Natural treatments for rosacea

DEFINITION: Treatment of a chronic skin condition that primarily affects the face.

• PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENT: Chrysanthemum indicum (topical)
• OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Aloe, apple cider vinegar, aromatherapy, betaine hydrochloride, burdock, chamomile, Chinese herbal medicine, digestive enzymes, food allergen avoidance, green tea (topical), honey, lavender, methylsulfonylmethane (topical), milk thistle (topical), niacinamide (topical), oatmeal, red clover, rose hips, selenium, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, yellow dock, zinc, and others

Introduction

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects the face (generally, to the greatest extent, near the center), the eyelids, and, sometimes, the neck, upper back, and chest. Symptoms mostly occur in sun-exposed areas and consist of redness, acne-like pimples and papules—but not comedones or blackheads—visible blood vessels (telangiectasias), and swelling of the skin. Dramatic facial flushing may occur after consuming alcohol, hot drinks, spicy foods, or exposure to excessive sunlight or extremes of hot or cold.

When the eyes are affected, a condition known as ocular rosacea may develop, commonly presenting with symptoms such as blepharitis, dryness, irritation, or redness. Over time, untreated rosacea may lead to thickening of the skin, particularly of the nose, a condition known as rhinophyma.

Treatment of rosacea focuses on avoiding known triggers and using topical or oral medications. Standard medical therapies include topical agents such as metronidazole, azelaic acid, ivermectin, and vasoconstrictors, as well as oral antibiotics in more severe cases. Laser and light-based therapies may be used to reduce visible blood vessels and persistent redness.

Proposed Natural Treatments

A substantial 246-participant, twelve-week, double-blind study found that a cream containing 1 percent Chrysanthellum indicum significantly improved rosacea symptoms compared with placebo. In another placebo-controlled study, a combination of milk thistle and methylsulfonylmethane topically applied by forty-six persons for one month appeared to be effective for rosacea. Weaker evidence hints that cream containing niacinamide might be helpful. One preliminary study found some evidence that a cream made from green tea may provide benefits as well. A small study published in 2008 found a cream containing 0.5 percent aloe vera extract was more effective than a placebo in reducing redness and inflammation. Participants in a 2015 study saw improvement with kanuka honey. While oatmeal has not specifically been studied for rosacea, it is a well-documented natural remedy for skin conditions. A 2025 systematic review of topical herbal medicines for rosacea found that herbal formulations were associated with greater improvement in clinical severity scores and lesion counts compared with control treatments. Across the included studies, topical herbal therapies demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with no significant increase in adverse effects. However, the authors emphasized that variability in formulations and study quality limits firm conclusions, and further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed.

Some alternative medicine practitioners believe that rosacea is caused by poor digestion and recommend the use of betaine hydrochloride or apple cider vinegar to increase stomach acid. They may also recommend digestive enzymes. However, no meaningful scientific evidence indicates that using these treatments will reduce symptoms of rosacea.

Other natural treatments that are sometimes recommended for rosacea, but that also lack scientific support, include aloe, aromatherapy, burdock, chamomile, Chinese herbal medicine, food allergen avoidance, red clover, rose hips, selenium, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, yellow dock, and zinc. Lavender, aloe vera, coconut oil, feverfew, oatmeal, raw honey, turmeric, and tea tree oil are also natural remedies recommended in the treatment of rosacea. Some herbs and supplements should be used only with caution because they could interact adversely with drugs used to treat rosacea, and could cause skin irritation. Lifestyle changes can also be effective in treating rosacea, and patients are encouraged to reduce stress and eat an anti-inflammatory diet.

Bibliography

Berardesca, E., et al. "Combined Effects of Silymarin and Methylsulfonylmethane in the Management of Rosacea: Clinical and Instrumental Evaluation." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 7, 2008, pp. 8-14.

Draelos, Z. D., et al. "Niacinamide-Containing Facial Moisturizer Improves Skin Barrier and Benefits Subjects with Rosacea." Cutis, vol. 76, 2005, pp. 135-41.

Gethin, Georgina T., et al. "Randomised Controlled Trial of Topical Kanuka Honey for the Treatment of Rosacea." BMJ Open, vol. 5, no. 6, 2015, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007960. Accessed 21 Sept. 2024.

Hsu, Huan-Hsuan, et al. “Effects of Topical Herbal Medicine on Rosacea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Herbal Medicine, vol. 51, 2025, article 101022, doi:10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101022.

"National Rosacea Society." National Rosacea Society, www.rosacea.org. Accessed 21 Sept. 2024.

"Natural Treatments for Rosacea." Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, 21 Mar. 2024, health.clevelandclinic.org/rosacea-natural-treatments. Accessed 21 Sept. 2024.

Rigopoulos, D., et al. "Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Flavonoid-Rich Plant Extract-Based Cream in the Treatment of Rosacea." Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, vol. 19, 2005, pp. 564-68.

"Rosacea." Mayo Clinic, 17 Oct. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353820. Accessed 21 Sept. 2024.

Turkington, Carol, and Jeffrey S. Dover. The Encyclopedia of Skin and Skin Disorders. 3rd ed. New York: Facts On File, 2007.

Wilson, Debra Rose, and Adrian White. "Home Remedies for Rosacea." Healthline, 12 Apr. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/rosacea-natural-treatments. Accessed 21 Sept. 2024.