A Step-by-Step Guide to Calming Redness on Your Face for Good (original) (raw)
Facial redness, flushing and irritation is common, but its root cause can vary greatly from person to person — and even day to day. It can come from skin sensitivity, a reaction to a product or an underlying health issue. "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.
Regardless, redness is inflammation, which “causes tiny blood vessels to expand and push against the skin,” says Dr. Engelman. Here's what you need to know about this common skin condition and how to treat it.
First, understand the underlying cause
In order to properly treat redness, you first 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, director of 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:
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Acne
"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."
Dryness
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.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that gives the face a flushed, red appearance that affects more than 14 million Americans.
Atopic dermatitis or eczema
A chronic and itchy skin condition, "atopic dermatitis/eczema is often caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors," says Michelle Henry, M.D., founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan.
Seborrheic dermatitis
**"**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."
Contact dermatitis
"Contact dermatitis occurs when something 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.
Over-exfoliation
"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."
Seasonal stressors
"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."
Tips to treat facial redness
If you're dealing with a red, irritated complexion, here are some things you can do at home to take action right now:
Strip it back to basics
"The best treatment for redness caused by atopic dermatitis is to reduce contact with irritants and allergens," which potentially include fragrances and dyes, says Dr. Henry. "Use hypoallergenic creams, soaps and detergents," like fragrance-free, gentle Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar, She suggests "moisturizers containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin are great ways to soothe the skin," adding, "dermatologists may also prescribe moisturizers or topical steroids."
Stop exfoliating for a bit
If you're experiencing redness and still exfoliating, stop that 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."
Hydrate skin with a thirst-quenching moisturizer
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. Dr. Henry suggests creams with shea butter to ease redness caused by seborrheic dermatitis. For OTC rosacea relief, Dr. Engelman recommends Cetaphil's Redness Relieving products.
Lock in moisture with an occlusive product
"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. Occlusives create a protective layer on top of the skin, protecting it from further damage. 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.
Try out niacinamide-containing products
You can 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.
Address any acne-related redness with a targeted treatment
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.
Switch up your routine
"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.
Know when to turn to an RX
You'll need to consult your doctor before beginning any new medications.
If your redness is due to rosacea, Dr. Engelman says prescription-strength RHOFADE may work. It's "the first and only alpha1A adrenoceptor agonist approved for persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea in adults."
If you're dealing with seborrheic dermatitis, "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," says Dr. Henry.
When it comes to contact dermatitis, Dr. Henry says in severe cases, a topical corticosteroid cream or "systemic corticosteroids such as oral prednisone" may be prescribed. And if over-the-counter fixes don't stop irritation related to allergies, Dr. Henry says a dermatologist may prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines or immunosuppressive agents.
How to prevent facial redness from reoccurring
“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 topical 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.
Prioritize soothing skincare ingredients
“Peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid will all help to build a barrier for the skin," says Dr. Engelman, as well as “products with calming properties like niacinamide, rose oil, aloe and oatmeal.”
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."
Tailor your skincare regimen if you have acne-prone skin
If you have acne-prone skin that contributes to redness, make sure to incorporate an oil-free hydrating cream to protect acne-prone skin from drying out (which could potentially cause more redness) without causing more acne.
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.
What's the fastest way to reduce redness quickly at home?
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.
For a natural fix, you can also "create a compress by soaking a clean wash cloth in steeped chamomile tea to cool the skin," says aesthetician and spa owner Tammy Fender. Chamomile is known for its calming properties, and the cool compress can ease down swollen skin. Or, "create a simple mask from puréed cucumber and yogurt to bring the skin some relief," says Fender. Both ingredients in this DIY skincare treatment help to ease angry skin.
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."
These OTC products can help reduce facial redness
FOR DRYNESS-RELATED REDNESS
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
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Credit: Neutrogena
For Redness from Seborrheic dermatitis
Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
Credit: CETAPHIL
FOR REDNESS FROM ACNE
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
Credit: Paula's Choice
FOR ROSACEA-RELATED REDNESS
Cetaphil Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer
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Credit: Cetaphil
Jessica (she/her) is the director of editorial commerce and product reviews with over a decade of experience as a product tester, reviewer, writer and editor of beauty and lifestyle content. Previously she was the 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.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
Mona Gohara, M.D. is a Yale-trained, board-certified dermatologist, Oberlin College-bred feminist, medical media expert, fashion fanatic, mom, wife, and virgo. Mona enjoys educating on skin health, skin cancer, skin of color, and sun protection. She has done this through writing, lecturing on the local, national, and international levels, and by engaging popular media. Mona is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, where she chaired the social media task force, The Women’s Dermatologic Society where she serves as president, and The American Society For Dermatologic Surgery, where she chairs the DEI Work Group. She is also a member of Prevention’s Medical Review Board.