Bright red skin is traditionally associated with embarrassment, but blushing that's accompanied by a burning sensation may be a sign of something more serious. Since your skin is your body's biggest -- and most exposed -- organ, taking good care of it is essential. If you have any ongoing skin issues, including redness and burning in the face, it's a good idea to check with your health care provider to rule out serious problems.
Red, burning skin on your face can take several different forms, depending on what's causing it. Your skin may flush a dark shade of pink or red and be warm to the touch. In some cases, you may have small, raised red bumps, especially around your nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. Some forms of facial redness may be accompanied by a burning or stinging sensation.
There are several factors that may contribute to facial redness and burning. Rosacea, an inflammatory skin condition, can cause redness and burning during outbreaks, which tend to be cyclical. Reactions to topical skin treatments, including benzoyl peroxide- and salicylic acid-based treatments, can cause redness and burning. Some medications used to treat inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may cause rash-like redness and burning for some people who take them. Some people may experience redness and facial burning when they are under stress or powerful emotions.
In some cases, burning, red skin is a temporary condition that will go away by itself in a short time. But if your red skin is because of rosacea, diagnosis and treatment are essential, since rosacea is a progressive health problem that will continue to get worse without intervention, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. If you have ongoing issues with redness and burning on your face, see a dermatologist so that you can receive an accurate diagnosis.
The best way to treat and prevent redness and burning on your face depends on what is causing the condition. If you're using a topical treatment that is causing redness, discontinuing use or reducing frequency of use will often solve the problem. If rosacea is causing your facial redness, a combination of topical and oral medication is usually recommended to manage the condition, according to the American Academy of Dermatology's website.
Whatever causes your facial redness and burning, there are products that can quickly make it less noticeable, says beauty writer Jessica Matlin on Allure magazine's Daily Beauty Reporter Blog. Matlin recommends using a soothing moisturizer that contains shea butter, like Elemis Daily Redness Relief, and a green-tinted foundation primer, like Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Protective Base SPF 15, before applying a mineral foundation like Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 15 to hide redness.