When you think of uneven skin tone, you probably imagine hyperpigmentation. Dark marks and rough edges that can block that smooth, airbrushed finish we’re all looking for. But that’s not the only thing that ruins your complexion.
Facial redness is another common offender. Even without dark areas or texture issues, your complexion may still be blotchy with red spots.
This can be very frustrating, with the redness often accompanied by swelling and irritation of the skin.
To help you achieve a calmer, fresher complexion, we share our practical tips for reducing redness. These are simple but very effective changes that make a real difference to the appearance of the skin. And feels.
How to reduce facial redness for a fresher, calmer complexion
Before we go step by step, let’s discuss what causes redness. Of course, we all blush when we do something embarrassing or our partner says something spicy. That said, these are not the only Common culprits of skin redness.
Here’s where facial redness actually comes from:
What causes facial redness?
Irritation
When something irritates your skin, it shows. Usually with instant redness. There is a plot little things that can turn your skin red, including harsh treatments, stripping cleansers, over-washing, dehydration, or even rubbing your face with a towel hanging in your bathroom (we’ll talk about that the solution (for that in a moment).
Even seemingly simple daily actions or products can disrupt the balance of your skin and trigger breakouts.
Weakened skin barrier
Your skin barrier keeps irritants out and moisture out. But if you use too many active ingredients, exfoliate too much, or skip moisturizer, you can certainly weaken it.
Once the barrier is destroyed, the skin on your face reacts more quickly, is more sensitive and reddens very easily. Indeed, the layer of skin located under the barrier is extremely vulnerable and sensitive.
Chronic skin conditions
Many common skin conditions can cause redness, including atopic dermatitis (eczema), rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis. Each one makes your skin super reactive and prone to irritation.
And they ALL come from chronic inflammation. Basically, this is when your immune system overreacts and attacks healthy cells, leaving your skin irritated and reddened.
Heat
The heat widens your blood vessels so your body can cool down. That’s why you look flushed after a sauna session, hot yoga, a steamy shower, or a sunny afternoon.
But it’s temporary, right? In fact, if your skin is sensitive, this heat-induced redness may persist even after your temperature returns to normal.
Stress
Stress not only makes you panic on the outside, it also makes you panic on the inside. High levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) tell your body that it is in danger, even if it is not.
This emergency signal triggers your immune system and triggers inflammation, and guess what the inflammation triggers? Redness.
Exercise
Exercise can make your face red for several reasons. First, you feel hot, which dilates your blood vessels. On top of that, your heart rate increases, which pumps even more blood through those enlarged vessels.
And if your skin is sensitive, wiping sweat from your face during a workout can cause irritation and redness simply from friction.
Alcohol
Alcohol triggers inflammation, widens your blood vessels, raises your body temperature, and dehydrates, well, everything. It’s basically a quadruple threat to uneven, reddened skin.
Spicy foods
Obviously, hot foods can You hot. This can indirectly make your skin red or blush as your body temperature rises.
Beyond that, spicy foods directly activate receptors in your body that increase circulation and worsen discoloration. And if you get spicy food residue on your fingers and touch your face, the situation can be even worse.
Sun exposure
UV rays damage skin cells, causing your immune system to panic and start repairing itself. Increased circulation and autoimmune activity manifest as redness as your skin tries to heal.
Allergic reactions
It is very common to have allergic reactions that trigger inflammation and therefore redness. Perfumed products, poor quality cosmetics, pollen, dust and latex can all irritate your skin and trigger what is called contact dermatitis.
But allergies don’t just come from what you put on your skin. Foods like seafood, nuts, dairy, and gluten can also cause visible reactions on your face. Even certain medications, like oral antibiotics or blood pressure treatments, can trigger a flare-up.
How to calm facial redness
Cool the skin with an ice roller.
Since heat is one of the main causes of facial redness, cooling the skin is one of the quickest ways to return it to its original state.
Cold therapy also helps interrupt the cycle of inflammation. This means you’re not just hiding redness; it actually improves skin health at the source.
Instead of grabbing an old, questionably clean bag of ice from the freezer, use one of The Skinny Confidential’s cold therapy tools.
The iconic TSC Ice Roller And Mint Roll both stay cold for ages and glide like butter on the skin. Most importantly, they are amazing at calming redness And they offer a ton of additional beauty benefits. We highly recommend making ice rolling a regular part of your routine. For Lauryn, this is an absolute must-have. For what? Because it works instantly. Every time.
Strengthen your skin barrier by moisturizing.
To protect your skin from irritants and dehydration, you need to keep this skin barrier intact. If you constantly suffer from red, dry, irritated patches, add a night cream to your evening routine.
Look for something rich, hydrating, and loaded with barrier-strengthening ingredients. This way it can help balance and strengthen your barrier while you sleep.
We recommend you try Eyeam Inflammatory Serum (use code SKINNY for 30% off). It is suitable for skin suffering from rosacea, eczema and skin prone to dermatitis. It is extremely soothing while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you’d like to learn more about this intentional brand that’s making waves in the skincare category, listen or watch this conversation with the founders.
Check your skin care routine.
If you consume a lot of skincare content, your routine can quickly become too complicated. Using too many active ingredients at once or stacking harsh treatments back-to-back can completely dry out and irritate your skin.
So take a breath and scale things back. Go back to basics: cleanser, toner, moisturizer, SPF. Once your skin relaxes, you can start adding products slowly.
However, be sure to pay attention to how your skin reacts each time you introduce something new. Your skin will tell you what it likes… and what it absolutely doesn’t like.
And while you can reintroduce certain actives later, some skincare products simply don’t need to be re-entered into your routine, ever. Remove excessively lathering cleansers, alcohol-rich formulas, physical exfoliants, and anything scented (synthetic or natural).
Manage inflammation inside and out.
Fortunately, there are many natural ways to combat inflammation. And because redness is so closely linked to inflammation, it’s essential to take a multi-angle approach.
For topical products, look for ingredients like niacinamidealoe vera, AllantoinAnd squalane. These products work to calm surface skin irritations, helping to control inflammation.
Internally, you also have many treatment options. Avoid inflammatory foods like refined carbs, alcohol and processed snacks, even consider giving up dairy and gluten to try them out.
Stay Hydrated, Sleep Well, Exercise, and Manage Stress Also all support a calmer, clearer complexion.
And to Really have a big impact, consider anti-inflammatory supplements. We love Cymbiotika Omega And Inflammatory Health Supplements (use code SKINNY).
Avoid harsh exfoliants for now.
Is exfoliation an important step in skin care? Yes. But overdoing it can seriously backfire.
If you continue to exfoliate a red, irritated face, your skin will never have a chance to recover. It will likely stay flush and responsive no matter what you put on it.
So for now, avoid all exfoliants and retinoids. Give your skin time to fully heal and bounce back.
Once the redness has subsided, reintroduce treatments slowly. Add one at a time and stick to 1-2 nights per week until you know exactly how your skin reacts.
If you need more help in this area specifically, here is how to reduce redness after a chemical peel.
Apply SPF every day.
The sun is not your friend. It’s a leading cause of redness, hyperpigmentation, and a whole list of other skin problems.
So, if your complexion is blurred by red spots And dark spots, chances are the sun is behind it.
Stop letting the sun tan your skin. (It is what is fake tan used for.) Instead, put FPS first thing in the morning and reapply throughout the day.
How often should you reapply sunscreen? Dermatologists certified by the American Academy of Dermatology I recommend every two hours when you are outside.
And no, there is never an excuse not to protect yourself from the sun. If you need it, here is our guide to reapplying sunscreen without ruining your makeup.
Sleep with a silk pillowcase and a humidifier.
Hydration is the key to healthy skin. But at night we lose SO lots of humidity (mouth tape can help with that). Your pillowcase absorbs half of your products and the dry air sucks whatever’s left off your face.
This is why so many of us wake up red, irritated and a little swollen. Why did we even do an evening routine?
Fortunately, the solution is simple. It reduces redness, protects your barrier against humidity and allows your night products to work effectively.
First of all, switch to a silk pillowcase. They are less absorbent and gentler on your skin. No friction with rough fabric, no moisture evacuated, no irritation when waking up.
Second, turn on a humidifier every night, not just when you’re sick. This will keep the air humid for the best possible hydration in the morning. We love this one from Canopy.
And while we’re here, be sure to read this article about how to look less tired. Some days we might need all the help we can get.
Clear, calm skin comes from consistency, not complicated routines.
Keep things simple, stick to what works, and avoid products that are constantly harsh on your skin. When you stay disciplined, you can avoid redness to have the best skin of your life.
x, the Skinny Confidential team.
+ Deflate, calm and sculpt with the NEW ice roller.
++ How remove makeup without stripping your skin.
COOL, CALM SKIN:
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