I Didn't Think a Serum Could *Significantly* Reduce Redness, But These Reviews Sold Me
I've never had to deal with that much skin redness before—just a little bit on my nose, and that's it. My main skincare woe is dryness. But recently, my skin has become redder than usual, which has been, of course, very annoying in combination with the dryness. I don't know if it's my skin changing over time or the change in weather (or both), but I've found myself using concealer more and more to cover up red spots.
While concealer is a must-have for me these days, it's only a temporary fix. So I've been experimenting with different skincare products to target inflamed, red skin. I tried to switch up my face wash. I applied more moisturizer. I made sure to apply sunscreen diligently. But there's one product that made a big difference—a serum. I've used serums for extra hydration, but I didn't realize they could relieve redness too. These lightweight and hydrating formulas have been game-changers for me—especially when they're formulated to target redness. After a few uses, I've noticed the redness has subsided and my skin looks and feels more hydrated and healthier.
One of the best face serums is Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate. Not only does it give my parched face a huge boost of hydration, but it also manages to calm my redness. It's formulated with 15% glycerin and an epidermal hydration filler, so my skin looks and feels plump and smooth. And don't get me started on the gel-like consistency. Holy moly, I am obsessed with how cooling it feels! It's especially amazing to apply during the summer months.
Although I found a favorite, I did a lot of research into different redness-reducing serums by reading reviews. So if you're experiencing redness and still need to find your holy-grail fix, take a look at some notable options I've found below with stellar reviews.
1. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Serum
This serum contains Centella Rx, which soothes and protects, plus Cicabond, which repairs and rebuilds damaged skin. But the best part about this formula is the Jartbiome, a proprietary microbiome complex that strengthens and balances the skin.
What a reviewer says: "I haven't even been using this a full week and I've already seen dramatic changes to my skin. I've never had a product give me such visible results so fast. I thought I would just have to live with the redness on my face as a fact of life. Not so. Also, my face feels so much cooler now."
2. IS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus
The zinc sulfate in this formula helps reduce and relieve inflammation. Other ingredients include olive leaf extract and vitamin C to provide antioxidant protection; kojic acid to prevent blemishes; and vitamins E and A to condition and nourish the skin.
What a reviewer says: "This product is the greatest investment I have done for my skin. The impact in just two weeks was extremely noticeable. I had red marks sporadically on my skin and this product helped even the discoloration. Couldn't stress its wonders more!"
3. La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Moisturizer Serum
La Roche-Posay's moisturizer serum is specially formulated for sensitive skin to relieve redness and soothe skin. It contains thermal spring water, glycerin, and light reflectors.
What a reviewer says: "Finally found a product that works for my rosacea! After being diagnosed with rosacea I tried several prescription and non-prescription products—none of which took the redness, bumps, or heat feeling inside away. Within a few days of using this product, the bumps on my cheeks and nose were gone, and within a week the redness was greatly reduced."
4. Renée Rouleau Redness Care Firming Serum
Formulated with licorice extract and different types of microalgae, this serum reduces redness, sensitivity, and irritation. And that's not all—It also contains peptides and antioxidants to improve the skin's firmness.
5. Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Redness Relief Serum
If your redness and irritation are caused by dryness, this hydrating serum can help with that. Avocado, ceramides, and allantoin work together to soothe, calm, and nourish the skin.
What a reviewer says: "My skin is super sensitive and acne-prone, and this has been amazing for my skin! This has helped my redness so much and I am 10000% going to re-purchase. No other product has helped my redness this much and I've tried so many other products."
6. Aveeno Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum
Aveeno's serum has a triple-oat complex—which consists of oat flour, extract, and oil—plus feverfew to calm irritated skin and restore the moisture barrier. It's great for sensitive skin since it's hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.
What a reviewer says: "This is amazing. It is lightweight, hydrating, and reduces redness. All without breaking me out, which no product has ever done. I hope they never, ever discontinue this. I'm honestly floored."
7. SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel
SkinCeuticals' gel serum is so dang soothing thanks to ingredients like thyme, olive, and cucumber extracts; eucalyptus leaf; and hyaluronic acid. The formula also minimizes the appearance of discoloration.
What a reviewer says: "I would recommend this product to anyone who has red, sensitive skin or rosacea. Not only does it help calm and clear the skin but also gives you an immediate beautiful glow/dewy look. Love this product!"
8. Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Anti-Redness Serum
This calming serum targets redness while strengthening the skin's natural lipid barrier and locking in moisture. Use it morning and night before your moisturizer.
What a reviewer says: "This is the best serum I've used to combat redness. It really keeps the red in my skin at bay. Its scent is clean, and it immediately absorbs into the skin without sticky residue."
9. Caudalie VinoHydra Serum
Caudalie's lightweight and water-based serum is ultra hydrating. It contains organic grape water to moisturize dry skin and nourish the skin's microbiome, plus hyaluronic acid and antioxidants.
What a reviewer says: "I love this serum and this product has done me wonders! This serum is so moisturizing and lightweight and feels so great on my skin! Definitely great for the summer and calms down any sign of redness. I use it on a daily basis along with other products and it allows me to apply my makeup in the morning easily and smoothly."
10. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
I'm a huge fan of Neutrogena's Hydro Boost gel cream, and I can tell you that its sister serum doesn't disappoint either. It's lightweight, cooling, and absorbs so quickly. Plus, I love that it doesn't feel sticky or greasy.
What a reviewer says: "In one week of use, I can see and feel a huge difference in my skin. I had redness in some areas from dryness and it's gone. I would highly recommend this item for someone looking for a moisture boost."
11. PCA Skin Anti-Redness Serum
This serum is designed to help even skin tone and provide comfort, especially for those with sensitive complexions. Ingredients include aldavine, capparenols, and bisabolol to reduce inflammation; caper and red algae extract to repair damaged and broken capillaries; and glycerin to hydrate.
What a reviewer says: "I have rosacea and am pretty red in the cheeks, I have been using this for a few months now and have noticed a nice difference in the amount of redness to my cheeks."
12. Éminence Organic Skin Care Calm Skin Arnica Booster-Serum
This serum combines arnica extract with lavender to boost circulation and promote wound healing. The formula also contains peppermint for a nice cooling feel.
What a reviewer says: "I have rosacea and it flares up regularly. After using this product my skin is calm and glowing. I can absolutely see a difference in my skin tone. Now I use it daily as part of my skincare routine."
13. First Aid Beauty Hydrating Serum
In addition to redness, you can use this serum to target dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles. It contains hyaluronic acid, collagen, and peptides.
What a reviewer says: "I have hormonal acne that gets very inflamed and angry and I have sensitive skin in general. This absolutely reduced the redness and evened out my complexion, calmed my skin, and made it so smooth. It does everything it says—replenishes, smooths, and softens. I will be repurchasing!"
14. Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum
This Murad serum will provide relief whether your redness is caused by rosacea, sunburn, waxing, or professional treatments. Its formula attracts and traps moisture while also supporting the skin's barrier.
What a reviewer says: "I was so lobster-faced from rosacea. I always return to Murad for the best relief."
15. Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief
Tamanu oil is the key ingredient in this serum. It can calm irritation, reduce redness, fight breakouts, and smooth texture. Other nourishing ingredients include safflower and rosehip oils, niacinamide, and ceramides.
What a reviewer says: "Love this stuff. When my skin is red and irritated, this stuff completely makes it go away. Amazing product."
More Redness-Reducing Products
This treatment is color-correcting and protects you from UV damage and environmental stressors.
Drugstore favorite Cetaphil has a great night moisturizer to soothe redness and irritation that's caused by dryness. Ingredients include licorice extract, allantoin, and caffeine.
SkinCeuticals' Redness Neutralizer is formulated with biomimetic peptides and botanical extracts to soothe the skin and combat any environmental triggers that cause redness.
Washing your face with the wrong product can strip your skin of moisture, irritating it even more. This no-rinse cleansing lotion reduces redness and sensitivity while soothing and cleaning the skin.
If you have sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or rosacea, you know that the drugstore brand Eucerin has some pretty trustworthy options. This cream works to soothe and hydrate inflamed skin overnight.
Clinique's oil-free moisturizing cream is formulated with probiotics to restore the skin's natural barrier and balance its microbiome.
Finding an exfoliant can be tricky—a lot of them can make your redness worse. But this one from Paula's Choice is specially made to deal with redness and sensitivity thanks to allantoin. It also contains 2% salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, and hyaluronic acid for hydration.
Those who experience redness because of acne-prone skin can benefit from this drugstore find. It's formulated with lactobacillus extract, a probiotic formula that prevents and fights breakouts, and soothes and relieves redness.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work on THE/THIRTY and Who What Wear, she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.
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