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Our science-backed secrets for calming flushing and
inflammation, which can exacerbate skin aging
WHAT CAUSES REDNESS?
“Rosacea, genetics, heat, sun exposure, alcohol, spicy foods,
acne, dryness, over-exfoliation and allergies to skincare
ingredients can all contribute to redness,” says Dendy
Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. To figure
out why your skin is inflamed, “a visit to a derm is the best
first step in addressing the issue and ruling out any hidden
causes,” recommends GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist
Sabina Wizemann. That way, you’ll know you’re getting
to the root of the issue rather than just treating the visible
signs of redness. No matter what the culprit, chronic
redness is inflammation, which “causes tiny blood vessels
to expand and push against the skin,” Dr. Engelman
explains. “Over time, the capillaries can stay dilated
and bring on permanent flushing.”
WHAT CAN I DO
TO PREVENT IT?
The best way to treat redness
long-term is by identifying and
avoiding the environmental and
lifestyle stressors causing it.
“Sunlight and strenuous activity
can irritate skin and trigger flare-
ups,” Wizemann says. Steering
clear of spicy foods, alcohol
and coffee may help too, as can
limiting exposure to irritants,
including products that contain
fragrance, parabens, triclosan,
phthalates, sulfates, alcohol, mint
or witch hazel, Dr. Engelman
says. Instead, “look for hydrators
that strengthen and shield the
skin barrier in addition to SPF,
such as ceramides, fatty acids
and hyaluronic acid, plus ingredi-
ents with calming properties like
aloe and oatmeal.”— Reporting
by Jessica Teich
HOW DO YOU
CALM IT?
Target acne-related redness with
breakout treatments that contain
bacteria-fighting and exfoliating
ingredients like salicylic acid,
Dr. Engelman says, and apply an
oil-free moisturizer to prevent
overdrying, which can prompt
more redness. If dryness is the
culprit, dehydrated skin is often
damaged and compromised,
making it “vulnerable to infec-
tion, which can lead to sensitiv-
ity,” she explains. “So reduce
exfoliation and reinforce the
skin’s barrier by moisturizing with
skincare that contains hyaluronic
acid to hydrate and niacinamide
to heal.” For redness caused by
rosacea, a chronic inflammatory
skin condition, Dr. Engelman
recommends asking your doctor
about the prescription topical
treatment Rhofade as well as
OTC skincare formulated for
reactive skin, such as the
Cetaphil Pro line.
Top Lab Picks skin sthers
28 GH DECEMBER 2019
CALMING CREAM
A Beauty Lab scientist staple
moisturizer for redness, Avène
Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream
($42, aveneusa.com) relieves
sensitive or compromised skin with
high levels of fatty acids.INSTANT CORRECTOR
A sheer green-tinted primer, such
as Wizemann’s go-to for covering
redness, Clinique Redness Solu-
tions Daily Protective Base Broad
Spectrum SPF 15 ($25, clinique
.com), cancels out red tones in skin.100%
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