Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesFrom MedicationSymptomsTreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
From Medication
Symptoms
Treatment
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Rednessor discoloration (a change in skin tone) of the face is a symptom many people experience. The most common causes includerosacea, acne, andautoimmune diseases. But other things can also cause a face that’s always red or discolored.
Some clues about the cause may lie in the location of redness and skin discoloration. For example, cheek, forehead, or nose redness may each point to different causes.
This article explains the causes, symptoms, and treatments of face redness.
Olga Rolenko / Getty Images
Causes of Face Redness
If you wonder why your face is always red or discolored, where the redness is concentrated may provide some clues as to its cause.
Cheeks
Lipowski / Getty Images
If your face redness or discoloration is concentrated on your cheeks, the following conditions may be to blame:
Many of these causes are not isolated to the cheeks; some can also be found in other areas of the face.
What Causes Sudden Rosacea Flares?Some common triggers that lead torosacea flaresinclude:SunlightStressHeatAlcohol, especially red wineSpicy foodsSome skin and hair care productsSome makeupWind and coldSome medicinesExercise
What Causes Sudden Rosacea Flares?
Some common triggers that lead torosacea flaresinclude:SunlightStressHeatAlcohol, especially red wineSpicy foodsSome skin and hair care productsSome makeupWind and coldSome medicinesExercise
Some common triggers that lead torosacea flaresinclude:
Around the Nose
Alona Siniehina / Getty Images
Some of the same causes related to the cheeks can also cause facial redness or discoloration around the nose.Red nose causesinclude:
In addition, anything that causes you to blow your nose frequently—whether it’s allergies, illness, or crying—can also result in a red nose.
Forehead
AHMET YARALI / Getty Images
Forehead redness or discoloration can also result from some other common causes of face redness. There are also some causes more specific to foreheads. Causes include:
Though psoriasis can appear anywhere on the face, it may affect the forehead, especially if you have scalp psoriasis along the hairline. The same is true for folliculitis.
Heat-related issues, like heat rash, may be more pronounced on the forehead. In addition, because you sweat more on your forehead than other parts of your face, impetigo and acne may be more prominent there.
Eyelids
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoBlephartis.DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
Certain kinds of redness or discoloration may be seen on the eyes. These include:
Nonmedical Reasons for Face RednessIn addition to medical reasons for face redness, other nonmedical factors can lead to a red face, including:EmbarrassmentCryingFeeling upsetScratching
Nonmedical Reasons for Face Redness
In addition to medical reasons for face redness, other nonmedical factors can lead to a red face, including:EmbarrassmentCryingFeeling upsetScratching
In addition to medical reasons for face redness, other nonmedical factors can lead to a red face, including:
Face Redness From Medication
Face redness or discoloration as a side effect of medication is calledfacial flushing. This may occur with many types of medications, including:
Flushing can also result from a medication allergy.
Symptoms: How Face Redness Looks
Accompanying face redness or discoloration symptoms may vary depending on the cause. You may notice some of the following symptoms in addition to the redness:
How long will your face redness last? It depends on the cause. For example, if a heat rash or weather causes your face redness, it should resolve as soon as these conditions improve.
However, if your face redness results from a chronic condition, like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or lupus, you will need a treatment plan to manage your symptoms and reduce flare-ups.
Skin Redness on Different Skin TonesRedness on the face can occur on all skin types and shades, but symptoms may be more prominent on light-colored skin. People with darker skin tones might notice the following:A warm feelingDrynessDarker skin patchesA brown discolorationAcne-like breakoutsHard, yellowish-brown bumpsBurning or stingingSwellingSkin thickening
Skin Redness on Different Skin Tones
Redness on the face can occur on all skin types and shades, but symptoms may be more prominent on light-colored skin. People with darker skin tones might notice the following:A warm feelingDrynessDarker skin patchesA brown discolorationAcne-like breakoutsHard, yellowish-brown bumpsBurning or stingingSwellingSkin thickening
Redness on the face can occur on all skin types and shades, but symptoms may be more prominent on light-colored skin. People with darker skin tones might notice the following:
How to Minimize Face Redness
Depending on the cause, there are numerous ways to treat face redness or discoloration. Some things as simple as lifestyle changes get rid of it.
Skin Protection
Protecting your skin from the sun, wind, and cold can help prevent sun damage and weather-induced redness. Try incorporating the following into your daily routine:
The 10 Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin
Know Your Triggers
If you have a condition that involves flare-ups, like psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea, try to identify the things that trigger them. This can help you avoid or minimize them.
Causes and Triggers of Eczema
Have a Good Skin Care Routine
A good skin care routine can also go a long way to resolve or prevent face redness. Only use mild facial cleaners on your face, never soap, which is too harsh and drying for facial skin. Gently rub with your fingertips and rinse with lukewarm water.
Irritation and Allergies to Face Cream and Other Skin Products
Laser Treatment
Types of Cosmetic Laser Procedures
Medication
If you have an infection, you may needantibioticsto clear the infection before you notice your face redness symptoms disappear. Similarly, if you have a chronic health condition, like lupus, medication may help manage your symptoms.
Conversely, if you take medication that causes flushing, you may need to discuss alternatives with a healthcare provider. There may be another medication that doesn’t have flushing as a side effect. If your medication is for treating an acute condition, your face redness should resolve when you finish your medication.
Drug and Medication Side Effects
You should see a healthcare provider if at-home measures or chronic health condition management doesn’t work to reduce your face redness. Something else may be causing it, or you may need a different treatment approach.
If you are experiencing sudden facial flushing with other symptoms, such as oral swelling, shortness of breath, and feeling faint, you may be experiencinganaphylaxis(a severe allergic reaction).Seek medical attention immediately.
Summary
Seek a healthcare provider for ongoing facial redness to have the underlying condition diagnosed and managed.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your face is red.Kumar RR, Jha S, Dhooria A, Dhir V.Butterfly rash: hallmark of lupus.QJM.2019;112(11):877. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcz091American Academy of Dermatology Association.Triggers could be causing your rosacea flare-ups.Liu A, Al-Lami A, Kapoor K.Rhinophyma: when Red Nose Day is no laughing matter.Br J Gen Pract.2019;69(680):137. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X701585Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis.2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007The Skin Institute.How to get rid of your winter red nose.National Eczema Association.Seborrheic dermatitis.DermNet.Scalp folliculitis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.Putnam C.Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: an optometrist’s perspective.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2016;8:71-78. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S84795Carter MC, Metcalfe DD, Komarow HD.Mastocytosis.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2014;34(1):181–196. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2013.09.001American Academy of Dermatology Association.People with darker skin tones can get rosacea.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea treatment: how to treat the redness.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Laser and lights: How well do they treat rosacea?American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your face is red.Kumar RR, Jha S, Dhooria A, Dhir V.Butterfly rash: hallmark of lupus.QJM.2019;112(11):877. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcz091American Academy of Dermatology Association.Triggers could be causing your rosacea flare-ups.Liu A, Al-Lami A, Kapoor K.Rhinophyma: when Red Nose Day is no laughing matter.Br J Gen Pract.2019;69(680):137. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X701585Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis.2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007The Skin Institute.How to get rid of your winter red nose.National Eczema Association.Seborrheic dermatitis.DermNet.Scalp folliculitis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.Putnam C.Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: an optometrist’s perspective.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2016;8:71-78. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S84795Carter MC, Metcalfe DD, Komarow HD.Mastocytosis.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2014;34(1):181–196. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2013.09.001American Academy of Dermatology Association.People with darker skin tones can get rosacea.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea treatment: how to treat the redness.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Laser and lights: How well do they treat rosacea?American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your face is red.Kumar RR, Jha S, Dhooria A, Dhir V.Butterfly rash: hallmark of lupus.QJM.2019;112(11):877. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcz091American Academy of Dermatology Association.Triggers could be causing your rosacea flare-ups.Liu A, Al-Lami A, Kapoor K.Rhinophyma: when Red Nose Day is no laughing matter.Br J Gen Pract.2019;69(680):137. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X701585Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis.2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007The Skin Institute.How to get rid of your winter red nose.National Eczema Association.Seborrheic dermatitis.DermNet.Scalp folliculitis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.Putnam C.Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: an optometrist’s perspective.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2016;8:71-78. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S84795Carter MC, Metcalfe DD, Komarow HD.Mastocytosis.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2014;34(1):181–196. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2013.09.001American Academy of Dermatology Association.People with darker skin tones can get rosacea.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea treatment: how to treat the redness.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Laser and lights: How well do they treat rosacea?American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your face is red.
Kumar RR, Jha S, Dhooria A, Dhir V.Butterfly rash: hallmark of lupus.QJM.2019;112(11):877. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcz091
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Triggers could be causing your rosacea flare-ups.
Liu A, Al-Lami A, Kapoor K.Rhinophyma: when Red Nose Day is no laughing matter.Br J Gen Pract.2019;69(680):137. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X701585
Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis.2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007
The Skin Institute.How to get rid of your winter red nose.
National Eczema Association.Seborrheic dermatitis.
DermNet.Scalp folliculitis.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.
Putnam C.Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: an optometrist’s perspective.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2016;8:71-78. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S84795
Carter MC, Metcalfe DD, Komarow HD.Mastocytosis.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2014;34(1):181–196. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2013.09.001
American Academy of Dermatology Association.People with darker skin tones can get rosacea.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea treatment: how to treat the redness.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Laser and lights: How well do they treat rosacea?
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
