The invention pertains to topical pharmaceutical formulations of berberine and its biologically equivalent analogs, such as palmatine and coptisine, for the treatment of rosacea and other red face-related skin disorders. The topical pharmaceutical formulations of this invention contain purified berberine as the primary active drug ingredient at concentrations higher than 0.1%. The invention also pertains to methods of treating rosacea and other red face related skin disorders, such as steroid-induced rosacea-like dermatitis, comprising the administration of topical pharmaceutical formulations that contain berberine or its biologically equivalent analogs, such as palmatine.
