Moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens and other products are used to improve the health of your
skin. Doctors often prescribe topical antibiotics to treat rosacea, more for their
anti-inflammatory properties than to kill bacteria. Oral antibiotics are also prescribed because they tend to work faster than topical ones. The duration of your treatment depends on the type and severity of your symptoms, but typically you'll notice an improvement within one to two months.