Ruddy Complexion: What It Is, The Main Causes & 4 Natural Treatments

Keep scrolling to learn more about a ruddy complexion and four no-fuss natural treatments. 

Finally, "the severity can vary from person to person," Bicaj says. "Also depending on its cause."

There is no clean, simple answer as to why people get ruddy complexions. In fact, there are a variety of things that can cause a ruddy complexion. "While often inherited, ruddy skin can also be a side effect of several varying environmental factors," Hartman explains.

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes the skin to appear persistently red, starting with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than others according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Other symptoms might include bumps, pimples, visible blood vessels, and skin thickening. Just like a ruddy complexion, rosacea can be caused by both genetic and environmental factors.

A sunny day with strong UVA and UVB rays isn't the only forecast we need to be aware of to protect our skin. A harsh breeze, low temperature, and exposed sunlight can work together to cause a ruddy complexion. "People who work outside or spend a lot of time outdoors may experience red and splotchy skin," Hartman says. "Chilly temperatures, strong winds, and direct sunlight can temporarily cause, or exaggerate, a ruddy complexion." 

Harsh ingredients like retinoids, acids, alcohol, and physical exfoliants can easily irritate sensitive skin. Whether it happens overnight or over time, this can create redness and irritation that then may result in a ruddy complexion.

There are also a handful of great natural treatments that can help you reduce redness in the face.

In the meantime, you can swap in products with calming and protective ingredients. Hartman recommends emollient ingredients like ceramides and oatmeal extracts (like oat oil or colloidal oat) because they "increase hydration and prevent transepidermal water loss, which causes dryness, irritation, and redness."

Once you get to the bare bones of it and let your skin chill out for a while, then you can slowly and carefully add back in other ingredients to see how your complexion tolerates them. For example, you may find that you can safely use an alpha-hydroxy acid two times a week—but no more than that. Or you may find that retinols are simply too strong for you, full stop. But at the very least you are understanding your skin a bit better.

It may feel better to wash your face with water on the hotter side, but in reality this temperature can actively harm the skin. Not only will too-hot water strip your skin's barrier of its natural oils, but it also won't soothe any flare-ups and irritations. So instead of turning on the hot tap to wash your face, use cold water as it has been proven to reduce inflammation1 within the body. 

The best type of sunscreen to ensure great UVA and UVB protection without compromising complexion is a zinc-based formula. Not only does it provide the necessary protection, but zinc also has healing and anti-inflammatory properties that can actively soothe a ruddy complexion.

Ruddy complexions are totally normal and affect many types of people. If you find yourself dealing with red, blotchy skin, the best thing you can do is to pare back your routine for a while.