be a helpful moisturizer in winter though”
Rosacure is available in the United States, Canada and Australia/New Zealand without a prescription.
How about you ? Would you recommend rosacea sufferers keep this on-hand ? Is it the case that a reasonable product like Rosacure has been here under our noses all this time ? Leave a comment below and let us know how you got on with Rosacure.
Related Articles:
- Choosing a moisturizer for rosacea sufferers
- Treating Rosacea with Natural Therapies
4 comments ↓
I used Rosacure, then Rosacure+, from 1999 to September 2007. It was a good moisturizer, well tolerated, but I never noticed any significant reduction in redness. My doctor said that at best, it would keep me from getting any redder, but I was careless about hot water and other triggers for several years, and am now redder than I was before. (Can’t blame the Rosacure for that, I guess.)
I stopped using it for a week this September when I ran out, but when I started using it again, I noticed that I would always redden on application, so I have stopped using it for now.
In addition, I looked at the before and after shots on their website, and only one person with severe erythema appears to be improved. The other two pictures show no significant difference to the naked eye. If these are their bragging photos, I wouldn’t be too optimistic about any improvement for most people. I’ve read the linked study, which uses different units than shown in the graph I’ve linked below, used unblinded evaluators — that is, someone who knew which patients were on placebos and which used Rosacure — to assess the reduction in redness. The numbers looks great, with a mean value of about 60% reduction in redness, but the pictures displayed aren’t consistent with those numbers (to my eyes, anyway).
Before and afters
PDF including graph of improvement . Note that this is a truncated scale showing a large dip, but the values (undefined) drop only from 365 to 305.
I tried Rosacure, found it expensive for the small tube I got (don’t remember exact amount). I bought it cause I read somewhere it may help and that it contained Hyaluronic Acid. Reading the ingredients I didnt find any hyaluronic acid and I dont think the cream improve my rosacea in any way. I used it as moisturizer until finished..
i have read the same comments from flamepoint verbatim on another website. blatant marketing campaign. don’t buy this product.
It is true that sometimes it is hard to tell the real commenters from the company sponsored droids. Thats why we love hearing real feedback from real users that we get to know over time. The power of belonging to the Rosacea Support Group !!
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