The Ordinary has a lovely selection of affordable skincare products that are perfect for focusing on treating reddened or inflamed skin. I have always had extremely pale and sensitive skin so I am no stranger to struggling with bouts of reddened skin!
Each of the products in this guide is priced under $10 USD so they can easily fit into any skincare budget! I’m an extremely thrifty shopper so The Ordinary has always been one of my go-to skincare brands for finding products to treat any of my skin concerns.
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Top 4 The Ordinary Products for Calming Reddened & Irritated Skin:
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% $5.90
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% $7.90
- Lactic Acid 10% + HA $6.80
- EUK 134 0.1% $8.80
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% $5.90
Niacinamide is definitely a must-have skincare tool for reducing redness. It reduces inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and also helps to regulate sebum*. There can be dozens of reasons for reddened skin, and niacinamide helps resolve almost every skin issue that can lead to a rosy complexion. It’s also suitable for all skin types including sensitive and dry skin 😍
This serum has 10% niacinamide + 1% zinc which helps regulate excess sebum as well. If you also struggle with acne, you simply can’t go wrong by adding this serum to your skincare routine. And that awesome price tag of $5.90 is the cherry on top!
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% $7.90
This is a simple azelaic acid formula in a dimethicone base. If you’re not familiar with skincare ingredient textures, dimethicone gives a thick pasty gel feeling. It feels similar to applying a makeup primer and should be used as a serum before your moisturizer. A little goes a long way with this product and it’s best used on damp skin to help make sure that it’s evenly distributed. This is one of my holy grail products for treating acne-prone dry skin, I’ve previously raved about it here.
Azelaic acid is a lifesaver for reducing redness, it’s anti-inflammatory and also kills acne-causing bacteria. If you struggle with irritated flushed skin caused by breakouts this acid treatment is the solution!
| Benefits: | Azelaic Acid |
| Exfoliates | X |
| Anti-Inflammatory | X |
| Dark Spots | X |
| Kills Acne Bacteria | X |
| Risks: | |
| Dryness | X |
| Sun Sensitivity | X |
Lactic Acid 10% + HA $6.80
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA is $6.80 USD for the standard serum size of 1 oz and treats redness by reducing inflammation as well as:
- Uneven tone
- Fine lines & signs of aging
- Uneven texture
“This 10 percent lactic acid-enriched formulation offers mild exfoliation for smoother skin. Supported with a purified Tasmanian pepperberry, it reduces signs of inflammation and sensitivity that is often associated with exfoliation”.
Is Lactic Acid Good for Redness?
Lactic acid serums help combat redness by gently exfoliating the skin, healing acne*, smooths skin texture**, and in turn, reduces the blemishes that often send the skin into an inflamed reddened mess.
EUK 134 0.1% $8.80
This is a powerful antioxidant serum that can be used daily to combat redness and also prevent damage from free radicals. I recommend that you use it during your AM skincare routine as it cannot be effectively used with strong acids. The Ordinary EUK 134 is primarily an antioxidant but many people have achieved amazing results on reducing redness and evening out skin tone. Check out the Sephora reviews for some amazing before and after pictures!
This serum has a slightly “oily” texture during application which is strange because it’s an oil-free formula. It quickly absorbs and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling on the skin so it’s wonderful for all skin types.
“EUK-134™ is a mimetic of superoxide dismutase and catalase, forming an exceptionally rare self-regenerating molecule that scavenges superoxide free radicals, eliminates hydrogen peroxide and converts reactive oxygen species into water and oxygen.”
Please keep in mind that you cannot pair this with highly acidic formulations like ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) as it will break down the formula and render it ineffective!