Style Skincare We Tried Dozens of Redness-Relieving Products—These Are the 10 That Actually Work Red in the face? Try these. By Melanie Rud Published on August 25, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Real Simple / Sabrina Jiang There's no shortage of things that can cause unwanted facial redness. Blemishes often come first to mind—those red, inflamed, even painful pimples. More widespread flushing might be a result of skin irritation, which again, can be caused by any number of factors. Everything from using too much of a powerful skincare ingredient (we're looking at you, retinol) to over-exfoliating to even something as simple as cold, dry weather can leave you red in the face. And then there are the more chronic conditions—rosacea, eczema—that result in more of a perma-flush. It's undoubtedly important to get to the bottom of what's causing the redness and address the root issue, but, while you figure that out, it's nice to be able to reach for a product that can help tamp down flushing, fast. Here, 10 skin-calming, redness-relieving products that do exactly that. Our Top Picks Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser at Amazon Jump to Review SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask at Amazon Jump to Review Smashbox Primer at Amazon Jump to Review The Ordinary Oil Control Serum at Target Jump to Review Eucerin Redness Relief Day Lotion at Amazon Jump to Review Skyn Iceland Daily Lotion at Amazon Jump to Review IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Correcting Cream at Amazon Jump to Review Cetaphil Night Moisturizer at Amazon Jump to Review La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense Serum at Amazon Jump to Review Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro at Amazon Jump to Review Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond As the first step in your skincare routine, cleansing is the perfect opportunity to set yourself up for success. If you're dealing with redness, that means choosing a face wash that's next-level gentle and won't cause any irritation. This drugstore staple fits the bill. Soap- and fragrance-free, it's choice for sensitive complexions, and also boasts feverfew, a plant-based ingredient that's known for calming skin and reducing redness. But don't worry, it still foams up beautifully and leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean. SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask 4.5 View On Amazon View On Bluemercury.com View On Dermstore Dermatologists often recommend this mask for use after procedures that can leave your skin super-red, think lasers and peels. It uses a blend of calming botanical extracts (cucumber, thyme, olive), along with unique peptides that immediately reduce that hot, flushed feeling that comes with red skin. Couple that with the cooling, gel texture and you've got yourself a surefire way to calm stressed skin in less than 15 minutes. Smashbox Photo Finish Reduce Redness Primer Amazon View On Amazon View On Smashbox.com We know what you're thinking—green makeup? But hear us out. Because green falls opposite red on the color wheel (remember that from elementary school art class?), it instantly neutralizes it. This primer looks green going on, but quickly disappears as you blend it in, tamping down redness in the process. Try it and prepare to be amazed by how much less foundation and concealer you have to use to hide red spots. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum Ulta View On Target View On Asos View On Beautybay.com This is one of our favorite brands when it comes to finding high-quality, proven-effective skincare ingredients—at unbelievably affordable prices. Case in point: This treatment, an effective option for all skin types. Niacinamide offers a litany of benefits, among them both anti-inflammatory and anti-blemish properties. Meanwhile, zinc is a top skin-calming mineral, and also helps balance out excess oil production. You can definitely use it all over, but it's a nice option to simply spot treat blemishes too. Eucerin Redness Relief Day Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walgreens This pick earns our vote for several reasons. One, it works to even out your skin tone and combat blotchiness both instantly and over time; the subtle green tint neutralizes redness right away, while a licorice root extract leaves your complexion brighter and more even with continued use. It's nice and hydrating, and even contains a dose of always-important SPF. And let's not forget to mention the wallet-friendly price. Skyn Iceland The Antidote Cooling Daily Lotion Ulta View On Amazon View On Dermstore View On Ulta No matter whether your skin is oily and acne-prone or dry and stressed out, this lightweight lotion is a good option. It detoxifies and balances out your complexion, and is formulated to feel instantly cooling on contact, sweet relief for flushed skin. (The refreshing feeling also makes it ideal to use on hot summer days.) You can even store it in the fridge to further up the cooling sensation. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Color-Correcting Cream 4.5 Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Ecosmetics.com This skincare-makeup hybrid delivers both treatment and coverage in one easy step. In the skincare department, you get a litany of calming, soothing, hydrating ingredients—aloe, colloidal oatmeal, and avocado, just to name a few. In the makeup department, you get a color-correcting tint that helps hide red discoloration, and works well on its own or layered under foundation. Cetaphil Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer Target View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target If you're dealing with dry, red skin, reach for this cream nightly. It's made for sensitive skin, with a deeply hydrating (and fragrance-free) formula that soothes and calms your complexion while you snooze. You wake up to softer, smoother, less stressed skin—what could be better? La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense Visible Redness Reducing Serum Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Laroche-posay.us While this is definitely a good serum for rosacea sufferers, it works equally well for anyone looking to tamp down all-over redness, no matter the cause. Credit ambophenol, a plant-based ingredient that helps shrink down blood vessels, plus the brand's spring water, rich in anti-inflammatory minerals. It's alcohol-, fragrance-, and paraben-free, and has a featherweight texture that blends nicely into skin. Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 4.5 Alastin View On Amazon View On Alastin.com View On Harbenhouse.com In case you haven't yet heard the news, wearing sunscreen every single day is an absolute, non-negotiable must. It's especially imperative when you're dealing with redness, since sun exposure (obviously) leads to even more redness. We're partial to this pick for everyday use. It's a mineral-based formula, which is less likely to cause irritation than a chemical one, choice if your redness is due to sensitivity. Plus, it delivers just the right amount of tint to help camouflage flushing, as well as a beautifully radiant finish. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit