What should you know about red wine spots on skin?

A pimple is usually a small raised spot linked with a blocked or inflamed pore and may contain a white or dark centre. Folliculitis affects hair follicles and can look like clusters of red bumps, sometimes after shaving, sweating, or friction. Rosacea can cause flushing, persistent facial redness, visible small vessels, and acne-like bumps. Perioral dermatitis often forms small bumps around the mouth, nose, or eyes. Hormonal acne may follow a repeating pattern, while razor bumps develop where hairs are cut and curve back into the skin. These conditions can overlap in appearance.

Cleanse gently, avoid squeezing, and use non-comedogenic moisturiser and sunscreen. Stop scrubs, harsh acids, fragranced products, and topical steroid use on the face unless prescribed. If shaving contributes, use a clean sharp razor, avoid stretching the skin, and pause close shaving during a flare. Note the site, itch, pain, scaling, pus, shaving, cycle-related timing, and product changes. A clinician can match treatment to the cause; LED light therapy may be discussed for selected acne-related concerns, but it does not diagnose the spot.

Seek an assessment if spots persist, spread, repeatedly return, scar, drain pus, become very painful, or affect the eyes. Prompt care is sensible for rapidly increasing warmth and redness with fever, or swelling around the eye. A changing, bleeding, crusted, or non-healing mark should also be examined rather than treated as acne at home.

Do these spots fit acne, folliculitis, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, or razor bumps? Which ingredients should I avoid? Would a swab, examination, or prescription treatment help?