Rhofade and Flushing: What Users Say

• Man...
• February 19, 2019

For Rosacea "I had mild unexplained flushing (mostly evenings), but otherwise beautiful skin. At my derm's recommendation, I used this across my nose/cheeks for 6 weeks to curtail flushing. The first 3 weeks, it did eliminate most flushing, however, when I washed my face at night, the area where I used the Rhofade was getting redder and redder. Went to the derm, who explained there could be a mild temporary 'rebound' after it wore off, and it was safe for everyday use. This nighttime redness/burning got incredibly bad last week to the point I went online and found these reviews. I stopped using the product immediately, and in the last 5 days, I have had PAINFUL redness, burning, and swelling to the point of using ice packs at night and my husband thinking we should go to the ER. Please, if anyone has experienced this and knows how long it will last (days, weeks?), I would so appreciate a word of encouragement that this is temporary and gets better. Thanks for sharing any experiences."

• Aur...
• March 16, 2021

For Rosacea "I recently went to the derm and was diagnosed with mild to moderate rosacea. The derm prescribed me Rhofade-the beginning of all my problems. The first few days I wore Rhofade, my skin looked nice and much less pink-red. By the third day, I noticed in the evening my cheeks felt really hot. I looked in the mirror and was shocked to see my face more red than it had ever been before. But the next morning, I stupidly put the cream on again. By that evening, my face was bright red again. By then, I was looking at reviews on here and was extremely upset. Why did my derm not mention rebound redness was a possibility and how intense it could be?! At that point, I stopped using it, but I’ve been suffering with frequent flushing and redness for a week now. It is slowly getting better, but my skin still looks so stressed and feels hot. At my worst, it felt like I had a chemical peel, sunburn, and fever all at the same time. STAY FAR AWAY FROM RHOFADE! It is not worth it! I hope I get back to my baseline soon :/"

• Aur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2021

For Rosacea "It's been a bit over two months since my bad reaction to Rhofade (I wrote an earlier review back in March of this year). I wish I could say I'm completely healed now, but I'm not. I'm still dealing with unprovoked flushing that burns and stings so much. And each week, I'm noticing more and more broken capillaries across both cheeks (I initially only noticed one, but now I see many). All of these problems I never had before using Rhofade :( I've been to three derms since the initial one I saw, and they have thrown all sorts of treatments at me to 'help' with the reaction my skin had to Rhofade - but all seem to think Rhofade shouldn't still be affecting me now, but it very much is. From what I've read, many have dealt with recoveries that take many months. I hope a lawsuit is filed against this horrific cream!"

• Pau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2017

For Rosacea "Used on and off for about 1.5 months. I stopped once I noticed more frequent, although mild, flushing (which I used to rarely get) after the first month. It seems like a much milder and more effective version of Mirvaso, but going forward, I'll probably save it for special occasions rather than using it semi-regularly."

• Ric...
• January 16, 2019

For Rosacea "I would not recommend this medication to anyone. I suffer from mild rosacea and heard positive feedback from two physicians, so I decided to give it a shot. I applied the recommended 'pea size' amount to my face yesterday at 9 AM. At about 9 PM, I washed my face and went to bed. I did not notice any reduction in my redness, except for the first 4 hours. The rest of the day, my face was like it always is. Today, about 18 hours later, at about 5 PM, my entire face got very flushed, more so than it had ever done in the past. About an hour went by like this, and now, two and a half hours post-major flush situation, only my right cheek is bright red and warm. I reported the adverse event to Allergan and am just praying this resolves on its own. I caution everyone to avoid Rhofade - I had this result from only ONE application."

• Aur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2021

For Rosacea "This is my 6-month check-in after my horrible rebound redness reaction to Rhofade back in March of this year. Wish I could say I'm back to normal, but I'm still not. Still dealing with nasty heat intolerance I developed following my reaction, and my skin is still blotchy with little red spots all over my cheeks that become extremely noticeable when I overheat in my sleep (no sweating) and when I wear a face mask (for protection against COVID). I am still struggling to regain a normal life. I oftentimes overheat and flush when I go out of my house - whether that is to a restaurant or to a friend's house - if there is not enough airflow or there is too much overhead light, I am bound to have a nasty flush. I, like many others, am still extremely upset that the derm who prescribed Rhofade to me did not warn me of any side effects. My rosacea was very mild prior to my use of Rhofade, and to think 6 months later I am still suffering from four days' use of Rhofade is extremely sad."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2021

For Rosacea "Please do not use this product. I’m not sure why there are dermatologists recommending this product, I’m guessing the company probably paid them. I had mild rosacea and got two little samples to try on. I’m so grateful that I never picked up the full-size one at the pharmacy. I developed very bad flushing at night. I thought I had a cold or fever, so I kept drinking water until feeling sick and got sent to the ER. The rashes last for about a week. I went back to my doctor, and she told me about this rebound reaction. God, this cream is awful, please do not use it."

• Kir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2021

For Rosacea "I realized there’s not a lot of positive reviews on this drug. As someone who researches their Rx prior to use, I can be torn whether to go for it or to not risk it. I am so glad I decided to use it. I have flushing on one of my cheeks, and this has stopped all flushing. Of course, I can still get warm if I’m outside in hot, humid weather, but it’s minimal and goes away quick. I will say it did little to nothing for my redness. I am hopeful the redness and the swelling dissipate, but I am happy with little to no flushing. I used to sleep with a fan directly on me, stayed indoors in the summer, and avoided social events. I am so thankful for Rhofade! If you’re reluctant, give it a go and choose a small area to test. I didn’t give it an 8 since the redness still remains unchanged."

• Lis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 5, 2025

For Rosacea "I was prescribed Rhofade about 8 months ago, after fighting rosacea for the last 15 years. I was excited until I read the reviews. I was so concerned, I didn’t try it for several weeks. I’m so glad I eventually did. This has dramatically improved my redness. I will say, I started by using a very small amount every 2-3 days. Then I went to once a week and now I’m only using it once every couple of weeks or when I’m giving a speech or will be in front of a group of people, just to prevent the flushing that would often occur. My redness is 95% gone. I also began washing my face with bottled water, at the same time. I just happened to read a blog from someone saying the bleach in her town's water was hard on her skin, so I thought I would try bottled water, just to see. Between the two, I finally have my “normal” skin back."

• Lit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 17, 2025

For Rosacea "A lifesaver. I have rosacea that on a normal moment isn't noticeable to the casual stranger - just an overall pinkish color to my face. However, if I have soda, chocolate, or alcohol, and get hot, it gets immediately triggered - flushing bright red (mostly cheeks) and painfully hot (like knives in my face). I've been a constant user of Rhofade for 5 years and have nearly complete relief. The normal pinkish tint is gone. Triggers take several instances to kick in a flushing, but then I don't get the painfully bright and hot feel. Just a brighter pink and warmness. I had tried metronidazole gel before and had no relief, so this cream is a lifesaver for me. I use Eucerin redness relief face wash, then Rhofade, then Phytomer Emergence serum, then Eucerin redness relief night cream. I get lots of compliments on my 62-year-old skin. Now that Eucerin has discontinued those products, I'm having issues with mild redness from the washes I'm trying as replacements. So, I do believe the combination was the key."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2017

For Rosacea "I used Rhofade a few times, and it seemed to work. After about 3 days, my face became really red and flushed. I felt like I was burning up. My doctor told me to stop it."

• tdd...
• October 19, 2021

For Rosacea "Used Rhofade cream for 2 days, and face is redder than norm with more flushing, burning, and I notice more blood vessels. Hopefully, I can fix the damage caused by this product."

• pca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2017

For Rosacea "I think I'm allergic. My cheeks get bright red, and I feel and look flush."