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Tired of blotchy and inflamed skin? Read on to learn more about skin redness, what causes it and how to minimize and prevent its appearance.
Learn how to minimize and prevent skin redness
Crimson Causes
Skin redness is an inflammatory response in the body to internal or external factors like food, pollution or ingredients in beauty products. Sometimes the skin turns red when we’re embarrassed, angry or after physical exertion, but this effect can also be caused by skin sensitivity, a medical condition or allergies. More often than not, redness is due to a combination of factors that produce an immune response in the body that causes the blood vessels to dilate and increase circulation to the affected area, creating redness. Certain medical conditions can cause redness, including eczema, couperose and rosacea. Eczema causes skin inflammation that is often accompanied by itching and can occur anywhere on the body. Couperose, on the other hand, is a vascular condition that is caused by weakened blood vessels in the face, usually localized in the centre. Often confused with couperose, rosacea is a more persistent inflammatory disease that gets worse over time, especially if left untreated. Rosacea frequently presents as facial redness with bumps and pimples on the cheeks and nose; the chin, forehead and neck may also be affected. Conditions such as these may have internal triggers, such as hormonal or dietary changes, or external prompts like the presence of a fragrance or allergen.
Redness Remedies
The best strategy is to avoid common irritants by protecting the skin from the sun’s UV rays and against cold weather and wind. Additionally, taking a minimalist approach to skin care by using simple products designed for sensitive skin can also help. If you have rosacea, it’s also important that you avoid alcohol, smoking, spicy foods, hot baths and showers, as well as scented cosmetics—all of which can regularly set off this condition. Those with medical conditions may sometimes be prescribed medication or laser treatments to help reduce the appearance and size of blood vessels.
Scarlet Safeguards
Look for products with ingredients that help to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. For example, products that contain ceramides can help restore the ones lost to over-cleaning or a condition like eczema or rosacea, while products that feature niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) can help stimulate the production of lipids and reduce inflammation in the skin. Make sure you’re also using cleansers and moisturizers formulated without perfumes and with a ph level that is adapted to the skin (between 4 and 6). When it comes to makeup, choose natural mineralbased cosmetics that do not contain bismuth oxychloride, since this heavy metal is known to irritate sensitive skin. And lastly, opt for a green-tinted concealer, which can help to neutralize any visible redness, for everyday use.