Whether your face has a tinge of redness all over or, even worse, splotchy red patches, redness on your face is a sign of unhealthy skin and can also leave you embarrassed and frustrated.
Moreover, redness on the face can lead to inflammation, burning sensations, itchiness and pain, all of which can add to your discomfort level.
Excessive redness on your face can be due to several reasons. Common causes include rosacea, lupus, acne, eczema, seborrhea, perimenopause, broken capillaries or extremely dry skin.
Some other causes of redness on the face are a sunburn, exposure to cold weather, being in a hot environment for a long time, drinking excess alcohol and too much stress in your life.
Fortunately, there are many simple and effective home remedies that can provide relief from the symptoms of face flushing and get rid of the redness.
Here are the top 10 ways to get rid of redness on your face.
1. Cold Compress
To deal with mild redness on your face, a cold compress is very effective.
The cold temperature helps contract the blood vessels underneath the skin, which in turn minimizes redness. Also, it helps reduce itching and inflammation.
- Wrap some ice cubes in a thin towel.
- Gently rub the compress all over your face for 1 minute.
- Take a break for 10 minutes, then repeat again.
- Do it as needed.
Caution: Do not apply ice directly on the skin, as it can cause frostbite and damage the skin cells.
2. Aloe Vera
You can also use aloe vera to get rid of face redness naturally. Aloe vera has a healing effect on the skin and contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation, irritation and dry skin.
- Cut open an aloe vera leaf and extract the gel.
- Apply the gel on your blotchy skin.
- Allow it to dry on its own.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry your skin with a soft towel.
- Repeat several times a day until the redness is gone.
3. Colloidal Oatmeal
A very popular remedy for redness on the face is colloidal oatmeal, which is pulverized oats. It has a moisturizing effect on the skin, which can treat redness due to dry skin and eczema.
It also has an anti-inflammatory property that helps reduce inflammation. Plus, it balances the skin’s pH level.
A 2007 study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology reports that colloidal oatmeal has moisturizing, soothing, protective and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Mix enough water into 2 or 3 tablespoons of colloidal oatmeal to make a paste.
- Apply it on your face.
- Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
- Use this simple remedy daily until you no longer have redness on your face.
4. Cucumber
Cucumbers contain many vitamins and minerals, and are also high in water content that helps keep the skin healthy and hydrated. In addition, the mild astringent nature restricts the blood vessels in your skin, thus lessening the redness.
Also, the cooling effect of cucumbers helps calm inflamed skin. Furthermore, it helps alleviate skin irritation and swelling.
- Cut a cucumber into thin slices.
- Chill the slices in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
- Place a cool slice over the affected area for about 1 minute.
- Replace it with another cool cucumber slice.
- Do this for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Repeat this remedy several times a day.
5. Green Tea
The polyphenols in green tea have skin cell rejuvenating properties and can help reduce any type of facial redness.
Green tea also has anti-inflammatory agents and helps constrict blood vessels in your skin, which will help reduce redness and inflammation.
- Make a cup of green tea and put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Soak a cloth in the cold tea.
- Place the cloth over your face for several minutes.
- Repeat this remedy 2 or 3 times daily for effective results.
6. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel also helps combat redness on the face. Being a natural astringent, witch hazel constricts the blood vessels and the pores under the surface of your skin, which in turn minimizes the appearance of redness.
Witch hazel also contains tannins that help inhibit inflammatory responses in the skin.
- Soak a cotton ball in some witch hazel.
- Hold it against the affected area for 5 minutes.
- Repeat 2 or 3 times a day for a few days.
7. Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce skin redness when it is caused by acne.
It has antibacterial effects that help fight bacteria involved in acne, which can cause the skin to turn red.
Plus, manuka honey keeps the skin moisturized without making it oily.
- Gently rub a little manuka honey on your face.
- Allow it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Apply a light moisturizer afterward.
- Do this once daily.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce skin redness associated with problems like inflammed pimples, eczema and rosacea.
Also, its acidic nature helps disinfect the skin from germs that can cause inflammation and redness.
- Mix equal parts of water and raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Dip a cotton pad in the solution and apply on the affected skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily.
- Also, to help heal your skin from within, you can mix 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of raw honey into 1 cup of filtered water. Drink the mixture twice daily.
9. Coconut Oil
Another natural remedy for getting rid of redness on your face is coconut oil.
The high fatty acid content of coconut oil helps reduce inflammation and revitalize the skin. Also, its moisturizing property combats skin dryness, a common cause of redness.
- Soak a cotton ball in extra-virgin coconut oil, and gently massage it on the affected areas of your skin. Leave it on overnight and wash your face with lukewarm water in the morning. Repeat daily for a few weeks.
- Another option is to add 2 or 3 drops of tea tree oil to 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply the oil blend on the affected area. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off using lukewarm water. You can use this remedy 2 or 3 times a day.
10. Aspirin
For mild redness on your face, aspirin is very effective.
Aspirin contains salicylic acid that constricts the blood vessels and reduces facial inflammation quite well.
- Crush 1 or 2 aspirin tablets into a fine powder.
- Mix enough water into the powder to form a runny paste.
- Apply the paste on the affected area using a cotton swab.
- Allow it to sit for 10 minutes, then rinse it off using lukewarm water.
- Use this remedy 2 times a day.
Additional Tips
- Identify triggers that can aggravate inflammatory skin conditions and try to avoid them.
- Avoid using harsh soaps and chemicals on your face that can cause skin irritation and redness.
- When buying a new skin care product, always check the ingredients to avoid skin irritation.
- After washing your face, always apply a moisturizing facial cream or lotion to lock in moisture and prevent skin dryness.
- Always remove your makeup before going to bed to prevent a buildup of dirt and bacteria that can clog the pores.
- Don’t rub or touch your face too much.
- Whenever you need to go out in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat, keep your face in the shade and do not forget to use sunscreen.
- Take steps to reduce stress in your daily life to minimize or prevent skin redness.
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, as it can cause excess dryness and lead to redness.
- Eat hydrating foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, celery, coconuts, cucumbers, melons, peaches, papayas, spinach and broccoli to keep your skin moisturized from the inside out.
- Avoid spicy foods, hot drinks, caffeine and alcohol. Such products will only exacerbate your skin problem.
- If redness on your face is accompanied with swelling, especially of the lips or tongue, or you have trouble breathing, consult a doctor immediately.
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17373175
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3931201/
