Keep looking in the mirror and seeing red? No, we’re not talking about rage—at least, not this time—just facial redness. If you answered yes, well, we know a thing or two about how to reduce redness on the face.
Sure, you could reach for Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Gel Tint to quickly even out your skin tone, but that’s a temporary fix. As much as we love the instant gratification of our skin tint, there are ways to help reduce facial redness in the long run, too.
To truly reduce persistent redness, you need to address its root cause. Figuring out what’s triggering your flare-ups and incorporating our dermatologist-approved tips into your skincare routine will help you out with redness in the long run.
Ahead, we’ll break down the common causes of facial redness, and how to soothe and reduce it—both right away and over time. Plus, we’ll share why Milk Makeup’s jelly skincare formulas are some of the best products for facial redness. After all, Cooling Water Jelly Ice and Watermelon Jelly Hydrating Brightening Serum aren’t just fun to use. They’re also super functional when dealing with redness-prone, sensitive skin.
What causes facial redness?
Both one-off reactions and chronic skin conditions can cause redness. “I see patients struggle with facial redness all the time—whether it's due to rosacea, irritation, or sensitivity,” says dermatologist Hannah Kopelman.
Your skin can temporarily become red due to the weather or even certain foods and drinks. Wind, cold weather, sun exposure, and heat—in the form of air, water, or spicy foods—are all known to dilate superficial blood vessels and increase circulation, resulting in a flushed face and irritated skin, Dr. Kopelman says. “For people with sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea, these triggers can be especially irritating and lead to persistent redness or flare-ups,” she adds. Stress and drinking alcohol can also cause the same reactions.
Your skincare routine may also contribute to your facial redness. Over-exfoliating and harsh skincare ingredients, such as retinol, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and other exfoliating acids, can irritate your skin and damage your skin barrier, leading to—you guessed it—red skin. Certain synthetic fragrances and alcohols may also damage the skin barrier or cause skin sensitivity. You may even be experiencing an allergic reaction (a.k.a contact dermatitis) due to one of the skincare products in your regimen.
Breakouts can also cause skin redness. Blemishes tend to have a halo of red around them when they are deep and painful. Red skin is also a symptom of several medical conditions, including, but not limited to, rosacea, psoriasis, lupus, and eczema (atopic dermatitis). If you suspect your facial redness stems from one of these conditions, we recommend seeking guidance from a board-certified dermatologist or physician.
How to soothe facial redness, fast
The quickest, easiest way to soothe facial redness is to cool your face down with something from your freezer, such as an ice roller, cold compress, or even a spoon. Your cold tool of choice will provide temporary relief by helping to constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation, Dr. Kopelman explains. “Just be sure not to apply ice directly to the skin,” she adds. “Instead, use a soft cloth dampened with cool water to avoid [further] irritation or cold burns.”
Alternatively, you can apply a skincare product that provides a naturally cooling effect via its ingredients or texture. Dr. Kopelman is a fan of aloe vera, niacinamide, and tremella mushroom because they hydrate and soothe irritated, dry skin while providing it with a refreshing sensation. She also recommends products with a lightweight gel texture, which is ideal for delivering these ingredients “without clogging or overwhelming the skin,” she says.
Milk Makeup’s antioxidant-rich jelly skincare serums combine both immediate cooling redness relief elements, Dr. Kopelman points out. They have a lightweight, bouncy texture that never feels heavy, greasy, or uncomfortable on skin. “Being water-based and fast-absorbing is also ideal for layering without aggravating the skin,” she adds. Cooling Water Jelly Ice was even designed to have the cooling feel of an ice roller on demand—no freezer required.
Both of our jelly skincare sticks are also infused with ingredients that simultaneously cool and calm red, inflamed skin, including aloe and tremella mushroom. Additionally, Cooling Water Jelly Ice features niacinamide, and Watermelon Jelly Hydrating Brightening Serum is packed with ultra-refreshing watermelon.
Long-term skincare tips for reducing redness
Simplifying your skincare routine is key. Avoid potential irritants and allergens, such as exfoliants, alcohol-based products, and overly fragranced moisturizers, Dr. Kopelman says. Instead, seek out fragrance-free products formulated with gentle, anti-inflammatory ingredients, like niacinamide, centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica), and azelaic acid.
Cooling Water Jelly Ice fits the bill with a redness-defending lineup of aloe, caffeine, seawater, niacinamide, and a Redness Calming Complex, which combines antioxidants, amino acids, and minerals known to defend against external stressors. Plus, the silicone- and oil-free formula is suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Watermelon Jelly Hydrating Brightening Serum is another excellent choice due to its intense hydration and glow-enhancing effects. We intentionally formulated the bouncy serum stick with gentle, effective alternatives to harsh skincare ingredients, so your redness will be replaced with radiance—sans skin barrier damage.
How to use Jelly Skincare sticks in your routine
After washing your face with a gentle cleanser and patting on a soothing toner, swipe on Cooling Water Jelly Ice to chill out your stressed skin. Then, layer Watermelon Jelly Hydrating Brightening Serum atop for a juicy, brightening boost.
If you want to seal in the skincare goodness, add a gentle moisturizer on top. And of course, sunscreen should always be the last step of your morning skincare routine, especially when you’re dealing with facial redness. (The American Academy of Dermatology recommends broad-spectrum formulas with SPF 30 or higher.) UV exposure can not only significantly worsen your persistent flush but also cause one of the most dreaded forms of redness: sunburn. “I prefer mineral sunscreen, especially for redness-prone or sensitive skin, because it sits on the surface and reflects UV rays, making it less likely to cause irritation,” Dr. Kopelman says. “Chemical SPF absorbs UV rays and can sometimes cause stinging or inflammation, particularly in compromised skin.”
Another general rule of thumb when seeking long-term reduction of facial redness: Avoid known triggers—whether it be spicy food, alcohol, harsh exfoliants, or hot showers, Dr. Kopelman says. As much as we love all of those, too, trust and believe us when we say your skin will thank you.
Meet the Expert:
Hannah Kopelman, D.O. (she/her) is a dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery with dual clinical training in skin cancer from Boston University and in hair loss from Columbia University. When she is not contributing to dermatologic academic papers, she’s hosting a weekly podcast called Derm Club, which features leading experts discussing techniques for treating dermatologic skin conditions.
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