Why do some skin products make your skin red? And what should you do?
First let me say redness is a common side effect of many skin care regimens. It doesn’t necessarily mean you need to abandon ship. When I did Obagi and Retin A for the first time, my face became a red peeling mess after about a week of the product. I had many risk factors for redness: I have fair skin, I am sun sensitive, I have a fair amount of sun damage (those teenage days in the sun with little sunscreen), and I started on an aggressive regimen (trying to be an over achiever with skin care isn’t always the right strategy when you have sensitive skin.) Also many people have rosacea or other things which makes them prone to being red. But with time, and starting slow and working up, I am able to do more now.
So what makes you red?
1. Allergic reaction. You can have an allergy to something in the skin care product which causes a reaction. When someone has an allergic reaction to a substance it doesn’t tend to happen the first time you are exposed to it. The first exposure triggers your body to make an antibody. It is the second or third time you use it you would see it.
- How would an allergic reaction present? Redness, hives, itching, or swelling. It could be a contact reaction (which would show just in the area where you applied the product) or a more generalized reaction (where you would see it through the body).
- What to do? Stop the product. Call your doctor. Depending on the severity, you could need an antihistamine or a topical steroid. If you have a severe reaction, go to the ER.
2. It is too strong.
- Many of the products which are active in reversing sun damage have Retin A or retinol in them. When you are purchasing from a doctor’s office, the strength of the product is much stronger than what is available in over the counter products. If you have a lot of sun damage or sensitive skin, you may need to start at a lower strength and work your way up, much like you do training runs before you can run a marathon.
- IT IS COMMON TO TURN RED WHEN STARTING RETIN A. I usually recommend my patients start doing it with a lower strength and do it every other night or every third night.
- What works well for your friend may be too strong for you. There are different strengths of all of these products.
3. It is mixing poorly with your regimen.
- What other products are you using? There may be a reaction between products.
- Are you exfoliating? If you are exfoliating your skin with buff puffs, clarisonic, or glycolic pads, the product may act more potent because it is going deeper.
- You are using too many products. I like simple regimens which integrate well. I have seen patients who use all the products which were recommended to them by different people. Have someone who looks at your entire regimen to make sure it is integrated.
When you turn red, it may be a reason to stop or it may be a reason to tweak what you are doing. When having any reaction, stop the product and please go see your doctor. They can help you diagnose the issue and adjust as needed.