Top 5 reasons why your face is red and what to do about it

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Facial redness is one of those things that I never quite understand – why they happen and why it can’t be more of a blush rather than a flush. Apparently there are many reasons why we get red in the face but here are the top 5 reasons why they occur in most of us, and more importantly what you can do about them.

1. Rosacea

One of the first diagnosis that comes to mind when we think of facial redness is rosacea. But what exactly is Rosacea? “It’s a condition where you have sensitive skin and is overly reactive to environmental triggers, such as extremes in temperature, stress, spicy food and even alcohol,” explains Dr Low Chai Ling of SW1 Clinic.

Although there are no permanent cures for rosacea, this skin condition can be managed to prevent progression. Harmony Program is a popular go-to treatment program which includes a series of Vbeam Perfecta to battle skin redness and irritated skin. Combined with other skin treats such as Ultrasonic Deep Cleansing and Facial Wraps, skin is elevated to a luminous, radiant glow.

2. Overexfoliation

Exfoliation is a great treat for the skin, as the game plan for it is to get rid of dead skin cells and impurities to expose brighter, clearer skin. But too much of it, especially when your skin is already dry or dehydrated, can lead to redness on the skin as this combination can weaken the skin barrier and even trigger inflammation on the skin. “With the skin barrier damaged, your skin is susceptible to infection which could lead to sensitivity and redness”, shared Dr Low.

For now, stop with the exfoliation and treat skin to a healthy dose of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, exactly what Clear Bliss Clearing and Soothing Gel contains. This ultra lightweight gel unclogs pores and eradicates bacteria at the same time with anti-redness ingredients to help soothe sensitive and red skin.

Read More: What Do Young Lips Have That Older Lips Do Not?

3. Genetic Flushing

Also more commonly known as the Asian Flush, this condition occurs as a result of alcohol consumption. It happens when one lacks the enzymes to break down alcohol properly in the body. The alcohol byproduct accumulates which then leads to the flushing that you commonly see.

The obvious choice might seem to avoid alcohol altogether but is that really realistic for the long term? What could be more realistic is taking an antihistamine before consuming alcohol to help minimise the effects of alcohol consumption.

4. Sun Exposure

We’re talking about too much of it and as a result, causing a persistent form of redness on your skin. Sunscreen is the way to go for this. As much as you enjoy a tanned version of you, excessive exposure to UV rays AND without adequate protection not only causes sunburns, it can also accelerate ageing. Not the kind of news we like to hear, especially as we’re hitting 40.

The answer for this is a no-brainer: use sunscreen religiously. Find one that is not only high in SPF (a minimum of SPF50 in sunny Singapore would be good) but also provides broad spectrum protection so your skin is well taken care of.

Read More: The Cheat Sheet: How to Make Your Face Look Younger

5. Acne

Acne is an inflammation of the skin where hair follicles are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. A severe case could even cause uneven skin texture and bumps on the skin. When treating pimples, it’s best to treat them when they are fresh, and products containing salicylic or glycolic acids would do well to treat your skin at this point.

An aesthetic doctor might recommend that you get your skin under some LED Red light to help promote healing, reduce oil production and even stimulate collagen production. This is a very comfortable treatment without any pain and downtime.

When it comes to acne, Dr Low suggests not waiting till you have a breakout before you treat the pimples. It’s helpful to include anti-acne skincare products into your daily beauty regime to minimise or even prevent acne from occurring.