How to Get Rid of a Red Face After Running
Sure, glass skin sounds ideal, but the truth of the matter is that the majority of us are dealing with some degree of facial redness, splotchiness and skin sensitivity.
At its best, redness on your face can be annoying, but at its worst, it can be an indication of underlying health issues and a source of irritation, discomfort or insecurity. We asked industry experts and board-certified dermatologists to explain what causes facial redness as well as recommend tried-and-true products to reduce, calm and neutralize your facial redness for good, whether your irritation is caused by acne, rosacea, sensitivity or some combination of these.
First, what causes redness on the face?
There are a myriad of factors, from lifestyle, to the skincare products you're using, to your health. "Rosacea, genetics, allergy to skincare ingredients, heat, sun exposure, alcohol, spicy food, acne, dryness or over-exfoliation" can all contribute to redness, says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York.
To figure out why your skin is looking angry, "a visit to a dermatologist office is the best first step in addressing the issue and ruling out any hidden causes," says Sabina Wizemann, Senior Chemist in the GH Beauty Lab. That way, you'll know that you're getting to the root of the issue instead of treating the redness arbitrarily.
How do you calm a red face?
In order to properly treat redness, first, you need to identify the culprit. Here are some common reasons your face might be red:
- Acne-related redness: The sooner you can act on it, the better. "Salicylic acid or glycolic acid peels can help, as they promote cellular turnover to remove the top layers of the skin," says Dr. Engelman. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid is packed with salicylic acid to banish acne, smooth skin tone, and unclog and shrink large, congested pores. After the acne marks have faded, make sure to incorporate an oil-free hydrating cream, like Perricone MD Oil-Free Hydrating Cream, to protect acne-prone skin from drying out (which could potentially cause more redness) without causing more acne.
- Redness from dryness: Dry skin is often damaged and compromised, which means that "skin becomes vulnerable to infection from microorganisms, [leading] to sensitivity and redness," says Dr. Engelman. To stop dryness-related redness in its tracks, she suggests that you "reduce the frequency of exfoliation and reinforce the skin barrier with moisture." Look for face moisturizers with proven hydrating ingredients formulated especially for dry skin.
- Rosacea-related redness: Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that gives the face a flushed, red appearance. If you're one of the 14 million Americans who suffers from rosacea, Dr. Engelman recommends trying prescription-strength RHOFADE, "the first and only alpha1A adrenoceptor agonist approved for persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea in adults." As with any medication, you'll need to consult your doctor before beginning a new regimen. For OTC rosacea relief, Dr. Engelman recommends Cetaphil's Redness Relieving products.
- Seborrheic dermatitis: This skin condition, caused by metabolized Malassezia, can be treated a few ways, according to Michelle Henry, M.D., founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan. "Thoroughly cleanse the affected area of skin using a fragrance-free, gentle soap," like Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar. She adds, "a dermatologist may prescribe a topical anti-fungal agent to reduce Malassezia or mild topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation or flare-up [or] over the counter, topicals containing zinc pyrithione." Dr. Henry also suggests creams with Shea butter to ease redness caused by seborrheic dermatitis.
- Contact dermatitis: "Contact dermatitis occurs when something that touches the skin and irritates it or causes an allergic skin reaction," says Dr. Henry. "It is difficult to treat symptoms such as redness until the cause of contact dermatitis has been identified. Protect against contact with irritants," which potentially include fragrances and dyes, she says, and "use hypoallergenic creams, soaps and detergents." Dr. Henry says in severe cases, a topical corticosteroid cream or "systemic corticosteroids such as oral prednisone" may be prescribed.
- Atopic dermatitis or eczema: A chronic and itchy skin condition, "atopic dermatitis/eczema is often caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors," says Dr. Henry. "The best treatment for redness caused by atopic dermatitis is to reduce contact with irritants and allergens. Dermatologists may also prescribe moisturizers or topical steroids," Dr. Henry adds, suggesting "moisturizers containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin are great ways to soothe the skin." If over-the-counter fixes don't stop the irritation, Dr. Henry says a dermatologist may prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines or immunosuppressive agents.
Hydro Boost Water Gel
Neutrogena amazon.com
$17.59
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
Paula's Choice nordstrom.com
$29.50
Redness Relief Night Creme
Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer
What are some at-home remedies and DIY fixes for facial redness?
When you want to nix redness and irritation fast, you can either head to the drugstore or to the pantry. "There are several kitchen remedies that can help redness and irritation," says aesthetician and spa owner Tammy Fender. Here's how to calm redness at home:
- Chamomile tea. "Create a compress by soaking a clean wash cloth in steeped chamomile tea to cool the skin," says Fender. Chamomile is known for its calming properties, and the cool compress can ease down swollen skin.
- Homemade cucumber mask. "Create a simple mask from puréed cucumber and yogurt, to bring the skin some relief," says Fender. Both ingredients in this DIY skincare treatment help to ease angry skin.
- Sheet masks. Just laying one of these saturated cloths over reddened skin will immediately give cooling, soothing effects. Our Beauty Lab's top picks for calming skin: Farmacy Coconut Gel Sheet Mask, which got the highest consumer scores for calming, and Avéne Soothing Sheet Mask, made with thermal spring water that reviewers say "cools down" irritated skin.
- Hydrating skincare products. "Look for moisturizing products that contain niacinamide to soothe inflammation," says Dr. Zeichner. "Niacinamide is the ultimate multitasker in skincare. At the same time, it soothes inflammation, evens skin tone, and helps strengthen the skin. Hyaluronic acid can also be used to plump and hydrate." Dr. Engelman agrees: She suggests CeraVe Night Cream which is filled with both powerhouse ingredients.
- Petroleum jelly-based products for spot treatment. "If you have any peeling or raw areas, apply petroleum jelly to those local areas to repair the skin," says Dr. Zeichner. Good Housekeeping Seal star Aquaphor is formulated with smoothing panthenol and glycerin for a silky finish, and is clinically proven to restore healthy skin while decreasing dryness and irritation.
How can you prevent facial redness in the first place?
No matter the culprit, chronic redness is inflammation, which "causes tiny blood vessels to expand and push against the skin," says Dr. Engelman. "Over time, the capillaries can stay dilated and cause permanent redness." Yikes. The best way to treat redness? Avoidance. Here are some tips to sidestep irritation:
- Figure out what environmental situations are negatively impacting your complexion. "Sunlight [and] strenuous activities can be irritating to the skin and can trigger flare-ups," says Wizemann.
- Avoid spicy foods, alcohol or coffee. Take notice of the way your skin reacts when you eat these common trigger foods.
- Limit exposure to irritants. Dr. Engelman recommends steering clear of products that include peppermint, fragrance, parabens, tricolsan, formaldehyde, phthalates, sulfates, alcohol or witch hazel, which can be irritating and drying, especially to sensitive skin. Instead, "look for hydrating ingredients that will strengthen the skin barrier as well as provide a 'shield' from environmental stressors," says Dr. Engelman. "Peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid will all help to build a barrier for the skin," as well as "products with calming properties like niacinamide, rose oil, aloe and oatmeal."
- And of course, protect your skin with sunscreen . Dr. Engelman recommends starting each morning by layering on a tinted moisturizer with SPF: "Not only will it neutralize the appearance of redness, but it will also reduce the flaring that comes from sun exposure," she says. "I recommend zinc-containing sunscreen," says Dr. Zeichner. "Zinc both blocks UV light and has a skin protecting benefit: This is why zinc pastes are used on babies bottoms to prevent and treat diaper rash."
Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer
Phyto Corrective Masque
SkinCeuticals dermstore.com
$59.00
Great 8 Facial Moisturizer SPF 35
Elizabeth Arden amazon.com
Is there a good way to disguise facial redness?
While adopting a tailored skincare regimen is a great way to treat redness long-term, sometimes, you need something that works a little more quickly. Here's how to cover up a red face:
- Go green. Products with a green hue help to color-correct lingering redness, making angry skin look neutralized, says Wizemann. Layer on a green-tinted primer before applying makeup, and opt for products packed with cica which help to "soothe the skin and tone down the redness," says Wizemann. Bonus: Most cica skincare has a natural green tint!
- Apply products gently. The way you apply your makeup and skincare is almost as important as the products you use. "I emphasize patting — not rubbing — your makeup, as the friction caused while rubbing can increase the redness," says Dr. Engelman.
- Swap out scratchy makeup brushes for soothing sponges. If you're dealing with redness, avoid makeup brushes — the bristles can poke at the skin and leave already-sensitive skin feeling even more angry and irritated. Instead, GH Lab pros say a damp beautyblender is the most effective (and the least irritating) way to apply redness camouflaging products. "The wet sponge feels comforting and dabbing it gently on the skin layers the product quite well" for natural-looking coverage, says Wizemann.
Centella Sensitive Cica Cream
Kiehl's nordstrom.com
$44.00
Magic Skin Beautifier Anti-Redness BB Cream
L'Oreal Paris amazon.com
$5.00
Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment
Dr. Jart+ sephora.com
$52.00
HD Photogenic Concealer Wand
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP amazon.com
$5.88
When should you call a doctor?
"In some cases, over the counter products just aren't enough," says Dr. Zeichner. "If your redness or rash is not improving in 1-2 weeks, visit your dermatologist for professional advice and prescriptions that can help."
Jessica Teich, Good Housekeeping Institute Deputy Editor Jessica is the deputy editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a longtime product tester, reviewer, writer, and editor of beauty, lifestyle, and home content.
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How to Get Rid of a Red Face After Running
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/tips/a20476/treating-facial-redness/