If you have acne, there are a few diff reasons you might be dealin’ with redness. Here’s the scoop on potential causes and treatments — plus bonus tips for covering up and preventing acne breakouts.
Oh,acne. If it’s not a new painfully swollen zit, it’s discoloration from an old pimple-popping sesh.
Aboutfour out of fivepeople ages 12 to 24 have some sort of acne. If you’re one of the many, you might wonder how to get rid of therednessthat tags along withacne. Fear not, friends. We’ve got the deets on nixing irritation andcovering zitsuntil your skin calms down for good.
What causes acne redness?
So, why exactly does your face have that chronic flush?
Zits = redness
There are differenttypes of acne. Theinflammatorykind is characterized by swollen, redpapules,pustules,nodules, andcysts.
Inflamed zits are the most common cause ofacneredness. The same inflammation that makes a budding pimple feel warm and tender also causes it to look pink, red, or purple — all depending on your skin color.
Rosacea breakouts = redness
Sometimesrosaceamasquerades asacne. But thoughrosaceacan trigger acne-like breakouts, the two skin conditions are not the same.
Signs ofrosacea:
If you think your redness might be caused byrosacearather than adult acne, talk with a dermatologist. They can help you pinpoint a diagnosis and treatment options.
Some scarring = redness
As if angry redzitsaren’t enough, sometimes breakouts leave a lasting mark. And it’s not always cuz you picked at your zit (please don’t do that)!
Acne scarsare common —allskin has texture, after all — but not everyone loves the reddish or purple reminder of The Great Breakout of 2021. If youracne scarsare still red after weeks or months, one of the treatments below could help.
Some acne treatments = redness
Unfortunately, someacne treatmentscan exacerbate skin irritation. We’re talking redness, dryness, andpeeling.
Talk with a dermatologist if you think your acne treatment is flaming your cheeks. They can help you dial in on a treatment that’ll strike a healthy balance for your skin.
How to get rid of redness from acne
Wanna put the kibosh on thatfacial flush? Here are some tips for calming redness from acne.
At-home remedies
Next-level treatments
Got severe acne,dark acne scars, or rosacea? You might see results faster with a bit of help from the pros.
If over-the-counter treatments aren’t soothing redness from acne, make an appointment with a board certified dermatologist.
Pro-level treatments include:
How to cover up redness from acne
Sometimesmakeupirritates acne. But you cancover up acne-induced redness if you opt for high quality products with noncomedogenic ingredients.
Here’s how toapply makeupto an active breakout or red acne scars:
So, what about preventing acne altogether?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to preventing zits for life. That’s especially true if your acne is caused by internal factors (hormones, anyone?) rather than external irritants.
But peeps withacne-prone skincan prevent some breakouts with these tips:
Other tips for protecting your skin
It doesn’t sound sexy or glam, but good old-fashioned skin care isthe bestway to protect your skin from environmental damage. Proper skin care sets you up for success when it comes to acne,aging, and major probs like skin cancer.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get rid of acne redness fast?
The fastest way to get rid of acne redness is to cover it up with makeup. Use green color corrector for pink or red skin and yellow concealer for purple skin.
Aside from masking the redness, you can try cooling inflamed skin with an ice pack or using a gentle cleanser, cooling toner, and noncomedogenic moisturizer.
How long does it take for redness to go away from acne?
This depends on the reason for the redness.
What products are best for reducing redness from acne?
There are many products designed to target redness from acne. What works best for you depends on the cause of your acne, skin type, and more.
