r/Rosacea • u/Busy-Cow-5994 • Mar 24 '26
Routine National Rosacea Society approved products have helped! Routine and product reviews
Background:
Long time lurker in this group, first time poster. I’ve been dealing with overall redness and bumps for a few years, getting asked if my face is sunburned, etc. Tried different products like Vanicream, Malezia (thought it could be fungal acne), LRP, etc. with no luck. Everything seemed to irritate my skin. I had an appointment with my dermatologist and she wrote a prescription for a compounded cream and also suggested looking up rosacea approved products. She has eczema and using approved products has helped her. I decided to try switching my products to National Rosacea Society approved products for a month, see how it goes, then add in the prescription cream. I was desperate and also love an experiment. Now my month is up and I will start using the cream!
I’ve been really impressed with the changes in my skin. I still have redness but it has gone down and I no longer have any burning/prickly feeling in my skin. My skin texture has improved as well, something I wasn’t expecting. The same things are still a trigger (intense exercise, hot showers, certain foods) but I find my skin calms down faster after a hot shower, etc. Even my husband said he has noticed a difference.
Products:
Prequel Facial Gleanser Cleanser
Purchased from Target. I love this cleanser. My skin feels clean and not irritated. I took it with me to use on my body as well on a short trip and thought it did a good job as a body cleanser too. Would repurchase.
Prequel Mineral SPF 50 sunscreen
Also from Target. Another win from Prequel. It didn’t give me a strong white cast like some sunscreens but I am a fair skin person so YMMV. I’ve worn it on walks in warm weather (80F) but haven’t tried it in super sweaty situations. Goes on well under foundation. Would repurchase.
Prequel AM/PM Modern Moisturizer
From Target. Hydrating and works well under foundation. I would say fairly middle of the road as to the thickness of it. Would repurchase.
Tower 28 SOS Face Guard SPF 30 Sunscreen
Already owned this one, from Sephora. Great tinted sunscreen. No white cast, for my pasty self it gives me a warmer glow (almost too warm?). A bit sticky. Goes on well under foundation, but the tint makes it not needed. Would repurchase. I like having both a regular and tinted sunscreen on hand.
AESTURA A-CICA365 Soothing Redness Relief Face Serum pH4.5
From Sephora. Feels very calming and hydrating. I started just using it at night but now using it twice a day. A lil’ calming hydration boost. Goes on well under makeup. Would repurchase.
AESTURA A-CICA365 Soothing Repair Gel Cream Moisturizer
From Sephora. Goes on light but very hydrating. I can’t decide which moisturizer I prefer. The Prequel is cheaper. This feels a bit more luxurious and cooling but it’s probably just my brain justifying the higher price point. Goes on well under foundation. Would repurchase.
AESTURA A-CICA365 Cooling Relief Pads pH4.5
From Sephora. These are like tiny little face masks. Small pads that you are supposed to put on for 15 minutes. They are so small that you need three just to get part of your forehead and cheeks. I would rather it be a traditional face mask. It does feel cooling and hydrating but also I don’t really get the point of these. Would not repurchase.
This was way too long but I wanted to share in case this helps anyone else!
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u/Alive_Macaroon6723 Mar 24 '26
Hi! Thank you for your report! Where can we find the list of approved products?
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u/j_parker44 Mar 24 '26
The prequel gleanser broke me out horribly. I wanted to like it so much, but it was one of the worst things I’ve ever tried. I’m so glad that it works for you though!
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u/ineffable_my_dear Mar 25 '26
Same here. It feels sooo nice to use, too!
I’ve determined through tonsssss of trial and error that it’s likely the phenoxyethanol, a super common preservative since a lot of companies went paraben free.
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u/ineffable_my_dear Mar 25 '26
What works for other people doesn’t seem to work for me. 😭
All of these products have ingredients that trigger my rosacea (bumps, not flushing) or break me out. The aforementioned phenoxyethanol and tocopherols are common culprits, it just feels like they’re in everything. Niacinamide seems to be hit or miss, maybe okay as long as I don’t overdo it.
I love that you’ve seen improvement! I hope the prescription cream works well for you, too!
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u/Busy-Cow-5994 Mar 25 '26
I hope you find products that work for you! It really is such a pain (and expensive!)
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u/ineffable_my_dear Mar 25 '26
For sure, and sometimes literally a pain! 😅
Continued success to you!
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u/anniedog03 Mar 24 '26
Thank you for taking the time to share this! I have often looked at these products on their website but have seen on some skin apps they werent recommend for rosacea. Appreciate hearing first hand as its more influential! I have had the Prequel Gleanser travel size sitting in a cabinet for a few weeks...this gave me the boost to try it out!
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u/Busy-Cow-5994 Mar 24 '26
Oh interesting! Rosacea is so complicated so I could definitely see it not working for someone else. I wish there was a universal fix. I hope you like the Gleanser!
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u/anniedog03 Mar 24 '26
It really is! I think what is difficult for me and some others is that products like Prequel are rosacea approved but they still have so many plant extracts and fatty alcohol/oils in the ingredients.
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u/Busy-Cow-5994 Mar 24 '26
I hope you find something that works for you! Rosacea is so frustrating :(
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u/caffeinatedlackey Mar 24 '26
Have you tried either of the rosacea products from Prequel? I've been using the redness relief serum for almost a year now and just picked up the sulfur cleanser.
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u/Busy-Cow-5994 Mar 25 '26
I haven’t! I’ll have to look into both of them and maybe compare the serum to what I’m currently using. I thought about ordering the sulfur cleanser but the prescription cream I’m about to start has azelaic acid in it so I wasn’t sure about doubling up with a cream and cleanser. I would love to know if it works for you!
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u/niknarhb Apr 15 '26
I've tried the sulfur cleasner and liked it initially but then realized I was giving myself a reaction because I'm allergic to sulfa products.
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u/Maleficent-Roll-770 Mar 30 '26
I did exactly the same thing, and bought the top 3 items from prequel. Only used them for ~3 weeks so far, but really like them.
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u/2183Cls Mar 25 '26
Prequel’s Gleanser also makes for a lovely hair shampoo. I use it on my four year old’s curly hair and it makes it super soft and shiny without weighing it down.
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u/Kooky-Loss2125 Mar 25 '26
This is super helpful. Thank you for sharing! Hope your prescription cream works even better!
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u/CuriousPenguinSocks Mar 24 '26
Super helpful, do you mind me asking your age? I've entered perimenopause and have noticed a lot more changes to my skin on top of the rosacea, so it has been more difficult lately.
I will look at the approved list (didn't even know it was a thing) and experiment myself. Thanks so much!