Does it feel like your cheeks are always flushed, no matter what you do? Having flushed or red cheeks isn’t always the ideal look, but it’s something many redheads deal with daily. Flushed cheeks after exercising, when out in the heat, or triggered by a food or drink, may be a sign of an underlying issue or skin condition. Here are a few reasons you might be experiencing ongoing redness in your cheeks.
Rosacea
Probably the most common cause of red cheeks is rosacea. This skin condition is most common in women and those with fair skin, which makes redhead women the prime demographic. Rosacea can be triggered or irritated by heat, cold, exercise, and consumption of alcohol or spicy foods. In addition to redness, rosacea may present as enlarged blood vessels and small bumps on the skin.
If you have rosacea, stay away from skincare products with irritating ingredients like alcohol, fragrance, and some acids. Exfoliate gently and sparingly, and keep skin hydrated. Those with rosacea can benefit from skincare with ingredients like niacinamide, azelaic acid, hyaluronic acid, aloe, ceramides, and green tea.
Eczema
Another common skin condition that can cause redness in the cheeks is atopic dermatitis or eczema. This condition causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin, and is more common in redheads than in other hair colors.
If you have eczema, stay away from skincare products with irritating ingredients like fragrance, essential oils, lanolin, dyes, sulfates, and alcohol. Instead, opt for skincare with ingredients like aloe, coconut oil, hyaluronic acid, oatmeal, shea butter, niacinamide, and ceramides. Keeping skin hydrated is key to reducing redness from eczema.
Skin irritation
A common short-term cause of facial redness is skin irritation. Redheads have more sensitive skin than other hair colors, and sometimes redness in the skin may be caused by skincare ingredients, over-exfoliating, or even razor bumps from shaving or dermaplaning. The best way to avoid this is to patch-test any new products, be gentle on your skin, and use soothing products to heal any irritation.
Sun damage
Over time, exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays can cause damage to your skin. When the skin is damaged, the body’s natural response is to send more blood to that area in an attempt to heal it. This can cause redness under the skin and the appearance of small blood vessels. For short-term redness, aloe vera can be used to help prevent inflammation. For more long-term damage, laser therapy is the best option.*
Skin barrier damage
The outermost layer of your skin is there to protect you from pollutants, UV rays, irritation, and toxins. When the skin barrier is damaged, your skin can become red, dry, and irritated. Skin barrier damage often leads to eczema. Your skin barrier can be weakened due to environmental reasons, allergies, sun exposure, harsh products, medications, or other genetic reasons.
The best way to keep your skin barrier healthy and strong is always using sunscreen, keeping skin hydrated and moisturized, not over-exfoliating, using gentle products, avoiding irritants, and eating a healthy amount of fats.
*Please consult your doctor and/or dermatologist.
Rock it like a Redhead!
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