Why does my face flush so easily?
Flushing is temporary redness of the face, often set off by heat, hot drinks, spicy food, alcohol, exercise, sun or some skincare. Plenty of people flush easily and it can be harmless. But if it happens often, lasts, or comes with bumps, sore eyes or other symptoms, see your GP, because rosacea and other causes may need looking at.
Common triggers
DermNet's page on flushing and its page on rosacea list a similar set:
- Food and drink: hot drinks, hot or spicy food, and alcohol. Beer, sherry and wine can be triggers.
- Temperature: hot baths and showers, and hot or cold weather.
- Sun and exercise.
- Cosmetic products. The American Academy of Dermatology's list for sensitive skin includes alcohol, fragrance, glycolic acid and lactic acid.
- Some medicines, including some that widen blood vessels. Don't stop a prescribed medicine, but raise it with your doctor.
When it might be something else
DermNet describes temporary, recurrent redness as a feature of rosacea. It's worth getting looked at if you notice:
- Flushing that's getting more frequent or lasting longer.
- Redness that doesn't go away.
- Bumps or pimples along with the redness.
- Sore or red eyes. DermNet notes eye involvement can affect eyesight, so don't leave that one.
- Other symptoms alongside it that worry you. DermNet notes flushing occasionally has serious underlying causes.
Only a doctor can tell you what's going on. No mask will fix it.
What you can try at home
- Keep a diary. DermNet suggests this to find your own triggers: what you ate, drank and did before a flush.
- Keep washing simple. A mild cleanser, no exfoliants or alcohol-based products. That's DermNet's advice for rosacea, and it's sensible for any skin that flushes.
- Test new products first. See how to patch test.
- Wear sunscreen and a hat if the sun is one of your triggers.
- Lower the heat. A shorter, cooler shower, and skip face steaming.
Do cooling masks help?
A cool layer on hot skin feels lovely, and that's the honest claim. Any of our jelly masks gives you that cool feel as it sets. Any relief is short term and about comfort. It won't change why you flush, and we don't suggest it for rosacea or any skin condition.
It also comes with a real caution. Skin that's quick to flush may be quick to react too: Hyaluronic Acid contains retinol, kojic acid and arbutin, and Rose and Tea Tree list fragrance. Patch test carefully, and if you've been diagnosed with rosacea or another condition, ask your doctor before trying a new mask. Plant ingredients such as chamomile can cause allergy in some people. Our sensitive skin page has more on starting carefully.
Questions
Is it normal to flush easily?
Many people do, especially with heat, alcohol, spicy food or exercise. See your GP if it's getting more frequent, lasts longer, or comes with bumps, sore eyes or other symptoms.
Is flushing the same as rosacea?
Not always. Flushing is one possible feature of rosacea, but it has other causes too. A doctor can tell the difference.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your skin, see your GP or a skin specialist.
Sources
- Flushing, DermNet
- Rosacea, DermNet
- 7 rosacea skin care tips, American Academy of Dermatology