If you’re dealing with red and inflamed acne blemishes, there are several skincare products and practices that may help reduce the redness and inflammation. Even if you follow a complex 10-step skincare routine, breakouts can still occur. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize redness through skincare efforts.
However, if you’re short on time, there are also some quick tips for concealing blemishes until you can address the underlying redness permanently.
How to reduce redness from acne
To effectively reduce redness from acne, it’s essential to focus on using anti-inflammatory compounds while maintaining a gentle approach to skincare. Avoid the temptation to use harsh scrubs or irritating products to treat acne. Instead, opt for a simplified skincare routine.
Overuse of oil-removing products can lead to the skin producing more oil, exacerbating acne. Therefore, the objective is to keep the skin clean and utilize targeted products specifically designed to reduce redness while allowing blemishes to heal.
Here’s how to minimize redness from acne:
- Gentle Cleansing: Cleanse your skin twice daily with a gentle, fragrance-free, and noncomedogenic cleanser to avoid worsening acne-related redness.
- Niacinamide: Incorporate niacinamide products into your skincare routine. Niacinamide, a water-soluble form of vitamin B3, has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce acne-related inflammation and redness.
- Salicylic Acid: Apply topical salicylic acid to red and irritated blemishes. Salicylic acid acts as a peeling agent and has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, making it effective in reducing redness.
- Pimple Patches: Consider using pimple patches designed to minimize the appearance of pimples and reduce redness. These patches often contain ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to target redness and promote healing.
- Ice Packs: Apply a cloth-covered ice pack or ice cube wrapped in a towel to areas of redness for 10 minutes or less to reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin.
- Hypoallergenic Moisturizer: Use a lightweight, noncomedogenic moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated without clogging pores.
- Professional Treatment: Seek professional-level treatments from a dermatologist for consistent, painful, and inflamed pimples. These may include topical applications, chemical peels, or laser therapy.
- Rosacea Evaluation: If your symptoms resemble rosacea, consult a dermatologist for evaluation and guidance, as the treatment approach may differ from traditional acne-fighting methods.
- Cortisone Cream: Sparingly apply a mild cortisone cream as a spot treatment to inflamed pimples to decrease redness and swelling. Use caution as topical steroids can potentially cause acne and other side effects like skin thinning.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and reduce redness associated with acne breakouts.
How to use makeup to cover pimple redness
At times, despite your diligent efforts to reduce redness, immediate results may not be apparent. In such situations, makeup can be used to effectively conceal the redness.
Here’s how you can use makeup to cover up pimple redness effectively:
- Start by cleaning your hands thoroughly to avoid transferring any bacteria to your skin.
- Cleanse and moisturize your skin to create a smooth base for makeup application.
- Apply a lightweight base makeup, such as tinted moisturizer or light coverage foundation, avoiding heavy makeup that can draw attention to blemishes.
- Choose a concealer with a thick, putty-like consistency that matches your skin tone or opt for a color-correcting green concealer for particularly red pimples.
- Using a small, clean makeup brush, apply the concealer directly over and around the pimple, blending it seamlessly with your surrounding skin.
- Set the concealer in place with a powder, whether loose or pressed, to ensure long-lasting coverage.
- If needed, apply additional layers of concealer, allowing each layer to set for a few minutes before adding more.
- Cleanse your makeup brush with a gentle cleanser or rubbing alcohol after each use to prevent bacterial buildup. Ensure that all makeup products used are oil-free and non-comedogenic to avoid worsening the condition of your pimple.
How to keep acne away
Maintaining clear skin requires a consistent skincare regimen aimed at preventing acne. Here’s a plan to keep acne at bay:
- Cleansing: Cleanse your face twice daily using a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and oil buildup.
- Topical Treatments: Incorporate topical anti-acne agents like azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids (such as adapalene) into your routine. These agents have antimicrobial and exfoliating properties to combat acne.
- Natural Remedies: Consider using natural acne fighters like tea tree oil, oral barberry extract, or gluconolactone solution, although research on their effectiveness is limited.
- Moisturizing: Apply a light moisturizer daily to keep your skin hydrated, and don’t forget to use sunscreen during the day to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
- Avoid Picking: Resist the urge to squeeze or pick at pimples, as this can worsen redness and lead to scarring.
- Seek Professional Help: If your acne persists despite following a skincare routine, consult a dermatologist for further evaluation and treatment options.
While hormonal factors can contribute to acne and redness, maintaining a consistent skincare routine with targeted treatments can help reduce blemishes and inflammation. Additionally, having redness-reducing products and concealer on hand can be helpful for managing occasional breakouts, but it’s important to seek professional advice if acne persists despite home care efforts.