What Is Sallow Skin? Your Questions, Answered

Your complexion is a window into your overall health; what’s going on inside sometimes shows itself on the outside. This is the case if your skin appears sallow, i.e. dull and yellow-tinged. According to Amanda Turbeville, M.D., the medical director at Touch MedSpa in South Carolina and SkinCeuticals ambassador, “anemia, vitamin deficiency, smoking and stress or lack of sleep” are all possible causes of sallow skin. 

To treat sallow skin and get your healthy, radiant complexion back, you first need to determine and tackle the underlying cause. If you have anemia, Dr. Turbeville recommends getting more iron and vitamin B12 in your diet. If you have a vitamin deficiency, eat a wide variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables. If you’re stressed or sleep-deprived, implement a bedtime routine and strive to meet the recommended number of hours of sleep every night. No matter what, always talk to your doctor first. 

How Can You Prevent Sallow Skin?

There are steps you can take to prevent sallow skin, and they start with living a healthier lifestyle. This includes eating a healthy diet, avoiding cigarettes and regularly getting a good night’s sleep. Beyond healthy habits, your skin-care routine can play a role, too. Here are five steps Turbeville recommends incorporating into your daily regimen: 

1. Cleanse with a quality facial cleanser 

Look for a formula that effectively cleanses your skin of pore-clogging impurities without stripping it of essential natural oils. Here are some of our favorites.

2. Use a topical vitamin C 

Dr. Turbeville recommends applying a vitamin C product, such as the La Roche-Posay Vitamin C 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum, to help protect your skin. An antioxidant, vitamin C helps neutralize free-radical damage and ward off signs of environmentally-induced aging. 

3. Apply UV protection in the morning. 

Every skin-care routine requires sun protection. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher each morning as the last step in your regimen. To keep your skin protected throughout the day, don’t forget to reapply at least every two hours. 

4. Use retinol in the evening. 

If you haven’t started using retinol yet, now’s the time to do so. Retinol is a multi-tasking ingredient lauded for its ability to help address a wide range of skin concerns, from improving an uneven skin tone to reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Start with a low dosage, like the SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5, to build up your tolerance if you’re new to the ingredient. Just remember that because retinol can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight, it’s important to always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen during daytime hours.

5. Moisturize. 

Moisturizing is one of the most important steps in a skin-care routine to strengthen and support your skin barrier. The IT Cosmetics Confidence In Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream targets dryness, signs of aging and dullness. 

Read More:

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