Even those who follow a 10-step skincare routine can still get pimples. If you’re struggling with red and irritated acne blemishes, there are ways to reduce the redness through skincare efforts. However, if you don’t have much time to spare, there are also tips for concealing blemishes until the redness goes away for good.
The key to reducing redness from acne is to apply anti-inflammatory compounds while being gentle to your skin. This means avoiding harsh scrubs or irritating products and instead taking a “keep it simple” approach.
Using too many oil-removing products can cause your skin to overproduce oil, worsening your acne. The goal is to keep your skin clean and apply targeted products to reduce redness while your blemishes heal.
Here are some tips for reducing redness:
1. Cleansing: Cleanse your skin twice daily (morning and night) with a gentle, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic cleanser.
2. Niacinamide: Incorporate a product with niacinamide into your daily routine. Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 that has been shown to reduce acne-related inflammation and redness. It is available in serum or cream forms for topical application.
3. Salicylic acid: Apply topical salicylic acid to red and irritated blemishes. Salicylic acid is a peeling agent that also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties when applied at percentages ranging from 0.5 to 5 percent.
4. Pimple patches: Consider using pimple patches or stickers. If the redness is limited to one or two locations, you can purchase pimple patches designed to minimize a pimple’s appearance. Most contain salicylic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, or some combination of ingredients designed to reduce the pimple’s appearance and promote healing.
5. Ice: Apply a cloth-covered ice pack or a piece of ice over areas of redness for 10 minutes or less.
6. Hypoallergenic: Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out. Look for keywords like “hypoallergenic” in a lotion or gel formulation that usually contains moisturizers such as hyaluronic acid.
If you have consistent, painful, and inflamed pimples, you may need to consult a dermatologist for professional-level treatments, such as topical applications, chemical peels, or laser therapy. Acne can also closely resemble rosacea, which requires different treatment approaches. If you’re unsure, it’s best to see a dermatologist.
You can also apply a mild cortisone cream to an inflamed pimple to decrease redness and swelling. However, this should be done sparingly and only as a spot treatment, as topical steroids can actually cause acne and other potential side effects, such as skin thinning.
Maintaining a consistent skin care routine can be helpful in reducing acne and preventing its recurrence.
Here are some tips to help keep acne away:
1. Cleanse your skin twice a day with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser.
2. Apply topical, anti-acne agents such as azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or topical retinoids (such as adapalene) that have antimicrobial and exfoliating properties.
3. Natural acne fighters like tea tree oil, oral barberry extract, and gluconolactone solution can also be used, although there is less research on their effectiveness.
4. Apply a light moisturizer daily and use sunscreen in the morning to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
5. Resist the urge to squeeze or pick at your pimples, as this can worsen redness and scarring.
If your acne does not improve with these measures, it may be time to seek the advice of a dermatologist who can offer professional-level treatments, such as topical applications, chemical peels, or laser therapy, to help clear your skin. Remember, consistent skin care and acne prevention strategies can go a long way in keeping acne at bay.
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