Our looks mean a lot to us. After all, that is what people see and judge at an instance. The look is what comes first to you and describes you even before you know. One look at the guy sitting next to us and we know he is cute or not. A sight of a girl beside the bar and we find out if she is attractive or not.
Not only these but also our behavior and professionalism are also judged by our look. In meetings and interviews, one’s look can play a big role to seal the deal. Who will give a flushed person to deal with a potential customer?
Read Also: Make An Effective Facial Mask with Durian
The look is so important to a matter. But, this important thing can be hindered with our tendency of getting way too red. (There are people, swear we can call them relatives to Hellboy).
Being red in embarrassment can be counted as cute, having rosy cheek can be denoted as healthy. But, when we are red with almost the slightest change and the red is alarming that is when we should sit up straight and do some study.
At below there is a short and easy guideline on the excessive redness of skin and how to treat it.
Redness: When Your Skin Looks Like A Ripe Tomato Or That Of A Baboon……
Have you ever found yourself looking at a red bulb in the mirror? Or that red tomato staring at you? Unfortunately, that alien looking thing which is completely unpleasing to you, yourself. Having a slight red cheek is fine.
I mean it is gorgeous but things get weird when the redness spread across your whole face, neck, ear, back, arms, stomachs and whole body. And it is not only red but fire red. As if something is burning there. That is disturbing. Unfortunately, it happens and it happens for a number of good reasons.
Why Does Your Face Turn Like A Stop Light?
Redness of skin is not uncommon in fact it happens to everyone under different conditions. Redness is and can be due to temporary factors or can indicate serious health issues as well.
Few causes are temporary and occur due to something that happened recently like when you are embarrassed. That is the most obvious time to get red. Even being mad make us red so does being stressed. And let’s not forget other emotions that take the hell out of us and turn us RED! (That kind of reds? Baby, I like it!)
Exercising is a way to get in the red zone too. Sweating like a pig and turning into a baboon is common after spending hours in gym or running. People also get red if they have spicy food (I love spice no more talk there).
If you are in a hot atmosphere due to the weather (or Enrique Iglesias) you will get red patches on your skin. Spending too much of your time under the sun can be deadly red too. Even extreme cold weather can cause red itchy hives (the white witch from Narnia will do the trick here).
After shaving or waxing, skin gets irritated and red as well. And that time our skin needs some serious tender care. Sometime overdo of skin care routine like scrubbing can also turn your face into a red pepper.
Alcohol becomes the damn reason of many things silly we do like getting red like Santa’s clothes. Overdrinking aggravates conditions like flashing, rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.
Rosacea and eczema are a skin condition that causes unusual redness on the skin and affected areas. They are health issues for getting red which is no way a good thing. In rosacea, one may notice small blood vessels under the skin along with pimples and bumps manifestation. This is incurable but surely controllable. When comes to eczema one may suffer itchiness along with redness.
Seborrhea is another skin condition that comes with redness, itch and dry patch on face, neck, hairline, and ears. Lupus another skin disease which is also an autoimmune one. It causes red rashes over the nose and cheeks resembling the figure that of a butterfly. There can be patches on arms, hands, feet or back. One may also suffer redness when on menopause.
Acne, without or with a skin condition, causes redness of the skin. Especially, the inflamed ones. They seem like they are on fire.
Sometimes small blood vessels under your skin can bet broken causing red, blotchy appearances.
People who have dry skin can get red patches along with itchy, flaky skin. The irritation caused by dry skin causes the redness.
How To Get Rid Of That Redness On Your Face?
Much talk is done but what about the remedy? Well, there are quite a few ways to get that shade of you. But, it is important to know what is causing you the redness and seek for a remedy likewise.
So, here we go!
1. Washing Face
Sometimes bacteria are the reason behind the redness of your face so washing off face regularly and quite multiple times a day is a good thing. And also if for hot temperature your face is turning red, splashing cold water is an obvious solution vice versa with cold water and splashing lukewarm water.
2. Ice Cubes Or Cold Compress
Feel at home with ice. What could be better than cold to tackle fire red! The sensation from ice can cool down any fire (you know those nights of the cold water bath). So, what is your cheek?!
Place an ice pack on your skin when inflamed and see how it goes down. But, putting it for too much time can cause the cheek go redder. Then for sure, you will be Rudolph in no time. Just splashing cold water will do the trick too.
You may also soak a cloth in cold water and place it on your face. Never put ice directly on the skin as it may cause more irritation. Patients with skin diseases do find relief in cold compress therapy so you may try too. This idea is not for cold weather or for redness due to cold. Keep that in your mind.
3. Cucumber
What comes to your mind when you hear the word cucumber? Cool! Exactly that is what the cucumber embodies. Coolness. So, guess what will happen when this cool cucumber touches your red hot skin. The excellent soothing and cooling properties of it will eliminate all the redness by getting rid of dryness and tightness. For more fun, use cucumber straight out of the refrigerator.
You need one medium cucumber. Peel it and then grate it. Apply that as a mask on the face and neck. Leave it there for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with water and moisturize well. Do this three to four times a week.
Or crush one cup of oatmeal (buy it from Amazon) a bit in a blender and add one chopped cucumber later in it too. Take it out in a bowl and add 2-3 tablespoons of yogurt. Mix them. Spread it evenly on face and let it sit for about 20 minutes. If you have highly sensitive skin or get irritated soon the advice is, do not massage or scrub. Wash it off later.
4. Virgin Coconut Oil
Coconut oil (buy it from Amazon) is one of the best moisturizers in nature. It takes away all the dryness, itchiness, and cleanses the skin from inside; thus taking of any redness showing over the face. It contains fatty acids with antimicrobial properties that can protect and hydrate the skin. It is antiseptic that can treat dryness along with many other conditions. Coconut oil is also effective in killing germs that cause bacterial skin infection. But, you should use a little bit of coconut oil as it has the tendency of blocking pores if the amount is adequate.
With the help of your clean hands, massage few drops of oil on your face, neck and another reddened area every night before heading bed. Leave it overnight. Do this every day. You can also apply coconut oil to your whole body before bath. It will clean your body and will also moisturize it.
Or mix one tablespoon of coconut oil with 2-3 drops of tea tree oil. Apply it 2-3 times a day after washing face until you get rid of the redness. Do not increase the amount of essential oil as it can be harmful.
5. Tea
Teas are great to make your day in a cup and to heal you from various ailments. Green tea has polyphenols that can rejuvenate the skin. Green tea’s healing properties especially can treat rosacea patients.
Chamomile tea is also a very effective benefactor to the skin. And due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is great for rosacea. Its active ingredients like terpenoids and flavonoids soothe the skin greatly. One problem is that it can cause allergy reaction. This plant is closely ragweed. So, if you have ragweed allergy then probably has an allergy to chamomile tea.
Peppermint tea has amazing ability to get rid of redness with blackheads, rashes, and acne and gives off a cooling sensation. It is a wonder for red skin.
You Need
- 1 tea bag (green/chamomile/peppermint)
- 1 cup distilled water
- Pot
Boil the water and steep the tea for about 10 minutes. Cool it or you can store it in the refrigerator. Then spray it on your face or wash off with a washcloth keeping it on the face for a couple of minutes. Do it twice a day regularly.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has its name in golden in the book of natural remedies for skin. Its healing abilities are amazing. Just a spoonful of it every day will keep you looking beautiful throughout the years. Aloe Vera also has anti-inflammatory properties that help to get rid of redness, irritation, dry skin, sunburn, and wrinkles (extra points to aloe).
You need
- Aloe Vera Gel
- 1 aloe leave
- 2-3 vitamin E capsules (buy it from Amazon)
Take a leave and clean it properly. First cut both the sides than any other side. Use a spoon to scoop out the gel type substance. Make sure to only take the gel and not to scratch any other part. The latex may cause allergy to few people. In a blender take the gel cube and break the capsule to drip the oil from it. Blend it nice. When a consistent form comes, pour it into an ice tray to take it in the fridge. Rub the ice cubes gently on your skin once a day or when your face begins to get red. To make things funny, add few leaves of peppermint in and blend.
7. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is used to treat inflamed acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea caused redness for its antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is very good to skin but has to be diluted first to be applied on the skin. It will clear any bacterial, fungal, and viral infections that can affect the skin and cause redness.
You Need
- 1Tbsp of coconut/olive oil
- 2-3 drops tea tree oil
Make a concoction of it and apply on the infected areas. Do it regularly until the day you are cured. Do not increase the dose of the essential oil.
8. Oatmeal
Oatmeal has a soothing effect on skin as it is an anti-inflammatory product along with being anti-itch. Oatmeal also gives a protective layer on the skin for any future invasion. This remedy is clinically proven to be effective.
You Need
- 1 cup uncooked oatmeal
- Water
All you have to do is grind the oatmeal and then add water in it to make a thick paste out of it. Lay it on your face gently. Do not massage, just let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Repeat daily until there is no more tomato on the mirror. Do not forget to moisturize your face afterward. You can try it up to 4 times a week.
9. Witch Hazel
It is a powerful way to treat skin redness, itchiness, and infections at home. Your skin will feel good, clean, hydrated and always fresh thanks to its astringent and cleaning properties. It can rescue of sunburn, redness, bacteria, inflammation, blemish, irritation and swelling.
Mix 2-3 drops of tea tree oil with a little bit of witch hazel. Store this mixture in a bottle. Swipe a soaked cotton pad across your face every day. It will treat acne as well.
Or just put witch hazel on your face and neck to reduce the redness. You can try chilling your witch hazel first.
Read Also: 10 Best Toners With Witch Hazel And Rose Water
10. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly does not moisturize or nourish but yet it is very helpful to your skin as it can lock the moisture inside your skin and do not let it loose against the harsh weather. So, if your redness is due to extreme weather, dryness, itchiness or something like that do try petroleum jelly.
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Just apply a thin layer of it after you have washed and moisturized your skin properly at night. Leave it like that and go to bed. Do it every day and you will find your skin healing itself. If the skin is way too much acne-prone then you may face a big breakout unless you do not clean your skin and pores nicely.
11. Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV kills bacteria, maintains pH, reduces inflammation, itchiness, irritation and takes cares of anything that can cause redness. It is acidic containing a high level of acetic acid that prevents skin infection. It is also known as the fountain of youthfulness.
How You Can Use It
a. 1 cup water and 1Tbsp apple cider vinegar (buy it from Amazon)
Raw vinegar is very (and a lot) acidic that can cause irritation even burn the skin so it is very important to dilute it first. If you are trying it for the first time or have a sensitive skin then add a little amount of cider in water. Dilute it properly and apply on the face using a cotton pad. You can wash it off or keep it overnight depending on your skin condition and reaction.
b. ½ cup diluted ACV and 2Tbsp aloe gel
This way is more effective to get rid of the red inflamed skin (and also fighting aging). Keep it on the face for about 20 minutes. Rinse off later.
12. Honey
To reduce your redness, you can try using Manuka or Kanuka honey (both are different types of honey). Both have high antibacterial properties. It has great healing properties as well. Honey can be it anywhere or of any genus is considered as an elixir of life. As for skin, its goodness is uncountable. It protects and saves at the same time. No matter what the reason is behind your redness honey will surely help.
After washing your face with a mild cleanser, apply 1-2 tablespoons of honey all over your face. Leave it for 30 minutes. After that wash off with cold water. You can repeat it twice or thrice each day. Get moisturized and healed.
Other Way To Use Honey
1Tbsp honey, 1Tbsp organic virgin coconut oil, and 2-3 drops lavender oil
In a glass bowl mix the ingredients well. Use this as a mask and keep it on the face for about 20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water and later splash cold water. Do it twice a week for the best result.
13. Caffeine
Caffeine is not only for keeping sleep away but it is also an anti-inflammatory that will keep redness away. It enhances blood circulation. It makes you more awake. Today caffeine is not only in your favorite cup of coffee, chocolate or tea but is also used in drugs for cold and flu. It is also proven to keep the chances of cancer low. But, too much of caffeine can cause caffeine intoxication resulting in a various form of symptoms including reddening of the face.
Coffee Beans (buy it from Amazon)
You can freshly grind your own coffee beans or use the readymade one. Cool it in the refrigerator. Rinse that cooled coffee over your face to control the redness.
Or second way: 1 cup freshly fine ground organic coffee, 1 cup organic goat’s milk (if not then cow perhaps) and 1 cup Castile soap
Mix them all and store it in a glass jar. It will be good for about a month depending on the ingredients freshness and temperature. This can be used on the whole body. It will not only get rid of redness but will also clean your skin. Do it before a bath.
14. Licorice
Licorice contains glabridin and licochalcone A which are anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant. It is scientifically proven to lessen redness within 4-8 weeks of time span.
- 1Tbsp licorice powder (buy it from Amazon)
- 1Tsp honey
- 1Tsp aloe gel
Take a glass bowl. Put all the things and mix them really well. Apply a thin layer on your skin. Wait up to 15 to 20 minutes. Then use water to wash off.
15. Feverfew
Firstly, don’t mix up feverfew with chamomile. They have stunning resemblance in between them as they belong from the same family but they are a definitely different thing. Feverfew has a lot in for your welfare. Apart from being anti-inflammatory, it is also good in saving you from sun UV rays, another cause behind redness.
- 2 cups water
- 1Tsp dried feverfew
In a pot bring the water to boil. Remove it once it is bubbling. Add feverfew in it and let it steep for about 20 minutes. Strain the mixture. Chill it in the refrigerator. Soak a cloth, wring out the all the excess place it on your face. Rest like that for 15 minutes. Later wash your face with cool water. Once in a day till you get cured.
16. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is always recommended to those who have anxiety and stress. This oil relaxes you instantly. So, if you are getting fed flare and flushes due to stress or heat you must try lavender oil.
- 3 drops of lavender oil (buy it from Amazon)
- 1Tsp of almond oil
Combine them and using a cotton ball, apply the combination on your skin and witness how it cools down. Do it twice a day.
17. Turmeric
In a report, it shows that turmeric is highly anti-inflammatory. It can calm down the inflammation done by sunburn, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, skin irritation due to medications, and skin sensitivity, and so on. Also, it alleviates swelling and is antioxidant, anti-cancer along with being a wound healer (what more is needed, eyes sparkling in awe)
- 1Tsp of turmeric powder
- 1Tbsp of yogurt
Mix the turmeric in yogurt. Apply a thin layer of it on your face. Rinse off with cool water. Repeat this daily. Even drinking turmeric milk can help too.
More Tips To Your Bucket
With the remedies from above and these acts of wit, you can control your redness to a healthy level.
- Always avoid harsh and drying products for cleaning, scrubbing….
- Wash gently as much as possible.
- Apply moisturizer timely.
- Apply sunscreen without fail before going under the sun and before the fire. Also wear high brimmed hats, scarf, and glasses.
- Make your dietary safe. There are products that cause flare-ups and triggers redness. You should follow the diet which reduces systemic inflammation. Alcohol, spicy, hot food and drinks add fuel to the redness of your skin. Alcohol dries your inside and is sure to look like a red balloon after a few shots. Omega-3 fatty acid helps to reduce inflammation so add a good amount of it in your diet. Salmon, anchovies, flaxseed, mackerel are all a good source of it. Cut on your chocolate, cheeses, tomatoes, avocados, red plums, eggplants and walnuts as they are suggested to be avoided by Cleveland Clinic. You should go for anti-inflammatory foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli. Fill your diet with vitamin A, B, C and E, iron, zinc, calcium, protein, fiber, and anti-oxidants. That means more veggies, fruits, and nuts. Some cooling foods are apple, celery, coconut, cucumber, melon, papaya, and spinach.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Do not fidget uselessly and try to calm down. Do stress management yoga and exercise. It will also help to maintain the temperature of your body and keep your inside healthy.
- Avoid harsh treatments like microdermabrasion and acidic products.
- While you are still treating yourself you need to hide that red face. Makeup can never be better. Now someone of you may think “I have tried it and it doesn’t work”. There is a small trick in it. Use green or yellow-based concealer. They will take care of the unwanted red shades. But, makeup is not really a good idea. It harms the skin. A lot!!!
One Important Thing And It Is Very Important
Do not give up. The method or methods you chose may not work instantly. You need to wait and experiment. Most importantly find out why your face becomes red. Visit a doctor if needed. To treat better you need to know better.
Pick up one method and stick to it for at least a month. Let it get settled with your skin.
Redness of face may not only be a cosmetic problem but it may be a symptom of something serious lying beneath your skin. And it can be a slash on your confidence. Who loves to look like a Rudolph if not Christmas?! So, it is necessary to get down a tone or two. Take a pick from above and stick to it. Giddy up! Hope, you will reach your limit.