How It Affects Your Skin (and What to Do About It)
If you live with an autoimmune condition like lupus, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or Raynaud’s, you may have noticed that your skin behaves differently. Some days, your complexion looks dull or uneven. Other times, your hands and feet feel ice-cold no matter the season, or a small scratch seems to take forever to heal.
These are all signs of poor circulation—something that’s incredibly common in autoimmune conditions but rarely discussed in skin care.
As someone who lives with lupus, I understand how frustrating it is when your skin isn’t getting the nourishment and oxygen it needs. Circulation plays a massive role in skin health, inflammation, and even brow and hair thinning—so let’s talk about why autoimmune conditions affect blood flow, what that means for your skin, and how to improve it safely.
Why Autoimmune Conditions Often Lead to Poor Circulation
Your circulatory system is responsible for delivering oxygen, nutrients, and healing factors to your skin. When blood flow is restricted or sluggish, your skin struggles to stay hydrated, repair itself, and maintain an even tone.
Many autoimmune diseases impact circulation and blood vessel function, leading to visible skin changes, delayed healing, and increased sensitivity.
Here’s how it happens with some of the most common autoimmune conditions:
🩸 Lupus – Can cause vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), making it harder for oxygen and nutrients to reach the skin, leading to redness, slow healing, and skin sensitivity.
🩸 Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis – Affects thyroid hormone levels, which regulate blood flow and skin temperature. Many people with Hashimoto’s experience cold hands and feet, pale or dry skin, and sluggish skin healing.
🩸 Raynaud’s Disease – Causes spasms in small blood vessels, making fingers, toes, and even the nose turn blue, purple, or white in response to cold or stress. This can lead to circulation loss, skin sensitivity, and even sores that take too long to heal.
🩸 Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis – Can lead to vascular inflammation, which impacts skin cell turnover, wound healing, and skin hydration.
🩸 Scleroderma – Causes hardening of the skin due to collagen buildup, which restricts blood flow and oxygen delivery.
📍 Why this matters: Poor circulation doesn’t just make skin look dull or discolored—it also affects how well your skin can heal, tolerate skin care treatments, and respond to professional services.
Signs of Poor Circulation in the Skin
Many of my clients don’t realize their skin symptoms are actually circulation-related. If you have an autoimmune condition, look for these signs:
🚨 Persistent redness or mottled skin (red & purple patches)
🚨 Cold hands, feet, or a pale complexion that never seems to warm up
🚨 Skin that bruises easily or takes longer to heal from cuts, scratches, or facials
🚨 Dry, rough texture—even when using hydrating products
🚨 Dark under-eye circles that don’t improve with sleep or skin care
🚨 Brow & lash thinning due to lack of nutrient delivery to the hair follicles
📍 Why this matters: If circulation is compromised, your skin won’t receive the oxygen and nutrients it needs to repair itself efficiently. This means even the best skin care won’t fully absorb or work as well as it should.
The good news? There are ways to safely improve circulation without triggering autoimmune flare-ups.
How to Improve Circulation Safely (Without Triggering Sensitivity)
If you have an autoimmune condition, the goal isn’t to force aggressive blood flow stimulation (like harsh exfoliants or intense heat treatments) but to gently encourage circulation and oxygen delivery.
✨ 1. Choose Professional Treatments That Support Healthy Blood Flow
Some professional skin treatments can safely stimulate circulation without causing inflammation. My top recommendations:
✔ LED Light Therapy – Uses red & near-infrared light to boost circulation at the cellular level, reduce inflammation, and support skin healing. However,not everyone’s skin reacts the same way. If you have photosensitivity, thyroid concerns, or a history of skin cancer, this treatment may not be the best fit for you. I always want to make sure you’re getting the safest, most effective option—so if you’re unsure, let’s chat during a consultation and find the right approach for your skin.
✔ Lymphatic Drainage Facials – A gentle technique designed to promote circulation, reduce puffiness, and support detoxification.If you have a history of blood clots, active infections, or ongoing cancer treatments, it’s important to take extra care with treatments like this. Your health always comes first, and I want to make sure we’re choosing something that truly benefits you. If you have any concerns, let’s talk about it through a consultation and find the safest, most effective option for your skin.
✔ Enzyme Peels – Unlike chemical peels, enzyme-based peels gently exfoliate and stimulate healthy circulation without triggering irritation.
✔ Oxygen Skin Treatments – Delivers oxygen and nutrients directly to the skin, improving tone and hydration.
📍 My advice: If you struggle with redness, dryness, or sluggish skin healing, these treatments can help improve circulation while keeping inflammation under control.
💆♀️ 2. Try Gentle At-Home Techniques to Improve Circulation
If you’re looking for ways to support blood flow naturally, here are some safe, at-home methods:
✅ Use warm (not hot) compresses – Heat expands blood vessels, but extreme temperatures can cause flare-ups. Stick to lukewarm compresses to encourage blood flow safely.
✅ Facial massage with light pressure – A simple two-minute daily massage (using fingertips or a jade roller) can boost oxygen delivery and product absorption—without overstimulating sensitive skin.
✅ Gua Sha for lymphatic flow – If done gently, gua sha can help encourage healthy circulation and toxin removal without pulling or damaging sensitive skin.
✅ Hydrate from the inside out – Water helps improve circulation by maintaining healthy blood viscosity—think of it as keeping your skin’s internal “highways” running smoothly.
📍My Personal Tip: If you have Raynaud’s or lupus, always be mindful of temperature extremes—icy tools or excessive heat can worsen circulation issues.
Final Thoughts: Can You Improve Skin Circulation With an Autoimmune Condition?
Yes—you just need the right approach. If you’ve struggled with redness, slow healing, or dull skin, it may not be your skin care—it could be your circulation.
💡 The key is choosing treatments and lifestyle adjustments that encourage blood flow without triggering flare-ups.
📍 Not sure which treatments are best for your skin?
I customize every facial and skin care plan for clients with autoimmune conditions—because I know firsthand that your skin needs a different approach.