How annoying are those red patches on a scale of 1 to 10? We’d say 124876284 times annoying when all we wish for is rosy pink glowing skin. Skin redness is a mild problem and it is easily treatable if you listen to what your skin needs to calm down. From knowing the reason why it is red, how to prevent it and how to treat it, we’re mixing all the juice to tell you how to deal with skin redness!
Why does your skin turn red?
There are numerous reasons for your skin to turn red. It could be simply due to a rush of emotions that can make you blush or when you’re crying your eyes out. It could also be due to a genetically inherited skin condition or may be due to external stressors. Skin redness shows that your body is signaled to rush blood towards a particular region. For example, when a mosquito bites or an insect stings, your skin will turn red in that region. This is because the skin is inflamed in that region. That might not be the case when your crush brushes by you, that’s just blush that will fade away. So you might want to know when you must take skin redness seriously and how serious you must be about it. Let’s look at some skin conditions that can cause skin redness!
What are the skin conditions that lead to skin redness?
We’ve all experienced redness once. Sometimes redness persists and sometimes just ice can cool down your skin instantly. But to know when to just ice it and when to visit a doctor, one must know the skin condition that has led to redness. Here are a few common reasons for redness-
1. Acne
Acne is a genetic skin condition whose triggers should be managed to keep it under check. Acne is basically nothing but dirt and pathogens having a grand party in your pores. Due to the inflammation and pressure that the clogged pores cause to the surrounding cells, you will observe redness in that region.
To avoid triggering skincare ingredients, know what you must avoid here!
2. Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition in which your cheeks and nose may turn red. Rosacea cannot be cured but it can be managed by avoiding the triggers. Individuals suffering from rosacea are prone to breakouts. According to the type of rosacea you’re suffering from, you will observe redness around your cheeks or nose or probably all over your face.
Know more about rosacea here!
3. Broken capillaries
Blood capillaries act sort of like a bridge between other blood vessels responsible for carrying oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Due to trauma or sun damage, your blood capillaries may dilate permanently and this leads to them being visible through naked eyes.
4. Allergic reaction
Allergy to certain metals or food items can lead to redness as a reaction to allergic items. Of course, redness is just one part of an allergic reaction, you might even observe swelling, flaking, or bumps.
5. Dryness
Dryness destroys your skin barrier which means your skin is now exposed and vulnerable to external stressors. You can easily rash and irritate your skin when your skin is dry.
Learn more about the skincare routine for dry skin type here!
6. Heat rash
Heat rash are those tiny bumps showing up on your skin. They are red in appearance and are caused due to trapped sweat. They will generally go away in 2-3 days. They might leave a mark if you try to pop it. This is generally observed when you’re in a polluted city or during summers.
7. Sunburn
There is nothing like tanning by sunbathing. It can only burn your skin. If you step out wearing protection from the sun, then the UV rays can irritate your skin and leave you redness that might stay for a while longer than you like. Sunburn first leads to redness and in a few days, your skin will turn dull and dark.
8. Compromised skin barrier
The skin barrier is the invisible guy that guards your skin. If your skin barrier is damaged, then you will experience acne, dullness, dryness, rashes, etc. The skin barrier is mainly composed of Ceramides and good bacteria. You can have a compromised skin barrier due to external stressors or an unsuitable skincare routine that can disrupt your skin’s pH balance.
Learn more about how to repair your skin barrier here!
What are the ways to treat skin redness?
If redness is due to your action then it can be treated by simple steps. However, if it is due to conditions like allergic reaction, rosacea, psoriasis, broken capillaries then it is best to take the doctor’s opinion for treatment. If it is due to acne, sunburn, heat, pollution, dryness, etc then here are a few methods to address it-
1. Ice it
If skin redness is due to burning or eating spicy food, then you need something to soothe your skin immediately. Inflammation can significantly die down when you press ice covered in a muslin cloth over your skin.
Sublime recommends Isa IceTherapy that is pretty handy to work with when you want to ice your skin immediately after a burn or a rash.
2. Wear sunscreen
We’re ok ay with being called the biggest sunscreen promoter but it is what it is. Wearing sunscreen can stop half of your skin concerns like tanning, pigmentation, ageing, skin cancer, and much more. If you’re someone who sits in front of a screen or goes out most of the time then you need a good slap of sunscreen every day after showering.
Sublime recommends Fixderma Shadow SPF 80+ Sunscreen Lotion which has SPF 80 for all those hustlers who are out facing the sun almost every day.
3. Moisturise well
Skin redness can be due to external stressors. To prevent redness due to environmental factors, you need to create a strong skin barrier. How do you do that? Moisturise well. Use a moisturiser that contains Ceramides and Humectants that can help you draw moisture from the surrounding while Ceramides will help you retain that moisture.
Sublime recommends Dear, Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream. It’s a good everyday moisturiser that has Yeast-derived beta-glucan, jojoba oil, & Ceramides to keep up your skin barrier and nourish.
4. Gently wash it
Skin redness could also be due to pollutants settling on your skin. In this case, you need to just cleanse it thoroughly. But be gentle. Due to pollutants, your skin is already irritated and things might just go out of hand if you’re not gentle with your skin.
Sublime recommends Vaunt Daisy Flower+Vit B Face Wash. Pure Daisy and Calendula extracts work hand-in-hand with Vitamin B to cleanse and nourish your skin.
5. Apply soothing skincare products
For a while, skip actives that can aggravate redness. Switch to moisturising and hydrating skincare ingredients but at the same time tackle your other skin concerns too. For example, one of the common skin concerns is pigmentation, for which one generally opts for Vitamin C. However, you can pick Aloe Vera, Snail Mucin, or Centella Asiatica instead. Let’s have a look at a few hydrating ingredients that you can switch to.
What are the ingredients that can help with skin redness?
We are listing down just five ingredients that can help you tone down redness but don’t limit these ingredients as something to treat just redness. They can do so much more. Let’s have a look at these ingredients-
1. Rosewater
Our ancestors have been using it in their drinks, skincare, making sweets and so much more. This is a timeless ingredient that can soothe and hydrate your skin. It can suit anybody and everybody and that is the best part about this ingredient. Individuals with burns, rosacea, psoriasis, etc can use it without thinking twice. It is best used as a toner to improve its firmness.
Read more about Rosewater here.
Sublime recommends Just Herbs Steam Distilled Rose Water Facial Mist this is a 100% natural Rose Water to hydrate and refresh your skin and mood in just a few pumps.
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera gel is another calming ingredient that can also help you fade marks. It can suit all skin types but we’d still recommend patch testing. Aloe Vera is a good source of hydration which is why when you apply it right after facing the sun, it can help you soothe your skin and prevent tanning.
Read more about Aloe Vera here.
Sublime recommends Rustic Art Organic Aloe Vera Sandal Saffron Gel With Niacinamide. Along with Aloe Vera, Saffron and Sandalwood are rich in multivitamins and improve skin tone. Niacinamide adds on to reduce scar marks!
3. Centella Asiatica
Centella Asiatica aka. Cica is also known as tiger grass since tigers would roll all over it when they were hurt. Tigers are smart and so we caught up with them to include it in our skincare. Cica is popular for its healing properties and can be handy to control skin redness.
Read more about Centella Asiatica here.
Sublime recommends Dr. Sheth's Cica & Ceramide Overnight Repair Serum that has both- Cica and Ceramides to repair and soothe your skin overnight. Use it as a sleep mask or a serum to see the difference.
4. Avocado
Avocado is known for its moisturising property due to the high presence of Antioxidants. You can use it as a sleep mask to wrap your skin with moisture and wake up with a healthy glow. Avocado oil can also be used for hair if you have an inflamed and itchy scalp. If you have skin redness due to sunburn or heat then Avocado is your superman!
Sublime recommends Thyme Organic Skin Radiance Booster Facial Oil. It has a total of 13 cold-pressed oils including Avocado oil and Vitamin E to deeply nourish your skin.
5. Ceramides
Ceramides are a type of lipids that is a major constituent of the skin barrier. Ceramides help you maintain skin barrier which will prevent skin redness that can be caused due to weather or environmental stressors. Include Ceramides in your skincare routine to prevent havoc.
Read more about Ceramides here.
6. Snail Mucin
Snail Mucin is great to improve the skin barrier that helps you prevent the loss of moisture. It also helps you improve skin elasticity. It has healing and soothing properties that can transform your skin post breakouts. Individuals with all skin type, including sensitive skin, can use Snail mucin.
Sublime recommends Cosrx Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream. It has 92% Snail mucin filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, and Panthenol to hydrate, heal and moisturise your skin.
When must you see a dermatologist?
If skin redness persists then don’t wait for the water to fill till the brim. You can try our tips to soothe your skin but if it lasts for more than two weeks then you might want to see a dermatologist. It also depends on the reason why skin redness has occurred in the first place. If it is due to allergy or rosacea then it is best to visit a dermatologist first thing instead of approaching self-treatment.
The takeaway
Skin redness could be due to multiple reasons and genetically inherited skin conditions are one of them. While you can treat redness caused due to external factors, when it comes to deep-rooted skin issues like rosacea, psoriasis, allergic reaction, etc can be treated only under the doctor’s observation. Resort to soothing ingredients in case redness is due to environmental factors like sun, heat, pollution, chemicals, dryness, etc. To prevent redness, hydrate, moisturise and wear sunscreen!
-Divya Salvi
