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What is Skin Redness?

Redness is a persistent or recurrent skin concern presenting as dilated or dysfunctional superficial blood vessels, commonly affecting the face, neck, and sun-exposed areas. Causes range from UV exposure, genetics, and natural ageing to hormonal fluctuations, skin trauma, and environmental and lifestyle triggers. Common forms include diffuse redness, visibly dilated capillaries, post-injury redness, and rosacea.

Redness

What Are the Main Forms of Redness?

Diffuse Redness

Skin Redness Diffuse 1 - Anova Skin Clinic

Persistent or flushing redness from vascular dilation with no visible surface blood vessels, most commonly affecting nose, cheeks, chin & forehead.

Causes: UV radiation, natural ageing, genetics, hormones, skin trauma, environmental & lifestyle triggers.

Dilated Capillaries or
Telangiectasia

Skin Redness Dilated Capillaries 1 1 - Anova Skin Clinic

Permanently dilated and visible surface blood vessels (capillaries) commonly on the nose, cheeks, chin, chest & legs.

Causes: UV radiation, natural ageing, genetics, hormones & skin trauma.

Post-Injury Redness or
Post-Inflammatory Erythema

Skin Redness Post Injury 1 - Anova Skin Clinic

Skin redness in areas of previous injury or inflammation, such as after pimples, skin picking, burns, or cuts, which typically fades over time but can be prolonged.

Cause: Skin trauma with prolonged inflammation.

Rosacea

Skin Redness Rosacea 1 - Anova Skin Clinic

Chronic inflammatory skin condition causing redness, flushing, visible capillaries, & acne-like breakouts on the central face.

Causes: Genetics, UV exposure, hormones, & environmental or lifestyle triggers like heat, alcohol and stress.

Rosacea Subtypes

Rosacea subtypes diagram

What Are the Main Causes of Redness?

  • UV radiation – UVA and UVB progressively damage superficial vessels, causing visible dilation and dysfunction over time.
  • Genetics – certain genes determine how strongly the immune system and vessels respond to triggers, driving chronic inflammation and persistent redness in predisposed individuals.
  • Natural Ageing – vessel walls thin and lose elasticity with age, becoming permanently dilated and visible beneath the skin.
  • Hormones – fluctuations during menopause, pregnancy, or from certain medications disrupt vascular control, increasing sensitivity and flushing.
  • Skin Trauma – prolonged inflammation from acne, picking, or burns triggers localised immune dysregulation, disrupting vessel healing and causing persistent redness.
  • Environmental & Lifestyle Triggers – temperature extremes, alcohol, stress, and certain skincare products overstimulate superficial vessels, particularly in predisposed skin.

How To Prevent or Minimise Redness?

Summary Hyperpigmentation SPF 50 - Anova Skin Clinic

DAILY SPF 50+

  • Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ – provides high and broad protection against UVA and UVB radiation, both of which contribute to vessel dysfunction and redness.
  • All-Year-Round – used indoors and outdoors even on cloudy days as UVA penetrates glass and cloud cover year-round.
Skin Ageing Daily Skincare - Anova Skin Clinic

DAILY SKINCARE

  • Appropriate & Consistent Skincare Actives – Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, L-Ascorbic Acid and Retinoids, collectively address the main redness drivers.
Summary Hyperpigmentation Protective Clothing - Anova Skin Clinic

SUN PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

  • UPF 50+ Wide-Brim Hat – made of fabric with a certified Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+ and a brim of 7.5cm or wider to reduce direct UV radiation exposure to the face, ears and neck.
  • UPF 50+ Clothing – made of fabric with a certified Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+ to protect the skin while outdoors.
Summary Hyperpigmentation Sun Avoidance - Anova Skin Clinic

SUN AVOIDANCE

  • When the UV index is high, sun exposure should be avoided or shade sought where possible. This is especially important between 10am and 4pm, during summer, and in locations closer to the equator.
Summary Hyperpigmentation Trigger Management - Anova Skin Clinic

TRIGGER MANAGEMENT

  • Identifying & managing triggers (where possible) including temperature extremes, alcohol, stress, hot drinks, and spicy food.
  • ⚠️Discussing management options with a medical doctor is advisable.

What Are Well-Researched Skincare Ingredients For Redness?

INGREDIENT & ACTIONReduces Skin InflammationAntioxidant ProtectionReduces Vascular ReactivityReduces Vascular DilationStrengthens Vessel WallsStrengthens Skin Barrier
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)++++++++++–+++
Azelaic Acid++++++++++––
Tranexamic Acid++++++++++––
Centella Asiatica (Cica)+++++++++++++++
L-Ascorbic Acid
(Vitamin C)		++++++++++++–
Green Tea Extract (EGCG)+++++++++––
Retinoids* (Retinol, Retinal, Retinoic Acid)+++++++++–
 Bisabolol
(Chamomile Extract) 		++++++++––
Grading: +++ Strong action ++ Moderate action + Mild action – Not applicable
*Topical retinoids range in strength and delivery system – retinoic acid, a prescription retinoid, delivers faster results but carries a higher irritation potential.

What Are Emerging Skincare Ingredients For Redness?

INGREDIENT & ACTIONReduces Skin InflammationAntioxidant ProtectionReduces Vascular ReactivityReduces Vascular DilationStrengthens Vessel WallsStrengthens Skin Barrier
Resveratrol+++++++++++–
Glabridin (from Liquorice Root Extract)++++++++++––
Silymarin
(Milk Thistle)		++++++++++–
Bakuchiol++++++++++
Beta-Glucan++++++–+++
Gluconolactone & Lactobionic Acid (PHAs)++++++–+++