How to Get Rid of Redness on Face: 19 Quick Ways

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. Today you’ll learn how to get rid of redness on face using effective home remedies.

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.

After doing research on this problem, we found out some interesting solutions. As a matter of fact, we have some of the easiest ways that will help you get rid of redness on your face.

In this article, you will know about:

What causes redness on the skin
19 simple and easy home remedies for redness on face
Dietary supplements & lifestyle changes for relieving facial redness
Some frequently asked questions and answers

What Cause Redness on Face

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].

Rosacea:Rosacea is one of the primary reasons for red pigmentation on face. In the U.S.A. alone more than 14 million people suffer from rosacea skin inflammations. This skin disorder may result in red blotches on the forehead, the cheeks, around the nose and eyes. Moreover, you can experience red bumps and pimples because of rosacea.

Eczema:Eczema or atopic dermatitis can also cause red blotchy face. A dry skin, bacteria, food allergies, dust and other pollutants, etc. may trigger eczema flare-ups. You can get rid of red skin on face by managing eczema related itchiness and dryness.

Acne:Teenagers around the world suffer the most from acne problem. Acne is caused by the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes. The most common sign of acne is the red bumps and pimples on your face. The acne inflamed skin may appear red as well. There are many home remedies to get rid of red bumps on face caused by acne.

Apart from rosacea, acne, and eczema; facial flushing can also be brought about by lupus, perimenopause, severe dryness of skin, sunburn, cold weather, taking long hot showers, stress and alcohol consumption. [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.

19 Home Remedies for Redness on Face

The following home remedies are very easy to apply and can come to your great help in treating facial redness.

1. Cold Compress

A 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.

Just make sure that you don’t apply ice directly on your skin as that can do more harm than good. Wrap it in 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 the 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 the 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 in 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 in 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 in 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 effective 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 afterward.
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 the paste to the 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 a 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 a 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 daily for 2-3 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.

13. Cucumber Mask

People have been using cucumber for skin for a very long time.

Cucumbers are high in water content and minerals along with many useful vitamins.

The use of cucumber soothes the skin and reduces the redness.

As the skins of our face are very sensitive, the use of cucumber is highly recommended to combat redness of your facial skin.

What You’ll Need:

One chilled cucumber

Recommended Directions:

Peel and grate the cucumber.
Apply the grated cucumber all over your affected skin.
Keep it rest for half an hour before washing off with water.
Repeat this every day.

14. Oatmeal Mask

Oatmeal is one of the most natural ways to treat redness on face.

It leaves great moisture on the skin which fights for the reasons causing redness and inflammation.

You may feel irritation on your skin from sunburn or eczema, which eventually results in the red skin. Oatmeal soothes such skins and helps in reducing redness.

What You’ll Need:

Half a cup of water
One cup of oatmeal
4 tablespoons of whole milk

Recommended Directions:

Soak oats in the water for sometimes till the water gets soaked in completely.
Mix milk with the oats and combine well.
Apply the mixture to the skin and leave for at least half an hour.
Wash it off using cool water.
Repeat daily till your redness cures completely.

15. Petroleum Jelly or Vaseline

A jar of petroleum jelly or vaseline is your best friend in the winter. In this dry, cold and lifeless season, a dose of vaseline can give life to your skin.

Vaseline is an easily available multitasking skincare product. It can work wonders for your facial redness as well.

A dry and dehydrated skin is the primary cause of redness of face. Petroleum jelly is a great skin moisturizer.

It can moisturize and prevent the dryness related facial redness. (37)

What You’ll Need:

Vaseline (as per requirement)

Recommended Directions:

Wash your face with warm water and pat dry.
Now apply a thin layer of Vaseline on the face.
Leave it on overnight.
Repeat the process every night before you hit the pillow.

Note: Avoid this method if you have acne or acne-prone skin. The Vaseline may worsen the acne condition.

16. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil comes from the Australian evergreen Melaleuca alternifolia. This powerful herbal oil is pale yellow and has a mothball-like scent. (38)

Native Australians have been using tea tree oil for the past 100 years. The oil is very famous for its strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities. Tea tree oil can easily ward off fungal, viral, and bacterial infections.

There are more than 327 medical research papers that prove the germ-fighting strength of tea tree oil.

That’s why the cosmetic industries make use of this herbal oil to produce a variety of skin care products.

Acne is one the major causes of redness on the skin. Tea tree oil is one of the best home remedies for acne problem.

The herbal oil works better on acne than the traditional drug benzoyl peroxide.

Tea tree oil is also a potent cure for a host of other conditions such as; scabies, skin tags, coughs, cold, flu, chest congestion, acne, yeast infections, burns, and minor cuts, etc. (39)

Let’s get to know how you can use tea tree oil for redness on face.

What You’ll Need:

5 drops of tea tree oil
2 teaspoons of raw honey

Recommended Directions:

Mix the two ingredients.
Now gently massage the solution on your affected skin and face.
Leave it on for a minute.
Now wash off your skin or face with clean water.
Repeat the process once daily until you.

17. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV is a pale amber colored vinegar made out of apple must. The fermentation of apple juice with bacteria and yeast can create alcohol. (40)

Later this alcohol is converted into vinegar by adding acetic acid. Like all other vinegar, ACV has a strong smell and sour taste.

For centuries people have been using ACV for various purposes. It is a potent cure for flu, sores, diabetes, even cardiac problems.

No wonder why people consider ACV as a panacea in the home remedy.

In the past, there was not much medical research into ACV. But health experts today are keen to discover the great potential of ACV and believe in its all-round health benefits.

One of the primary components of ACV is acetic acid. A recent medical research has proved the beneficial effects of acetic acid in lowering skin infections.

The acetic acid in ACV can help disinfect the harmful microbes and prevent the itchiness, irritations, and redness of face. ACV has a very low level of pH level.

It is another reason why ACV fights against skin inflammations like redness on face.

What You’ll Need:

Some raw ACV
Equal part of water
Cotton ball

Recommended Directions:

Dilute ACV in water and make a solution.
Now soak a cotton ball in the ACV solution.
Apply and press the cotton ball all over the inflamed skin and face.
Leave the solution on for 5 minutes.
Rinse off with clean water.

18. Witch Hazel

From time immemorial people have been using the medicinal plant witch hazel as home remedies for various illnesses. Today you can get witch hazel extract in the medical stores as well.

Witch hazel is a rich in astringents and antioxidant properties. These potent components can treat many skin disorders such as blisters, acne, sunburn, eczema, redness on the skin, and even cancer. (41)

Several studies including Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology have proved that the active compound tannis works effectively in lowering the skin inflammations and redness.

Witch hazel has cleansing effects on your inflamed skin. It can clear off the bacteria, dust, germs and other irritants. (41) Thus witch hazel prevents redness on face and gives you a healthy and perfect skin.

Let’s learn how to use this amazing herbal extracts for reducing redness on face.

What You’ll Need:

1 oz. of witch hazel
2-3 drops of tea tree oil
Cotton ball

Recommended Directions:

Add the two ingredients and make a solution.
Soak a cotton in the solution and rub on the inflamed face.
Alternatively, you can soak a cotton ball on some witch hazel extracts.
Now massage the affected skin with the cotton ball for 5 minutes.
Repeat any of the methods twice daily for a week.

19. Olive Oil

The benefits of olive oil have stood the test of time. You can trace the history of the ancient civilizations of the earth and find there mentioned this one important medicinal oil.

The extra virgin olive oil contains a generous amount of anti-inflammatory components and antioxidants. (42)

The oil has all-round effects on curing heart disease, obesity, dementia, depression, and a wide range of skin inflammations.

Vitamin E and the antioxidants in olive oil can efficiently heal facial redness.

What You’ll Need:

Extra virgin olive oil (as per requirement)
Cotton ball

Recommended Directions:

Take some olive oil on a bowl.
Now soak a cotton ball on the oil.
Apply the oil-soaked cotton ball on your inflamed skin and face.
Keep the oil on the face for 15 minutes.
Wash off with clean water.
Repeat the process twice a day for the best results.

Dietary Supplements to Get Rid of Red Spots on Face

An anti-redness diet plan is of utmost importance to get rid of red spots on face naturally. Your diet should include foods that help you reduce the inflammations and avoid the ones that worsen the condition.

In order to get rid of red marks on face, you should systematically avoid foods that increase the internal heat of the body. These foods include:

Spicy foods
Red meat
Alcohol
Cigarette smoking, etc.

Replace the hot and spicy foods with the following diet plan. These cooling foods can reduce the heat and inflammations in the body to get rid of red dots on face.

Fruits that are full of water content and minerals such as apple, melon, papaya, peach, coconut water
Green leafy vegetables like spinach, celery, cucumber, etc.
Fish oil supplements.
Probiotics such as yogurt.

Other Ways to Get Rid of Redness in Face

It’s important that you identify and avoid the triggers that lead to red blemishes on the face. Here are a few lifestyle hacks to get rid of a red face and skin inflammations.

You should avoid using harsh soaps and chemical-induced facial cosmetics to get rid of dry red skin on face and skin irritations.
Always remove makeup before going to bed to prevent a buildup of dirt and bacteria.
Take good preparation before you step out on a sunny day. Try to sport a wide-brimmed hat that keeps your face in the shade. Moreover, apply a high factor sunscreen to get rid of red sunburn on face.
Spicy foods, cigarette smoke, and hot drinks such as alcohol can stimulate the outbreaks of rosacea. Try to minimize and avoid these to get rid of rosacea redness on face.
Stress is one of the primary triggers for developing acne problem. Acne skin inflammations lead to facial redness. Follow certain stress-management guidelines to facial redness from acne.
Dehydration is another crucial factor for skin inflammations and a red face. Consume plenty of water and other liquid on a daily basis to manage the condition.

Some Q&A

Q 1: Why do your face feel hot and red?

A 1: A hot and red face can be the reason for high blood pressure or excessive sunburn. There can be many other reasons depending on the reactions.

Q 2: What is the quickest remedy to get relief from redness and inflammation due to pimples?

A 2: Well, in this case, the best method should be the application of ice cubes. Ice cubes are always available and reduce irritation fast. Use of ices can buy you time to think of a better and long-term remedy for your skin.

Bottom Line

It is important to Remember that facial redness is not just a cosmetic problem.

That is because it may signal the presence of a medical condition. So, you need to get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible. You should consult your doctor right away to get a proper diagnosis.

While you wait for results, use these simple but safe and effective home remedies to find relief.

We really hope this article came to your help.

Don’t forget to leave a comment in our comment section below and also feel free to ask any questions regarding this article.

Naturally Daily

How to Get Rid of Redness on Face: 19 Quick Ways

What Cause Redness on Face

19 Home Remedies for Redness on Face

1. Cold Compress

2. Aloe Vera

3. Coconut Oil

4. Chamomile

5. Honey

6. Green Tea

7. Licorice

8. Oatmeal

9. Feverfew

10. Flaxseeds

11. Lavender Oil

12. Turmeric

13. Cucumber Mask

14. Oatmeal Mask

15. Petroleum Jelly or Vaseline

16. Tea Tree Essential Oil

17. Apple Cider Vinegar

18. Witch Hazel

19. Olive Oil

Dietary Supplements to Get Rid of Red Spots on Face

Other Ways to Get Rid of Redness in Face

Some Q&A

Bottom Line

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