How to Get Rid of Red, Irritated Skin: Skincare Routine

Do you experience redness, irritation, and stinging often, especially around the cheeks and the T-zone? This is not just a natural flush gained post-workout, but may happen due to your reactive skin. 

Don’t fret, this blog will provide insights on why you are experiencing this, triggers and underlying causes, and how you can put together a skincare routine to calm the skin. 

What Causes Redness

The red and irritated skin is an upshot of increased blood flow and histamines that the body produces to fight the allergy. If your skin becomes red now and then, followed by a tingling sensation, it’s high time you know what causes this. Redness happens due to several reasons, including: 

• Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormonal imbalance in women correlated with their menstrual cycles can cause inflamed skin. If you’re going through the pre-menopause phase, hormonal fluctuations can bring on red, bumpy skin.
• Sensitive skin: One of the most common causes behind the skin flare-ups, tingling sensations, and itching is sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is a condition with a weak or broken barrier. 
• Allergic reactions: Certain products, such as alcohol-based cosmetics, hair dyes, fragrances, detergents, and soap bars, can trigger reactions similar to contact dermatitis. These responses may not appear steadily but irregularly over time with continuous use. Be mindful of what you are using. 
• Weather: Summer heat can cause the skin to turn red as the blood vessels expand to fight the temperature, whereas in winter, the blood vessels shrink and swell up, turning the skin red.
• Dermatological conditions: Some skin conditions, including eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis, can turn the skin red, blotchy, and inflamed. These conditions are known to sway the colour of the skin. 

What Causes Skin Irritation

Irritated skin is a state where you have an uncontrollable tendency to scratch your skin to relieve it. There are diverse causes of skin irritation, from an illness to external factors, including; 

1. Atopic Dermatitis: This one is also acknowledged as Eczema. It is a skin condition that prompts dry, blotchy, flared, and itchy skin. Eczema is not contagious but is triggered by a dry environment or abrasive chemicals.
2. Dermatographia: Dermographism is a condition in which raised marks on the skin emerge. Persistent scratching, rubbing, and putting pressure on the skin cause it. 
3. Hives: Hives fit into the category of skin allergies. They are uplifted bumps and splotches on the skin. This condition can be extremely itchy, stinging, and burning. It is also termed as Urticaria.
4. Psoriasis: This is an autoimmune condition where the skin cells multiply rapidly and create red, scaly, irritated skin. Psoriasis flares up the skin consistently. 

These are the outside factors. Now, let’s delve into the inside illness indicators.

• Kidney ailment: When the kidney is at its end stage, it fails to remove toxins from the body, and as a consequence, a rash or an itchy bump appears. The decreased function of the kidney also causes distressing dehydrated skin.
• Liver Issue: Pruritus is a localised, overwhelming urge to scratch the skin and relieve it. People suffering from chronic liver issues have a chance of developing it.
• Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a variant of cancer that emerges from the lymph system. It can be one of the reasons behind irritated skin and a rash. 

These inducements are weighty and need immediate consultation with the doctors. The irritated skin developed as a result of these can be localised or spread throughout the entire body. 

Tips to prevent redness and irritation

Once you identify the reason behind your red and irritated skin, it’s easier to find a way out of this. Here are a few tips on how to prevent redness of the skin.

1. Look for instant cooling options: This can be an excellent temporary relief. Cold thermal soothes the irritation. A cool compress or jade roller is a quick solution. Keeping skincare products in the refrigerator procures supplementary coolness as well. 
2. Boost hydration: Dehydration is one of the many reasons behind irritated and red skin. Increase the water intake and look for hydrating ingredients in the products. DRSQ Redness reducing moisturiser enriched with Hyaluronic acid, cucumber seed oil, aloe, and chamomile flower extract can introduce a hydration boost in your routine. 
3. Apply sunscreen: It is vital to apply a generous layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen. Settle for a lightweight sunscreen with hyaluronic acid, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide.
4. Abstain from Alcohol-based products: Avoid any product, including soap bars, perfume, lotion, cleanser, toner, and astringents with alcohol. 
5. Avail cleansers: Makeup can clog pores and prevent the skincare ingredients from seeping into the skin layers. Hence, it is essential to use a gentle cleanser with a sulphate-free formula. DRSQ Hydrating cleansing gel with Vitamin E, aloe, and jojoba seed oil made especially to heal and nourish irritated and itchy skin can be decided on. 

Also Read: Hyaluronic Acid & Salicylic Acid: How to Layer Them Together

Skincare Ingredients for calming redness and irritation

Dealing with red, irritated skin requires calming, soothing skincare ingredients. Here are a few skincare actives that may work wonders for your reactive skin. 

• Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a potent ingredient that boosts the height of the saturation and repairs the damaged skin barrier. This is one ingredient that can work impeccably in any skincare product. DRSQ Radiance restoring serum with 10% Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and hyaluronic acid heals the sensitive skin with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. 
• Licorice extract: It has glycyrrhizin that soothes irritation, and can target post-acne hyperpigmentation and discolouration, while brightening the skin. The extract is also used to treat a variety of skin conditions where redness and irritation are major signs. Also, it has a high concentration of the antioxidant glabridin, which protects against oxidative stress.
• Green tea: Green tea is popular for its antioxidant properties, with the capability to flush out toxins from the body. It also has free radicals that protect the skin from sun exposure. Green tea is wondrous for any skin type with minimal to no side effects. 
• Chamomile: Chamomile is widely known for calming the body during stress. These days, it is being actively used in many skincare products. Besides, it also offers powerful hydration. 
• Centella Asiatica: This is popularly known as tiger grass and has proven to be one of the influential elements for calming redness, stinging, and irritation.
• Ceramides: Ceramides are the fatty lipids placed among skin cells that hold the skin barrier. In the absence of ceramides, the skin breaks down. Ceramides are quintessential for repairing the skin and dealing with red and irritated skin. Moreover, if your skin becomes dry followed by sensitivity, ceramides are a common recommended treatment.
• Aloe vera: The household favourite aloe vera, also termed as a wonder plant, consists of minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids. It can prevent transepidermal water loss. Aloe vera is phenomenal in treating sunburn and xerosis. 
  

Skincare Practices for Calming Redness and Irritation 

Now that we know the reason behind the redness and inflammation of your skin and catered to you on what you should avoid and include in your skincare, let’s go through some skincare rituals that calm your red and irritated skin. 

1. Cleansing: A hydrating and soothing cleanser that protects the skin cell barriers is imperative. DRSQ Hydrating cleansing gel, made especially to combat rosacea and sensitive skin, is infused with Vitamin E and Organic aloe. It is lightweight, soothing, and revitalises the skin for healthy regeneration. 

2. Exfoliant: A calming BHA exfoliant that ousts dead skin cells and paves the way for smooth and glowing skin must be adopted. DRSQ Repair serum with BHA, lactic acid, and aloe vera has anti-bacterial ingredients and provides youthful and soothing skin. 

3. Serum: Serums are skincare products made especially to target a concern. So, look for a hydrating, skin-building serum that reduces redness and inflammation. DRSQ Renew and Glow serum, enriched with a combination of AHA and BHA along with Niacinamide, can be an effective solution.

4. Face mask: Face masks can deliver good hydration with their skin-soothing elements. Invest in a mask with gentle and cool active ingredients that lock in moisture while eliminating redness.

5. Sunscreen: Applying sunscreen every time you step out of your home is necessary. You should apply sunscreen that promises more than 30 SPF, at least. One can also apply moisturisers infused with SPF to get dual protection. 

6. Moisturiser: A skincare routine is incomplete without a rich, creamy and hydrating moisturiser. For treating redness and irritated skin, ensure to buy moisturisers with cooling ingredients according to your skin type. 

When to see a doctor

If your skin feels inflamed and painful to the touch, or if applying anything makes the redness worse, you should consult a doctor. It’s possible that the underlying cause isn’t clear, which may be making the condition worse. Your doctor can examine your skin and provide the best advice for your situation.

Conclusion 

Concerns like redness and skin sensitivity are very common and can occur due to various intrinsic and extrinsic factors. You should choose skincare ingredients carefully, focusing on those that help heal the condition. 

At the same time, avoid products that can be harmful. Redness and itching can often be managed with the right lifestyle habits, but if the condition worsens, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor.

References

• Abigail Cline, Sean P McGregor, Steven R Feldman, "Medical Management of Facial Redness in Rosacea", 2018 Apr
  
• R Saib, L Raffray, K Bagny, "[Redness of the skin]", 2024 Mar
  
• Jihyun Kim, Byung Eui Kim, Donald Y M Leung, "Pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis: Clinical implications", 2019 Mar
  
• J W Fluhr 1, R Darlenski, I Angelova-Fischer, N Tsankov, D Basketter, "Skin irritation and sensitization: mechanisms and new approaches for risk assessment. 1. Skin irritation", 2008