• Skin Care

How to Get Rid of Facial Redness

Medically reviewed and edited by Suzanne Biggs, FNP-C

Facial redness can be a source of frustration and discomfort for many people. In fact, over 70% of people will experience persistent facial redness at some point in their lives. 

Whether it’s flushing from rosacea, the occasional redness from acne, or sensitivity-induced irritation, this common skin concern can impact both your appearance and confidence.

Understanding the underlying causes of facial redness is the first step toward effective treatment and management. 

In this article, we’ll guide you through what causes facial redness for a deeper understanding of this condition. We’ll also share some practical things you can do to reduce redness on your face.

What Causes Facial Redness?

Before we explain how you can get rid of facial redness, let’s look at what causes this condition.

Frequent sun exposure

You don’t have to get sunburnt to experience red skin; even moderate sun exposure without sunscreen can leave your skin red. 

This is because exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays over time can destroy collagen, elastin, and other structures that support the skin. 

In response to this damage, your blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow to the skin and leading to persistent facial redness.

Extreme temperature changes

Going from warm temperatures to cold air (or vice versa) can cause changes in your skin that result in redness.

Your blood vessels respond to temperature changes by expanding and constricting to regulate your body’s internal temperature to prevent overheating and frostbite.

When the body suddenly warms up, the blood vessels at the skin’s surface expand to release some of the heat and cool you down. This can cause a flushed appearance.

If you go from a warm environment to a cold one, your blood vessels constrict to minimize heat loss in the body. This sudden change can lead to temporary flushing of the skin.

Certain foods and beverages

Some foods and beverages can temporarily affect your complexion. 

Alcohol, for example, can dilate the blood vessels in your face, which is why your skin may appear warm and red after consuming this beverage.

Eating spicy foods can also lead to facial redness due to capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers and hot sauces that triggers an inflammatory response in the skin. 

Rosacea

If your face is permanently red, you could have rosacea, an inflammatory skin condition that affects around 415 million people worldwide.

Although the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, it’s believed to be impacted by genetics and environmental triggers like food, weather, exercise, and sun exposure.

Rosacea can make your face noticeably red with a burning, stinging, or itching sensation. 

Often, people with rosacea experience flare-ups, which is when the condition is considerably worse with increased redness.

People with rosacea are more likely to have sensitive skin and are more prone to developing allergic reactions to common skin care products.

You will need to visit your dermatologist to have this chronic condition diagnosed and treated.

Skin irritation from active ingredients

Some people have more sensitive skin that can react to certain active ingredients in skincare products. 

Harsh ingredients in skincare products can strip your skin’s moisture barrier, which is its outer protective layer. 

This layer locks in hydration and keeps irritating allergens, bacteria, and pollutants out.

When this barrier is compromised, your face can become more susceptible to dryness due to water loss, sensitivity, and irritation.

An allergic reaction

An allergic reaction — also known as contact dermatitis — can be triggered by certain foods, skincare products, and allergens like pet hair. It happens when something irritates the protective outer layer of the skin.

If you are experiencing an allergic reaction on your skin, your skin may be dry, red, itchy, or flaky. 

This usually occurs immediately or within a few hours after contact with the allergen.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a form of eczema that can cause an itchy, red rash and flaky skin. Around one in every 10 people experience eczema during their lifetime.

When this condition occurs, it can look a lot like dandruff but on the face. Unlike scalp flakes, seborrheic dermatitis also involves swelling and inflammation of the skin.

Some people get seborrheic dermatitis flare-ups, which is when the skin becomes patchy, especially around the center of the forehead, eyebrows, and mouth.

Seborrheic dermatitis is another skin condition that requires diagnosis and treatment by a dermatologist.

7 Ways to Reduce Redness on Your Face

Now that you know the common causes of facial redness, here are some ways you can get rid of it:

Use sun protection

If your skin is already red, it might be more vulnerable to sun damage. 

UV rays can further compromise the skin barrier, making it more prone to sunburn, dryness, and long-term issues such as hyperpigmentation and premature aging.

Sun protection allows the skin to heal by reducing further damage and stress caused by UV exposure. This can help redness subside more quickly and improve the overall health and appearance of your skin.

Be sure to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen whenever you go outside and stick to the shade as much as possible.

Manage your stress levels

Stress can aggravate skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and acne, which can all contribute to facial redness. 

Your body’s response to stress can trigger or worsen these conditions, leading to increased inflammation and redness.

When you’re stressed, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol. 

Elevated levels of cortisol can lead to increased inflammation throughout the body, including the skin on your face. This inflammation can manifest as redness or irritation.

Tips for managing stress effectively include:

• Mindfulness and meditation

• Regular exercise

• High-quality sleep

• Relaxation techniques like deep breathing

Try a cool bath or shower

Cold water can help reduce inflammation by constricting the blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the skin’s surface. 

This can decrease the appearance of redness and swelling associated with skin conditions.

Additionally, cold water can soothe irritated skin, alleviating the potential discomfort and itching that often accompanies facial redness.

Adjust your diet

Certain foods are known to cause inflammation, which can intensify facial redness. 

By avoiding inflammatory foods like refined sugars, processed foods, and unhealthy fats, you can reduce overall inflammation in your body and skin.

For many people, specific foods can trigger skin conditions like rosacea and eczema, leading to increased redness. 

Spicy foods, hot beverages, alcohol, and certain dairy products are common triggers of red facial skin. Identifying and eliminating these foods from your diet can help manage and reduce facial redness.

Apply a cold compress

Cold compresses can help restrict the blood vessels in your face, reducing blood flow to the affected areas. This can decrease inflammation, leading to a reduction in redness and swelling.

Cold temperatures have a soothing effect on irritated skin, so applying a cold compress can alleviate the discomfort, itching, and burning sensations associated with redness.

A cold compress offers quick relief from heat and discomfort, which is particularly helpful after sun or heat exposure, a rosacea flare-up, or an allergic reaction.

Avoid over-exfoliating

Regular exfoliation is important to get rid of dead skin cells, debris, and the buildup of makeup and skincare products. 

But exfoliating too often can irritate your skin and cause redness. 

To avoid over-exfoliation, stick to exfoliating your face with a gentle product two to three times a week. Ensure you use an exfoliator suitable for your skin type, especially if you have sensitive or oily skin.

Try laser treatment

For some individuals, light or laser treatments may be necessary to help reduce facial redness. 

This treatment can diminish the appearance of visible veins on the face, which helps to lessen redness. Laser treatment may also help with the long-term effects of rosacea.

Laser treatment and other therapies for facial redness are typically performed at a dermatologist's practice.

Where Can I Get More Health and Wellness Advice?

At LifeMD, you can consult one of our board-certified physicians or nurse practitioners from the comfort of your own home.

They may be able to provide treatments for certain skin conditions and other health problems. Make an appointment to get started.

Suzanne Biggs, FNP-C

Suzanne is a seasoned Family Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. She believes in a comprehensive approach to health. Her commitment to promoting this holistic perspective on health and wellness is evident in the thoughtful care and guidance she provides to her patients. When not busy with her professional responsibilities, Suzanne enjoys spending time with her family and her horses, cultivating her flower garden, doing various crafts, and collecting seashells on the beach in her home state of Florida.

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