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How to Get Rid of Redness on the Face

Photo credit: Colin Anderson Productions pty ltd - Getty Images
Photo credit: Colin Anderson Productions pty ltd - Getty Images

From Town & Country

Red in the face? You’re not alone. Flushed cheeks and pink patches are an extremely common skin complaint—even more so in winter, and increasingly (surprise, surprise) in the era of mask-wearing. And while the most cited cause of redness is rosacea, that might not necessarily be the culprit in question. Here, board certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King breaks down the different types of facial redness, and shares best practices to clear it up and restore skin to a healthy, even tone.

What are the main causes of facial redness?

You’ve doubtless heard a lot about rosacea, whether you suffer from it or not. A chronic skin condition, it affects more than 16 million Americans, and typically manifests as redness and visible blood vessels in the central area of the face—nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin. “Also common is episodic flushing that may be accompanied by a feeling of warmth, burning or stinging, and small pimples that come and go more than regular acne.”

But there are other forms of redness not caused by rosacea. “Some is more physiologic,” says King, “for example the redness that comes after exercise.” And then there is the redness that comes from sensitive, irritated skin, which can develop as a consequence of using unsuitable skincare products, over-exfoliating, or otherwise disrupting the delicate skin moisture barrier and pH balance.

How can you tell the difference between rosacea and other forms of facial flushing, like that from irritation or cold?

“To differentiate rosacea,” King says. “Look for a constellation of symptoms including sensitive skin and chronic redness in the central face and episodic flushing that may be accompanied by a feeling of warmth, burning or stinging, and small pimples that come and go more than regular acne.”

What are the best at-home treatments for facial redness?

First of all, says King, stick to gentle products that support the skin barrier function, and avoid things like harsh detergents, alcohol, retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, and benzoyl peroxide until the redness is resolved. King recommends the Dove Beauty Bar, Nudeskin Hydra-Gel Facial Cleanser, and moisturizers with ceramides and other soothing ingredients that can help bring down irritation from external aggressors such as cold and mask chafing. She also recommends gentle facial oils with anti-inflammatory properties, such as The Jojoba Company Calming Jojoba, which contains bisabolol, an ingredient “that may be helpful for some people with rosacea,” she says. “It has anti-oxidant and anti-irritant properties and helps make skin softer and more supple.”

The main rule of thumb? “Use caution when trying new products or active ingredients because they may be irritating,” she says. “If you have rosacea, try to figure out what triggers it avoid these triggers.”

How can a dermatologist help?

If the issue is indeed rosacea, King says, “Metronidazole cream or gel is a mainstay of treatment that has anti-inflammatory properties and antimicrobial properties. Azelaic acid is also helpful, as is sodium sulfacetamide for its anti-inflammatory properties. There are also topical products like Mirvaso and Rhofade that help decrease redness by constricting superficial blood vessels in the skin.” Some lasers can be helpful for reducing redness, too, including devices like the IPL (intense pulsed light) and pulsed dye lasers.

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