My cheeks are almost always bright red. What can I do about it?

Question

When I'm at home getting ready for school in the mornings my face is okay, and it's not flaming red or anything because I'm content around my family. But when I get to school I'm rushing around a lot and get tired and embarassed often, so my cheeks turn a bright red. Really, it's embarassing. My cheeks are naturally red ( at least, that's what my mom says ), but I don't like it. My mom says that osme girls would kill to not have to use makeup or pinch their cheeks to get a slight tint to their cheeks, but I wish it would go away. The bad part is, only my cheeks get red, but not the rest of my face, so it just looks like I applied too much makeup to my cheeks. Sometimes my cheeks burn so bad that even when I put my icy cold fingers on them to cool them down it doesn't halp much. I really hate my red cheeks because it ruins all of my makeup and takes away that fresh, clean look that I start out with in the morning, so I appear very unattractive to myself. Is there anything i can do?

Answer 1

I totally understand this because I have really pale skin and bright red cheeks all the time. It looks terrible because it looks like I've put blusher unevenly from my eyes to my jaw. The slightest change in temperature or even walking up stairs makes them flare up even worse.

I know that there are times when your cheeks burn so hot you can feel the blood pumping though them, but it's best not to touch them. Doing that only attracts other people's attention to it and makes them more likely to go "Are you all right? You're really red". Which of course makes it worse. And as you say, it ruins the makeup.

My main product is liquid foundation. People say to test it on your jawline, but because it's red I can't do that, so I make sure it matches the skin below my eyebrows. It's nearly always the palest shade available anyway.

If I'm only hanging around the house, I just use the liquid to cover the red areas, which is enough to keep my parents (or flatmates while I'm at uni) from commenting on my redness.

If I'm going out though, I need more so I use powder over the top. Trouble is, powder on top of liquid foundation is a different shade to powder on bare skin.

So I use a light layer of liquid foundation all over my face, then go back and add more to hide the red areas. Then I use a big brush to dust the powder really lightly over my face. I tend to use 2 similar shades of powder to even things out completely.

Under normal circumstances, I've found that it lasts for about 12 hours as long as I don't touch my face too much. Even then, I only need to touch up the powder. What really trashes it is sweat. When I go horseriding, I end up a bit orange, but I'd rather be orange than red.

I know someone else said that makeup makes you spotty, but if you use the right things, it doesn't. Your makeup should help keep the balance between dry skin and greasy skin. Most acne is caused by hormones and I know I only ever get spots around my period, so don't be afraid of using makeup.

Maybe it's an actual skin condition, but I've accepted now that it's something I'm stuck with and my makeup has become a part of me. I'm so much less self conscious now, because I know that no matter how bad my skin is underneath, no one can see it.

I'd say you just need to experiment to find the right makeup for your skin and that paler shades of foundation, are the best at hiding it. I've got sensitive skin and I've found that Collection 2000 is gentle and really effective, so don't be fooled into thinking you need to spend a fortune on makeup. Maybe in time you'll get used to your skin and won't worry about it so much, I'm hoping that'll happen to me at some point. Either way, good luck! I hope you find a solution.

Answer 2

This is a problem is see a lot of, its very common.

Firsty redness of the cheeks is caused by increased circulation to the blood vessels. This is most notieable at times of stress/circulation. Incrased HR(Cardiac Output) --> increased blood flow-->dilation of the blood vessels --> red cheeks.

Secondly, this is most commly caused by being "just the way you are". I know this isn't a lot of help but sometimes people just have this and it's completely harmless.
If you have any "burst vessels" in the cheeks which persist these can be lasered.

A lot of girls go to extremes trying to "cover this up" by applying on loads of makeup. Please dont do this as it can block pores and lead to acne.

Japanese and Victorian women used to pinch there cheeks until they almost bled to make them red, it was a sign of great beauty.

You're beautiful just the way you are.

Answer 3

I have that problem now and when I was a teenager . I was always shy and didn't like to be the center of attention. It embarassed me and my face would turn red. I turned red if anyone gave me a complement or if a boy talked to me. I finally outgrew it when I became a young woman and more confident of myself. I was fine for years but now as I get older, (menopausal) I get hot flashes and the same thing happens.
As you said, not even icy cold fingers helps. If you put cold water or an ice compress on pulse points, neck, inside of elbows and wrists, it helps cool you down quicker.
I've talked to my doctor about it, after my eye doctor pointed it out to me. That made me more embarrased that he noticed and mentioned it. He told me I could have a disease and should check it out with my doctor. When I did, she told me not to worry, I didn't have lupus!
I used to work for a cosmetic company and learned that corrective makeup in green, would neutralize the red in my cheeks. I've tried the powder , cream and coverup stick. Maybelline and Phydican's Formula make it. I get mine at WalMart but lots of pharmacies may carry it. For you, I'd recommend the powder to use as a blush. Good luck!

Answer 4

Judging by the way you are talking you must be red headed or have a lot of red heads in your family. If that is the case you will have to live with it. You thing you have it bad try being a guy with the same complexion problems. Common to all red heads and people with red headed genes in their blood.

Answer 5

I'd talk with your family doctor and see if there is some topical lotion he/she could prescribe for you.

That said, if you do get embarrassed -- and that is the root cause of your red cheeks -- you need to try some relaxation techniques to help calm you down so you don't get embarrassed (and therefore red).

Answer 6

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Answer 7

cover up or foundation would be all that i could suggest

Answer 8

ummmmmmmmm,my cheeks get red whenever im hot..............
..............maybe you should just try too cool down alitle bit