Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD While a slight facial flush can be attractive and make your skin look dewy and youthful, facial redness can often get out of control. A red face can be unsightly and embarrassing. Facial redness, or erythema, can be triggered by certain allergies, medications, and even some serious medical conditions. Skin conditions like rosacea and eczema are common causes of facial redness and flushing. Facial redness can also be triggered by alcohol, menopause and even certain autoimmune diseases. Learn about what’s making your face red and when you should see your doctor about it.
10 Causes of Face Redness
1. Rosacea
Sometimes called adult acne, rosacea causes facial redness and excessive blushing or flushing on the skin. It can also cause enlarged and visible blood vessels on the face and small pus-filled bumps scattered on the face. While rosacea is most common in middle-aged women with light skin, even people with darker skin types can develop it.
If you have rosacea you may notice:
- Easy flushing or redness of your face
- Red bumps on your face that may have pus
- Thickened nose skin
- Red and irritated eyes
2. Eczema
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, can cause red, itchy, and inflamed skin. It happens when the skin’s protective barrier doesn’t function as it should. Though eczema typically begins in childhood, many adults are also affected by it. Eczema can cause dry, flaky, irritated skin and facial redness.
Other signs of eczema are:
- Itching
- Weeping skin
- Red or brown dry patches on the face
3. Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a form of eczema that can occur due to contact with an irritating trigger or allergen. It can cause redness on the face, and is sometimes caused by irritants in certain cosmetics or skin care products. Contact dermatitis can also be triggered by exposure to things you might be allergic to like pet dander or certain detergents.
Facial redness from contact dermatitis can be triggered by:
- Makeup
- Soap
- Detergents
- Fragrances
- Topical antibiotics
4. Seborrheic Dermatitis
Most people think of seborrheic dermatitis as causing dandruff and flaking on the scalp. However, seborrheic dermatitis can also cause facial redness and irritation. It’s caused by sensitivity to a yeast on the skin, and it can lead to facial redness and scaling that is especially common around the nose and eyebrows.
5. Acne
Skin with acne is prone to redness from inflammation and irritation caused by acne pimples. The same inflammation that causes pus bumps and cysts on the skin can also lead to facial redness. Also, many of the medications that are used to treat acne, like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, can sometimes cause the skin to be red and irritated.
Acne can cause facial redness from:
- Inflammation and irritation in the skin
- Irritation from acne treatment products
- Post inflammatory redness from healing/old acne lesions
6. Too Much Exfoliation
Exfoliation is all the rage for many, and it can be helpful for removing dead skin cells and brightening a dull complexion. However, exfoliation is not for everyone, and some people can tolerate it less than others. Exfoliating too often or too aggressively can cause facial redness and inflammation. Be cautious with at-home facial exfoliators, as they can sometimes disrupt the skin barrier and cause facial redness.
7. Menopause
Women that are experiencing menopause or perimenopause can have hot flashes and periods of facial redness and flushing. Hot flashes cause abrupt rushes of heat and are due to fluctuations in hormone levels. Hot flashes can cause facial redness and heat, as well as flushing on the neck and chest.
8. Alcohol
Alcohol can trigger facial redness and flushing for many people. Some people develop facial redness after drinking alcohol due to a condition called alcohol flush reaction. Alcohol flush reaction is particularly common in East Asians. This reaction is a type of intolerance to alcohol caused by variations in certain genes that control enzymes that metabolize alcohol. People with alcohol flush reactions break down alcohol less efficiently and can develop facial flushing and redness, as well as nausea and a fast heartbeat.
9. Medications
Some prescription medications can be associated with a red face and facial flushing. Some of these medications cause facial redness due to dilating blood vessels in the skin that cause the skin to redden. Others can cause the face to get red by making the skin more sensitive to sunlight exposure.
Medications that can cause facial redness can include:
- Vasodilators
- Calcium channel blockers
- Nitroglycerin
- Nicotinic acid (niacin)
- Steroids
- Aspirin
10. Autoimmune Disease
Certain autoimmune diseases can be associated with facial redness. Lupus is a common autoimmune disease, and it can cause redness across the nose and cheeks, known as the butterfly rash. In addition to causing rashes and facial redness, lupus can lead to organ damage and disability, so it is important that it be managed by your physician. Another autoimmune disease that can lead to a red face is hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. This can lead to facial flushing and redness, as well as other symptoms like fatigue, a fast heartbeat, weight loss, and difficulty sleeping. It is important to see your physician if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Summary
Facial redness and excessive facial blushing can be caused by a number of conditions. Common conditions like rosacea and eczema can cause a red face, as well as exposure to certain irritants and allergic triggers. Serious diseases like lupus and hyperthyroidism can also cause facial redness. If you are experiencing facial redness, it’s important to discuss your symptoms with your physician, who will examine you and help figure out why your face is becoming red.
