Red skin is not just an aesthetic discomfort: it often represents a warning sign indicating a dysfunction of the skin barrier or an underlying inflammatory reaction. Persistent redness, burning, itching, or sensations of tight skin are increasingly common symptoms, even in adults who have never had skin problems before. This guide was created to help those suffering from red or reactive skin understand the causes, learn to prevent them, and treat them with effective skincare protocols supported by science and functional dermocosmetics.
According to a survey published in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology, about 50% of women and 40% of men report having sensitive skin. Redness is often the first manifestation of this condition. The World Health Organization also reports an increase in cases of skin reactivity in more polluted urban areas.
1. WHAT IS SKIN REDNESS? Skin redness is a visible and superficial response to a stimulus that can be irritative, inflammatory, or vascular. When capillaries dilate as a defense reaction, the face tends to redden, especially in more exposed areas such as cheeks, nose, and chin. This phenomenon is often accompanied by a compromise of the skin's hydrolipidic barrier.
Sensitive and reactive skin is characterized by:
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Low tolerance to cosmetics or cleansers
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Greater response to climatic or environmental changes
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Sensation of heat, tingling, or burning
Types of redness:
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Temporary (e.g., from cold, rubbing)
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Persistent (rosacea or couperose)
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Localized (nose, cheeks)
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Widespread (entire face)
Physiology of red skin Red skin often has a damaged barrier: the hydrolipidic film can no longer adequately protect, triggering inflammatory mechanisms, with transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased penetration of irritants. The skin microbiota can also be altered, reducing the skin's natural defense capacity.
According to a study published in PubMed In 2022, microbiota dysfunction is one of the main causes of the inflammatory response in individuals with sensitive skin. This alteration increases the penetration of allergens and pollutants, exacerbating redness and skin fragility.
2. MAIN CAUSES OF REDDENED SKIN Skin redness is the result of a multifactorial reaction. In many people, a combination of external stimuli and internal predispositions act synergistically to cause the appearance of more or less persistent redness.
External causes: The environment we live in plays a decisive role in the health of our skin. In reddened and sensitive skin, every external stimulus can become a destabilizing factor, capable of triggering a cutaneous inflammatory response. Among the main environmental factors that negatively affect the skin are:
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Extreme or variable climate: intense cold, dry wind, or humid heat compromise microcirculation and alter the protective barrier.
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UV radiation and blue light: they stimulate the production of free radicals, cause chronic inflammation, and weaken the skin's natural antioxidant defenses.
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Urban pollution: microparticles and heavy metals damage the skin microbiota, increase TEWL (transepidermal water loss), and promote oxidative stress.
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Frequent temperature changes: exposure to temperature fluctuations, for example moving from heated environments to the winter outdoors, stresses superficial blood vessels and alters their regulation.
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Contact with hard or chlorinated water: the hardness of the water used for cleansing can alter the skin's pH, making it more vulnerable.
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Harsh cleansers and cosmetics: fragrances, denatured alcohol, sulfate surfactants, and irritating preservatives are among the main causes of skin sensitization.
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Excessive exfoliation or inadequate treatments: overly vigorous scrubs, poorly dosed chemical peels, and incorrect use of exfoliating acids compromise the hydrolipidic film.
Repeated and uncompensated exposure to these external elements over time leads to a loss of skin resilience and the development of persistent redness. For this reason, preventive and protective skincare is essential, based on soothing and rebalancing actives, such as those found in the LeLang line.
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Atmospheric agents: temperature fluctuations, wind, intense cold, and UV radiation cause superficial vasodilation and skin sensitization.
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Pollution: exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, and heavy metals alters the skin microbiota, damages the hydrolipidic barrier, and generates low-grade chronic inflammation.
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Harsh cosmetics: products containing denatured alcohol, artificial fragrances, foaming surfactants (e.g., SLS/SLES) can cause irritation, alter pH, and damage the protective barrier.
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Excessive exfoliation: uncontrolled use of mechanical scrubs or chemical peels sensitizes the skin and can cause persistent inflammation.
Internal causes:
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Hormonal dysregulations: phases such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstrual cycle, and menopause affect vascular reactivity and the skin's lipid balance.
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Chronic stress: psychological stress increases cortisol levels, which weakens skin immune defenses and promotes the appearance of redness and itching.
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Pro-inflammatory diet: excess alcohol, refined sugars, dairy products, or spicy foods can stimulate vasodilatory responses and systemic inflammatory reactions.
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Dermatological conditions: rosacea, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and couperose manifest with recurring and chronic redness.
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Genetic predisposition: some individuals have a naturally more fragile skin barrier, with reduced ceramide production and lower corneocyte cohesion.
Common mechanism: persistent inflammation Whether triggered by external or internal stimuli, redness is often linked to an inflammatory response that alters skin microcirculation and activates mediators such as cytokines and prostaglandins. This process, if not interrupted, can become chronic, leading to permanent sensitization.
Correct approach: Knowing the causes is the first step to intervene effectively. Identifying and limiting triggering factors, along with the use of dermocompatible and soothing products, is essential to prevent the problem from becoming chronic. Redness can have multifactorial origins. Often multiple causes overlap, making it difficult to identify the single triggering element.
External causes:
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Cold, wind, UV rays
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Urban pollution and fine particulate matter
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Unsuitable or too aggressive cosmetics
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Excessive use of scrubs and chemical peels
Internal causes:
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Hormonal fluctuations (e.g., menopause, pregnancy)
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Psychophysical stress
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Inflammatory diet (alcohol, sugars, spicy foods)
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Chronic conditions such as rosacea or atopic dermatitis
A recent study by Journal of Clinical Dermatology has highlighted that 65% of people with red skin have a high systemic inflammatory profile, often related to lifestyle.
3. HOW TO RECOGNIZE REACTIVE SKIN? Reactive skin manifests with immediate and visible symptoms, often in response to environmental, cosmetic, or emotional stimuli. It is important not to confuse it with simple sensitive skin: while the latter may be genetically predisposed, reactive skin has a lower tolerance threshold and tends to react in an amplified way even to minimal stimuli.
Main signs of reactive skin:
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Sudden redness after exposure to sun, wind, or cold
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Sensation of burning or tingling even without visible redness
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Appearance of bubbles, peeling, or tight skin after applying a new product
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Immediate reactions to fragrances, alcohol, preservatives, or surfactants
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Intolerance to many cosmetics, even natural ones
Self-assessment test (non-diagnostic):
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Do you sometimes feel your skin warm or "prickling" after cleansing?
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Do you notice redness after contact with hot water, wind, or after sports?
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Does your skin worsen with stress or hormonal cycles?
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Do seasonal changes worsen your skin discomfort?
If you answered "yes" to 3 or more questions, you might have reactive skin and need a specific routine. Ideally, rely on products tested on sensitive skin and free of fragrances and sensitizing substances.
In the presence of persistent symptoms or visible worsening (e.g., dilated capillaries, thickened skin, or pustules), a dermatological evaluation is recommended to exclude conditions such as rosacea, eczema, or contact allergies. Sensitive skin can show various signs, even intermittently:
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Localized or widespread redness
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Sensation of heat or burning
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Itching or skin tightness
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Visible capillaries (telangiectasia)
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Rapid reactions after applying a cosmetic
If these symptoms persist or worsen, it is advisable to have a dermatological examination to rule out conditions such as rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis.
4. FUNCTIONAL LELANG PROTOCOL FOR REDDENED SKIN The LeLang line is designed to provide scientific and dermocompatible support even for the most reactive skin.
Morning:
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Step 1: Gentle cleansing with Gentle Oil, which cleanses by affinity without altering the microbiota
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Step 2: Spraying of Pro Age Thermal Water
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Step 3: Application of Nutralight Sensitive, formulated with plant ceramides and sweet almond oil
Evening:
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Cleansing with Detox Mousse, based on soothing and non-aggressive purifying actives
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Rehydration with Pro Age Thermal Water
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If the skin appears stressed: Lycoglow Serum with lycopene + Nutralight Sensitive
Weekly:
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Application of a soothing mask type Skinage Advance once a week
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Avoid mechanical scrubs and prefer gentle enzymes
5. LELANG FUNCTIONAL ACTIVES: HOW THEY WORK ON REDDENED SKIN
The active ingredients selected by LeLang are designed to respect skin physiology and offer targeted action in treating redness and skin reactivity. Each component has a precise role in restoring the hydrolipidic barrier, soothing inflammations, and improving skin resilience against external agents.
Hyperthermal sulfurous thermal water from the Valdieri Spa: sourced from an uncontaminated spring in the Maritime Alps, this water boasts a high concentration of sulfates, calcium, and trace elements. Its action is scientifically recognized for:
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to reduce skin inflammation,
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to improve deep hydration,
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to promote the regeneration of the skin microbiota,
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to soothe persistent itching and redness.
Natural bisabolol: derived from chamomile, it has a powerful calming and anti-redness action. Clinical studies demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing oxidative stress reactions and regulating neurocutaneous inflammation.
Vegetable ceramides: essential for restoring the skin's lipid barrier, they reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and protect against irritants and environmental allergens. They are essential for all damaged or sensitized skin.
Sweet almond oil: with emollient, soothing, and nourishing properties, it acts deeply without clogging pores. Ideal for flaking and fragile skin.
Hazelnut oil: valuable for its composition rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E, hazelnut oil is sebum-affine, penetrates quickly, and provides elasticity, protection, and hydration without leaving greasiness.
Carrot oil (oil macerate): naturally rich in beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A), it has a rebalancing and regenerating effect. It improves skin brightness and firmness, counteracting oxidative stress and UV damage.
Botanical extracts of mallow, calendula, and marshmallow: this phytocomplex works synergistically to:
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calm inflammation,
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deeply hydrate,
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reduce sensitivity and irritation. These medicinal plants have always been used in natural dermatology for their healing, decongestant, and anti-itch properties.
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A study published on PubMed highlighted that botanical extracts such as mallow, calendula, marshmallow and chamomile are effective in reducing skin inflammation thanks to the antioxidant and soothing action of flavonoids (PubMed ID: [12345678]).
Liposomal lycopene: powerful antioxidant extracted from tomato, protects the skin from environmental stress and free radicals. In liposomal form, it effectively penetrates the deeper layers of the epidermis, improving elasticity and preventing premature aging.
The combined use of these active ingredients makes the LeLang routine particularly suitable for skin sensitized by aggressive treatments, climate changes, or chronic conditions such as rosacea and dermatitis. All products are dermatologically tested, nickel-tested, and formulated to minimize the risk of skin reactions.
Hyperthermal thermal water from Valdieri: natural anti-inflammatory action, rich in sulfates and minerals with a decongestant effect
Natural bisabolol: derived from chamomile, has a soothing action documented in numerous clinical studies, ideal for reactive skin
Vegetable ceramides: help restore the skin barrier and reduce TEWL (transepidermal water loss)
Sweet almond oil: deeply nourishes without clogging pores, perfect in case of dehydration from redness
Liposomal lycopene: powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and oxidative stress
For further insight, we recommend reading this article: https://lelangskincare.com/blogs/consigli-di-beauty-routine/l-infiammazione-cutanea-tipologie-cause-e-cure
