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Because skin won't clean itself.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart — Written on Jan 05, 2020
What is rosacea? While rosacea may sounds like a pretty name, acne rosacea is a major cause of embarrassment for many of us. Rosacea is a form of acne characterized by redness in the skin, inflammation, and acne that is almost near impossible to cover up.
I’ve suffered from rosacea on my body for most of my life, and, as a result, I’ve gotten to be pretty good about finding decent cleansers.
As someone who’s been there, looking for rosacea treatment, look no further than these face cleansers.
1. Charcoal Bar by The Yellow Bird
Did you know that activated charcoal is regularly used by medical professionals as a way to detox peoples’ stomachs and clear out bacteria? It’s true. That’s why a lot of people end up seeing good results when they use charcoal soap for their rosacea acne.
This particular brand is really great for people who need a body bar. I personally like to shave it and use the grated soap as a soak. Don’t worry, it won’t turn your tub black!
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
2. Deep Cleansing Oil by DHC
I know what so many of you are thinking right now. You’re probably thinking I’m crazy, telling you to add oil to a face with acne rosacea. Hear me out, okay? Oil production is a cause of rosacea, and guess what? Too much oil production is often caused by dry skin. See where I’m going here?
If your rosacea has caused your skin to become irritated and using regular cleansers won’t work, pick this baby up. You’ll thank me later.
(Forever 21, $28)
3. Glycolic Cleanser by InstaNatural
If you’ve been to an upscale spa, you’ve heard the phrase “glycolic peel.” Glycolic acid is an amazing skincare ingredient that reduces wrinkles, improves complexion, and also has anti-aging components. Understandably, it’s great for rosacea too!
This cleanser is one of the most popular facial cleansers on the market for people who have problematic skin. If your rosacea is coupled with other issues, or if you just want to get an affordable “spa” treat, this is it.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
4. Superfood Cleanser by Elemis
Elemis is one of the many new skincare companies that focuses in on natural skincare options, and their Superfood Cleanser is a truly epic choice.
This ultra-gentle cleanser features botanicals and enzymes that soothe and nourish skin. This reduces redness and also helps keep premature aging at bay. What's not to love?
(Elemis, $25)
5. GLOPRO Cleansng Pads by BeautyBIO
BeautyBIO is one of those up-and-coming new names that Sephora recently picked up, and it’s gotten rave reviews across the board. Almost all of their cleansers offer something that can add to your fight against acne, but personally, I love their cleansing pads.
These are a little tougher on skin than other products on this list, but hear me out. If your acne is caused by bacteria and build-up, and you need something a little easier to tote “on the go,” this is a great choice. It’s worth every penny and works well with moisturizers too.
(Sephora, $35)
6. Micellar Cleansing Water by BIOEFFECT
Much like BeautyBIO, BIOEFFECT is one of the hotter new names to be accepted in the Sephora family. Their specialty is making products that are effective, yet safe enough to work on sensitive (acne-prone) skin.
Their micellar water is one of the better picks, in my opinion. You really can’t get a gentler cleanser on the market, even if you tried.
(Sephora, $70)
7. Clearing Skin Wash by Dermalogica
The favored product line of Hand & Stone massage centers, Dermalogica definitely has been vetted for quality by the pros. Their cleansers are known for being wonder-workers in terms of results, with many using them as a last resort before they go the prescription route.
This clearing skin wash is amazing for almost all types of acne. Just be forewarned: it can be a bit much for hypersensitive skin!
(Ulta, $39)
8. Acne Facial Cleanser by Mario Badescu
For decades, Mario Badescu was a line of skincare that was relegated almost solely to the world of skincare elites. It was a best-kept secret. These days, it’s a little more open as far as secrets go.
Their Acne Facial Cleanser is considered to be one of the best on the market, and it uses some of the best quality ingredients you can get. What’s not to love?
(Ulta, $15)
9. Ultramild Cleanser by Rosacea Care
With a name like Rosacea Care, you already know that this company knows and understands all the issues that come with acne rosacea. That alone is reason enough to take a look into their line of cleansers.
As the name suggests, this is a cleanser that focuses of providing a level of gentle care few others on the market have. This reduces redness and also helps prevent breakouts from happening later on.
(Dermstore, $26.50)
10. Proactiv Cleaning 3-Step System
Yes, we’ve all seen the cheesy commercials and celebrity spokespeople touting the skincare line. We all know that it’s got a lot of hype and a sick marketing campaign. But, you know what? I can’t really hate; it works pretty well.
This is a cleaning system that comes in three steps. It’s a little more involved than other treatments on here, but honestly, that’s not a bad thing. That just means your skin will be enjoying more benefits.
(Proactiv, $29.95)
11. Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cleansing Foam by Missha
Missha has become a smash hit in both its home country and in the United States. A go-to among people who want to get high quality, spa-like products at a drugstore price, this cleanser is an amazing bargain for anyone who wants more bang for their buck.
Along with being a very soothing cleanser, this particular pick also comes with anti-aging properties. If you’re like me and want to keep your glow lasting for as long as possible, this is your new bestie.
(Sokoglam, $10)
RELATED: 20 Best Skincare Products For Rosacea Treatment
12. Wash Your Face Organic Aloe Face Wash by Plant Apothecary
With many skincare users, it always feels a bit iffy to place a bunch of lab-made chemicals on your skin. This is doubly true when you have acne rosacea. That’s why it just made sense for me to put at least one or two plant-based cleansers on this list.
Plant Apothecary makes treatments and cleansers that are totally natural and give your skin a nature-approved glow. WASH YOUR FACE is a great cleanser for people who have sensitive skin, making it a wonderful choice for rosacea.
(Neiman Marcus, $16)
13. Skin Recovery Facial Cleanser by Paula’s Choice
A drugstore offering? On this list? You betcha! Paula’s Choice is a drugstore line that is still fairly powerful and has a solid reputation for having great results. This creamy cleanser is a perfect choice for people who want to soothe their skin, reduce redness, and also get moisturized.
This cleanser doesn’t just work well for acne rosacea. If you had a particularly wild night out at the club, it also can help you look human in the morning.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
14. Cetaphil Unscented Gentle Skin Cleanser
Cetaphil is one of those brands people tend to overlook because it’s plain-looking and cheap. But that doesn’t have to mean it’s a bad product. A lot of models swear that Cetaphil is the only cleanser that really works for them.
Their unscented standard cleanser doesn’t contain skin-irritating perfumes and also keeps your skin looking amazing. You won’t find a more affordable cleanser that can offer as good a result.
(Target, $9.59)
15. PinkSalt Cleansing Oil by Pixi
Did you ever want to get a cleanser that both tones and keeps future breakouts at bay? Salt has long been known to have antibacterial qualities that fights breakouts, but it’s often a little too harsh for people with rosacea.
Pixi came up with a way to circumvent this by mixing it with a calming oil base. The end result is a cleansing oil that’s natural, helps fight breakouts, and also doesn’t cause the redness that makes us all wince.
(Forever 21, $24)
16. Acne Foam Cleanser by TULA Skincare
This is an indie brand that still shocks me by the fact that it’s remained an indie brand. TULA is a company that’s all about blending hard science with natural ingredients, then serving them up in an effective potion or lotion for your skin.
Their acne foam cleanser is great for rosacea sufferers. I’d suggest pairing it with a nice, light moisturizer to get the best results possible.
(TULA, $34)
17. Gentle Cleanser by SkinCeuticals
There’s something to be said about a cleanser that is designed specifically with health in mind. SkinCeuticals created a cleanser that doesn’t have any of the typical irritating ingredients in it. This makes it one of the better options out there for people who just want pure clean.
This product is very mild, and also adds a nice moisturizing kick to it. For people with extremely sensitive skin, it’s a perfect option to consider.
(Dermstore, $35)
18. Bitamin C Cleanser by Swanicoco
Korean skin care is in because the country has become famous for its quality goods, and Swanicoco is no exception to the rule. This upscale cleanser uses Vitamin C and multiple calming compounds to create an amazing cleanser that keeps skin baby soft and redness-free.
If you’ve been wanting to try out Korean skincare but haven’t quite found a good one to choose, give this a try. You’re going to love what you feel.
(Sokoglam, $21)
19. Complete Care by Vi Derm
Though this article is about acne rosacea cleansers, there are products out there that do double-duty as cleansers and moisturizers. Vi Derm worked to create a product that offers all-in-one care.
It exfoliates, clears, moisturizes, and even protects you from the damaging rays of the sun. All things considered, it’s a perfect pick for people who don’t want to spend too much time on skincare.
(Dermstore, $90)
20. Acne Treatment Gelee Cleanser by BareMinerals
BareMinerals first made their foray into the cosmetics world by offering up an amazing array of cosmetics that were safe for your skin and natural in appearance. These days, they are getting ready to work their healthy magic via a new line of skincare products.
Their Acne Treatment Gelee Cleanser remains one fo the top-rated cleansers of its type on the market. You’re going to love seeing the results it gives you, especially if you’re a fan of mineral makeup.
(BareMinerals, $20)
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Ossiana Tepfenhart is a writer based out of Red Bank, New Jersey. She writes primarily about lifestyle, food, finance, and relationships. You can follow her Twitter.
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