Nothing is worse than bright red acne that refuses to hide! Acne redness can be the most frustrating part of breakouts, often lingering before and after the pimple erupts. In fact, acne redness can occur before, during, and after the actual pimple itself. So if you’re looking for solutions then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together the best tips around to help you get back to having clear skin.
What Causes Acne Redness?
Just to recap, acne occurs when the skin’s hair follicles are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. There are a whole variety of different types of acne, and not all of them cause redness! Find out more about types of acne and how best to treat them >>>
Acne redness takes place due to inflammation caused by the body’s response to bacteria, excess oil, or dead skin cells. When the pores become clogged by these factors, the immune system kicks into gear which leads to redness, swelling and discomfort. It is specifically the inflammation / immune response and blood vessel dilation that causes redness to increase when acne or skin irritation occurs.
Redness Before the Pimple
Sometimes acne redness can begin before the pimple makes its way to the surface of the skin. These ‘nodules’ or ‘cysts’ beneath the skin feel like hard lumps and are usually sore to touch. As the pressure builds underneath the skin, inflammation increases which creates redness.
What helps:
- Warm compress to help draw out impurities.
- Cold compress to help decrease swelling and redness.
- Using an acne topical treatment like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to dry out the pimple.
- Applying a small amount of tea tree oil to reduce inflammation.
- Placing a pimple patch on the spot.
What does NOT help:
- Squeezing or ‘picking’ the lump.
- Pressing down or ‘massaging’ the lump.
- Applying toothpaste or any chemicals overly harsh chemicals to the skin.
- Using a pin to prick the lump in an attempt to release pressure or drain fluid.
Please note, that these tips are ideas and we certainly don’t advise trying them all at once! You might have to carefully trial a few to see what is most effective for your skin. When treating a pimple that is still under the skin, try to remain calm and do your best to minimize the end result (rather than erase completely!).
Redness During the Pimple
If you’re lucky, the lump underneath your skin will gradually go away without ever becoming a pimple. However, pimples usually come to the surface of the skin which increases redness. At this point, it is best to try and let the pimple run its course naturally. That means allowing the debris inside the pimple to come as close to the top of the skin as possible to form either a yellow or white ‘head’.
What helps:
- Applying over-the-counter creams that contain salicylic acid, sulfur or peroxide.
- Using clay masks to help draw out excess oil.
- Applying aloe vera gel which is anti-inflammatory and has antibacterial properties.
- Putting some anti-redness eyedrops on the pimple (e.g. Visine) to help reduce redness.
What does NOT help:
- Squeezing and popping a pimple before it is ready (before it has a ‘head’).
- Squeezing and popping a pimple too aggressively or with unclean fingers.
- Attempting to hide the pimple with makeup that will further irritate the skin (more in this later – keep reading!).
As before, it probably isn’t best to try all of these tips at once. Instead, carefully trial a few to find out which tips work best to minimize your acne redness. Also, we didn’t mention it above – but if you’re still experiencing some swelling or soreness then a cool compress can still make an impact on soothing the skin. Just make sure the ice isn’t too cold, that can make redness worse!
Redness After the Pimple
Sometimes the most disheartening part of the pimple healing process is the red mark left on the skin after the pimple has erupted. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) takes place when the skin produces extra melanin as part of an immune response. This is what causes a flat red, purple, or brown spot in the place where the pimple once was. Picking or squeezing a blemish can increase the chance of this inflammatory response, however, sometimes the presence of the pimple itself will cause lasting redness. So don’t be too hard on yourself!
What helps:
- Using non-comedogenic makeup or concealer to hide the redness.
- Applying azelaic acid to help lighten the spots (long-term results).
- Using retinoids to help skin turnover and speed healing (long-term results).
What does NOT help:
- Applying pimple patches to the spot (won’t do anything).
- Exposure to UV light (wear your SPF!).
- Taking some drugs and antibiotics (consult with your doctor).
Unfortunately, PIH can’t be resolved instantly and takes some time to gradually fade. However, some of the tips above can help speed up skin turnover and lighten the skin to decrease redness more quickly. Since azelaic acid and retinoids can be irritating to the skin, be sure to patch test first to confirm suitability for your skin.
Makeup Tips for Acne Redness
For ‘blind’ pimples apply primer first, and then your foundation. Do not put too much foundation over the blind pimple, next you should use liquid concealer on the spot itself. Dab the concealer gently using a beauty blender, a small soft brush, or a clean finger. Once the coverage is acceptable and blended nicely, use a soft fluffy brush to apply powder over the spot. The powder works to set the makeup and keep the redness covered for a longer period of time.
When using makeup over ‘ripe’ pimples, apply a water-based primer first. Water-based primers usually include Aqua (water) and then some other ingredients like Ethylhexyl Palmitate or Glycerin. Then, consider the use of a green color-corrector around the areas that are red or inflamed (green will help counteract the redness). Then continue with your foundation, followed by your concealer on the pimple itself. When setting, be careful not to use too much powder, especially if the pimple has broken skin that might catch the excess and cause clumping.
Finally, when concealing the redness left behind by a blemish, follow the same steps as previously listed for a blind pimple. The only difference is that healing skin can be dry or flaky. If working dry skin patches, consider using a moisturiser after the application of primer – even if it’s just on the problem spots!
General Tips to Prevent Acne
The best way to treat acne redness is to prevent acne from occurring in the first place. That said, we understand that preventing acne altogether can be quite difficult. It can be helpful to identify what might be causing your acne, and then treat the skin accordingly. For more information on treating specific types of acne, see this blog post >>>
Final Thoughts
Even though acne-related redness is discouraging, try to remain positive and not let it affect your self-esteem. Acne redness is a journey, so patience, consistency and self-acceptance are key! Just remember that most of the time your blemishes will be temporary, so with the right skincare strategies you promote healing and healthier skin. Every step towards healthier skin is a step towards a more confident and beautiful you!
