While it’s nice to have rosy cheeks, excessive face flushing is not at all attractive. Plus, it can be a sign that something is wrong.
Facial redness can be triggered by numerous factors such as sunburn and allergic reactions to chemicals [1].
Or it can indicate an underlying medical condition.
One of the most common causes of facial redness is rosacea, a condition that affects up to 14 million Americans [2].
The exact cause of this particular skin problem is not clear but experts believe that it’s a combination of genetics and environmental factors [3].
Apart from rosacea, facial flushing can also be brought about by severe acne, lupus, perimenopause and other skin problems [4].
Not only is facial redness unsightly, it also brings discomfort as it is often accompanied by pain, burning or stinging sensation, and inflammation.
This is why, it’s a good idea to make use of home remedies that are free of harsh chemicals and will not aggravate the condition.
1. Cold Compress
Cold compress is a popular remedy for pain and inflammation.
In fact, it’s often used as a first aid procedure for injuries such as bumps in the head or bruises due to impact.
It also works for facial flushing as it helps cool down the skin and tone down swelling.
In a study posted at the Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, cold compress is listed among the effective solutions for chronic facial redness due to rosacea [5].
And because all you need is a towel and ice, it’s definitely one of the easiest and most readily available remedies for this condition.
Just make sure that you don’t apply ice directly on your skin as that can do more harm than good. Wrap it with a towel or cloth first before using.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 bowl of ice cubes
Recommended Directions:
- Wrap a bunch of ice cubes in a towel.
- Gently press towel on your face for a couple of minutes.
- Do this several times a day until you find relief.
- If ice cubes are not available, you can also dip your towel in ice-cold water and repeat the steps above.
2. Aloe Vera
Polysaccharides, which are abundant in the gel of the aloe vera plant, are responsible for most of its therapeutic purposes [6].
One of these is the ability of aloe vera to treat skin problems and reduce inflammation [7].
Scientists from Germany probed the anti-inflammatory effects of aloe vera gel on UV-induced erythema [8].
Erythema is a condition marked by redness or rashes on the skin, sometimes caused by reaction to the sun’s UV radiation [9].
According to the study findings, a 97 percent aloe vera solution reduced skin redness after 48 hours, working more efficiently than 1 percent hydrocortisone [8].
Aloe vera is a potent natural treatment not only for facial flushing but also for many other types of skin diseases [10].
What You’ll Need:
- 1 aloe vera leaf
Recommended Directions:
- Wash your face with warm water.
- Slice aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the gel.
- Apply a thin layer on your face.
- Let it dry before rinsing with cool water.
- Repeat procedure twice a day for two months.
3. Coconut Oil
A popular ingredient in cosmetics, coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer that can keep the skin fully hydrated.
This is beneficial for those suffering from facial redness, as this symptom is often accompanied by skin tightness and dryness.
Coconut oil is composed of long chain saturated fatty acids that can penetrate easily into the skin barrier to boost hydration and fluidity [11].
Because it turns solid at room temperature, it’s very easy to apply topically.
That’s not all, this oil is also highly effective as an anti-inflammatory, reports a 2011 study that can be found in the Medical Principles and Practice Journal [12].
This means that it works for conditions that cause facial redness and swelling such as rosacea and severe acne breakouts.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
Recommended Directions:
- Wash your face with a mild cleanser.
- Pat it dry with a clean towel.
- Using a cotton pad, apply a thin layer of coconut oil.
- Wait for half an hour before wiping it off.
- Repeat twice a day for one month.
4. Chamomile
Among the many traditional uses of chamomile is for the treatment of inflammation of different parts of the body such as mouth, throat, genital area, nasal passages, and respiratory tract [13].
It is also a useful treatment for inflammatory skin conditions that cause facial flushing [13].
Researchers explain that topical application of chamomile provides anti-inflammatory effects on dry and irritated skin [14].
It’s no wonder it’s often recommended as an herbal remedy for rosacea [15, 16].
Apart from toning down inflammation, chamomile also demonstrates “soothing and softening effects” on the skin [13].
What You’ll Need:
- 5 chamomile tea bags
- 3 cups of water
Recommended Directions:
- In a pot, bring water to a boil.
- Remove pot from heat.
- Transfer water to a bowl.
- Soak tea bags in the water.
- Let it steep for 10 minutes.
- Remove tea bags.
- Put the tea in the refrigerator.
- Chill for 30 minutes.
- Dip a small face towel onto the tea.
- Squeeze out the excess liquid.
- Apply it on your face for 15 minutes.
- Follow this remedy four times a day until condition improves.
5. Honey
Fungal skin infections often cause skin redness, scaling, itchiness and burning pain.
Honey when mixed with olive oil and beeswax has been found to benefit people with fungal diseases suffering from these symptoms [17].
It only took four weeks for the honey mixture to take effect on the skin lesions, reducing the symptoms by 62 to 86 percent [17].
This particular honey combination also works for other conditions that cause facial flushing such as psoriasis and eczema (atopic dermatitis) [18].
Almost all the participants who used this honey mixture showed significant improvement for both conditions after two weeks [18].
With its strong anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, soothing and hydrating effects on the skin, it’s no surprise that honey is described as a “unique gift of nature” [19].
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of beeswax
- Mild moisturizer
Recommended Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients.
- Apply on your face.
- Gently massage for five minutes.
- Let it sit for 20 minutes.
- Wash off with warm water.
- Pat dry with a clean towel.
- Apply moisturizer.
- Do this two to three times a week to boost healing and tone down inflammation.
6. Green Tea
When people talk about herbal remedies for weight loss, you can be sure that green tea would pop up into the conversation.
Did you know that apart from helping you lose weight, green tea can also help promote skin health?
Green tea has potent anti-inflammatory and photoprotective properties, thanks to its main component called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) [20].
It does so by inhibiting the activities of pro-inflammatory cells, enzymes and cytokines [5].
In 2010, American researchers reported that green tea can be a viable treatment for actinic telangiectasia, a prevalent skin condition that causes dilation of the blood vessels and redness of the skin [20].
Its ability to reduce facial redness caused by exposure to UV radiation has also been established in various bodies of research [21, 22, 23].
What You’ll Need:
- 2 bags of green tea
- 2 cups of water
Recommended Directions:
- Boil water in a pot.
- Steep green tea in hot water for 20 minutes.
- Remove tea bags.
- Put tea inside the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Dip a clean cloth in the tea.
- Lay the cloth on your face and leave it on for 10 minutes.
- This will soothe the redness and reduce inflammation.
- For best results, do this twice a day for two to three months.
- It’s also a good idea to drink a cup of green tea once a day to keep skin hydrated and moisturized.
7. Licorice
It’s hard to imagine how something that’s used to make an unhealthy treat can actually have many benefits for the health and skin.
Among the many uses of licorice is alleviating facial redness.
This herb contains potent anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant agents such as glabridin and licochalcone A that works by boosting secretion in the mucus and stimulating the adrenal glands [5, 24].
A study featured at the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology revealed that a skincare solution containing licochalcone A resulted in significant improvement of mild to moderate cases of facial redness between four to eight weeks [25].
Another key component in licorice is glycyrrhizin, which studies have proved to be an efficient anti-inflammatory agent, treating various conditions including atopic dermatitis [26, 27, 28].
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of licorice powder
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
Recommended Directions:
- Combine all the three ingredients in a bowl.
- Be sure to mix them well.
- Apply a thin layer on your face.
- Wait for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
- Don’t forget to pat it dry with a clean towel afterwards.
- Follow this procedure twice a day for up to eight weeks.
- You can get aloe vera gel from a leaf, or buy it from natural food stores.
8. Oatmeal
For centuries, oatmeal has been used to relieve itch and inflammation due to various skin problems [29].
However, it wasn’t until 1945 that a ready-to-use colloidal oatmeal product for the skin became available in the market [29].
You can easily buy one to get rid of the problem of facial redness but if you want to make your own oatmeal remedy, you’re also free to do so.
Oatmeal has been proven to benefit dermatologic conditions that cause skin itchiness, irritation, and inflammation [5].
Contributing to these benefits are its active components, which include saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides and avenanthramides [5, 29].
The fine particles of oats “disperse on the skin and form a protective…barrier” that moisturizes the skin and prevent dehydration by strengthening the epidermal barrier [5].
What You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup of oatmeal
- 1/4 cup of water
Recommended Directions:
- Turn oatmeal into powder by grinding it in a blender or food processor.
- Then, mix it with water to form a paste.
- Apply paste on red and inflamed skin.
- Leave it on but do not scrub or rub it as it may aggravate the redness.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with cool water.
- Use a soft and clean towel to pat it dry.
- Follow this treatment method twice a day for one week.
9. Feverfew
Feverfew, which belongs to the Asteraceae family, is a widely used traditional remedy for fever, headache, digestive ailments, and arthritis [5].
It can also be a boon for those complaining of facial flushing as it can inhibit the irritating effects of certain substances as well as tone down inflammatory responses of the skin [5].
Apart from its anti-inflammatory activities, feverfew also has protective effects against UV radiation, which can also cause redness of the skin [5].
This herb has shown significant improvement in facial redness, roughness and blotchiness, as well as decrease in irritation due to shaving [30, 31, 32].
What You’ll Need:
- 2 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of dried feverfew
Recommended Directions:
- Boil water in a pot.
- Remove from heat.
- Put feverfew in a cup.
- Pour hot water over feverfew.
- Let it steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain the mixture.
- Chill in the refrigerator.
- Soak a cloth and apply feverfew tea on the face.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with cool water.
- Repeat method once a day.
10. Flaxseeds
There’s sufficient evidence that flaxseed oil can benefit the skin, particularly those who suffer from inflammation.
According to a 2009 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, nutrients such as linoleic acid, which can be found in flaxseed oil, can effectively improve skin properties [33].
In this clinical trial, two groups of women consumed flaxseed oil or borage oil and a placebo for three months [33].
Those who ingested the oils were observed to have significant reduction in skin reddening and improvement in blood flow and skin hydration [33].
Flaxseed oil successfully toned down redness, scaling and roughness of the skin [33].
What You’ll Need:
- 1 teaspoon of flaxseed oil
- A bunch of flaxseeds
Recommended Directions:
- Consume flaxseed oil three times a day for at least two months.
- It’s also a smart move to snack on flaxseeds throughout the day to control inflammation due to rosacea.
11. Lavender Oil
Many people can’t resist the soothing and relaxing effects of lavender oil.
It’s the oil that’s recommended for those who are always stressed out and anxious.
Now, if what’s causing your stress and anxiety is facial redness, lavender oil can also help.
A 2003 study featured in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology reports that this oil has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties [34].
Researchers say it’s beneficial for those who are suffering from inflammatory conditions like rosacea [34].
The principal components of lavender oil that are responsible for its anti-inflammatory actions are linalool and linalyl acetate [35].
As with any essential oil, utmost caution must be given when using this as treatment.
Never use lavender oil undiluted on the skin, as it can cause irritation, and would only worsen facial redness.
What You’ll Need:
- 3 drops of lavender oil
- 1 teaspoon of almond oil
Recommended Directions:
- Combine the two oils.
- Dip a cotton ball into the oil mixture.
- Apply gently on the face.
- Repeat twice a day for two to three weeks.
12. Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the many anti-inflammatory agents that have been found highly effective, as reported in a 2008 study [36].
Along with feverfew, licorice, and oatmeal, this rhizome can tone down inflammation caused by sunburn, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, skin irritation due to medications, and skin sensitivity, among many others [36].
Curcumin, the main compound in turmeric, contributes to its ability to alleviate swelling [5].
At the same time, it works as an antioxidant, anti-cancer and wound healer [5].
Both topical application and oral intake of turmeric can help resolve the problem of facial redness.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon of yogurt
- 1 glass of warm milk
Recommended Directions:
- Mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder and yogurt.
- Wash your face with warm water.
- Spread a thin layer of the mixture on your face.
- Let it sit for 20 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
- Stir in the remaining turmeric powder in a glass of milk.
- Drink the solution.
- Repeat these two procedures once a day until symptoms subside.
Remember, facial redness is not just a cosmetic problem.
As it may signal the presence of a medical condition, you need to get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible. Consult your doctor right away to get proper diagnosis.
While you wait for results, use these simple but safe and effective home remedies to find relief.