Sallow Skin: 6 reasons your skin might be telling you to change your lifestyle

Your skin is the largest organ in your body so it stands to reason that when your health, diet or emotions are out of whack your skin is often the biggest giveaway. Skin that is healthy is likely to have a slight flush and look alive, hence the term ‘glowing with health’ - it looks completely different to the complexion of an unhealthy person, which is often tired-looking, haggard and sallow (slightly yellow in tone) particularly in the face.

Skin can lose it’s natural healthy complexion for a variety of reasons. Read on to find out the most common causes and how you can combat them for healthier, more radiant-looking skin in no time.

Anemia occurs when your red blood cells are compromised and aren’t delivering enough oxygen to the body. If your body isn’t getting enough oxygen, you’re likely to feel very tired and lethargic. It can also take a toll on your skin by making it pale or yellow in color.

Solution: Ensure you have more iron (leafy green vegetables, lean meat) and vitamin B-12 (meat, dairy, fortified cereals) in your diet, or take supplements.

If you aren’t eating enough nutrient-rich foods it will show on your skin over time as your skin cells aren’t getting the nutrients they need to function well.

Solution: Eat the rainbow. Make sure you are eating a wide variety of healthy, non-processed foods, including plenty of vegetables and fruit (go for a colour range for the maximum antioxidant hit). If the look of your skin hasn’t improved after a few weeks check in with your doctor who may advise a vitamin supplement.

The nicotine found in cigarettes causes the blood vessels in the skin to narrow, thus impairing blood flow. This means that the skin isn’t getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function well so it ends up looking tired, haggard and sallow.

Solution: The best thing you can do for your skin is to completely stop smoking.

The occasional late night won’t cause sallow skin but regularly losing sleep - which is crucial downtime for the body to repair and rejuvenate - will soon show.

Solution: Implement a regular bedtime routine. Try to go to sleep and wake up at roughly the same time every day, ban screens from your bedroom and make sure your sleep space is not too warm.

Stress can really take its toll on your body, mind and skin. Chronic stress causes the body to increase the production of the hormone cortisol which can be very damaging if there is too much in the body.

Solution: For your skin and general health it’s important to manage stress which can be the basis for so many health problems. Alleviate the symptoms by exercising, eating healthily and meditating regularly, even if it’s only for ten minutes or so.

Using the wrong products for your skin type, not cleansing and exfoliating your skin regularly and forgetting to use moisturiser and sunscreen regularly can play havoc with your complexion.

Solution: Implement a rigorous skincare regime where you cleanse twice a day, exfoliate at least once a week and moisturise. This will help cell turnover in the skin and keep it hydrated so that it can function properly as a barrier. Get your glow back by using products which deliver a potent dose of antioxidant and anti-fatigue care to the complexion such as Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector. Infused with pure vitamin C at 15%, vitamin E and fragmented hyaluronic acid this radiance boosting treatment helps combat dullness and loss of firmness in as little as ten days.

This article is intended as general information only. You should seek advice from a professional before altering your diet, changing your exercise regime or starting any new course of conduct.