Do you have redness on your face? You may be wondering why does my face get red and feel hot? Commonly most cases of skin redness occur in women in their 30s and 60s with fair complexions, redness on the cheeks, nose or forehead that gets better and worse periodically, itchy face and redness or red sensitive skin on the face. If this description sounds familiar, you may be suffering from rosacea.
Rosacea is a common, chronic dermatosis that, when it progresses, can also develop other signs such as semi-permanent redness, telangiectasias or spider veins, inflammatory episodes with papules and pustules, and burning or itching.
In some cases, thickening of the reddened skin occurs, which is especially noticeable and characteristic when it affects the nose.
Redness on women’s faces occurs up to three times more often than men, but the most severe cases occur more frequently in men. Redness on children’s faces should also be taken into account.
Causes of facial redness
As with most skin conditions, redness on the face has a multifactorial origin.
However, some of the most common recorded factors are genetics (if one of your parents has had this condition, you may also suffer from it) and a mite, Demodex follicorum, which is naturally present on the skin. It lodges in areas with sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, décolleté and eyelids, and feeds on sebum.
In people with this condition, the skin’s barrier function is impaired and this mite blocks hair follicles and sebaceous ducts causing skin lesions.
In addition, there are other factors that aggravate rosacea and redness that should be taken into account, such as heat, stress, an inappropriate diet (avoid spicy food, soups or very hot drinks), alcohol, smoking or the choice of inappropriate cosmetics. Let’s take a closer look:
Rosacea
Redness is a chronic skin condition that causes persistent redness, with visible blood vessels and sometimes pustules or pimples. It is made worse by heat, alcohol, stress or spicy foods.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin caused by excess sebum production and Malassezia, a naturally occurring fungus. It causes redness and flaking, especially in areas such as the nose, eyebrows and forehead.
Skin allergies
Immune system reaction to irritants or allergens, causing redness, itching, swelling or hives.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin refers to a condition in which the skin reacts easily to cosmetic products, climatic changes or irritants, showing redness and discomfort.
Redness on the face due to stress
Emotional stress activates the nervous system response, dilating blood vessels and causing temporary redness, especially on the cheeks.
Types of facial redness
Redness on the face can manifest itself in different ways:
Spider veins or telangiectasias
These are dilations of the small capillary blood vessels on the surface of the skin, with an intense red colour. In principle they are harmless, but it is important to consult a doctor to rule out other pathologies.
Facial redness
Facial redness, mainly on the cheeks, forehead, redness on the chin and nose, is another type of redness that appears on the face. The redness can be permanent or temporary and is sometimes accompanied by lesions very similar to acne.
Redness accompanied by thickening of the skin
Sensory, skin feels burning, itchy, tight, dry and very sensitive or reactive to environmental factors or cosmetics.
Treatment for redness on the face
It is important that before deciding on one product or another, you visit a dermatologist to assess the cause of the redness of your skin and can recommend the most appropriate treatment for your case.
But don’t despair because all is not lost when it comes to redness on the face, there are many everyday gestures you can do to improve this condition:
- Avoid very hot showers. Choose lukewarm water for showers or baths, as the heat irritates and the cold calms you down.
- Avoid very hot food. Your body reacts to very hot food.
- Use mild soaps and don’t neglect frequent cleaning of your skin, as hygiene is a factor that can contribute to the control of the Demodex follicorum mite.
- Avoid cosmetic products containing alcohol, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus oil or perfumes. Sensitive skin reacts to these ingredients.
- Always use sunscreen. In your case it is even more important, as your skin is very reactive.
- Choose to shave with a razor rather than a blade, as it has been proven that a razor can irritate your skin even more.
- If your skin reacts to a hot flush, try drinking cold water or even holding an ice cube in your mouth to reduce the redness.
- Hydrate well and eat fruit and vegetables, whether or not you have redness on your face. This simple gesture makes your skin more protected.
Best creams for redness on the face
It is vital that you choose cosmetics specifically formulated for the daily care of skin with redness on the face and heat, reactive or rosacea. With our creams you can eliminate redness on the nose, redness on the face or heat on the face.
As a general rule, they should combine moisturising, soothing and anti-inflammatory active ingredients. At Sesderma, we have Azelac, to keep facial skin redness at bay. We also have creams for rosacea with excellent results.
Azelac is formulated with nanotechnology and has moisturising action, active ingredients that control the hyper-reactivity of the sebaceous glands, antibacterial active ingredients that contribute to controlling the proliferation of the Demodex follicorum mite and also protects your skin as it is one of the creams with antioxidant active ingredients.
And an optical effect: thanks to its interference pigments, from the first application you will see how redness is visibly reduced.
TOP-selling products for redness
Choose the cosmetic formula that best suits your needs and fight redness:
In addition, for the daily cleansing of this type of skin, Sesderma has developed Sensyses Ros, a super innovative liposomal water specifically for skin with redness that, in addition to cleansing and removing make-up, soothes and provides essential fatty acids that restore the lipid balance, neutralising redness.
And as a complement to your beauty routine, as well as protecting the barrier function, skin with redness needs a boost, consider these two wonderful serums: Hidraderm TRX serum, which contains a powerful combination of antioxidant, moisturising and regenerating active ingredients that improve the texture of the skin, moisturising it deeply and regenerating it from the deepest layers.
And Atpses energising serum, which recharges the skin’s cellular batteries, increases circulation and blood flow, activates collagen production and improves sensitivity and redness.
And you can never forget your sunscreen. We recommend Repaskin silk touch, which in addition to protecting you from UVB and UVA rays, combining chemical and physical filters, repairs accumulated DNA damage caused by sun exposure thanks to its repairing enzymes, with no whitening effect and is non-comedogenic.
Other products to care for redness on the face
Sun protection for redness on the face
The sun is one of the main triggers of redness. Daily use of sunscreens with mineral filters (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) and SPF 30 or higher helps protect sensitive skin and reduce redness. Ideally, opt for fragrance-free formulas designed for reactive skin.
Balanced diet
A diet rich in antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E), omega-3, and anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits, vegetables, oily fish and green tea can improve skin health. Avoid spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate redness.
Hypoallergenic make-up
Make-up products designed for sensitive skin, such as foundations with green pigments that neutralize redness, help to conceal redness without irritating. It is important that they are non-comedogenic and free of fragrances and parabens.
Frequently asked questions about redness on the face
Why does redness appear on the face?
Redness on the face can be caused by many factors. Among the most common causes are skin irritation from aggressive products, sudden changes in temperature or wind. They can also be caused by allergies to food, cosmetics or chemicals, as well as conditions such as rosacea, which causes persistent redness. Sensitive skin tends to overreact to external factors, while vascular problems, stress, strong emotions or medical conditions such as lupus or dermatitis can also trigger this symptom.
Why does my face itch and turn red?
Itching and redness on the face is often indicative of allergic dermatitis, extreme dryness or sun exposure, which can damage the skin barrier. It can also be due to reactions to irritating cosmetics, dermatological problems such as eczema, rosacea or psoriasis, and even hormonal changes that increase skin sensitivity. These discomforts often indicate that the skin is reacting to an internal or external trigger.
What to do when your face itches and burns?
If your face itches and burns, it is essential to wash the skin gently with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, apply cold compresses to soothe the redness, and avoid harsh or irritating products. Moisturising the skin with a hypoallergenic soothing cream is crucial, as is protecting the skin from the sun with an appropriate sunscreen. It is important not to scratch to avoid worsening irritation or causing infection. If symptoms persist, it is best to see a dermatologist to identify the cause and receive treatment.
How do I know if I have sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin usually manifests itself with frequent reactions such as irritation, burning or itching after the use of cosmetic products or exposure to the weather. Redness from temperature changes, specific foods or stress is also common. In addition, there may be extreme dryness, flaking, or an exaggerated reaction to normal stimuli such as water or contact with tissue. If in doubt, a dermatologist can make an accurate diagnosis to determine if your skin is sensitive.
