Why Your Face Turns Red When You Work Out - And How To Prevent It

We’ve all left an exhausting workout class or sweaty gym session only to catch sight of ourselves in the mirror and notice a bright red face.

It can sometimes be very obvious or even embarrassing. But why do our faces turn red after working out, and how can we prevent it? Keep reading.

Why Your Face Turns Red When You Work Out

There are several reasons why your face turns red when you’re breaking up a sweat. It could be because of the increased blood flow or the release of adrenaline. It could also be because of how your body temperature changes during exercise.

When you work out, your heart rate increases and your blood vessels dilate, bringing more oxygen to your muscles. This increased blood flow can cause your face to turn red.

Post-workout redness is also caused by inflammation and the release of histamines, which are chemicals that help your body fight infection.

The good news is that post-workout redness is usually harmless and will go away on its own. While you may feel embarrassed by your red face, look around – you’ll probably notice plenty of others experiencing facial flushing too.

How to Prevent Facial Flushing after a Workout

You can do a few things to prevent your face from turning beetroot when you work out.

Drink Plenty of Water

First, make sure you drink plenty of water before starting your workout. This will help keep your body hydrated and flush out any toxins that could be causing your face to turn red.

Keep Cool

Next, try to avoid working out in hot conditions. For example, if you’re hiking in sunny weather or joining a hot yoga class, your face is much more likely to turn red. Choose to work out in a cool or air-conditioned space if you can.

Finally, don’t forget to cool down after your workout. Take a few minutes to stretch, walk around, and let your body temperature return to normal. This will help to prevent your face from turning red due to the sudden temperature change.

If you’re feeling too hot or faint during your workout, take plenty of breaks. You should also wear loose, breathable clothing during exercise.

Keep an Eye on your Diet

And if you’re already experiencing increased flushing, it’s essential to stay away from alcohol before exercising. Drinking alcohol dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow and the redness of the face.

We know it may be hard but try to skip that post-work happy hour cocktail before your workouts. It would be best to limit spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, and sun exposure, as they can all contribute to inflammation and make the capillaries appear more pronounced.

Choose the Right Products

People who redden excessively should also avoid irritating skincare ingredients that may worsen inflammation. For example, alcohol-based products, creams with high acidic content, or potent retinoids.

Instead, reach for formulas with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide. The Replenix Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Serum is a great option to incorporate into your skincare routine, especially if you exercise a lot, as it quenches dehydrated and thirsty skin for a bright, smooth, and supple complexion.

How to Treat Facial Redness

A quick fix is to spritz your face during and after a workout with a refreshing cooling mist. Spraying your face gently with a cooling mist during and after your workout will reduce the redness and help restore the skin to a balanced state after a heavy exercise session.

Containing chamomile and green and white tea, the Replenix Soothing Antioxidant Mist is an excellent option for visibly reducing redness.

And while there’s no true prevention or cure for facial flushing, it can be managed by preventing flare-ups and reducing symptoms with laser treatments. Pulsed dye laser treatment can target and destroy the superficial cutaneous blood vessels, significantly reducing post-workout redness.

When to See a Doctor for Facial Flushing

When you experience facial flushing during exercise, it’s caused by increased blood flow to the skin. This is a normal response to physical activity and is nothing to be concerned about.

However, if you experience frequent or severe facial flushing, even while not exercising, it may be a sign of a more serious condition. In these cases, seeing a doctor to rule out underlying health problems is essential.

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