Get Rid of Redness on Face: 8 Causes & Treatments

Whether it’s from general skin sensitivity, a specific reaction to a product or an underlying health issue, there are a myriad factors why your skin might turn red from time to time. “Rosacea, genetics, allergy to skincare ingredients, heat, sun exposure, alcohol, spicy food, acne, dryness or over-exfoliation” can all contribute to redness, says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York.

No matter the culprit, chronic redness is inflammation, which “causes tiny blood vessels to expand and push against the skin,” says Dr. Engelman. At its best, redness on your face can be annoying, but at its worst, it can be an indication of underlying health issues and a source of irritation, discomfort or insecurity. We asked industry experts and board-certified dermatologists to explain what causes facial redness as well as recommend tried-and-true products to reduce, calm and neutralize your facial redness for good.

What causes redness on the face?

In order to properly treat redness, first, you need to identify the culprit. To figure out why your skin is looking angry, “a visit to a dermatologist office is the best first step in addressing the issue and ruling out any hidden causes,” says Sabina Wizemann, a senior chemist in the GH Beauty Lab. That way, you’ll know that you’re getting to the root of the issue instead of treating the redness arbitrarily. Here are some common reasons your face might be red:

1.

Acne

What it is: “Pimples that become inflamed are the most common cause of acne redness. Inflammation causes blood vessels to expand and push against the skin, making the skin appear redder,” says Dr. Engelman. “Bacteria that live on the skin can also infect blocked follicles, causing deeper and more inflamed pimples, cysts and nodules.”

How to treat it: The sooner you can act on it with acne treatments, the better. “Salicylic acid or glycolic acid peels can help, as they promote cellular turnover to remove the top layers of the skin,” says Dr. Engelman. For example, Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid is packed with salicylic acid to banish acne, smooth skin tone, and unclog and shrink large, congested pores. After the acne marks have faded, make sure to incorporate an oil-free hydrating cream, like Perricone MD Oil-Free Hydrating Cream, to protect acne-prone skin from drying out (which could potentially cause more redness) without causing more acne.

2. Dryness

What it is: Dry skin is often damaged and compromised, which means that “skin becomes vulnerable to infection from microorganisms, [leading] to sensitivity and redness,” says Dr. Engelman.

How to treat it: To stop dryness-related redness in its tracks, Dr. Engelman suggests that you “reinforce the skin barrier with moisture. ” Look for face moisturizers with proven hydrating ingredients formulated especially for dry skin. “If you have any peeling or raw areas, apply petroleum jelly to those local areas to repair the skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. Good Housekeeping Seal star Aquaphor is formulated with smoothing panthenol and glycerin for a silky finish, and is clinically proven to restore healthy skin while decreasing dryness and irritation.

3. Rosacea

What it is: Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that gives the face a flushed, red appearance that affects more than 14 million Americans.

How to treat it: Dr. Engelman recommends trying prescription-strength RHOFADE, “the first and only alpha1A adrenoceptor agonist approved for persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea in adults. ” As with any medication, you’ll need to consult your doctor before beginning a new regimen. For OTC rosacea relief, Dr. Engelman recommends Cetaphil’s Redness Relieving products.

4. Seborrheic dermatitis

What it is: “Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic papulosquamous inflammatory skin problem that occurs mainly on the scalp and other areas that tend to be oily and have more sebaceous glands, like the head, face and torso,” says Dr. Engelman. “Seborrheic dermatitis causes redness and inflammation, patches of scaly skin, and dandruff.”

How to treat it: Seborrheic dermatitis can be treated a few ways, according to Michelle Henry, M.D., founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan. “Thoroughly cleanse the affected area of skin using a fragrance-free, gentle soap,” like Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar. She adds, “a dermatologist may prescribe a topical anti-fungal agent to reduce Malassezia or mild topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation or flare-up [or] over the counter, topicals containing zinc pyrithione. ” Dr. Henry also suggests creams with shea butter to ease redness caused by seborrheic dermatitis.

5. Contact dermatitis

What it is: “Contact dermatitis occurs when something that touches the skin and irritates it or causes an allergic skin reaction,” says Dr. Henry. “It is difficult to treat symptoms such as redness until the cause of contact dermatitis has been identified.

How to treat it: “Protect against contact with irritants,” which potentially include fragrances and dyes, says Dr. Henry, and “use hypoallergenic creams, soaps and detergents.” Dr. Henry says in severe cases, a topical corticosteroid cream or “systemic corticosteroids such as oral prednisone” may be prescribed.

6. Atopic dermatitis or eczema

What it is: A chronic and itchy skin condition, “atopic dermatitis/eczema is often caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors,” says Dr. Henry.

How to treat it: “The best treatment for redness caused by atopic dermatitis is to reduce contact with irritants and allergens. Dermatologists may also prescribe moisturizers or topical steroids,” Dr. Henry adds, suggesting “moisturizers containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin are great ways to soothe the skin.”

You can also look for moisturizing products that contain niacinamide to soothe inflammation, says Dr. Zeichner. “Niacinamide is the ultimate multitasker in skincare. At the same time, it soothes inflammation, evens skin tone, and helps strengthen the skin. Hyaluronic acid can also be used to plump and hydrate,” he says. Dr. Engelman agrees: She suggests CeraVe Night Cream which is filled with both powerhouse ingredients. If over-the-counter fixes don’t stop the irritation, Dr. Henry says a dermatologist may prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines or immunosuppressive agents.

7.

Over-exfoliation

What it is: “Over-exfoliation can cause micro-injuries to the dermis, which leads to redness in the short term,” says Dr. Engelman. “Consistent over-exfoliation also prevents the skin barrier from healing and inhibits its ability to protect the body and maintain hydration.”

How to treat it: First thing’s first: stop exfoliating immediately, says Dr. Engelman. “Allow your skin time to recover by avoiding harsh ingredients and techniques, and keeping your skin away from UV rays as much as possible. Instead, use soothing and reparative ingredients like epidermal growth factor (EGF), ceramides and peptides.”

8. Seasonal stressors

What it is: “Redness can appear … due to cold windy weather and dry indoor heat,” says Shannon Furginson, Manager of Training and Education at The Well, a wellness space and spa in New York. “These temperature changes can cause dry red patches on the skin. “

How to treat it: “Skincare should be changed seasonally,” says Furginson. “Your moisturizer in the summer should be different from the one you use in the winter. The same is true for cleansers and serums.” Opt for thicker creams and more hydrating formulas in colder seasons, and lighter-weight picks in warmer ones.

FOR DRYNESS-RELATED REDNESS

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

Now 32% Off

$18 at Amazon$18 at Walmart$24 at Nordstrom Rack

Credit: Neutrogena

For Redness from Seborrheic dermatitis

Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar

$11 at Amazon$11 at Walmart

Credit: CETAPHIL

FOR REDNESS FROM ACNE

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid

$13 at Nordstrom$34 at paulaschoice.com$34 at Dermstore

Credit: Paula’s Choice

FOR ROSACEA-RELATED REDNESS

Cetaphil Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer

Now 12% Off

$14 at Amazon$20 at Walmart

Credit: Cetaphil

How can you prevent facial redness from occurring?

“Over time, the capillaries can stay dilated and cause permanent redness,” says Dr. Engelman. Yikes. The best way to treat redness? Stopping it from happening in the first place. Here are some tips to sidestep irritation:

• Figure out what environmental situations are negatively impacting your complexion. “Sunlight [and] strenuous activities can be irritating to the skin and can trigger flare-ups,” says Wizemann.
• Avoid spicy foods, alcohol or coffee. Take notice of the way your skin reacts when you eat these common trigger foods. “Stay away from spicy foods for a night and eat more anti-inflammatory or cooling foods such as celery, squash or cucumbers,” suggests Furginson. “Choose vegetables first, any chance you get.”
• Limit exposure to irritants. Dr. Engelman recommends steering clear of products that include peppermint, fragrance, parabens, tricolsan, formaldehyde, phthalates, sulfates, alcohol or witch hazel, which can be irritating and drying, especially to sensitive skin. Instead, “look for hydrating ingredients that will strengthen the skin barrier as well as provide a ‘shield’ from environmental stressors,” says Dr. Engelman. “Peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid will all help to build a barrier for the skin,” as well as “products with calming properties like niacinamide, rose oil, aloe and oatmeal.”
• And of course, protect your skin with sunscreen. Dr. Engelman recommends starting each morning by layering on a tinted moisturizer with SPF: “Not only will it neutralize the appearance of redness, but it will also reduce the flaring that comes from sun exposure,” she says. “I recommend zinc-containing sunscreen,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Zinc both blocks UV light and has a skin protecting benefit: This is why zinc pastes are used on babies bottoms to prevent and treat diaper rash.”

Is there a way to cure facial redness overnight?

Nope — our experts agree that facial redness often cannot be cured completely overnight. “Calming and repairing the skin barrier takes time, patience and effort, depending on the cause of redness,” says Dr. Engelman, who recommends using gentle products that are free of dyes, fragrances and other potential irritants while symptoms persist.

While there’s no way to “cure” redness instantly, “there are definitely ways to help ‘calm’ overnight,” says Furginson. “Using cold compresses, a cooling mask is helpful to bring redness down.” Dr. Engelman adds that skincare “ingredients like aloe, cucumber extract, ceramides, squalane and CBD calm skin and help reduce redness,” too.

When should you call a doctor?

“In some cases, over the counter products just aren’t enough,” says Dr. Zeichner. “If your redness or rash is not improving in 1-2 weeks, visit your dermatologist for professional advice and prescriptions that can help.”

Related Story

• Derms Say This Is the Best Daily Skincare Routine

Jessica Teich

Deputy Editor

Jessica (she/her) is a deputy editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a longtime product tester, reviewer, writer and editor of beauty and lifestyle content. She has over a decade of industry experience, previously as beauty editor at USA Today’s Reviewed where she launched the Beauty vertical and tested hundreds of products and has covered trends for publications like The Boston Globe and The New York Times. You can usually find her sorting through piles of beauty products — and testing the best ones on camera. 

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What you need to know about skin irritation

Unpleasant burning, itching, peeling, redness, dry crusts on the face – all these are signs of skin irritation, which delivers a lot of discomfort. And to deal with the problem, it would be good to first understand its causes. According to experts, the main ones are:

1. 1

   violation of the barrier properties of the skin;

2. 2

   her tendency to allergic reactions.

However, skin reactivity can also be caused by other factors, such as:

• too aggressive care – for example, the use of products with a high content of acids or retinol;
• improper care: using cleansers with harsh surfactants or products that are not suitable for your skin type and condition;
• drug treatment;
• aesthetic procedures: peeling, cleaning, polishing.

Find out more about skin protection during allergy season here.

Violation of the barrier properties of the skin is a temporary condition, and to correct it, sometimes it is enough to change your care for a while, choosing more gentle products. Skin prone to allergic reactions will not help. She needs constant care designed for hypersensitive allergic skin. It is better if these are drugs of pharmaceutical brands, the action of which is aimed at:

• decrease in reactivity;
• redness removal;
• restoration of the barrier properties of the epidermis.

Allergic skin reacts sharply to many components that are normally tolerated by healthy skin, and especially to potential allergens: fragrances, dyes, preservatives.

Means should be habitual: trying a new cream during an exacerbation usually does not end well. © iStock

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How to care for irritated skin

For effective skin care for irritated skin, it is worth following certain rules.

1. 1

   For 2-3 months, gently cleanse the skin and apply a revitalizing care cream.

2. 2

   Use products containing lipid-restoring and healing components: panthenol, aloe extract, allantoin, bisabolol, squalane, phytosphingosine, oils.

1. 3

   Avoid abrasive scrubs and highly acidic peels for a while: anything that can cause irritation should be postponed until the skin returns to normal.

Remedies should be habitual: trying a new cream during an aggravation usually does not end well.

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How to relieve irritation

• If you know which product caused irritation, wash it off with plenty of water.
• Products with panthenol in the composition are well suited for the SOS effect.
• Use drugstore brands to soothe irritation.

When choosing cosmetics, give preference to lines for sensitive skin and pharmacy brands. © iStock

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Prevention

Remember that dehydrated skin with compromised barrier properties is vulnerable regardless of skin type. If the skin reacts with a feeling of tightness after cleansing with water, there are discomfort, peeling, tingling, take action:

1. 1

   refuse products containing acids, active ingredients in high concentrations;

2. 2

   for 1-2 months, use regenerating products to help restore the barrier properties of the skin;

3. 3

   then give preference to lines for sensitive skin, such as Cicaplast, Toleriane, Lipikar from La Roche-Posay.

Skin Barrier Repair Accelerator, Cicaplast Baume B5, La Roche-Posay

The balm contains panthenol and thermal water, which have soothing properties, as well as hyaluronic acid, which restores the hydrolipidic barrier. Suitable for skin irritated after aesthetic procedures – laser resurfacing and peeling.

Daily care for sensitive and allergy-prone skin Toleriane Ultra, La Roche-Posay

Almost immediately visibly soothes overly sensitive skin and gives it a feeling of comfort, eliminates discomfort, including itching. The cream achieves this effect thanks to the neurosensin, shea butter and squalane included in the composition.

Redness Neutralizer, SkinCeuticals

Tested on skin with rosacea. Cools, instantly soothes and provides comfort. Contains peptides, eperua crescent bark extract, bisabolol, squalane, shea butter, vitamin E. prone to allergies. Moisturizes very dry skin well. With constant use, the intervals between flashes of irritation caused by excessive dryness are visibly reduced.

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Irritation on the skin of the face, hands and body [remove dryness and redness]

Cracks, patches of dry skin, redness, peeling and feeling of tightness: if the skin is tender, then its irritation can become a constant problem. People who suffer chronically from dermatitis may develop a complex about appearance, and they will experience constant discomfort.

Cracks, patches of dry skin, redness, peeling and feeling of tightness: if the skin is tender, irritation can become a constant problem. People who suffer chronically from dermatitis may develop a complex about appearance, and they will experience constant discomfort.

What does irritation look like on the body?

Chronic skin irritation affects 20% of the population and affects men and women equally. A similar condition can manifest itself in the form of microcracks and dry patches on the body, as well as in the form of seizures in the corners of the lips.

Main symptoms:

• skin itches and flakes;
• there is redness;
• there is a strong sensitivity.

Causes of skin irritation

Before treating skin irritation with medicines, it is worth understanding why it appeared. Perhaps the situation is not so serious and there is an opportunity to try to deal with the problem with the help of special cosmetics and proper daily care.

Irritation on face and hands

Skin sensitive to external environmental influences. Wind and cold, for example, can cause a strong negative reaction of the epidermis. The most problematic areas suffering from wind and frost in winter are lips and hands.

And in the summer, from the heat and sweat, the cheeks, chin and forehead are more irritated.

Irritated skin on the body

A common problem is irritation from clothing. If immediately after buying new trousers or a blouse, dry patches of skin appear on the skin, with redness or peeling, this may be a reaction to synthetics or wool.

Minor household injuries, scratches, sunburn – all this can also cause a negative skin reaction.

How to relieve irritation on the face?

Dryness and redness of the skin of the face makes you think about two important things: how to smear the skin to quickly remove irritation, and what to do so that the situation does not happen again. Only proper and regular facial care can help in this situation. And then the skin will always remain healthy and beautiful.

In order for the treatment to help, you need to be attentive to the little things.

How to get rid of facial irritation: proper care

To reduce the pain of injuries, speed up the healing process and avoid the occurrence of a similar condition in the future, you can follow these simple rules: It maintains moisture levels and reduces redness. The effect will appear almost immediately.

• If necessary, use a safety net.
• 2-3 times a day, use a special product to protect the skin and speed up its recovery. For example, balm CICAPLAST BAUME B5 . Such a cream will protect the cells of the epidermis and accelerate recovery, thanks to well-chosen components.
• After healing, consider treating your skin regularly with a UV filter to reduce the risk of pigmentation. For this purpose, HYDRAPHASE UV INTENSE LEGERE is an excellent moisturizer.