The Causes of Facial Redness and What You Can Do About It

When you look in the mirror and find your face looking flushed, you may ask yourself whether you’ve been spending too much time in the sun. When the redness remains days or weeks later, however, it may be time to consider an alternative cause for your facial redness.

While there are many potential causes for facial redness, the key to preventing it comes down to one thing – identifying the trigger. Once you know what’s causing your facial redness, you can choose a treatment plan to resolve the issue and take steps to prevent it from recurring. Here’s what you need to know about facial redness including what causes it and how best to treat it.

The Top 7 Causes of Facial Redness

There are many things that can turn your face red, some of which are temporary and others chronic. If facial redness is a frequent or long-lasting problem, it’s probably caused by something more than embarrassment or sunburn – it could be a sign of an underlying condition.

Here are the top 7 causes of facial redness:

• Rosacea
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Skin allergies
• Eczema
• Sensitive skin
• Psoriasis
• Acne

On top of these causes, there are numerous internal, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can contribute to facial redness. Eating spicy foods, exposure to extreme heat or strong winds, and even strong emotions like anger can lead to facial redness.

Let’s take a closer look at the 7 causes of facial redness listed above.

Rosacea

A common skin condition that often manifests with frequent blushing, rosacea can eventually lead to chronic redness on the face as well as red bumps, visible blood vessels on the nose and cheeks, and swelling around the nose. Rosacea is not curable, but treatment may help mitigate symptoms and reduce the frequency of flare-ups.

Seborrheic dermatitis

This condition typically develops as a red rash on the face. On lighter skin it typically appears as redness while, on darker skin, it may appear as light patches. Seborrheic dermatitis may also lead to dry, flaky skin and scaly patches of red skin. When medical intervention is needed this condition can generally be treated with topical corticosteroids or antifungal gels, creams, or medications.

Skin allergies

In many cases, facial redness develops as the result of an allergic reaction to something that touches your skin – this is also known as contact dermatitis. Allergic reactions can be triggered by anything from soap to poor quality skincare products. Common causes of contact dermatitis include artificial fragrance, preservatives, and ingredients in acne medication like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Eczema

This skin condition is notoriously difficult to diagnose because the symptoms overlap with contact dermatitis. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, causes a rash that develops suddenly, often on the face, and may be accompanied by dryness, itching, and scaling. Though there is no cure for eczema, it can be treated with corticosteroid creams, antibiotic creams, or oral medications.

Sensitive skin

Though facial redness is often caused by an underlying skin condition, it could also simply be that your skin is sensitive to certain skincare products or harsh treatment. Overuse of intense exfoliation treatments, for example, can cause redness – especially if your skin is already dry or dehydrated. To counteract skin sensitivity, it’s important to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Psoriasis

This skin condition causes the body to produce new skin cells more quickly than is normal – over a period of days rather than weeks. As a result, the new cells pile up on the surface of the skin, causing red, raised patches of scaly skin. Psoriasis is a chronic condition with no cure, but treatments like corticosteroids, retinoids, salicylic acid, and certain medications may help.

Acne

Acne blemishes take many forms, but they are all caused by the same underlying factors – hair follicles (pores) clogged with oil, dirt, and bacteria. In addition to causing redness, acne can trigger inflammation. Treatments for acne vary depending on the type and severity of the breakout but may include topical products like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide or prescription-strength options like tretinoin.

Skincare Products to Reduce Facial Redness

The first step in treating facial redness is to speak to a qualified professional such as a dermatologist or licensed esthetician. Keep in mind that some causes of facial redness can be difficult to pinpoint, so pay attention to your symptoms and try to identify the triggering factors, if possible. Once you know what’s causing your facial redness, you can take steps to treat it.

While some underlying causes for facial redness may require medical treatment – like rosacea and eczema – others can be resolved with skincare products. Yon-Ka Paris offers plant cell active-based skincare regimens for a variety of skin concerns including a full line dedicated to treating facial redness and sensitivity.

Here are some of the top Yon-Ka products to reduce redness and calm sensitive skin:

• Nettoyant Crème – This gentle cleansing cream removes makeup and impurities while soothing dry, damaged, and sensitive skin and reducing inflammation. Made with 89% ingredients of natural origin, this rich cream cleanser features cooling peppermint, hydrating plant glycerin, and Yon-Ka’s Quintessence for purification.
• Sensitive Crème – Composed of 99% ingredients of natural origin, this fragrance-free calming cream soothes and comforts sensitive and reactive Featuring a rebalancing blend of prebiotics and probiotics, this treatment helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and defends against sensitizing aggressors. Apply morning and evening after cleansing and applying Lotion Yon-Ka PS.
• Anti-Redness Crème – for visibly improving the appearance of redness, whether its temporary or persistent, this cream instantly color corrects with green mineral pigments. Centella asiatica and marvel or Peru extracts correct redness and soothe. Use morning and evening after cleansing and toning with Lotion Yon-Ka PS.
• Sensitive Masque – Eradicate redness and irritation with this soothing masque made with calming Arnica and chamomile extracts. This rich crème masque alleviates inflammation and reduces skin reactivity, leaving your skin feeling calmed and comforted. Use 1 to 3 times per week after cleansing and toning.
• Lotion Yon-Ka PS – Formulated specifically for sensitive skin, this refreshing toner hydrates and balances dry skin. Drench the skin with the healing power of five essential oils in Yon-Ka’s Quintessence for a multi-beneficial purifying, soothing, and energizing effect.

When adding new skincare products to your regimen, it’s recommended that you perform a patch test – especially if you have sensitive skin. Apply a small amount of the product to the side of your neck so, just in case you have a reaction, it won’t be visible on your face. Reactions typically occur within 24 hours, but you may want to wait a full 72 hours to be safe before applying the product to your face.

Additional Tips for Reducing Facial Redness

Depending on the cause of your facial redness, it could take days or even weeks to resolve. Some forms of facial redness can be covered with a layer of makeup but then you run the risk of irritating your skin and making matters worse. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to reduce facial redness fairly quickly.

Here are some tips for reducing facial redness:

• For redness caused by breakouts, a glycolic acid peel (such as Glyconight 10%) may help remove dead cells from the surface of the skin and reveal healthier skin underneath.
• Apply a cool compress to the affected area to reduce heat and bring down the rash.
• Always wear sunscreen (at least SPF 30) and be particularly careful to avoid excessive sun exposure.
• Try applying aloe vera or a skincare product that uses it (such as Hydra No. 1 Fluid) to the affected area to reduce itching and redness.
• Modify your diet to reduce your consumption of oily and fatty foods which can contribute to acne and genetic flushing.
• Soak a washcloth in chamomile tea and apply it to the affected area to calm the skin.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so if you want to get rid of redness for good, you’ll need to determine the underlying cause. If you can’t link your facial redness to a specific trigger or skincare product, talk to your doctor or dermatologist to get a professional opinion.