Men's Life Today: Expert Q+A

I often suffer from facial redness and dryness. (Let’s just file this under the general irritation category.) Is there anything I can do to reduce these maladies?

There are many reasons you might be experiencing facial redness and dryness.

One possible cause is

seborrheic dermatitis

-- essentially a dandruff of the skin related to an overgrowth of the yeast naturally present on our faces and other parts of the body. It can be most noticeable in the brows, nose and chin (the area known as the face’s T-zone). Seborrheic dermatitis can occur at any age, though it might be more evident during puberty.

There is nothing you can do diet-wise to prevent these outbreaks, but you can use an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo containing ketoconazole to keep them in check. Apply the shampoo two or three times per week on any affected areas of the face.

You might also be suffering from

eczema

, an allergic reaction to a product or food. Making dietary changes can help prevent these outbreaks. Flaxseed and omega fish oils have been known to reduce the severity of eczema episodes. It’s also very important to keep the skin moisturized (easier to do now in the summer than during the dry winter months).

Another possibility is that you are experiencing

rosacea

, a redness that occurs when susceptible individuals are exposed to heat, spicy foods or alcohol and causes their blood vessels to dilate. This problem, particularly because it is connected to hotter weather, is more common in summer. Prevention options include avoiding coffee, tea, spicy foods and alcohol, and wearing a sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection of at least SPF 30.

One last reason for facial redness is

heat rash

, which occurs when sweat gets trapped in our pores and causes inflammation. The best treatment for that is just to stay cool and wear breathable clothing. You can also try touching the roof of your mouth with an ice cube, which often tricks the body into thinking it’s cooler than it is.

Any man experiencing facial dryness will want to use a non-detergent cleanser -- not a bar of soap, which dries the face -- in the morning. You should also use a non-lotion moisturizer that’s noncomedogenic and apply it in the morning and evening.

I can’t promise that these remedies will be cure-alls for your facial redness and dryness, but if you learn how to care for and treat your skin based on its sensitivities, you will be ready to treat outbreaks and ensure they’re not long or acute situations.