Rosacea Treatment

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that can cause persistent redness, flushing, visible blood vessels and acne-like bumps on the face. It can be difficult to manage with over-the-counter products alone. We take a personalised approach. After a form or video consultation with one of our doctors, they will design a custom topical face cream using prescription-strength ingredients where appropriate. The treatment targets your specific rosacea type, triggers and skin sensitivity, alongside any other skin concerns you have. Your dedicated doctor will take care of you throughout your journey and adjust each course of treatment based on how your skin responds. Best of all, you can access your rosacea treatment from the comfort of your home via our online skin clinic, wherever you are in the UK.

Step 1
Choose a form or video consultation with your doctor.

Step 2
Personalised treatment plan with custom topical cream.

Step 3
Follow-up to refine protocol and reduce side effects.

Understanding Rosacea

Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face. Whilst the exact cause remains unknown, it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental and immune factors. Common triggers include sun exposure, stress, spicy foods, alcohol, temperature changes and harsh skincare products. Everyone has a different rosacea experience so identifying your specific triggers is a key part of managing the condition. Rosacea can present in several ways which influences the best treatment approach. The main signs and symptoms include:

• Facial redness or flushing
• Skin sensitivity and irritation
• Visible blood vessels (telangiectasia)
• Acne-like bumps or pimples (papulopustular rosacea)
• Thickening skin particularly around the nose (rhinophyma which can occur in advanced stages)
• Eye irritation and dryness (ocular rosacea)

Rosacea is a chronic condition that tends to cycle through periods of flare-up and remission. This is why ongoing personalised management rather than a one-off treatment is usually the most effective approach.

Why Personalised Rosacea Treatment Works Better

Rosacea varies significantly between patients. Someone with mainly redness and flushing needs a different approach from someone with inflammatory bumps and pustules. Skin sensitivity also varies widely, and many rosacea patients react poorly to products that work well for other skin conditions. A treatment that calms one person’s skin can irritate another’s and actually worsen redness.

That’s why we tailor every prescription-strength treatment to you and review it at the end of each course. Your doctor can increase, reduce or swap ingredients based on what is actually happening with your skin rather than continuing you on a fixed formula. We can also customise your treatment to gently address additional concerns such as hyperpigmentation, texture or skin ageing alongside rosacea management.

Personalised Prescription Strength Rosacea Face Cream

We provide personalised topical rosacea treatment following an online consultation with a doctor. Your face cream formula is built around your rosacea type, skin sensitivity, medical history and treatment goals then refined at the end of each course. Your doctor will also take into account any wishes or concerns you have as much as possible when designing your treatment. We offer two custom protocol pathways depending on what your skin needs and your preferences:

• ROS: A single once a day rosacea treatment face cream designed to manage redness, inflammation and mild bumps or pustules. ROS is suitable for moderate rosacea or for ongoing maintenance. Your cream can also help address additional concerns such as texture, fine lines or mild hyperpigmentation depending on the ingredients selected.
• ROS+: A two-product protocol (morning and evening) for more severe rosacea symptoms or if you have multiple skin concerns alongside rosacea that cannot be addressed with a single cream. ROS+ is typically used for a defined period before stepping down to ROS for ongoing maintenance.

Your doctor will recommend the right pathway at consultation and can move you between protocols at the end of each course based on how your skin responds.

Ingredients Used in Our Rosacea Face Creams

Every formula is customised and can be adjusted at the end of each course of treatment. We choose ingredients to target the specific drivers behind your rosacea, calm inflammation and support your skin’s barrier function. As much as possible we will also take your wishes and preferences into account. These are some of the active ingredients we may use in our prescription rosacea face creams where appropriate:

• Azelaic Acid: A gentle exfoliant with anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce redness, calm inflammation and treat acne-like bumps associated with rosacea. It is well-tolerated by most rosacea patients and is one of the most commonly used ingredients in our formulas.
• Metronidazole: A topical antibiotic that helps control inflammation, reduce facial redness and treat papules and pustules in rosacea. It has a long track record of use in rosacea management.
• Ivermectin: Targets inflammation and Demodex mites (which are found in higher numbers in rosacea-affected skin). It helps reduce rosacea-related bumps and pustules and can be particularly effective for papulopustular rosacea.
• Niacinamide: Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier-strengthening. It helps reduce redness and sensitivity while supporting the skin’s ability to tolerate other active ingredients.
• Tretinoin: A prescription retinoid that promotes skin cell turnover, helping improve texture, reduce inflammation and manage rosacea-related bumps. Tretinoin requires different dosing and more cautious introduction in rosacea patients due to the skin’s heightened sensitivity. Your doctor will monitor its use carefully.

All prescription ingredients are used only where we deem them safe, appropriate and suitable for you as an individual patient. Your doctor can also add ingredients to help target additional concerns such as melasma, hyperpigmentation, scars and skin ageing based on your skin needs and wishes.

How Long Does Rosacea Treatment Take to Work?

Rosacea treatment is not a quick fix. It works by gradually calming inflammation, reducing triggers and improving the skin’s resilience over time. Results vary between patients. Some patients begin to notice improvement in redness and flare-ups within 4 to 8 weeks with more meaningful and stable progress typically developing over 3 to 6 months. However, rate of progress varies from person to person depending on the type and severity of your rosacea, your skin sensitivity and consistency of use.

In the first few weeks, some treatments can cause a brief adjustment phase which may include dryness or temporary sensitivity. This is a recognised part of the process and one of the reasons we start with a strength and frequency suited to your skin rather than pushing maximum intensity from day one. Because rosacea is a chronic condition, ongoing maintenance treatment is usually recommended even after your skin has improved. Your doctor will work with you to find a sustainable long-term plan that keeps flare-ups under control. Sun protection is important throughout treatment as UV exposure is a common rosacea trigger and can worsen redness.

Why We Focus on Custom Topical Rosacea Treatment

Topical treatment is the first-line approach for most rosacea. Custom topical treatments allow us to combine multiple anti-inflammatory, anti-redness and skin-calming ingredients in a single formula, target them directly to the affected area and adjust at the end of each course according to your skin’s response. For most patients with mild to moderate rosacea, a well-designed topical regimen can deliver meaningful improvement in redness, bumps and overall skin comfort.

Our service is designed around topical prescription treatment. If your rosacea is severe, involves significant rhinophyma or is not responding adequately to topical therapy, your doctor will discuss this with you and may advise exploring other treatment options including other services where appropriate. Please note we do not treat ocular rosacea. This is an emergency and you should seek urgent in-person medical care if you have any eye symptoms.

Who is Suitable for Online Rosacea Treatment?

We treat rosacea across all skin types and presentations. This service may be right for you if you:

• Have facial redness, flushing or visible blood vessels associated with rosacea
• Have acne-like bumps or pustules (papulopustular rosacea)
• Have rosacea that hasn’t responded well to over-the-counter products
• Want a structured treatment plan with ongoing doctor follow-up and not a one-off prescription
• Have additional skin concerns alongside rosacea such as hyperpigmentation, texture or ageing
• Prefer prescription-strength treatment delivered to your home wherever you are in the UK

If your rosacea is severe, involves ocular symptoms or rhinophyma, or is not responding to topical treatment, your doctor may recommend an alternative approach or more suitable service where appropriate.

Why Choose City Skin Clinic

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all generic solutions. Every treatment is prescribed by a doctor, tailored to your skin and adjusted at the end of each course based on how you respond. That means your treatment protocol evolves with you rather than staying the same.

• Doctor-led care from day one: Your journey starts with either a detailed form consultation or an in-depth video consultation with one of our doctors. The choice is entirely yours based on your availability and preferences. Your doctor will review your concerns, evaluate your skin and design a treatment plan that is unique to you.
• Genuinely personalised: Treatment is designed around your rosacea type, skin sensitivity, overall health and any additional concerns. It can be adjusted at the end of each cycle based on how your skin responds.
• Ongoing follow-up: Your journey does not end after your consultation. You can directly contact your prescribing doctor at any point for further advice, progress review and refills.
• Delivered to your door: Treatment shipped to your home with a clear treatment plan and unlimited aftercare. Available UK-wide.

From the initial consultation to follow-up, your doctor is with you every step of the way.