How to Get Rid of Skin Redness Without Makeup

If you have a red complexion that you want to even out, chances are you have concealer handy at all times. But, you don’t necessarily need makeup to lessen the appearance of flushed cheeks, ruddiness or irritation. That’s right — a few simple tweaks to your skin-care routine can help reduce the appearance of redness. To get the scoop on best practices, we spoke with board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com expert, Dr. Dendy Engelman. Ahead, she shares tips for diminishing skin redness without having to break open your makeup bag.

First, Reassess Your Face Wash

If your skin feels tight, dry and looks red after cleansing, your face wash may be to blame for your ruddy complexion. Make sure you’re using a gentle, hydrating cleanser rather than a scrub. If you tend to be on the sensitive side, it’s also important to opt for a fragrance-, paraben- and silicone-free wash. We recommend the La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser from our parent company L’Oréal to get a fresh face without irritation. Wet your face with lukewarm water and then apply the cleanser in circular motions. Make sure to pat your face dry with a towel — wiping will only further irritate skin. 

Now, Moisturize Your Skin

After washing your face, apply a hydrating face cream or moisturizer. “Look for hydrating ingredients that will strengthen the skin barrier as well as provide a ‘shield’ from environmental stressors,” says Dr. Engelman. “Peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid can all help to build a barrier for the skin’s surface.” The Vichy LiftActiv Peptide C Anti-Aging Moisturizer, also from L’Oréal, is an excellent, gentle pick. We love stowing this away in our skin-care fridge, too. It gives the cream a refreshing, cooling effect that can help to reduce the look of redness and swelling.

Say Goodbye to Harsh Ingredients

It’s extremely important to pay attention to labels — especially when your skin is easily irritated. “Avoid ingredients that can dry out the skin, like fragrance, alcohol, menthol, witch hazel and more,” says Dr. Engelman. Opt for skin-care products that offer calming properties, like green tea, cannabis extract or aloe vera. “When applied to the skin, [the ingredients] can help to reduce the look of redness,” says Dr. Engelman. The Kiehl’s Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate from L’Oréal works to reduce skin’s redness and soothe any irritation. It’s especially great for acne- or blemish-prone skin.

Don’t Skimp on Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

This goes without saying, but skipping sunscreen when outdoors is a quick ticket to a sunburn, which will evidently make your skin look more red. What’s more, neglecting to protect your skin from harmful UV rays puts you at risk for premature signs of skin aging. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher, like the L’Oréal-owned SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30 — even if it’s rainy or cloudy. While an everyday sunscreen should be a staple in your routine, you can also use a foundation with SPF for an added layer of protection. We love IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream With SPF 50 (also from L’Oréal) for a full-coverage option that also neutralizes redness and provides protection. 

Read More:

Quick Question: Can You Still Get Tan Wearing SPF?

How to Treat Acne Depending on Your Age

How to Soothe a Sunburn