Whether due to a change in environment, stress or an allergic reaction, skin redness can appear when you least expect it. If you’ve ever woken up with blotchy skin, you’ve probably felt confused and frustrated, wondering how to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms. Learn what can cause you to see red and how you can improve the appearance of skin redness.
What causes skin redness?
If the redness of the skin appears suddenly, continues to spread, will not fade and/or is extremely painful, the most important thing to do is to seek medical advice. It is possible that this could be a sign of a more serious condition, infection or allergic reaction and it is important to rule out these possibilities before treating the skin.
If medical conditions are excluded, book a consultation with an esthetician to develop the best treatment plan. Redness is caused by inflammation and is often associated with common problems such as sensitivity, exposure to the elements, and/or rosacea. Because these causes can appear on the skin in similar ways, seeking a professional opinion is crucial to developing a plan that will effectively target the specific cause of redness.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is a common skin type that is other than sensitized skin (a temporary condition). Sensitive skin types react to stimuli that normally do not bother other skin types, such as perfume, natural exfoliation, certain acids or heat. These stimuli can cause inflammation and irritation in sensitive skin, leading to blotchy skin, rashes or bumps. 
External environment
If your skin gets red while you’re enjoying the outdoors, you’re likely to blame it on a sunburn. However, the sun isn’t the only thing that can make your skin red. Exposure to others environmental factors such as cold temperatures, strong winds, heavy rain, pollution and allergens (such as pollen or grass) can also make your skin red, itchy and raw. If you have a sensitive or dry skin type to begin with, this exposure will leave the skin even more inflamed and out of balance. 
Rosacea
Probably the most common skin condition associated with redness is rosacea. The Eminence Organics The Product Support Team says: “Rose is a common inflammatory skin disorder that mainly affects the skin on the face, causing redness around the nose, chin, forehead and cheeks mainly.” Rosacea is a chronic skin condition with four main forms: erythemato-telangiectatic, papular, plantar and ocular rosacea. Erythemato-telangiectatic rosacea may also include uncomfortable swelling and roughness. Papular rosacea can be mistaken for acne as pimples on the cheeks are a common symptom. Rosacea vegetatus is common on the nose and causes thickening of the skin. Ocular rosacea affects both the skin and the eyes causing the eyes to be constantly uncomfortable.
What should I avoid?
To improve the appearance of redness, dermatologists advise against using products with strong detergents or fragrances that strip the skin’s moisture barrier. Avoiding harmful irritants like added parabens, petroleum jelly, mineral oils, propylene glycol, and sodium lauryl sulfate is a good first step to getting rid of redness. Our product support team also shares that anyone experiencing skin redness should avoid:
- Salicylic acid in high amounts
- Prescription retinol
- Hydroquinone
- Alcohol
- Washing the face with warm water
- Hot showers/baths
In addition to skin care, lifestyle choices and prioritizing wellness can also help manage skin redness. What is causing your redness? Is it specific food, alcohol, weather or lack of sleep? Keep notes via a diary or app to check the condition of your skin.
Ingredients that help red skin
While many ingredients are touted as “healing” red skin, it’s important to stay informed. Nothing really “cures” the redness, but there are soothing ingredients to look for which include:
- Azelaic acid
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Flax/linden seed extract
- sage
- Medicinal plant
- Aloe
- Rose
- Calendula oil
- Echinacea
The help of a professional is important when treating redness. While the aforementioned ingredients are fantastic choices, your skin is unique to you. Having one The licensed esthetician will diagnose your needs and sensitivities to ensure that you do not further aggravate your symptoms by exacerbating your breakouts. 
Soothing organic skin care routine
If your redness is due to dryness, Our Calm Skin Chamomile collection is a fantastic choice. Gentle and suitable for sensitive skin types, this collection contains ingredients such as azelaic acid, chamomile and aloe vera. The The Calm Skin Starter Set includes a month’s supply of products to cleanse, treat, hydrate and revitalize your skin and can be found at your favorite Eminence Organics authorized spa.
- Cleaning: Start by removing dirt with Calm Skin Cleanser Chamomile. This creamy cleanser will leave skin soft and supple. Ruby Rose is a fan, she says Grazie magazine and Birdie that it is one of the essentials for organic skin care.
- Tonic: Complete your cleanse with a gentle spritz of our Hawthorn Tonique. This mist will leave the skin looking refreshed and reduce any feelings of discomfort.
- Exfoliation: Skip the abrasive facial scrubs and gently renew the skin with it lactic and mandelic acid in our award-winning Calm Skin Chamomile exfoliating peel. While this product can be used up to three times a week, try just once a week to start and slowly build up over time (or as directed by your esthetician).
- Mask: We soothe dry skin with our Calm Skin Arnica Masque. This gentle treatment combines calendula oil, ivy, shea butter and arnica to soothe and hydrate dry skin. Use once or twice a week or as directed by your esthetician.
- Serum: Moisturize and revitalize your skin with Eminence Organics Calm Skin Arnica Booster-Serum. Dita Von Teese she’s a fan of this arnica, chamomile and lavender serum, saying it’s “amazing.”
- Hydration: Complete your routine with our rich and creamy Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizing Cream. The ingredients in this gentle moisturizer leave skin feeling beautifully soft and hydrated.
- Pro tip: Nourish: For times when skin is excessively dry or raw, look to the Facial Repair Oil. It can provide relief from redness from dry skin and, like all Eminence Organics products, contains pure, organic ingredients.
- Pro tip: In the morning, don’t forget an SPF, like an all-mineral formula to protect against dry environmental stressors as well as the sun’s harsh rays.
No matter the cause of your skin redness, don’t worry! With the help of your esthetician, there is a way to manage and treat chronic redness with smoother, more even skin in your future. Do you have any tips for managing redness? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on social media.
