Cleansing.
Cleanse the skin twice daily (morning and night) with a gentle, fragrance-free, and noncomedogenic (won’t clog pores) cleanser.
Niacinamide.
Add a product with niacinamide into your daily routine. Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 that’s been shown to reduce acne-related inflammation and redness. You can usually find it in serum or cream forms for topical application.
Salicylic acid.
Apply topical salicylic acid to red, irritated blemishes. Salicylic acidTrusted Source is a peeling agent that also has anti-inflammatory (anti-redness), antimicrobial, and antifungal properties when applied at percentages ranging from 0.5 to 5 percent.
Pimple patches.
Consider pimple patches or stickers. If the redness is limited to one (or two) locations, you can purchase pimple patches designed to minimize a pimple’s appearance. Most contain salicylic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, or some combination of ingredients designed to reduce the pimple’s appearance and promote healing.
Ice.
Apply a cloth-covered ice pack or piece of ice over areas of redness. Leave on for 10 minutes or less.
Hypoallergenic.
Use a lightweight, noncomedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin from drying out. Some key words to look out for when purchasing include hypoallergenic in a lotion or gel formulation that usually contains moisturizers, such as hyaluronic acid.
Sometimes, you’ll need to call in the professionals for consistent, painful, and inflamed pimples. A dermatologist can evaluate your skin and prescribe professional-level treatments, such as topical applications, chemical peels, or laser therapy.
Acne can also closely resemble rosacea, a condition that causes significant skin redness.
You can also apply a mild cortisone cream to an inflamed pimple to decrease redness and swelling. This should be done sparingly and only as a spot treatment, as topical steroids themselves can actually cause acne, as well other potential side effects such as skin thinning.
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