Let’s face it, very few people have perfect skin. Rosacea, acne-scarring, dry flakes, blotchiness, excess oil. There’s usually something that we’re trying to work on.
If Pantone Lobster red or Fiery red seems to describe your cheeks, the first thing to do is understand what’s behind the blotchiness. With so many potential causes, how can you turn blotchy, red skin back to a smooth, even glow?
Excessive UV exposure, over-exfoliating, allergies, rosacea, weather changes and stress can all trigger blotchy skin. Choosing the wrong cleanser and moisturiser for your skin type can also be a culprit. Over time, daily use of the wrong products breaks down skin’s natural lipid barrier, causing your skin to become irritated and blotchy.
Taking a step back and simplifying skincare can be the best first step in getting blotchy skin under control.
How To Soothe Red Skin?
Go fragrance-free.
One of the most common blotching culprits is fragrance. So, for any products applied directly to your skin, like a cleanser, make sure they’re fragrance-free. Choosing a milky, pH neutral formula that’s super hydrating and designed to soothe irritation is also a great way to desensitise inflammation. Make sure you stick to only morning and evening cleanses, avoiding any harsh scrubbing as this can cause microtears in the skin’s delicate surface.
SPF every day.
You’ve heard this a million times for a million different skin care concerns. For good reason. It’s the #1 product you need for healthy skin. A broad spectrum sunscreen protects your skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays that cause inflammation, break down collagen (the skin’s support structure), trigger hyperpigmentation, blotchy skin and premature skin ageing.
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise- the 3 golden rules.
Moisturising is essential for strengthening the skin’s lipid barrier. A strong barrier locks in moisture, making your skin cells healthy and plump, while locking out environmental skin stressors that trigger red blotchy skin outbreaks.
When it comes to moisturising, there’s no better ingredient to have on your team than niacinamide. This miracle worker increases the production of ceramides which band together to form a protective layer across the skin’s surface, locking in vital moisture. Ceramides also help prevent fewer environmental pollutants, UV and toxins from irritating your skin.
Naturally produced in our skin, hyaluronic acid holds a thousand times its weight in water at the skin’s surface. It stores and prevents moisture from escaping, so your skin looks plump, pillowy and dewy. Unfortunately, with age our hyaluronic acid levels drop, making our skin more susceptible to dryness, redness and irritation. Add in skin-stripping products, too many late nights and an onslaught of pollutants into the mix, and blotchy skin can appear.
Add in a daily dose of hyaluronic acid with niacinamide to help restore balance, even tone and glow. These skincare superheroes can be found in a single product or layered separately to protect skin and give a red carpet glow, without the red.
