Question 1

What is rosacea?

Accepted Answer

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that most commonly affects the central face, including the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. It often causes persistent redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps. Rosacea is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene.

Question 2

What causes rosacea?

Accepted Answer

Rosacea is thought to result from a combination of genetic predisposition, an overactive immune response in the skin, and increased sensitivity of facial blood vessels. Many people with rosacea also have a compromised skin barrier, which makes their skin more reactive to heat, irritation, and certain products. Rosacea is not simply an infection, although microorganisms on the skin may contribute to inflammation in some patients.

Question 3

Are there different types of rosacea?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dermatologists recognize four main subtypes of rosacea, and many people have features of more than one type at the same time. Identifying which features are most prominent helps guide treatment.

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) is characterized by persistent facial redness, frequent flushing, visible blood vessels, and skin sensitivity. This subtype is primarily driven by vascular reactivity. For patients whose main concern is redness, treatments that target visible redness, such as Redness Cream (oxymetazoline), may be used when clinically appropriate, along with gentle skincare and daily sunscreen.

Papulopustular rosacea causes red bumps and pustules on a background of redness and is more inflammatory in nature. In some patients, increased activity of Demodex folliculorum, a microscopic mite that normally lives on the skin, may contribute to inflammation. For this subtype, anti-inflammatory therapies such as Rosacea Cream (ivermectin + metronidazole + niacinamide) may be recommended when clinically appropriate to help reduce bumps, calm inflammation, and improve skin tolerance. In more inflamed or persistent cases, doxycycline pills may be used to further reduce inflammation.

Ocular rosacea affects the eyes and eyelids and may cause dry, irritated, or burning eyes, redness of the eyelids, or recurrent styes. Oral doxycycline is commonly used to treat ocular rosacea by reducing inflammation and improving symptoms when clinically appropriate. Patients with eye symptoms should always mention them during their visit, as some cases may require in-person or ophthalmologic evaluation.

Phymatous rosacea is less common and involves thickening and irregular texture of the skin, most often affecting the nose. This subtype typically requires in-person evaluation and may involve procedural treatment rather than topical therapy alone.

Because many patients have a combination of rosacea subtypes, treatment plans are often personalized based on the specific symptoms present.

Question 4

Is rosacea the same as acne?

Accepted Answer

No. While rosacea can cause bumps and pustules that resemble acne, the underlying causes are different. Acne is primarily driven by clogged pores and oil production, while rosacea is driven by inflammation and vascular sensitivity. This is why traditional acne routines, such as aggressive exfoliation or drying products, often worsen rosacea rather than help it.

Question 5

What treatments help rosacea bumps and inflammation?

Accepted Answer

For patients with inflammatory bumps and pustules, dermatologists often use targeted anti-inflammatory therapies. Rosacea Cream (ivermectin + metronidazole + niacinamide) may be recommended when clinically appropriate to help calm inflammation, reduce bumps, and improve skin tolerance. Consistent use alongside gentle skincare is key for best results.

Question 6

What helps persistent facial redness?

Accepted Answer

Some patients struggle primarily with visible redness rather than bumps. In these cases, Redness Cream (oxymetazoline) may be used when clinically appropriate to temporarily reduce facial redness by constricting superficial blood vessels. This treatment does not cure rosacea, but it can help manage visible redness as part of an overall treatment plan.

In addition, controlling underlying inflammation with maintenance treatments such as Rosacea Cream (ivermectin + metronidazole + niacinamide) or oral doxycycline may also help reduce baseline redness over time in some patients. Gentle skincare and daily sunscreen are important supportive measures.

Question 7

When are oral pills used for rosacea?

Accepted Answer

For moderate to more inflamed rosacea, ocular rosacea, or when topical treatments alone are not sufficient, oral therapy may be considered. Doxycycline pills may be used in select patients to reduce inflammation when clinically appropriate, often alongside topical therapy such as Rosacea Cream.

Question 8

Can rosacea affect the eyes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ocular rosacea can cause dry, irritated, burning, or gritty eyes, redness of the eyelids, or recurrent styes. Eye symptoms should always be mentioned to your provider, as they may require additional treatment or referral for in-person care.

Question 9

Can rosacea be treated online?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Teledermatology works well for many patients with rosacea, especially when symptoms and photos fit classic patterns. In-person evaluation may be recommended if symptoms involve the eyes, include skin thickening, are rapidly worsening, or if the diagnosis is uncertain.

If you experience significant eye symptoms, rapidly worsening redness or swelling, or skin thickening, in-person evaluation is recommended.

Rosacea

Personalized Prescription Treatment Online

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a common long-term skin condition that mainly affects the face. It usually causes persistent redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels, especially on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Some people also develop acne-like bumps or skin sensitivity.

Common symptoms:

Rosacea Cause

The cause of rosacea is poorly understood. Vascular changes, inappropriate activation of the immune system, UV radiation, microbial exposure, and disruption of the skin barrier have all been implicated as playing a role in the pathogenesis of this condition.

Common Rosacea Triggers:

Types of Rosacea

Flushing & Persistent Redness

Bumps, Pimples & Raised Patches

Enlargement of the Nose

Eye Irritation

The Treatment

Rosacea Cream

$25/month

Active Ingredients

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Side effects?

Doxycycline

$25/month

Active Ingredients

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Do I have to be worried about being on an antibiotic long term?

Side effects?

Redness Cream

$30/month

Active Ingredients

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Treatment

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Musely

Oxymetazoline Cream

Ivermectin + Metronidazole Cream

Doxycycline Treatment

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Commonly Asked Questions

What is rosacea?

What causes rosacea?

What triggers rosacea flare-ups?

Are there different types of rosacea?

Is rosacea the same as acne?

What treatments help rosacea bumps and inflammation?

What helps persistent facial redness?

When are oral pills used for rosacea?

What’s the best skincare routine for rosacea?

Can rosacea affect the eyes?

Can rosacea be treated online?

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