Facial redness is perhaps one of the most puzzling skin concerns. The causes are rarely apparent, often causing you to spiral down an endless Google search.
Depending on the cause, skin reddening can be accompanied by symptoms such as itching, irritation, bumps, and burning. Needless to say, this can really get in the way of one’s routine.
While face redness is not always a cause for concern, it is important to identify what’s triggering it. Below are some of the most common causes of such flare-ups.
Rosacea
Rosacea is one of the most common skin conditions. It is a condition where the skin is overtly sensitive to environmental factors. When triggered, the skin tends to flush. In some cases, the redness is coupled with acne.
While the cause of rosacea is still unknown, experts think it could be genetic or related to a weakened immune system. Some of the most common rosacea triggers are stress, extreme temperatures, sun exposure, spicy foods, and alcohol.
Eczema
Although eczema is commonly observed in infants, adults can get it too. Also known as atopic dermatitis, this skin condition can be of many different types. However, common symptoms across all of them include itching, redness, dry and scaly skin, and rashes.
Just like rosacea, eczema is said to have roots in one’s genetics. Besides, those with dry skin are generally more prone to it.
“Both eczema and rosacea often have roots in one’s genetic composition.”
Acne
Most of us experience acne-related problems at least once in our lifetime. When dead skin cells, sebum, dirt, and impurities clog the pores, different types of acne can spring up.
One of the body’s natural ways to cope with acne-related problems is by means of inflaming the skin. This leads to redness and flushing. Moreover, redness can also be experienced when you pick at your pimples, thus causing trauma to the skin cells.
Contact Dermatitis
In simple words, contact dermatitis refers to redness triggered by an allergic reaction. Symptoms include redness, itching, swelling, and blistering.
Some common irritating substances are artificial fragrances, bleach, preservatives, and harsh soaps. However, several ingredients could be responsible for contact dermatitis, and it differs from person to person.
Over Exfoliation
Too much of a good thing can have serious repercussions, and this is true of exfoliation too. If you know how to exfoliate your face properly, you can largely benefit from it. This simple process sloughs away dead skin cells, leaving the skin fresh and radiant,
However, exfoliating a little too often can damage your skin’s moisture barrier (its outermost layer). And when this happens, your skin can become extremely vulnerable to infection from external factors. This could lead to redness, dryness, and an uneven tone.
“Although exfoliation has several benefits for the skin, overdoing it can do more harm than good. It is best to limit your exfoliation routine to twice a week.”
Sun Exposure
We could talk about the effects of UV radiation on the skin all day, and it still wouldn’t be enough. Spending long unprotected hours in the sun could lead to sunburns on your skin. This happens because the exposed areas get flooded with blood, which is the body’s natural way to repair sun damage and prevent inflammation.
One thing is for sure. Face redness can only be prevented once its cause has been identified. If the redness occurs rarely and goes away quickly by its own, you need not worry. On the contrary, if it worsens over time, the problem will need close inspection.
The one thing you can do irrespective of the cause, however, is to use skincare products that are formulated with the right ingredients. Give your skin the nourishment it needs, and it will co-operate with you.
