It is cold and still a little dreary with only the odd pop of sunshine which isn’t great when it comes to getting that vitamin D or the healthy glow of colour that goes with it. Looking a little pasty, with a pale complexion, often reflects a look of poorer health because it is associated to various factors like iron-deficiency anaemia, low blood pressure or infection. Paleness may appear as a result of decreased blood supply to the skin or the blood flow in the skin. In the event of anaemia, it can be due to the decreased number in blood cells.
Regain that glow with a good skin care routine; whatever your skin type or texture, your skin needs a good cleansing along with moisturising to keep it hydrated. Get the skin plumped up with a good massage routine that stimulates the blood supply to the surface of the skin; this also helps feed the skin with all the nutrients passed through the blood and carried around.
Boost vitamin intake with a good diet full of vitamin A, C, D, and E, zinc, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Ensure by regularly eating fish which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Include walnuts, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, avocados, olive oil in the diet and a good intake of fresh fruit, salad and vegetables.
High quality Cacao, without all the sugar, may help protect the skin. Cacao is rich in antioxidants and minerals that have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. It has also been linked for prevention and treatment of skin issues, including psoriasis and acne.
Lack of sleep can make skin look pale, as blood flow to the skin is greatly promoted by sleep and the vasodilation may be a way for the body to facilitate the distribution of endogenous defence agents. Endogenous protein antioxidants (with enzymatic activity) are the first line of defence against oxidative stress on the body. Enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in the body. Late nights and little sleep often can be seen on the skin with noticeable dilated pores.
Dilated skin pores can also be seen on smokers. Smoking is a factor for premature facial wrinkling and ageing, and the more a person smokes, the higher the risk. The skin is damaged by tobacco smoke because it has a greyish wasted appearance; it can cause discolouration and uneven skin tone, pigmentation, baggy eyes, deeper facial furrows, as well as yellowing of fingers and teeth. Nicotine narrows the small blood vessels that normally bring oxygen, nutrients and healing factors to the essential areas, it therefore delays wound healing.
Stay hydrated – water supports the functioning of every system in the body. Staying hydrated protects skin cells from damage, including that caused by environmental factors such as central heating, air conditioning and many others. Hydration makes it easier for the skin cells to absorb nutrients and release toxins. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Regular exercise improves oxygen flow to the skin, when exercising the body’s oxygen level increases. This is beneficial as it helps improve the overall elasticity and helps flush out the toxins and impurities that may clog the pores. Exercise can boost the collagen levels, helping tone the skin, as well as the muscles.
Whilst we can’t do anything about bringing out the sunshine in the winter to give us that sunkissed glow, what we can do is use a tinted moisturiser or gradual self-tanning tinted moisturiser, which gradually builds up to a chosen required level. Follow with a tinted mineral powder, lightly applied in a circular motion using a kabuki brush. Finish off with an all over face powdering of colour, mineral glow pearl powder; a touch of extra dusting to the nose, chin and cheek area creates a perfectly even skin tone. The multi shade of mineral colour pigments blend together to create an instantly glowing complexion and a perfectly even skin tone.
Get glowing!
Love and Sparkles
Samsara x
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