Plenty of people get a little flushed when they’re embarrassed – it’s a temporary reaction and usually goes as quickly as it comes. Dealing with perpetual redness in your cheeks, nose and chin, though, can be extremely frustrating and make you feel self-conscious. Facial redness can be caused by a variety of factors, including rosacea, acne and contact irritation. In order to calm it, you should use products that are designed for sensitive skin and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier so irritants are less likely to cause a reaction. With a gentle, soothing skin care regime, you can get your redness under control and maintain an even skin tone.
It all starts with your cleanser. If you use a harsh product that contains soap, artificial fragrance and colors, and other drying agents, your skin’s moisture barrier may be affected, making it prone to irritation and redness. The key is to wash with a creamy, gentle cleansing agent that doesn’t have artificial colors or fragrances. Dermalogica’s UltraCalming Cleanser is an ideal option if you’re dealing with skin redness because it helps fight skin sensitivity triggered by contact with irritating cosmetic items, pollution and other environmental factors. The formula is so creamy that you don’t even have to rinse it off – you can simply use a tissue or cotton pad to remove it from your face.
Sensitive skin also benefits from a targeted treatment product that can help fight irritants that cause redness and inflammation. Dermalogica’s UltraCalming Serum Concentrate works well for red, sensitive skin because it contains a blend of oat and botanical actives that penetrate the skin to counteract inflammatory triggers that cause itching and burning. It doesn’t contain artificial colors or fragrances either, so it won’t irritate your skin. Apply a thick layer to your face after cleansing in both the morning and at night. You can also use it as a spot treatment for your legs, hands or any red, itchy spots that need soothing.
Since sensitive skin’s moisture barrier is usually compromised, look for a moisturizer that can help restore it if you want to avoid redness. Dermalogica’s Barrier Repair is a moisturizer with a unique waterless formula that helps strengthen your skin’s protective barrier and guard it from irritants and environmental factors that might trigger redness and inflammation. You can use it twice a day, applying a light layer in a gentle, upward motion.
If your skin needs a little extra TLC, mix the Barrier Repair with Dermalogica’s oil-free Gentle Soothing Booster. The booster contains honey extract to replenish the skin and chamomile and cornflower to help relive irritation and redness, so it makes your moisturizer even more effective in soothing sensitive skin. You can also use it as a spot treatment on areas that are particularly red or irritated like your cheeks or nose.
If your skin is still red after your calming, soothing skin care regime, a green-tinted product can help eliminate some of the redness. Since green is opposite red on the color wheel, it counteracts those tones in your skin to make it look more even. Dermalogica’s Redness Relief SPF20 contains natural minerals that provide a sheer green tint to offset redness in the skin. It also helps reduce irritation and contains SPF to keep your skin protected from the sun. You can use it on its own, or apply it under your foundation so your skin looks even and clear.
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