If you have been struggling with facial redness, it is possible that you have been scrubbing, cleansing and exfoliating as much as you can, and perhaps too much. Did you know that by overdoing it, you may actually be making it worse? Having a balanced cleansing regimen is part of the equation, but the other issue could be that certain chemicals in the products you are using are also contributing to the redness on your face.
The Dangers of Too Much Exfoliation
One of the main factors that can lead to facial redness is inflammation. Too much of something isn’t always a good thing! The body’s inflammatory reaction can be characterized by some of the following symptoms:
- Soreness
- Sensitivity to touch
- Warmth in the inflamed area
- Tightness (like the skin is stretched)
- Redness
Do any of these describe what you have been experiencing? To understand why scrubbing and exfoliating could actually be causing more redness, it’s super helpful to understand how the inflammatory response works.
What Causes Redness in the Face?
If you scratch a spot on your body for a few seconds, similar to how you would scratch an itch, you will notice that the area becomes red for a short amount of time. This is a minor inflammatory response.
The reason scratching or scrubbing at the skin causes inflammation is because trauma is one of the things that triggers it, along with heat, toxins and bacteria. These things can damage the cells on your skin, and these cells in turn release prostaglandins, bradykinin and histamine, which are naturally produced chemicals that are the cause of any swelling and redness you could experience.
The skin of the face is very delicate, and if you are scrubbing away and rubbing at it multiple times a day, the inflammation you are causing could be overshadowing the effects of any cleansers. That is why one answer to the question of how to reduce redness on face may be to simply be gentler and cut down the number of times you are exfoliating each week. However, the physical effects of over-exfoliation are just one part of what could be happening.
Chemical Causes of Inflammation
Many of the products on the beauty market that are meant to eliminate facial redness contain chemicals that can actually be counterproductive. Some exfoliating products contain beta hydroxy acid and alpha hydroxy acids, which can cause redness when used in combination!
Other common chemicals in beauty products that can cause irritation are denatured alcohol, ammonium lauryl sulphate and sodium lauryl sulphate. When advising you on how to get rid of redness on face, some professionals will recommend hydrocortisone; however, the disadvantage of this compared to an all natural blemish treatment is that hydrocortisone can produce side effects like lesions and thinning of the skin, and should not be used for longer than two weeks for facial applications.
How Do I Get Rid of Red Blotches on My Face?
If you want to avoid the risk of chemically induced redness, the easy solution is to try a product that only uses natural ingredients. Consider using an organic face wash that contains zero sulfates, parabens or alcohol. We all deserve to experience the magic of all natural products!
If you suffer from redness on your face, try making small changes to your skin care routine whether it’s the products on your shelf, foods you’re eating, or exercise you’re doing. Use products that are all natural to help you achieve the ultimate complexion goals you are seeking without having to worry about those risky chemicals!
The three products for glowy, hydrated, redness-free skin.
Meltdown Acne Treatment, Daydreamer Face Wash & our NEW Stargirl Face Mist all work together to reduce redness in the face and help regain confidence.
