There are a range of reasons why your skin may flare an angry red. At best, facial redness can be simply annoying but in its worst cases, redness can be almost debilitating and embarrassing.

The skin, like any other organ should be treated kindly and given care and concern. While spot-free, redness free, glass-like skin 24/7 would be wonderful, the reality is that everyone suffers from sensitivity and redness in their complexion and one point or another.

Today we will explore what can cause facial redness and how it can be treated and mostly avoided.

What causes facial redness?

To be able to treat redness, the reason must first be identified.

• Acne. Acne can cause varying degress of facial redness and the sooner you act on it, the better. Certain chemical peels, such as a Glycolic Acid Peel can help treat the condition because they promote cellular turnover as they remove the top layers of the skin. Once the acne has cleared up, it is important to mositurise and hydrate the skin regularly with an oil-free skin care regimen to protect acne-prone skin from drying out (also causes redness) and keep it supple without causing more acne.

• Dryness. Dry skin is damaged skin. Damaged skin leads to compromised skin and if the skin is compromised this can lead to infections which in-turn can cause redness. To avoid redness caused my dryness, exfoliate less and boost the skin barrier by incorporating more moisture.

• Rosacea. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that leads to a flushed, red appearance. For relief there are a range of redness relief products, such as Ultraceuticals’ B2 Hydrating Serum. To treat the condition, there are some medications available on prescription that may assist.

• Dermatitis. Dermatitis can be caused by a range of factors and results in various types of dermatitis such as contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis. Dermatitis can be caused by genetic and enviromental factors and the type will depend on the treatment, however generally speaking it is a good idea to avoid contact with irritants for most types of dermatitis.

• Redness following a procedure. Some localised redness may occur following a cosmetic treatment or procedure. While this is likely to dissipate quickly, there are many general remedies to help soothe the skin following a procedure.

Home remedies to soothe red skin

1. Chamomile tea compress. Soak a clean cloth in chamomile tea and apply to the skin to soothe and calm swollen skin.

2. Cucumber Mask. Combine pureed cucumber and yoghurt to create a soothing and cool face mask.

3. Invest in some sheet masks. Laying a sheet mask over red skin will give almost immediate cooling effects.

4. Hydration. Investing in internal and external hydration will help soothe the skin, strengthens the skin and evens skin tone. Check out the Ultraceuticals hydration range.

5. Vaseline the spot areas. If you have any peeling or raw areas, using a petroleum jelly to the area can help heal the skin.

Prevention is better than cure

Avoidance of redness triggers where possible is key.

• Figure out the enviromental factors that are triggering your skin and either avoid them or actively treat them to prevent redness and irritation. For example, if you find that your redness stems from environmental pollutants such as coal dust, layering the Ultraceuticals Ultra Protective Complex with your Protective Daily Mosituriser can aid in combating that whilst also delivering hydration and antioxidants to your skin.

• Avoid trigger foods. If your skin is reacting when you have spicy foods, coffee, alcohol or any other food and drink, it is time to avoid them and book an appointment with your doctor.

• Limit exposure. There are multiple products on the market that are marketed as suitable for sensitive skin or hydrating to skin, but the reality can often be further from the truth. Actively avoiding products with peppermint, parabens, triclosan, sulfates, witch hazel and formaldehyde amongst others, whilst favouring those products that contain ingradients such as Hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides will aid in strengthening your skin to protect it against external pollutants that can make your skin red. Products that contain aloe or rose oil can also help calm the skin if it does become irritated.

• Provide protection. Apply sunscreen SPF 30+ regularly to ensure that redness and damage from sun exposure is minimised. For a sheer coverage at the same time, we recommend the Ultraceuticals SPF 30 Sheet Tint.

Reducing the appearance of redness

If you are suffering from redness and want to reduce the appearance of it while it is being treated, there are a few tips that can help.

1. Use a green colour corrector or primer to neutralise redness.

2. Pat your make up on

3. Ditch the make up brushes and swap to a damp beauty blender.

If the redness doesn’t go away.

If the redness on your face does not dissipate within a week or two or you are otherwise concerned, it is time to book a Doctor’s appointment.