Rosacea research record
5 treatments have a posted result against a comparison group. The exact treatment and comparison numbers are below.
The guide helps with care decisions. This page is the supporting trial record.
01
These treatments have at least one completed trial that posted a result against a comparison group — the only kind of result that can show the treatment itself made the difference. Each card is one trial against its own comparator, so cards can’t be compared head-to-head. Every result-posting study in the record was scanned, not just recent ones. A “vehicle” is the same cream or gel without the active ingredient — the fairest comparison for a topical.
75 of 100
Sarecycline (n=72)
16 of 100
Centrum Adult Multivitamin (n=25)
59 more people per 100 reached a better rating from the trial’s own assessor at 12 weeks.
Serious adverse events in this trial: 0 of 72 on treatment vs 0 of 25 in the comparison group (submitted counts).
Outcome: IGA (Investigator Global Assessment) · NCT04555525 details · ClinicalTrials.gov record · Phase 4 · Other organization-run
33 of 100
Oraycea® (Doxycycline) Capsules (n=48)
12 of 100
placebo (n=52)
21.8 more people per 100 reached clear or almost-clear skin at 16 weeks.
Serious adverse events in this trial: 2 of 48 on treatment vs 0 of 53 in the comparison group (submitted counts).
Outcome: Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) 0=Clear, 1=Near Clear, 2=Mild, 3=Moderate, 4=Severe · NCT03340961 details · ClinicalTrials.gov record · Phase 2 · Industry-run
46 of 100
Test Product (n=156)
35 of 100
placebo (n=75)
10.8 more people per 100 reached the trial’s rating of treatment success at day 1 to day 84.
Serious adverse events in this trial: 0 of 193 on treatment vs 0 of 100 in the comparison group (submitted counts).
Outcome: Subjects With Clinical Success on the Investigator Global Assessment · NCT02795117 details · ClinicalTrials.gov record · Phase 3 · Industry-run
26 of 100
Treatment (n=235)
17 of 100
vehicle (no active) (n=228)
9.4 more people per 100 reached a better rating from the trial’s own assessor at 12 weeks.
Outcome: Percentage of Participants Who Achieved 2 Grade IGA Reduction. · NCT02547441 details · ClinicalTrials.gov record · Phase 3 · Industry-run
Azelaic Acid, 15% Topical Gel: -67% — vs Gel Vehicle: -38.6%, at week 12. Measured as fewer lesions.
Serious adverse events in this trial: 1 of 390 on treatment vs 0 of 190 in the comparison group (submitted counts).
Outcome: Percent Change From Baseline to Week 12 in the Inflammatory (Papules and Pustules) Lesion Counts. · NCT02120924 details · ClinicalTrials.gov record · Phase 3 · Industry-run
Before paying more for a newer option, check whether it beat the alternative in its own trial. In these primary outcomes, it didn’t:
13 registered rosacea studies posted numeric results that this index maps to a treatment. Each has its own page showing exactly what was submitted, group by group.
Most trials compare against a placebo or vehicle. These posted outcomes compared one active treatment with another — the comparison that actually answers “which one?”:
Among the most-studied rosacea treatments, these pairs have never even appeared together in a registered trial — so no public evidence says which one is better:
Regulatory status of the tracked treatments — whether the molecule studied in the trials above is available over the counter, as a generic, or brand-only. 10 of them have an OTC, generic, or biosimilar route.
| Treatment | Status | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| azelaic acid (Finacea, Azelex)The 15% gel/foam (rosacea) and 20% cream (acne) contain the same molecule at different strengths; lower-strength azelaic acid also appears in cosmetics. | Generic prescription available | Finacea 15% gel (rosacea) has prescription generics; the 15% foam remains brand-only; Azelex 20% cream (acne) is brand-only. source | Finacea 15% gel is available in Canada by prescription. source |
| clindamycin phosphate (Cleocin T, Dalacin T)Clindamycin phosphate is the ester form of clindamycin used in topical products; it converts to the same active antibiotic in the skin. | Generic prescription available | Prescription topical products (solution, gel, lotion, foam) are available as generics. source | Prescription-only; marketed as Dalacin T and generics. source |
| dapsone (Aczone)Topical dapsone gel and oral dapsone tablets contain the same molecule in different formulations. | Generic prescription available | Aczone 5% and 7.5% acne gels have prescription generic equivalents; oral dapsone tablets are also generic. source | not verified |
| doxycycline (Oracea, Vibramycin, Apprilon)The 40 mg modified-release rosacea capsule contains the same molecule as generic immediate-release doxycycline, at a sub-antimicrobial dose. | Generic prescription available | Oral doxycycline (used at antibiotic doses for acne) is a widely available generic; the 40 mg modified-release anti-inflammatory capsule for rosacea (Oracea) has had generics since 2024. source | Generic oral doxycycline is available by prescription; the 40 mg modified-release form is marketed as Apprilon. source |
| isotretinoin (Absorica, Accutane, Epuris)All isotretinoin capsule brands and generics contain the same molecule; low-dose use in rosacea is off-label in both markets. | Generic prescription available | Oral isotretinoin is generic (e.g., Claravis, Amnesteem, Absorica) and dispensed under the iPLEDGE safety program; rosacea use is off-label. source | Available by prescription as brands (Accutane, Clarus, Epuris) and generics. source |
| ivermectin (Soolantra, Rosiver, Stromectol)The rosacea cream and the antiparasitic tablets contain the same molecule in different formulations. | Generic prescription available | Soolantra 1% rosacea cream has a generic equivalent (launched 2021); oral ivermectin tablets are also generic; all prescription-only. source | The 1% rosacea cream is marketed as Rosiver in Canada by prescription. source |
| metronidazole (MetroGel, Noritate, Rosadan)Topical rosacea products use the same molecule as oral metronidazole antibiotics, with much lower systemic exposure. | Generic prescription available | Topical 0.75% and 1% gels, creams, and lotions for rosacea are prescription generics. source | Prescription topical metronidazole (MetroGel, Noritate) is available in Canada. source |
| minocycline (Minocin, Solodyn, Amzeeq)The brand-only 4% topical foam and generic oral capsules contain the same antibiotic. | Generic prescription available | Oral minocycline, including extended-release tablets, is generic by prescription; the 4% topical foam (Amzeeq, approved 2019) is brand-only. source | Oral minocycline is generic by prescription in Canada. source |
| oxymetazoline (Rhofade, Afrin, Upneeq)A generic 1% cream with the same molecule as Rhofade is listed as marketed; the OTC nasal sprays are the same molecule at a different concentration for a different route, not a substitute. | Generic prescription available | Rhofade 1% cream for rosacea redness is prescription-only, and a generic 1% oxymetazoline cream is now listed as marketed (Sun Pharmaceutical, ANDA213584). The same molecule is also sold OTC in nasal decongestant sprays (e.g., Afrin) and as prescription eye drops (Upneeq) — different products, not interchangeable. source | not verified |
| tretinoin (Retin-A, Altreno, Stieva-A)Prescription generics and brands contain the same molecule; unlike adapalene, no tretinoin product is sold OTC in the US or Canada. | Generic prescription available | Topical tretinoin creams and gels (0.01%-0.1%) are prescription generics; for melasma, tretinoin alone is off-label but it is one of the three molecules in the approved combination Tri-Luma. source | Prescription-only; available as brands (Retin-A, Stieva-A) and generics. source |
| apremilast (Otezla)Apremilast is a small-molecule tablet but currently has no marketed US generic. | Brand-only prescription | Otezla tablets are brand-only by prescription; no generic is currently marketed in the US. source | Otezla is available by prescription in Canada. source |
| brimonidine tartrate (Mirvaso, Onreltea, Lumify)The rosacea gel, OTC eye drops, and glaucoma drops all contain brimonidine at very different strengths for different uses. | Brand-only prescription | Mirvaso 0.33% gel for rosacea redness is prescription-only; the same molecule is sold OTC as 0.025% redness-relief eye drops (Lumify) and as generic prescription glaucoma eye drops. source | The rosacea gel is marketed as Onreltea in Canada by prescription. source |
| clascoterone (Winlevi)Clascoterone is available only as the brand Winlevi in both markets. | Brand-only prescription | Winlevi 1% cream (approved 2020) is prescription-only; no generic is available. source | Winlevi 1% cream approved by Health Canada in June 2023; prescription-only. source |
| deucravacitinib (Sotyktu)Deucravacitinib is available only as the brand Sotyktu. | Brand-only prescription | Sotyktu tablets (approved 2022) are prescription-only; no generic. source | Sotyktu is marketed in Canada by prescription. source |
| rifaximin (Xifaxan, Zaxine)Rifaximin has no approved skin indication; rosacea studies relate to gut bacterial overgrowth. | Brand-only prescription | Xifaxan tablets are brand-only by prescription (approved for IBS-D, hepatic encephalopathy, and travelers' diarrhea); rosacea use is off-label. source | Marketed as Zaxine in Canada by prescription. source |
| sarecycline (Seysara)Sarecycline is a narrow-spectrum tetracycline sold only as the brand Seysara, unlike doxycycline and minocycline, which are generic. | Brand-only prescription | Seysara tablets are brand-only by prescription; no generic. source | not verified |
| botulinum toxin type a (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin)Botulinum toxin products are distinct, non-interchangeable brands, and their use for rosacea is investigational. | Biologic — brand only | Prescription biologics (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and others); rosacea use is off-label/investigational, not an approved indication. source | Prescription biologics in Canada; rosacea is not an approved indication. source |
| guselkumab (Tremfya)Guselkumab is available only as the brand Tremfya. | Biologic — brand only | Tremfya is a prescription biologic; no biosimilar. source | Tremfya is marketed in Canada by prescription. source |
| secukinumab (Cosentyx)Secukinumab is available only as the brand Cosentyx in North America. | Biologic — brand only | Cosentyx is a prescription biologic; no biosimilar is marketed in the US. source | Cosentyx is marketed in Canada by prescription. source |
| omigananOmiganan completed rosacea trials but never reached the market. | Investigational — not approved | Investigational topical antimicrobial peptide studied for rosacea; not approved in any market. source | not verified |
Regulatory status only, verified 2026-08-20 with one source per claim — not pricing, coverage, or a recommendation. Status can change; check the linked source.
Search by brand or generic name, or browse the 59 most-studied terms. They are ordered by what the public record can show, not by benefit or safety.
At Baseline to Week 12, Percent Change From Baseline to Week 12 in the Inflammatory (Papules and Pustules) Lesion Counts changed by -67% in the Azelaic Acid, 15% Topical Gel group and -38.6% in the Gel Vehicle group—a difference 28.4 percentage points numerically larger in the selected group.
One submitted registry outcome, not a pooled estimate — from NCT02120924 details · ClinicalTrials.gov record · Phase 3 · Industry lead sponsor · vs placebo/vehicle · earliest favourable time point: week 12
At 16 weeks, 33.3% of people in the Oraycea® (Doxycycline) Capsules group had the submitted improvement result (Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) 0=Clear, 1=Near Clear, 2=Mild, 3=Moderate, 4=Severe), compared with 11.5% in the Placebo Capsules group—21.8 more people per 100.
One submitted registry outcome, not a pooled estimate — from NCT03340961 details · ClinicalTrials.gov record · Phase 2 · Industry lead sponsor · vs placebo/vehicle · earliest favourable time point: week 12
At Day 1 to Day 84, 45.5% of people in the Test Product group had the submitted improvement result (Subjects With Clinical Success on the Investigator Global Assessment), compared with 34.7% in the Placebo group—10.8 more people per 100.
One submitted registry outcome, not a pooled estimate — from NCT02795117 details · ClinicalTrials.gov record · Phase 3 · Industry lead sponsor · vs placebo/vehicle
At 12 weeks, Change in Inflammatory Lesion Count From Baseline to Week 12 changed by -18.1 Lesions in the Treatment group and -13.5 Lesions in the Vehicle Gel group—a difference 4.6 Lesions numerically larger in the selected group.
One submitted registry outcome, not a pooled estimate — from NCT02547441 details · ClinicalTrials.gov record · Phase 3 · Industry lead sponsor · vs placebo/vehicle · earliest favourable time point: week 12
At 12 weeks, 75% of people in the Sarecycline group had the submitted improvement result (IGA (Investigator Global Assessment)), compared with 16% in the Centrum Adult Multivitamin group—59 more people per 100.
One submitted registry outcome, not a pooled estimate — from NCT04555525 details · ClinicalTrials.gov record · Phase 4 · Other organization lead sponsor · vs another active treatment · earliest favourable time point: week 12
02
Only 9 of 77 result-posting rosacea studies reported participants’ separately measured skin type. The public record therefore rarely shows whether people with skin like yours were included.
Among 77 completed studies with posted results, this is how often each participant detail was reported.
03
Open the part you need. Every count remains tied to this condition and snapshot.
81 completed trials did not post numeric results to the registry as of 2026-09-11. A missing result does not mean the treatment failed; it means the public cannot check what happened.
Among studies that ended at least 12 months ago, 77 of 148 (52%) posted results.
60% were led by industry, usually the company selling the treatment. This is context about who asked the question, not proof that a result is wrong.
Lead sponsor class is not the same as all funding, and it is not a study-quality score.
Across 75 primary-outcome time points, the typical trial judged success around week 12. This record does not support a claim of visible results in days.
Median study duration: 11.5 months.
| Year | Study starts |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Study locations are not participant nationality or ancestry.
ClinicalTrials.gov data through · methodology v2.1.0 · snapshot 9a17314144e5…
Source: official ClinicalTrials.gov search · snapshot · result-mapping layer (v1.1.0, 2026-08-21) · field guide and citation.
As of 2026-09-11, 77 of 158 completed rosacea trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov have posted results, and 5 treatments have a posted result against a comparison group (Skinlogie Evidence Index, https://skinlogie.com/evidence-index/rosacea).
Skinlogie’s derived figures are licensed CC BY 4.0 — reuse them with this attribution. Source records: ClinicalTrials.gov. Full dataset and citation format →