A serum is one of the best skincare products for redness. It sinks deeper into the skin than a cream can to treat the problem at the source. But which ones are the best serums for redness?
It depends on what’s making the skin turn red. Common reasons are acne and rosacea, but seborrheic dermatitis, lupus, and allergic reactions can all trigger facial redness. If you’re not sure what’s causing the issue, consult with a doctor or dermatologist. It’s important to rule out serious concerns (1).
In the meantime, here are the best serums for reducing redness in the face:
| The best serums for redness | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense Visible Redness Reducing Serum |
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| Azelaic Acid 10% Facial Serum with Niacinamide by Cos De BAHA |
|
| First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum |
|
| Dermaced Redness Redux Advanced Rosacea & Skin Redness Serum |
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| PCA SKIN Anti-Redness Serum |
|
| Paula's Choice BOOST Moisture Renewal Oil Booster |
|
| It'S SKIN Power 10 Formula LI Effector |
|
How to reduce redness
Something is causing your skin to turn red. Sunburn is an obvious culprit – even becoming overheated can make you flush. Sunscreen is a simple solution.
But what if it’s an allergic reaction? Contact dermatitis causes redness, but it’s usually accompanied by itching and stinging. In that case, immediately eliminate any new skincare or haircare product you’ve introduced recently. Thoroughly rinse the skin with tepid water and pat dry with a clean towel. If you’re willing to risk it, do a patch test on another part of the body to see if you have the same reaction. If you develop hives or have trouble breathing, get medical attention immediately (2).
Next, there’s seborrheic dermatitis, a form of dandruff, which reddens the skin and causes oily flakes. You might end up using dandruff shampoo to wash the skin – check with your doctor to be sure.
If you’re over thirty and have naturally pale skin or blush easily, you’re at risk for rosacea. This is a complicated condition that sometimes resembles acne because pimples appear in advanced stages. Everything from hot weather to hot drinks, exercise, spicy foods, and so on can cause a flare-up of redness on the face, neck, and chest. Learn what your triggers are and avoid them whenever possible. Place a cool, damp cloth on your face for a couple of minutes for instant relief. (We’ve found that moisturizing sheet masks work wonders, too).
Finally, if you’ve overdone the exfoliation, it can leave your skin red and extra sensitive. Apply one of the soothing serums below to calm your face. Ingredients like allantoin, licorice root, cucumber, chamomile, and niacinamide all reduce redness and irritation.
Best Serums for Redness in 2024
Check out the reviews below to find the best serum for your needs.
La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense Visible Redness Reducing Serum
This may be the best drugstore product for redness. It’s not cheap, but it’s manufactured to high standards by a French company and sold throughout the world. The formula is perfect for sensitive skin as it’s free of artificial fragrances, parabens, alcohol, dyes, and preservatives. Even the packaging is made to protect against contamination.
Like most of this brand’s products, it’s based on thermal spring water rich in minerals that heal and moisturize the skin. It also contains an ingredient called ambophenol, derived from a plant that grows in Madagascar. It has sedative properties that reduce redness (3).
What’s interesting is that the serum doesn’t just diminish redness, but it also visibly corrects it. The gel-like texture of the serum contains light-reflecting particles.
Pros:
- Scientifically proven formula that reduces redness by calming the skin and providing a soft-focus effect
- Made without artificial fragrances, dyes, parabens, alcohol, and preservatives
- From a reputable manufacturer that offers a matching moisturizer to maximize the results
Cons:
- Not cheap
Azelaic Acid 10% Facial Serum with Niacinamide by Cos De BAHA
What about the best serum for redness and dark spots? Azelaic acid is our top choice. It treats acne and rosacea as well as the pimples caused by rosacea. It also lightens skin color to fade discoloration like acne scars. However, the skin lightening effect might be undesirable for persons with dark complexions.
The acid lessens redness and decreases swelling. It also kills bacteria and slows down keratin production which is also beneficial for both acne and rosacea (4).
In this serum, the benefits of azelaic acid are boosted by niacinamide. Moreover, this Korean skincare product is mild enough for daily use and wears well underneath makeup.
We checked the label and were pleased to see that there are no parabens, alcohol, or artificial fragrances. Half the formula is organic, with extracts like witch hazel, rosemary, eucalyptus, and thyme.
Users say that it stings a little but has cleared up their complexions significantly. Some have achieved complete relief from rosacea, blackheads, and acne pimples.
Pros:
- K-beauty product free of alcohol, parabens, and artificial fragrances
- Relies on ingredients proven to clear up acne and rosacea
- 50% organic formula
- Mild enough for daily use, wears well underneath makeup
Cons:
- None
First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum
Which serum is best if you’re not sure if you have rosacea? We found that this mild and soothing serum is appropriate for most complexions affected by redness regardless of the cause. It’s moisturizing, calming, and irritant-free.
Users say those with oily skin may find it hydrating enough by itself. Those with dry skin should be pleased with how well it amplifies their moisturizer.
The formula uses colloidal sulfur to eliminate bacteria and inflammation. A boost of antioxidants from licorice and white tea combats free radicals that cause premature aging. The serum has aloe and ginger to calm redness, too.
Furthermore, it’s free from gluten, nuts, oils, animal ingredients, artificial fragrances and colors, alcohol, formaldehyde, parabens, petroleum, and nano-particles.
Reviewers say they noticed positive changes in their skin within a few days to a few weeks after using the product daily. Their complexions are clearer, calmer, and smoother.
Pros:
- Ideal for calming reddened skin regardless of the cause
- Mild formula is free of allergens, harsh chemicals, and oils
- Antioxidants counteract premature aging while colloidal sulfur reduces inflammation
- Aloe and ginger hydrate and soothe
Cons:
- None
Dermaced Redness Redux Advanced Rosacea & Skin Redness Serum
Here’s a redness serum created by biochemists and molecular biologists. It features Epidermal Growth Factor, a specialized protein that stimulates rapid and proper healing.
Then, there is sea kelp bio-ferment to tone the skin and relieve dryness without aggravating oil production.
Lastly, aloe vera polysaccharides cool the skin to relieve inflammation and reduce the size of swollen blood vessels.
Feel free to refresh your face with the serum at any time of the day.
There’s just one downside – it contains parabens. If that’s not an issue for you, don’t be surprised if your dermatologist recommends this product.
Pros:
- Cooling, anti-inflammatory formula based on scientific solutions
- Treats redness, dryness, and sluggish healing with specialized proteins and a customized formula
- Can be used at any time of the day to refresh the skin
Cons:
- Contains parabens
PCA SKIN Anti-Redness Serum
This facial serum treats sensitive skin with severe redness caused by rosacea and other issues. It’s recommended as an effective solution by estheticians and other professionals.
Moreover, it contains no parabens, alcohol, or artificial dyes, or fragrances. Instead, it relies on proven moisturizers and skin-soothing ingredients like dimethicone, chamomile, and algae.
Users are thrilled at how it evens out their complexions. In most cases, it seems to take a few weeks to provide a dramatic difference. But it’s likely to calm the skin right from the first application.
Pros:
- Professional-recommended serum for sensitive skin and severe redness
- Free of parabens, alcohol, artificial fragrances, and dyes
- Contains proven skin-soothing ingredients that even out skin tone
Cons:
- None
Paula’s Choice BOOST Moisture Renewal Oil Booster
Are you familiar with Paula’s Choice? The brand was established by Paula Begoun because she couldn’t find any cosmetics and skincare products appropriate for her issues. Therefore, this is a manufacturer that never includes artificial fragrances, which are the number one allergen.
Also, they don’t use parabens or filler ingredients. In fact, you can learn a lot from reading the labels on their products as the purpose of each ingredient is typically explained.
This is a serum labeled as a “booster”. What does that mean? Well, it’s a blend of nine plant oils that stand alone as a solution for dehydrated skin. Plus, you can add a couple of drops of the serum to your regular moisturizer to “boost” it.
All of the oils are non-fragrant. That means they aren’t essential oils that could cause an allergic reaction or sensitize the skin. They are rich in antioxidants and fatty acids that help the skin recover its elasticity and develop a healthy glow.
Happily, this product isn’t greasy or sticky, either. Try it on your cuticles because it can fix them as well.
What’s in it? We’ll let you click on the link to find out for yourself. In the meantime, we’re happy to report that users with rosacea and mature skin have found this to be an excellent solution, especially in dry winter months.
Pros:
- Blend of non-fragrant plant oils restores the skin’s elasticity and healthy glow
- Can be used alone as a serum or added to moisturizer to boost it
- Non-sticky, non-greasy, and no artificial fragrances or parabens
- Also repairs cuticles
Cons:
- None
It’S SKIN Power 10 Formula LI Effector
Who knew that licorice was so good for removing redness? No, not the candy, but rather licorice extract, also known as Glycyrrhiza uralensis. It works on skin reddened by acne and rosacea. Plus, it can help reduce hyperpigmentation like that from acne scars.
In combination with licorice, it has PGA for extra moisture and vitamin B to calm the skin. Users say the serum is unscented and extra-moisturizing. It has a gel-like texture and comes in a bottle with a dropper. It wears well under makeup as absorbs quickly and it’s not sticky or greasy.
Pros:
- Blend of licorice extract, vitamin B, and PGA to calm redness caused by acne or rosacea
- May also reduce other forms of hyperpigmentation over time
- Moisturizing, unscented, and not sticky
Cons:
- None
Conclusion
You switched to a mild cleanser and a better moisturizer, but your skin is still red. What’s the solution? Try a serum for reducing redness. It can penetrate deeper than a face cream and deliver calming ingredients right where they’re needed.
We hope our reviews helped you discover your new favorite skincare products today. If you love what you found, feel free to tell us about it in the comments below.
Sources:
1. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/facial-redness by the American Academy of Dermatology Association, accessed July 28, 2021
2. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/rosacea-more-than-red-face by Daniel J. DeNoon, published 2003, accessed July 28, 2021
3. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/la-roche-posay-publishes-a-clinical-study-regarding-a-new-formula-to-visibly-ease-signs-of-rosacea-prone-skin-225027942.html accessed July 28, 2021
4. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603020.html#:~:text=Azelaic%20acid%20is%20in%20a, to%20the%20development%20of%20acne accessed July 28, 2021