Skin Redness: The Common Causes and How to Help
Has your skin ever felt abnormally red? Skin redness can be tricky and confusing, since there are so many different possible causes. But before jumping to any major conclusions about your skin or overall health, it's important to know what some of the common causes are so you can better get a sense of how to treat the issue. So if you’re looking for a little enlightenment on what may be causing your skin redness and how to soothe it, this blog is for you!
Common Causes of Skin Redness
Common Cause #1: Rosacea
If your face often looks flushed or warm, you may be dealing with rosacea. Flushed skin or blushing easily are common symptoms of this skin condition. If it progresses, you might notice a longer-lasting redness on your face, or even one that never fully fades away.
Common Cause #2: Seborrheic Dermatitis.
While the name may look a bit scary, seborrheic dermatitis is actually a super common skin condition. Seborrheic dermatitis commonly causes a red rash, which typically appears on the face. The rash can appear dry and flaky or even cause the skin to look oily, depending on the person.
Common Cause #3: Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is the medical description for skin that is irritated or experiencing an allergic reaction. If an ingredient, piece of clothing, or any other substance doesn’t agree with your skin, your body or face may react by producing a red rash, along with possible stinging and burning. Some common causes of allergic contact dermatitis include fragrances, dyes, and latex.
Common Cause #4: Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, aka eczema, is a skin condition that can result in a red, rashy appearance on the skin. The rash doesn’t exclusively appear on the face, in fact, it can manifest on any part of the body and most commonly occurs on the neck, hands, inner elbows, ankles, knees, and feet.
Common Cause #5: Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a condition that causes the body to regenerate new skin cells in a matter of days (a process that typically takes weeks). Since these cells are being produced at an accelerated rate, they pile up on the surface of the skin, causing raised, scaly patches to appear.
Common Cause #6: Shingles
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus (the same virus that gives you chickenpox). Shingles will typically appear as a red, painful rash that can appear as a thick line of blisters on the abdominal area of the body.
Common Cause #6: Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your immune system is attacking healthy parts of your body, mistaking it as a foreign threat. With lupus, the immune system can attack different organs, which can sometimes cause the skin to appear red and swelling.
How to Help Skin Redness
Talk to Your Dermatologist
If you suspect you may have any of the conditions listed above, the first step you should take is consulting with your physician or dermatologist, as they can provide you with an official diagnosis and help you explore options for treatment. While many of these conditions don’t have a tried and true cure, there are a number of treatments that can mitigate redness and other symptoms.
Wear Sunscreen!
If you suffer from skin redness, no matter the cause, it's always important to seek shade and use sunscreen. The sun’s rays can trigger the skin and worsen redness or other skin symptoms, so it's important to always keep your skin protected! For optimal protection, we recommend finding a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30+ and provides protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Stick to a Simple Skincare Routine
For those prone to redness, being gentle with your skin is key. To avoid triggering irritation, you should avoid using a boatload of products or ingredients and keep the skincare routine simple and minimal. Finding a solid set of reliable, hydrating, all natural products is a great way to keep skin feeling fresh while avoiding exacerbating the redness.
Avoid Common Lifestyle Triggers
If you’re prone to rosacea or eczema, things like hot showers, drinking alcohol, and using products with fragrance (synthetic or natural) can all be triggers for your skin. So when making these kinds of health and lifestyle decisions, always make sure to keep your skin and its unique needs in mind.
Use Soothing Ingredients
The ultimate way to soothe redness is by using natural, skin-loving ingredients, like those found in all of our products at Blossom Essentials! Products like our Rosa gentle daily moisturizer contain all-natural ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, and licorice root, for gentle, lightweight moisture.
If you’re looking for an added boost of hydration to spot-treat your skin’s red areas, you can also try out our Honeybutter hydration salve, designed to repair and restore symptoms like roughness, flakiness, itchiness, and redness, leaving your skin feeling soothed and satisfied!
Soothe Your Redness Away - Try Honeybutter Today!
Sources
WebMD: Causes of Redness on Skin | American Academy of Dermatology: 10 Reasons Your Face is Red | Mayo Clinic: Rosacea | Cleveland Clinic: Eczema | Mayo Clinic: Shingles | Mayo Clinic: Lupus