How to Calm Redness for Your Skin in 7 Different Ways

Red, flushed skin can be attributed to a number of things, from warm weather to an intense workout, to simply feeling excited or embarrassed. Sometimes, redness can occur because of a skin condition, like Rosacea, or other issues we can’t easily see, like endocrine disorders. While some causes of redness are a bit easier to treat than others, and perhaps only require a pat-down with cool water or a calming mask, others will look to more intensive treatments with the help of a skin care pro.

Whatever the case, finding a way to calm red, flushed skin can be done once you identify the cause of your redness. 

Find out why some skin types commonly experience symptoms like redness and flushing, what you can do to calm your skin when this happens, and which signs indicate an issue that may require more medical intervention. 

Not all red, flushed skin can be attributed to the same cause, and not all treatments and remedies will address every issue as effectively as others. To start calming your skin, it will help if you can pinpoint the reason for the redness. Red, flushed skin can be caused by a myriad of factors, such as heat, emotions—like blushing due to embarrassment, medications, alcohol, rosacea, endocrine disorders, menopause, and carcinoid syndrome. Even certain vitamins can lead to redness, like niacin, which can cause transient flushing.

If your red or flushed skin isn’t due to an underlying medical condition, treating it can be done by applying a cool compress to the affected area. In most cases, the skin becomes flushed as a result of the blood vessels widening in that area, which then allows for more blood to flow through them. This is why some people experience redness during exercise, when they drink alcohol, or if they become embarrassed.

To calm flushed skin, place a clean washcloth in a plastic bag filled with ice cubes and leave it in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Then, remove the cloth and gently apply it to the skin for about 20 minutes before removing.

If you don’t need to constrict your blood vessels but seek to calm red skin that’s caused by dryness or inflammation, sheet masks make for great at-home treatments when they contain the right ingredients. Rosewater is well-known for reducing redness and calming irritated skin is naturally packed with vitamins A, C, and E, and will leave your skin looking and smelling fantastic in mere minutes.

Sometimes, skin redness or flushing requires treatments and ingredients that at-home DIY solutions can’t offer. Dermaplaning, LED light therapy and micro current facials have been used by aestheticians for years to treat a number of skin care concerns, from reducing acne scarring, diminishing hyperpigmentation, and even lifting sagging skin without requiring their clients to go under the knife or resort to Botox (no shame if you do though).

Sometimes, redness can be exacerbated by certain ingredients in our skin care—namely acids—which are commonly used to exfoliate the skin. Steer clear of strong retinoids or retinol, as these products can further irritate sensitive skin, as well as harsh physical exfoliants and polishing scrubs. Some acne products can be drying and should be used with caution if you have sensitive skin, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and glycolic acids.

If you can’t part ways with your favorite acid-enhanced product, look to formulas that contain a low percentage of the good stuff. For example, many products containing glycolic acid may fall between 10-20% glycolic acid, therefore check for 7% or lower for a less harsh skin reaction.

To ensure that your red skin stays cared for, limit your use of acid-containing items to every other day, or just a few times a week, and always be sure to follow up with a moisturizer and SPF every day (even when they’re cloudy!) as these skin-sloughing formulas can make complexions more prone to irritation when exposed to UV rays. 

In the same way that certain skin care ingredients may trigger the outer layer of the skin, some foods and drinks can inflame and irritate the skin from the inside.

If you are prone to redness or rosacea, then you can avoid triggers such as spicy foods, citrus, tomato, chocolate, and cinnamon. Additionally, heat, extremes in temperatures (either hot or cold), wind exposure, alcohol, and some warm beverages as additional triggers that can lead to redness or may induce rosacea symptoms.

At Botanica Day Spa, we aspire to help every single person that comes through our doors, and that includes every skin type/problem. For a soothing and calming facial for redness, visit our facial page for everything you want for clear, glowing skin! Call us today at 727-441-1711 to book your facial appointment.

Love,

Gen