Redness on face is a popular definition for rosacea. Although most people have never heard of the term before, the condition affects more than 14 million adults in the US alone. Not a contagious disease, rosacea runs in the family and only kicks in after patients turn 30. Besides looking unappealing, redness in the face can have other serious consequences and, at times, it can even lead to disfiguration. Wondering how to get rid of redness on face? First you have to know the basics. If you tend to flush or blush easily, you’re more likely to develop rosacea after you turn 30. A big disadvantage of rosacea is that it doesn’t just happen overnight. Since it settles in gradually, patients often dismiss it and treat it as common flushes or the usual run-of-the-mill acne attacks.
Redness in the face, or rosacea, will start on the nose, chin, cheeks and sometimes the forehead, with the least affected areas being the ears, the neck or the chest. In its initial phases, rosacea will come and go. As the condition gets more advanced, the redness episodes will start to last longer and become more intense. This is when blood vessels become more apparent and are sometimes accompanied by pimples or bumps in the skin. Another distinct feature of rosacea is a big nose, which starts getting larger as tissue builds up. In more rare cases, rosacea will irritate and affect the eyes, making them water and look bloodshot.
Redness in the face is very unpleasant and, unfortunately, there is no cure out there that will completely eradicate the issue. However, thorough early treatment will keep the problem under control. Surveys show that this condition tends to affect specific ethnic groups. For example, you have more chances to develop redness on your face after you turn 30 years old if one of your parents has Irish heritage. Others who have higher risks of experiencing rosacea include ethnic groups of Scottish, Welsh or Scandinavian descent.
Other conditions that trigger redness on the face include frequent acne breakouts or perioral dermatitis, which primarily targets the areas around the nose, the mouth and the chin. Regardless of what is creating the red patches on your face, there are small steps you can take in preventing this, before resorting to over-the-counter medication or DIY remedies. You might want to limit Sun exposure. People who suffer from rosacea are extremely sensitive to the UV rays, which can cause severe and irreversible damage to the skin. If you can’t avoid going out into the Sun, a good sun screen is a must. However, this is tricky as well, since skin that is affected by rosacea is sensitive to certain chemicals. If you already know what your skin tolerates and what it doesn’t, peruse the ingredients list to make sure slathering sunscreen on your face won’t trigger unpleasant reactions.
People who struggle with redness on the face should also consider reducing stress levels. It has been proven that stress is linked to increased and deeper flushing episodes. Since stress can’t be neutralized overnight, patients can take small steps to improve their stress levels: deep breathing, meditation and yoga all help combat tension and anxiety. Alcohol and spicy foods both help red patches increase in intensity. You should completely cut them out of your diet since they dilate blood vessels and worsen flushing episodes. Another thing to carefully consider are cosmetics. Most of the make-up products you apply on your skin are packed with irritating ingredients that will bring out the worst in your skin: red patches, bumps and acne. Steer away from drug store products and choose organic products that are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.
Many patients who suffer from redness in face choose over-the-counter meds or head straight to the doctor for a round of antibiotics. However, these are not always efficient and can have a plethora of side effects. If you’ve been looking for some natural remedies that can combat redness both from within and without, consider the following suggestions that won’t make you break the bank and won’t have any side effects on your already frail skin.
Correct hygiene is essential when you’re dealing with red patches or rosacea. In time, you’ll come to know what makes your skin sensitive and what triggers the red patches to appear all of a sudden. You’ll also be able to distinguish between products that will soothe your redness and products that will only worsen the condition. In this context, washing the skin should only be done with lukewarm water. Cold or hot temperatures will only make your sensitive skin dry out. Choose a fragrant-free and alcohol-free cleanser. Avoid scrubbing your face and only choose products that target sensitive skin.
With a high water content, loaded with vitamin and packed with minerals, cucumbers are very hydrating and soothing for the skin. Applying a cucumber mask to your face is the easiest DIY for rosacea or flushing. Slice a cucumber and let it chill in the freezer for a few minutes. Clean your face and use a hair band to keep you hair out of the way. Once the slices are cold enough (but not frozen), place them on the sensitive areas and let them work their magic for 10 – 15 minutes. This will allow the Vitamin C to fight and decrease the redness in the face. You should avoid rubbing the cucumber slice over the skin just to prevent irritating the sensitive areas.
Oatmeal does not only make for a soothing breakfast porridge, but also for alleviating redness and soothing irritated skin. Whether we’re talking about sunburns or rosacea, it’s important to pay attention to the quality of the oats. Look for an organic brand that will help you make a pure mask for your skin. Mix the oats with water and allow the flakes to soak up. Use the paste as a mask and apply it on your face daily, leaving it on for half an hour before rinsing it with warm water. For a hydration boost, mix in some milk in your concoction. The fatty proteins will rejuvenate your red skin and make it feel smoother.
Mainly produced in New Zealand, Manuka honey is high in antioxidants and has rich anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a great ally against bacteria, seborrheic dermatitis and rosacea. Besides moisturizing the skin, Manuka honey will also eliminate redness. The honey can be applied directly on the affected areas or on the entire face, as a daily cleanser. It’s essential to follow up with a toner designed especially for sensitive skin, which will restore the natural pH of your skin.
Anti-redness teas are great because they can be used both internally and externally. Sipping on tea throughout the day will keep your body hydrated and give your skin the much-needed help to combat redness and bumps. The best teas for redness are chamomile, peppermint and green tea. All of them make for excellent topical cleansers. Simply brew the tea and allow it to cool down. You can either use the tea to soak a washcloth and apply it on your face or take the cooled down tea bags and place them on the affected areas. This technique can clear up the red and irritated skin and can be used two times a day on a daily basis.
The thought of dabbing any kind of oil on irritated skin might sound counter-intuitive, but that’s not the case with coconut oil. Since it has the power to lock in moisture and it acts as an excellent, natural emollient, it keeps the skin from becoming dehydrated and developing dry patches. The antimicrobial and antiviral properties help rejuvenate the skin when you apply the coconut oil on your face and leave it over night as a mask. Olive and almond oil are equally beneficial for red patches and are also great allies against rosacea.
There’s no denying it: we are what we eat. Some foods will enable redness and rosacea, while others will help us fight the unaesthetic red blotches. Cigarettes, alcohol, hot drinks and spicy foods will only fuel rosacea and trigger flushing episodes. If you want to counter-attack the symptoms, adapt a diet and lifestyle that will suit your needs. Include plenty of fruit and green vegetables in your daily meals, follow the 8 glasses of water per day rule and don’t touch your face throughout the day. Research supplements and find what will work for your problem. The best foods you can incorporate in your diet that will help you with redness are cucumbers, apples, spinach, melons and celery. Although there is no evidence to support this, consuming as many unprocessed, raw foods fight off rosacea, acne and bumps.
When you get red blotches you might also feel a warm or burning sensation. The best remedy to calm down the redness is to apply cold compresses that will shrink the blood vessels and decrease the swelling. You can use a washcloth soaked in ice water or wrap an ice pack in a towel. Make sure the towel is clean before applying it on the irritated areas to avoid break outs or rashes.
When you’ve tackled the cause by trying the above methods, you might be searching for a quick go-to that instantly reduces redness on your face. In this case, we suggest a makeup primer that’s specifically designed for red patches. These makeup primers are colored green as this is the opposite shade to red on the color wheel, helping to neutralize any redness. There’s a variety of makeup primers in the cosmetics world, and some are combined with moisturizers so they act as a good base to apply to your face without the need for foundation and/or concealer. Alternatively, these products are designed as a base to makeup and a color corrector, so your skin tone will look neutral while helping your foundation to last longer. When you first apply the makeup primer, you might be intimidated by the green hue, but this blends in with your natural skin color so you’re not left looking like Shrek! For additional coverage, you can purchase a green concealer stick, though you need to apply makeup afterward.
There’s an array of facial exfoliators that are great for removing dead skin cells from your face. However, any product that’s packed with harsh chemicals or rough textures can irritate your skin and lead to more redness. Opt for a gentle exfoliator with small beads that won’t contribute to any sensitivity or tightness. Avoid using physical exfoliator brushes and scrubs on any red areas, too. Why not create your own scrub with brown sugar combined with your favorite face wash?
