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Skin concern

Facial redness

Primary source

Facial redness: persistent or reactive redness of the face — most often rosacea (a chronic inflammatory dermatosis) or redness from sensitive or seborrheic skin. It is a sign, and what helps depends on the underlying cause. The strongest evidence comes from a 2012 human trial: In a 42-subject randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial, a cream containing 5% potassium azeloyl diglycinate and 1% hydroxypropyl chitosan applied twice daily for 28 days reduced facial erythema in rosacea, measured both with a Mexameter and by clinical grading, compared with placebo. 2 ingredients have evidence for Facial redness: Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide.

The studies behind it were in rosacea (stages I–II), mask-wearing rosacea with sensitive skin, and facial seborrheic dermatitis, all condition groups. The evidence is for redness tied to those conditions.

Where the definition comes from

Source wording

“Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis mainly affecting the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead.” — van Zuuren, Am J Clin Dermatol 2021 (PMID 33759078).

Rosacea: New Concepts in Classification and Treatment American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (van Zuuren EJ)

Ingredients at a glance

2012 · 42 people · adults with rosacea stage I-II · PMID 22360333

Ingredient Measured outcome Based on Certainty Year
— Skin effect Human trial Low 2012
Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide Skin effect Human trial Low 2023
Niacinamide Skin effect Human trial Low 2014
— Skin effect Human trial Low 2025

Studies and results

  1. 1 Hyaluronic acid Niacinamide Skin effect
    A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of a Dermocosmetic Containing Vichy Volcanic Mineralizing Water and Probiotic Fractions in Subjects with Rosacea Associated with Erythema and Sensitive Skin and Wearing Protective Masks

    In a randomized split-face controlled trial in people with rosacea-associated erythema and sensitive skin, a dermocosmetic containing mineralizing water, probiotic fractions, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide significantly improved erythema at day 15 (p<0.01) and day 30 (p<0.001), with skin erythema, tightness, dryness, hydration and TEWL improving versus the untreated side (p<=0.05).

    Human trial · 2023 · People with rosacea-associated erythema and sensitive skin wearing protective masks · Facial erythema, tightness, dryness, hydration and TEWL over 30 days. · The comparator is usual skin care / an untreated half-face.

    PMID 36660190

    Read the full finding →
    Source:A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of a Dermocosmetic Containing Vichy Volcanic Mineralizing Water and Probiotic Fractions in Subjects with Rosacea Associated with Erythema and Sensitive Skin and Wearing Protective Masks
  2. 2 Niacinamide Skin effect
    Topical nicotinamide for seborrheic dermatitis: an open randomized study

    In an open randomized, vehicle-controlled trial of 48 people with mild-to-moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis, 4% nicotinamide cream once daily for 12 weeks reduced the combined erythema/scaling/infiltration score by 75% from baseline versus 35% with the vehicle (p<0.05).

    Human trial · 2014 · 48 people · people (36 men, 12 women) aged 20-50 with mild-to-moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis · Combined clinical score of erythema, scaling and infiltration over 12 weeks. · Open-label.

    PMID 23763270

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Topical nicotinamide for seborrheic dermatitis: an open randomized study

Study limits

Study conditions and measured outcomes.

  • ev-redness-azeloyl-diglycinate-rct Human trial · 2012

    Pilot sample; rosacea is a disease population.

  • Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide Human trial · 2023

    The comparator is usual skin care / an untreated half-face.

  • Niacinamide Human trial · 2014

    Open-label.

  • ev-redness-sensitive-cream-rct Human trial · 2025

    A comparison against another active cream.

Products with a basis for this

26 products · Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum · 10% Niacinamide Booster · 2012 · 42 people · adults with rosacea stage I-II · PMID 22360333

Research-backed approaches

These studies measured finished products and whole routines.

  1. 1 Skin effect
    Clinical and instrumental assessment of the effects of a new product based on hydroxypropyl chitosan and potassium azeloyl diglycinate in the management of rosacea

    In a 42-subject randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial, a cream containing 5% potassium azeloyl diglycinate and 1% hydroxypropyl chitosan applied twice daily for 28 days reduced facial erythema in rosacea, measured both with a Mexameter and by clinical grading, compared with placebo.

    Human trial · 2012 · 42 people · adults with rosacea stage I-II · Facial erythema measured by Mexameter and clinical grading over 28 days. · Pilot sample; rosacea is a disease population.

    PMID 22360333

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Clinical and instrumental assessment of the effects of a new product based on hydroxypropyl chitosan and potassium azeloyl diglycinate in the management of rosacea
  2. 2 Skin effect
    Clinical Observation of a Novel Moisturizing Cream for Reducing Neurovascular Hyper-Reactivity in Sensitive Skin

    In a 28-day randomized, double-blind split-face trial of 35 people with sensitive skin, a moisturising cream outperformed a control cream in improving pruritus, erythema and transepidermal water loss, while both creams improved sensitive-skin symptoms and signs.

    Human trial · 2025 · 35 people · people with sensitive skin · People with sensitive skin applying the creams twice daily for 28 days. · A comparison against another active cream.

    PMID 40736038

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Clinical Observation of a Novel Moisturizing Cream for Reducing Neurovascular Hyper-Reactivity in Sensitive Skin

Common questions

Which ingredients have been studied for Facial redness?
Ingredients with evidence for Facial redness: Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide.
How many people were studied?
4 findings · 2012 · 42 people · adults with rosacea stage I-II · PMID 22360333
What can I use for Facial redness?
Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide · 2012 · 42 people · adults with rosacea stage I-II · PMID 22360333
Can I use these every day for Facial redness?
People with sensitive skin applying the creams twice daily for 28 days（2025 · 35 participants · 35 people with sensitive skin · PMID 40736038）
Can sensitive skin use these?
People with sensitive skin applying the creams twice daily for 28 days（2025 · 35 participants · 35 people with sensitive skin · PMID 40736038）

Other concerns

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