We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Beauty Skincare The 24 Best Skincare Products for Neutralizing Redness Skin-soothing moisturizers, masks, serums, and more. By Grace Parsons Grace Parsons Grace Parsons is a contributing writer for Real Simple whose work has been published in The Spruce, The/Thirty, and The Quality Edit. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 08, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Reviews How to Shop Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Kristin Kempa Red, inflamed skin can often feel uncomfortable and frustrating to treat. Fortunately, there are plenty of over-the-counter skincare products for redness that help alleviate this common sensitivity symptom, whether it's caused by rosacea, heat, sun exposure, acne, over exfoliation, or another inflammatory skin condition. To come up with these recommendations, we spent hours researching the best skincare products for redness, considering ingredients, formulation, and more. We also tapped Dendy Engelman, MD, board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue, for tips on what to look for in redness-reducing products. From soothing serums to overnight masks to color correctors, these anti-redness products will leave your complexion soothed, hydrated, and with an even tone. Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray PHOTO: Sephora $28 at Amazon $12 at Sephora View on Tower28beauty.com What Stands Out This redness-reducing spray can be used on all skin types. What Could Be Improved It’s fragrance free, but the smell may be off putting to some people. Tower 28 Beauty's SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which is the ultimate sign a product is safe for sensitive skin. The power of this redness-relieving spray comes from hypochlorous acid: a compound naturally produced by the body's immune system. It alleviates irritation thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This acid is blended with water and salt to ensure maximum delivery to the deepest layers of the skin. Type: Mist | Size: 1 and 4 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hypochlorous acid SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask PHOTO: Amazon $70 at Skinstore.com $70 at Skinceuticals.com $70 at Bluemercury.com What Stands Out This expert-approved mask can be used in three different ways. What Could Be Improved It can’t be worn under makeup, so it’s not ideal for daytime use. The SkinCeuticals Phyto line should be a staple in any anti-redness skincare routine—and it comes highly recommended by Dr. Engelman. She says the blend of calming cucumber, olive, dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid effectively reduces redness and hydrates the skin. This product can be used as a leave-on, rinse-off, or overnight mask, making it versatile enough to fit into any skincare regimen. Plus, the gel is a vibrant green that instantly reduces redness on sensitized skin. Type: Mask | Size: 2 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, dipeptides, cucumber extract, thyme extract, and olive extract Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser PHOTO: Amazon $9 at Amazon View on Target $9 at Walmart What Stands Out This gentle cleanser has a milky texture without any harsh ingredients. What Could Be Improved Those who have acne-prone skin may need something with active ingredients. According to Dr. Engelman, using harsh skincare products can also cause the skin to become inflamed, making gentle cleansers a top pick for redness-prone skin. The Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is recommended by most dermatologists for anyone with sensitive skin, predominantly for its milky texture and soothing ingredients. By combining glycerin and coconut-based surfactants, this face wash cleanses the skin without stripping the barrier from the essential moisture it needs to remain calm. Type: Cleanser | Size: 8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, coconut surfactants Biossance 100% Squalane Oil PHOTO: Amazon $34 at Amazon $34 at Sephora $34 at Kohls.com What Stands Out This oil contains vegan squalane, which is derived from sugarcane instead of sharks. What Could Be Improved We wish it absorbed into the skin faster. "Squalane also helps reduce redness by repairing and strengthening the barrier, increasing skin's moisture content and serving as an anti-inflammatory agent," Dr. Engelman says. As the sole ingredient in this pick from Biossance, the vegan and cruelty-free topical sits lightweight on the skin, making it ideal for all skin types. (Although we wish it absorbed into the skin faster.) Plus, because squalane mimics sebum naturally produced by the skin, it's one of the best oil varieties for acne-prone skin. Type: Oil | Size: 3.3 ounces | Key Ingredients: Sugarcane-derived squalane Dr Jart Cicapair Cooling Gel Moisturizer for Redness PHOTO: Sephora $52 at Amazon $52 at Sephora View on Drjart.com What Stands Out The jar packaging means you can use every last ounce of product. What Could Be Improved It might not be hydrating enough for dry skin types. Real Simple beauty and fashion editor Hana Hong sings the praises of the Dr. Jart Cicapair Cooling Gel Moisturizer for Redness. “This cooling gel moisturizer feels like a dream on irritated skin. Sensorial benefits aside, it works to even out your skin tone and combat blotchiness both instantly and over time; the subtle green tint neutralizes redness right away, while Cica Complex leaves your complexion brighter and more even with continued use.” Additionally, the water-based formula easily sits under makeup, providing redness protection and hydration throughout the day. Type: Moisturizer | Size: 1.69 ounces | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, centella asiatica, and glycerin iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum PHOTO: Dermstore $99 at Amazon $59 at Walmart $99 at Dermstore What Stands Out This anti-inflammatory serum has a cooling effect. What Could Be Improved The formula contains menthol, which might be irritating for some people. The iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum provides equal parts hydration and antioxidant properties to help soothe inflamed, overly sensitized skin. The formula includes ingredients like centella asiatica to reduce redness often associated with sunburn and skin conditions like rosacea and eczema. It also blends vitamin B5 with kojic and hyaluronic acids to target signs of aging like dehydration and pigmentation. It’s super lightweight, so this serum fits smoothly into daytime and nighttime skincare routines. Type: Serum | Size: 1 ounce | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, kojic acid, and centella asiatica La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 PHOTO: Target $17 at Amazon $17 at Target $19 at Ulta What Stands Out This works well to prevent sebaceous filaments. What Could Be Improved It is incredibly popular and sells out quickly. “I have reactive skin, so my cheeks often get rosy,” says Real Simple beauty director Heather Muir Maffei. “This tube houses the most soothing cream I’ve found. It’s fragrance free, rich yet not oily or sticky, and its nourishing ingredients—shea butter, panthenol, and glycerin—help calm any irritation, stat. I slather it on before bed and wake up to hydrated and happy skin.” Outside of the popular slugging trend, the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ works great for helping combat sebaceous filaments and healing a damaged skin barrier brought on by harsh actives, over exfoliation, or in-office procedures. Type: Balm | Size: 1.35 ounces | Key Ingredients: Vitamin B5 and glycerin Dr. Barbara Sturm Niacinamide Serum PHOTO: Sephora $160 at Amazon $160 at Sephora View on Drsturm.com What Stands Out This face serum is designed to help with acne-related redness. What Could Be Improved It’s very expensive. Niacinamide is a B vitamin commonly associated with minimizing the appearance of pores, but it is also a powerhouse ingredient for calming redness quickly and effectively. Dr. Barbara Sturm’s The Better B Niacinamide Serum harnesses this ingredient, plus vitamin B5 and marine plankton extract, to create an acne-focused treatment that leaves skin radiant and hydrated as it restores the skin's protective barrier. Type: Serum | Size: 1 ounce | Key Ingredients: Vitamin B3, vitamin B5, marine plankton extract The Inkey List SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum Redness Relief Solution PHOTO: Sephora $18 at Sephora $18 at Kohls.com View on Theinkeylist.com What Stands Out The gel formula feels instantly soothing. What Could Be Improved The ingredients might be irritating for those with extremely sensitive skin. A lesser-known ingredient for combating redness is azelaic acid, which happens to be the lead component in The Inkey List’s SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum Redness Relief Solution. Both affordable and easy to use, this gel instantly soothes the skin and brings down the appearance of inflammation over time. Other ingredients like allantoin help the formula feel nourishing, while the light green hue acts as a neutralizer for flushed skin. Safe for people with rosacea, this gel-like serum won't pill under makeup or other skincare, so it fits seamlessly into a daily routine. If you have extremely sensitive skin and have never used products with these ingredients before, you may want to patch-test this product before fully applying it. Type: Serum | Size: 1 ounce | Key Ingredients: Azelaic acid and allantoin Cetaphil Redness Foaming Face Wash PHOTO: Amazon $10 at Amazon $12 at Target $10 at Walmart What Stands Out This affordable foaming cleanser is non-drying and helps restore the skin barrier. What Could Be Improved Its formula contains fragrance. Foaming face washes are known for being very drying, making them less than ideal for people with dry or sensitive skin. However, Cetaphil's Redness Relieving Foaming Face Wash is specifically formulated to hydrate skin and calm inflammation. Humectants like glycerin and castor oil lock in moisture and create a protective barrier to the skin, while allantoin soothes the skin during use. We also appreciate that this dermatologist-loved cleanser won't break the bank. Type: Cleanser | Size: 8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Allantoin, castor oil, glycerin Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream Sephora. $100 at Amazon $96 at Nordstrom $96 at Sephora What Stands Out It’s an all-in-one moisturizer that combats dryness, irritation, and aging. What Could Be Improved Though effective, this moisturizer is very expensive. Two common causes of redness and inflammation are a lack of moisture and a compromised skin barrier. Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream is the antidote to both, thanks to the patented TFC8, which works on a cellular level to replenish and renew the skin. The formula also includes humectants like hyaluronic acid and plant oils from avocado, sunflower, and evening primrose to nourish and hydrate even the driest of complexions. It’s very expensive compared to other moisturizers, but for those who are willing to splurge, it's incredibly effective on irritated and sensitive skin. Type: Moisturizer | Size: 0.5, 1, and 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: TFC8, hydrolyzed rice protein, hyaluronic acid Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream PHOTO: Amazon $31 at Amazon $38 at Walmart View on Aveneusa.com What Stands Out This cream contains minimal ingredients and is extremely soothing. What Could Be Improved The formula isn’t very rich compared to other face creams. Avène is another French brand worth knowing about. The Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream is a lightweight day moisturizer that soothes inflammation, burning, and other signs of sensitization. It keeps skin hydrated and calm for up to 24 hours thanks to Avène’s Thermal Spring Water and squalane. It also has a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association. Type: Moisturizer | Size: 1.3 ounces | Key Ingredients: Avène Thermal Spring Water, squalane Paula's Choice Clear Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution PHOTO: Amazon $35 at Amazon $35 at Sephora $35 at Paulaschoice.com What Stands Out This exfoliating toner helps clear sebum, dirt, and more from acne-prone skin. What Could Be Improved It may be too harsh for those with sensitive skin. Anyone with oily, acne-prone skin will find the anti-redness pore-clearing benefits of this Paula's Choice solution worth every penny. This exfoliating liquid sloughs away sebum, dirt, and other impurities from the pores while fading the hyperpigmentation often experienced post-breakout. Its formula also contains glycerin for hydration and allantoin for soothing anti-inflammation. Type: Toner | Size: 4 ounces | Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, allantoin, glycerin e.l.f. Tone Adjusting Face Primer PHOTO: Target $8 at Amazon $8 at Target $8 at Walmart What Stands Out It can be worn under makeup to neutralize redness. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t provide many other benefits besides correcting color and prepping skin for makeup. The e.l.f. Tone Adjusting Face Primer is an affordable drugstore product that ensures redness won't peek through your makeup. The semi-translucent green hue easily blends on top of the skin. Packaged in a hygienic pump, this natural-finish primer is safe for all skin types, even those who are sensitive or acne-prone. Plus, like the rest of the brand's products, the formula is vegan and cruelty-free. Type: Primer | Size: 0.47 ounces | Key Ingredients: Dimethicone Make Beauty Diffusion Dew Skin Tint PHOTO: MAKE Beauty $32 at Amazon View on Makebeauty.com $32 at Violet Grey What Stands Out This skin tint offers lightweight coverage. What Could Be Improved It’s only available in 12 shades. and pore-blurring base product with skin-mimicking technology. The ultra-fine pigments in the formula seamlessly blend into the skin, creating a luminous and even-toned complexion. And as niacinamide visibly reduces redness and other acute visual discoloration, added adenosine works to treat the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This formula won't clog pores and is the ultimate universal makeup product for those with redness-prone skin. Type: Skin tint | Size: 1 ounce | Key Ingredients: Adenosine and niacinamide Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer PHOTO: Sephora $36 at Sephora $36 at Kohls.com View on Saiehello.com What Stands Out This tinted moisturizer has an SPF of 35. What Could Be Improved It may not offer enough coverage for people who are used to foundation. Another skin tint we recommend is the Saie Slip Tint. With its dewy finish and lightweight coverage, this daily base product acts as equal parts redness neutralizer and sun protector. It comes in 14 shades with a mineral SPF 35, which adds to the multitasking benefits of this tinted moisturizer. Ingredients worth calling out include hydrating hyaluronic acid, pansy flower for moisture retention, and skin-brightening licorice root extract—all of which benefit red, inflamed skin. Type: Skin tint | Size: 1.35 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, pansy flower, licorice root extract Sonya Dakar Blue Butterfly Balm PHOTO: Sonya Dakar View on Sonyadakar.com What Stands Out This protective balm helps calm red, irritated skin. What Could Be Improved Those with oily skin may find the texture too thick or greasy. With a name like Blue Butterfly Balm, it's no wonder this anti-inflammatory oil blend from celebrity esthetician Sonya Dakar is beloved by many. Extracts from the blue butterfly pea flower and Kalahari melon give skin visible relief from irritation and redness. Plus, the added hydration from the base of solidified macadamia, cupuaçu, and evening primrose keeps complexions balanced. This balm, which turns into an oil that melts into your skin, will restore your skin’s protective barrier in no time. Type: Balm | Size: Not listed | Key Ingredients: Blue butterfly pea flower, Kalahari melon, evening primrose oil Clearstem Skincare Hydraberry Moisture Mask PHOTO: Clearstem Skincare $56 at Walmart View on Clearstemskincare.com $44 at Neiman Marcus What Stands Out This mask boosts hydration more than a traditional moisturizer. What Could Be Improved The shipping and return policies are not very flexible. This formula contains olive-derived squalane, abyssine, and arnica to restore damaged skin barriers and replenish moisture levels for balanced, hydrated, and bouncy skin. This product also doubles as an intense overnight moisturizer for those who need a bit more TLC than the average mask allows. We only wish the shipping and return policies were a bit more flexible. You have to spend $75 to get free shipping, and though the brand’s site says it offers 30-day returns, there’s an $11 handling fee applied. Type: Mask | Size: 2 ounces | Key Ingredients: Squalane, abyssine, aloe vera, arnica Augustinus Bader The Essence PHOTO: Sephora $80 at Amazon $32 at Nordstrom $97 at Sephora What Stands Out This mild exfoliant is gentle enough for sensitive skin. What Could Be Improved It's very expensive. Exfoliating inflamed or sensitive skin is challenging because you don't want to exasperate any visible irritation. Fortunately, Augustinus Bader's The Essence is a three-in-one product that provides mild chemical exfoliation. Using the brand’s signature TFC8 technology, phytic acid, and vitamin E, this lightweight and hydrating liquid reduces the appearance of discoloration, improves skin texture, and helps the skin attract and retain moisture. Just keep in mind that you shouldn’t use this exfoliating product if you’re using a prescription-strength topical, like tretinoin. Type: Essence | Size: 3.38 ounces | Key Ingredients: TFC8, phytic acid, vitamin E, salicylic acid Topicals Like Butter Moisturizer PHOTO: Topicals $34 at Sephora $34 at Mytopicals.com What Stands Out This moisturizer contains soothing colloidal oatmeal and green tea. What Could Be Improved It’s very thick, so it may feel too heavy for those who prefer lightweight moisturizers for daytime use. Full of antioxidant-rich green tea and anti-inflammatory madecassoside, the Topicals Like Butter Moisturizer is a worthy addition to any redness-reducing skincare regimen. Because of the product's creamy yet occlusive formulation, this moisturizer is multipurpose, meaning it can be applied wherever you need your skin’s barrier repaired. Type: Moisturizer | Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, madecassoside, green tea SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist PHOTO: Dermstore $70 at Dermstore $70 at Skinceuticals.com $70 at Skinstore.com What Stands Out The formula is safe enough to use after an in-office procedure. What Could Be Improved The extracts make the naturally occurring scent quite strong. Not all face mists are created equal. This pick from SkinCeuticals comes from the brand's phyto-corrective line, designed to ease the appearance of visible redness while strengthening the skin's protective barrier. A blend of botanical extracts of cucumber, thyme, olive leaf, and rosemary provides soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits as hyaluronic acid and glycerin draw moisture to the skin, which is often missing for those experiencing sensitivity. The duality of the face mist speaks for itself, serving as a skincare and post-makeup step in your routine. The fine mister evenly disperses the formula onto the skin, so you won't have to worry about it causing your products to run down your face when using it as a midday refresher. Type: Mist | Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Boldus leaf extract, cucumber extract, and glycerin Make Up For Ever Primer Redness Corrector PHOTO: Sephora $40 at Amazon $41 at Nordstrom $24 at Sephora What Stands Out The formula is lightweight and can be used with or without makeup. What Could Be Improved It isn’t suited for darker skin tones. Technically not skincare, this Step 1 Primer for Redness from Make Up For Ever can neutralize red tones in fair to light complexions while sealing in foundations, BB creams, and tinted moisturizers for up to 24 hours. Included in the formula, aside from green pigments, are ginseng and vitamin B5, each known to hydrate and protect the skin to maintain a radiant and smooth complexion with continued use. The tube packaging is TSA friendly, but a mini version is available for those who prefer to travel even lighter. This packaging also ensures you can use every last bit of product before going out and repurchasing a backup. Type: Primer | Size: 0.50 and 1.0 ounces | Key Ingredients: Ginseng Aveeno Oat Face Cleanser PHOTO: Amazon $10 at Amazon $11 at Target $10 at Walmart What Stands Out The pump packaging ensures you don’t use too much product. What Could Be Improved The level of hydration provided might be too much for oily skin types. Aveeno's Calm + Restore Oat Cleanser is a drugstore find that gently cleanses irritated and sensitive skin without stripping it of its natural oils. The milky texture uses the power of soothing oats and feverfew for added moisture and barrier fortification immediately after and with continued use. Like most of the brand's products, this formula is free from fragrances, parabens, alcohol, dyes, and phthalates, which are often triggers for those with conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Type: Cleanser | Size: 7.8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Oat, feverfew juice, and hyaluronic acid Prequel Redness Reform Soothing Serum PHOTO: Prequel View on Prequelskin.com What Stands Out The serum has a seal from The National Eczema Association and Rosacea Association. What Could Be Improved It is free from allergens but not soy. Prequel is a dermatologist-founded skincare brand championing formulas suitable for all skin types—particularly those prone to conditions like rosacea and eczema. The Redness Reform Soothing Serum is free from common irritants—think fragrances and allergens—to create a formula that optically reduces redness for a clear and calm complexion. Soothing ingredients like oat, arnica, and vitamin F restore barrier function that won't leave skin feeling tight, irritated, or dry. And while the soft green tint offers some color correction, it is still best to use makeup to get fuller coverage and daily skin tone balancing. Type: Serum | Size: 1.0 ounce | Key Ingredients: Arnica, oat, and vitamin F How to Shop for Anti-Redness Products Like a Pro Ingredients "Look for cooling and anti-inflammatory ingredients that can help quickly tone down redness in the skin," Dr. Engelman says. She recommends products that contain aloe, squalane, and cucumber, given that these ingredients provide an abundance of antioxidants and barrier-restoring properties to the skin. Plus, these gentle ingredients are not as abrasive on the skin as benzoyl peroxide and retinol, which often break down the skin barrier and exasperate conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. And since these ingredients are lightweight, even those who have acne-prone skin can incorporate them into their routines—as long as the formula doesn’t clog pores. This formulation can often be tricky to find, as most sensitive skin-friendly skincare products for redness are full of occlusives that can feel heavy on oily skin. Product Types Any anti-redness moisturizer, serum, or cleanser you use in your routine should be safe for sensitive skin. Typically, you'll notice cleansers designed for sensitive skin are milky and creamy, while moisturizers are rich and emollient. Serums should feel neutral when applied to the skin—not tingly. These product types offer more soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits compared to products that are more lightweight and less viscous. Color cosmetics, while helpful in the short term, typically will not have as lasting an impact as targeted skincare products for redness. "Unless the formulation contains ingredients that promote redness relief, skin tint or color-correcting products will only temporarily mask the redness, not treat it,” Dr. Engelman says. “This is fine as a short-term fix (especially if you have an event), but it will not address the cause of the problem.” Take Our Word for It This article was written by Grace Parsons, a beauty industry veteran, and writer with experience across the cosmetics, skin, and wellness industries. She researched countless options to find the best skincare products for redness. Factors influencing her top picks include ingredients, formulation, and product type. She consulted with Dendy Engelman, MD, board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue, and Real Simple editors to solidify the top picks.