There are many different conditions that can cause skin redness. I have personally experienced a few of them myself so those are the ones that I will be focusing on. One thing I want to note is that darker skin tones can also experience all of the conditions that are mentioned in this post. However, darker skin might not experience the same redness that lighter skin does and these conditions can present themselves slightly differently in darker skin.
This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of what could cause skin redness. And I’m also not a doctor or dermatologist so I’m not out here trying to diagnose anyone’s skin conditions. I personally experience skin redness for a few different reasons, so I will be sharing my own experience and the research that I have done on those!
Rosacea
What it is: Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness usually on the face. Rosacea often begins with a tendency to flush easily, and these periods of flushing can become prolonged or even permanent with time. There are two main types of rosacea. One type is characterized primarily by redness, sensitivity, and dryness. The other, papopustular rosacea, is characterized by acne-like breakouts in addition to redness. Rosacea is most common in fair-skinned women, however anyone can have rosacea. People of Color can also develop rosacea although the early signs of flushing/redness are more likely to go unnoticed or be mistaken for another condition. Here is a list of other rosacea symptoms that could indicate that you have rosacea if you have darker skin.
My experience: I have rosacea (diagnosed by my dermatologist) which is mostly visible on my cheeks. My condition is pretty mild, my cheeks are just slightly red at all times, and fortunately I don’t have flare ups that often. But when my skin does become flushed (often from anxiety, heat, or cold), it can last for a while and become hot and uncomfortable.
What Can Help: Rosacea can be managed but not cured. The most commonly prescribed topical treatment for rosacea is azelaic acid. In the US, lower concentrations of azelaic acid are now available over the counter. In some countries, or if you want a higher concentration in the US, you will need to go to a dermatologist to get a prescription for it. Other things that can help with rosacea are gentle skincare products that contain calming ingredients which may help to reduce the redness as well as other symptoms. And once you have identified your rosacea triggers, you can try your best to avoid those things. It is also essential to use sunscreen daily because sunlight is a common rosacea trigger.
Allergic Reactions/Irritation
What It Is: When your skin comes into contact with an irritant, it can cause a rash that may be itchy and painful. On lighter skin, the rash may appear red. On darker skin, the rash can appear dark brown, purple or grey. This condition is also known as contact dermatitis. Many different products from face creams to laundry detergents can potentially cause allergic or irritant contact dermatitis.
My Experience: I am fortunate than my skin is not that reactive in general. However, I have experienced allergic reactions from personal care products a couple of times and my boyfriend experiences them frequently. Usually, it makes my skin red, itchy, and slightly hot to the touch. The good news is that it doesn’t last too long, and normally goes away completely in a couple of days if not sooner.
What Can Help: Contact dermatitis will usually clear up on its own once you stop contact with the irritant. However, this can be trickier than it sounds if you are not sure what caused your skin to react. If your reaction persists or you’re not sure what’s causing it, you may want to consider seeing a doctor or dermatologist. There are also a few things you can do yourself to relieve the discomfort and help the skin heal. For the most part, it’s best to stick to a very simple skincare routine during this time. I’d recommend using only a gentle moisturizer with soothing or barrier repairing ingredients as well as sunscreen in the daytime. Calamine or hydrocortisone creams can also be used to help with itching.
Sunburn
What It Is: Sunburns are caused by UV damage from spending too much time in the sun without adequate sun protection. They turn red because the body is directing more blood to the area to repair the damage. Lighter skinned people are more likely to sunburn, however people with dark skin can sunburn too. In dark skin, the redness may be more subtle and hard to detect. However, on all skin types, sunburns can also feel heated or painful to the touch, and they can cause itchiness, skin peeling, and blisters. Even a single sunburn can increase your risk for skin cancer!
My Experience: Unfortunately, I have a lot of experience with sunburns. I have had mild ones and very severe ones. I have also experienced mild sun poisoning from a particularly severe sunburn caused by a medication I was taking. It’s important to note that certain medications as well as certain skincare ingredients can increase sun sensitivity and make you more susceptible to sunburns or other sun damage!
What Can Help: Prevention is key when it comes to sunburns. Wearing sunscreen daily and applying every 2 hours, avoiding prolonged sun exposure, and wearing protective clothing can all help you to avoid sunburns. If you are taking a medication that makes you more sensitive to the sun or if you are using skincare products such as retinoids, AHAs, or benzoyl peroxide, it is especially important to take these precautions. If you do still get sunburned, it will eventually clear up on its own, but there are some things you can do to help soothe and heal your skin. You can apply a moisturizer that contains aloe vera to soothe the skin. And also make sure to avoid additional sun exposure and drink extra water while your sunburn persists.
Keratosis Pilaris
What It Is: Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a condition that causes dry rough patches of small bumps. These bumps are caused by dead skin cells clogging the hair follicles. KP is most common on the arms and legs but it can occur anywhere including on the face. These bumps can are often the same color as your skin, but they can also appear red or pink on light skin and brown or black on dark skin.
My Experience: Personally, I have KP on my arms and legs and it is reddish-pink. It is especially noticeable in the winter when my skin is drier and more irritated.
What Can Help: KP can clear up on its own as you get older, often by the time you turn 30. In the meantime, KP can be managed but not cured. The most common treatment for KP is exfoliants, especially products that contain AHAs such as glycolic or lactic acid. BHA, retinoids, and urea can also be used to treat KP. Keep in mind that many of these ingredients cause increased sun sensitivity, and thus it is best to apply these products at night. And it is also essential to use a sunscreen if the treated skin is exposed to the sun during the day. Additionally, these ingredients can be drying, so it’s important to keep the skin moisturized, especially because KP often worsens when the skin is dry.
Broken Capillaries
What It Is: Also known as spider veins, these are small veins that burst and become visible on the skin causing a red or purple-ish splotch. They can be caused by pressure or sun damage and people with light skin or rosacea are more likely to get them, although people with darker skin can get them too. Broken capillaries are not painful or harmful, but some people are bothered by their appearance.
My Experience: I have broken capillaries, including a pretty visible one on my cheek. The look of it used to bother me a lot when I was younger, but I have mostly gotten used to it.
What Can Help: I believe that laser treatment is the most common way to remove broken capillaries. Topical treatments cannot help, and thus you will need to see a dermatologist if you want to get broken capillaries removed. Certain laser treatments are not recommended for darker skin, however there are still safe laser options for all skin tones. I don’t think you can altogether prevent broken capillaries from happening, however using sunscreen daily, especially when you are out in the sun for a prolonged period, should be able to help prevent broken capillaries caused by sun damage.
Other Causes of Redness:
I won’t be getting into these because I don’t have personal experience with them. But I want to emphasize that there are other causes of skin redness and this is not at all a comprehensive list.
Eczema
Psoriasis
Shingles
Hives
Infections
And More
Conclusions
There are many different causes of skin redness and the underlying conditions that can cause this redness can occur in both dark and light skin. However, redness might not be present or as apparent in darker skin tones. Skincare can be helpful for managing many of these conditions, but it generally cannot cure them. While many are harmless, others may be more serious and could require medical attention. I hope this post is helpful and you can learn something from my personal experiences. But when in doubt, it’s best to consult your doctor or dermatologist and not some random person on the Internet!
It’s also interesting to note that wearing sunscreen is essential for preventing several different types of skin redness — not just sunburns! For example, if you have rosacea, or you are treating your keratosis pilaris, or you are prone to broken capillaries, you should really be wearing sunscreen every single day. As if you needed another reason to wear sunscreen, I hope you are sold on it now!
Sources:
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/facial-redness
https://www.aad.org/contact-dermatitis-tips
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323521
https://www.healthline.com/health/keratosis-pilaris#What-is-keratosis-pilaris?
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea/treatment/redness
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/treat-sunburn
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326378#treatment
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contact-dermatitis/
Disclaimer: This Site contains both non-affiliate and affiliate links, and I may receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Some products marked by (*) were gifted to me for review purposes, but all thoughts are my own honest opinions. I am not an expert, these are just my personal experiences, and what works for me might not work for you.
