According to the Mayo Clinic, skin irritation and redness can be caused by allergic reactions to food, cosmetics or clothing items or through environmental irritants like pet hair, climate change and dry air. While there are numerous home remedies that many people have used to get rid of redness on the face, it is important to remember that these remedies have not been tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for effectiveness.
Cold Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a common folk remedy for skin care, and many commercial skin care products, including soaps, moisturizers and scrubs, regularly list oatmeal as an ingredient. Cooked and cooled oatmeal can be applied to the skin to even the skin tone and reduce redness, according to Alan C. Logan and Valori Treloar, authors of "The Clear Skin Diet." To use cold oatmeal on the skin, apply a thin layer to clean skin and let it set for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse your face with cool water and pat dry with a clean towel before applying your favorite moisturizer.
Cold Cucumbers
Cold, sliced cucumbers are regularly applied to the skin at home and in salons, and they are a well-known home remedy for reducing puffiness on the eyes and face. Sliced cucumbers can also be used to help reduce redness and skin irritation. To use cold cucumbers, slice a fresh cucumber and place the slices on the face. Leave them on for approximately 10 minutes before discarding the cucumbers. You do not have to wash your skin after using the cucumbers, though you can apply moisturizer if you wish.
Witch Hazel
According to Dermaxime, a private company that makes high-quality skin care products, witch hazel controls water loss and works as a powerful astringent to remove dirt from clogged pores and the surface of the skin, while helping to reduce redness. To use witch hazel, mix 2 tbsp. of witch hazel with 2 tbsp. of filtered water and pat on the face with a clean cotton ball. Leave the solution on for 20 minutes before rinsing the skin with cool water.
Lavender Essential Oil
A combination of lavender essential oil and a carrier oil that is good for the skin, such as vitamin E oil or avocado oil, can be applied to red skin to reduce the redness. This is a common Ayurvedic treatment that has been used for many years in Ayurvedic medicine. To use lavender essential oil, dilute the essential oil with an equal amount of the carrier oil you choose and gently rub the oil into the skin for 60 seconds. Let the mixture rest on the skin for 15 to 20 minutes and then gently rinse the skin with cool water and pat dry.
Ice
While it may not be an elegant or surprising cure, an ice pack or fresh ice wrapped in a clean towel and applied to the face can help reduce redness caused by allergies or air pollutants. When using ice to reduce redness, simply rest the ice pack or towel on the skin for about 10 minutes. There is no need to wash your face afterward, as long as you use a clean towel and ice pack.
References
- "The Clear Skin Diet"; Alan C. Logan and Valori Treloar; 2007
- "Ayurvedic Beauty Care"; Melanie A. Sachs; 1994
- Dermaxime: Witch Hazel
- Mayo Clinic: Skin Irritation
