There are many different products available over the counter for treating the symptoms of rosacea. From creams to gels to lotions to facial masks to pills, the options are wide and seemingly work in different ways in an effort to all get to the same goal for the consumer. That is to say, all these products purport to reduce the severity of symptoms experienced because of rosacea.

Depending on the type of rosacea, these symptoms are different for different people. Additionally, most products – especially those sold over the counter – focus on one subset of symptoms more than others. OTC medications are more effective at reducing the overall redness and inflammation experienced than something more specific, such as the itchiness of the eyes, which is the main symptom of whats known as “ocular rosacea”.

The question then that many have who want to help their rosacea is this: what is the best rosacea treatment available over the counter? In other words, what’s going to help the most that can be bought at the store or over the internet without a prescription?

The trouble with this question is that is assumes there is one type of rosacea, one symptom, and one medication that works for all. As many rightfully suspect from the get go, the truth is more complicated and not nearly as black and white as the phrasing of the question indicates.

The best over the counter rosacea treatment medicine is the one that works best for each person, individually. For some this may be something like Booster Blue cream. Others it might be MetroGel. Some people with rosacea swear by the product called ZenMed. There are a dozen other products sold without a prescription that help people with rosacea, and for other people, it’s these products that are the best treatment for them.

What it all means is this:

It’s clear that there’s not simply one spectacular OTC drug that does all the work that others cannot. The truth is that it takes time, experimentation, and patience to find what works best for an individual, and then – and only – then – can the question rightfully be answered as to what is the best rosacea treatment!

What sort of Prescription and Over the Counter Medication is available for Rosacea Treatment?

There are a number of prescription and non-prescription drugs available to patients to treat Rosacea.

Typically, after an initial consultation, the first “round” of drugs used as treatment include topical antiobiotics and oral tetracycline antiobitics. (Teteracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, and metronidazole, respectively.)

Note: A “topical antibiotic” means an antibiotic that is applied directly to the skin via a cream, lotion, powder, or spray. An oral tetracycline antibiotic, on the other hand, is swallowed via a capsule.

These two medications are intended to treat a bit of the redness, but most inflammation, pustules, and papules on the skin.

Sometimes acne medicine is used as a cross treatment rosacea – for instance, isotretinoin, a strong acne medicine, can be prescribed (in low dosages) as an effective treatment, more specifically for phymatous and papulopustular rosacea.

Here is a list of some medications used to treat Rosacea:

ZenMed - According to the website, ZenMed consists of..” two systems (Dry Skin & Oily Skin) to manage your complexion, reducing redness and irritation. Both Systems work to manage your skin condition and won’t irritate already sensitive skin.” (This is an over the counter medication.)

B. Kamins – According the website, B. Kamins is a free of fragrance and provides both sun protection and antioxident protection. It “contains anti-redness ingredients while moisturizing the skin… (which)….cools, calms, and relieves the redness associated with sensitive skin and inflammation associated with rosacea. “

It is used in conjunction with other OTC meds such as Booster Blue Rosacea Cleanser and Booster Blue Rosacea Cleanser. daily.

B. Kamins is equivalent to the sun protection of an SP15 lotion.

(This is an over the counter medication.)

DERMAdoctor Calm Cool & Corrected 2N1 Rosacea Tx – An over the counter treatment gel/lotion.

Oracea – an oral antibiotic (prescription only)

Finacea – a topical treatment (prescription only)