Have you ever noticed tiny red or purple lines on your cheeks, around your nose, or even under your eyes? These delicate, spidery veins are called broken capillaries (also known as telangiectasia), and they become more common as we age. But what causes them — and more importantly, how can we treat and prevent them? Let’s break it down
Why Broken Capillaries Appear With Age
As we get older, the structure of our skin naturally changes. The skin becomes thinner for a few reasons:
- Collagen Loss - Collagen, the protein responsible for keeping skin firm and resilient, gradually decreases with age. With less collagen, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile.
- Fat Pad Reduction - Beneath our skin lies a supportive layer of fat pads that keep skin plump and cushioned. Over time, these fat pads shrink, leaving the skin less protected.
- Increased Fragility - With thinner skin and less cushioning, the capillaries (tiny blood vessels near the surface) become more exposed and vulnerable to damage. Simple everyday actions like rubbing your skin, washing with hot water, or sun exposure can easily trigger the appearance of broken capillaries.
How to Treat and Prevent Broken Capillaries
The good news? You’re not powerless when it comes to strengthening your skin and supporting capillary health. A two-pronged approach works best: repair and strengthen the skin , then calm and soothe existing redness .
Step 1: Strengthen the Skin Barrier
To protect your capillaries, focus on building stronger, healthier skin from the inside out. This includes:
- Boosting Collagen Production : Incorporate a high-quality retinol into your routine. Retinol helps rebuild collagen, thickens the skin, and creates a more protective barrier over fragile capillaries. iS Clinical Retinol+ Emulsion 0.3% is an excellent choice.
- Plumping and Restoring Fat Pads : Ingredients like Volufiline and firming peptides can help restore some of that lost volume, giving the skin back its natural cushion. We love the combination found in HOP+ Caviplla Premier Caviar & O2 Multi Serum and HOP+ PLLA Promoter Repair Eye Cream.
Daily SPF : Sun exposure speeds up collagen loss and can further weaken capillaries. Make daily sun protection a non-negotiable.
Step 2: Calm and Soothe Inflamed Capillaries
- While strengthening the skin, you’ll also want to reduce redness and inflammation in the capillaries you can already see. Soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients are your best friends.
- One standout product we love is Colorescience Total Eye Concentrate Serum with Adavine 5x . This advanced formula actively supports capillary health while visibly reducing the appearance of broken capillaries and redness over time. It’s gentle enough for the delicate eye area but effective enough to support skin health across the entire face. Several of us at AOS use this on the nose area.
Healthy Skin = Healthy Capillaries
Ultimately, treating broken capillaries is about long-term skin health . By strengthening your skin’s foundation with collagen support, fat pad replenishment, and SPF — and by calming irritation with anti-inflammatory care — you’re giving your skin the best chance to stay strong, clear, and calm at every age.
Need help choosing the right products to support healthy, resilient skin?
Our AOS Master Estheticians are here to guide you!
Author
Jeana LeClerc
Jeana LeClerc is a licensed esthetician, Certified Acne Specialist, and the founder and CEO of Art of Skincare . With over 20 years of hands-on experience in the skincare industry, Jeana specializes in regenerative skincare —a powerful, holistic alternative to conventional anti-aging treatments.
Rejecting the pressure of injectables and invasive procedures, Jeana champions science-backed, skin-nourishing solutions that support healthy, youthful skin from the inside out. Her mission is to help clients achieve lasting skin transformation through personalized routines, professional-grade products, and a deep understanding of how the skin functions and regenerates.
At Art of Skincare, Jeana leads a team of expert estheticians dedicated to delivering results-driven skincare, from clearing acne to supporting healthy aging . Her blog and online consultations are trusted resources for those seeking radiant, resilient skin without compromise.
