What does a sallow complexion indicate? Causes of skin color changes

by Notes of the Wild Mistress

It's not just tanning that affects our skin color. Skin tone depends on many reasons, for example, how close to the surface of the skin the blood vessels are, the characteristics of the nervous system, age, poor diet, etc.

But a change in skin color can also be a harbinger of the development of various diseases in the body. Therefore, if you notice that your skin has acquired some persistent shade that is unusual for you, be sure to contact your doctor and get examined.

If your skin has turned yellow

In this case, you should pay attention to the liver. The yellow tint to the skin appears due to the pigment bilirubin, which is formed in the liver when the hemoglobin of red blood cells is destroyed. Then bilirubin is not excreted from the body, but settles in the tissues, so the skin becomes yellow or takes on an orange tint. The causes of jaundice can be cholelithiasis, hepatitis, poor functioning of the pancreas, spleen, and blood diseases.

If your skin has become dark

In this case, you should pay attention to the adrenal glands and kidneys. A dark complexion, similar to a tan, can appear due to a lack of adrenal hormones. This disease is also called bronze disease. Treatment should be done by an endocrinologist.

And if the skin darkens very much and acquires an almost black tint, then this is a sign of kidney disease or bladder infection. You need to undergo an examination by a urologist.

If your skin turns white

The reason for this may be digestion or metabolic disorders, changes in the composition of the blood or problems with the thyroid gland, diseases of the cardiovascular system or lungs.

One of the most common causes of pallor is anemia, that is, a lack of hemoglobin. The skin also turns white when there is swelling or the reaction of the nervous system to cold, fear, or pain.

If your skin has a bluish tint

This is very dangerous and indicates a lack of oxygen in the blood, which may be a consequence of problems with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Diagnoses can be very different - pneumothorax, emphysema, heart disease or thromboembolism.

You should immediately contact a cardiologist and have your heart checked.

If your skin is red

In this case, it is worth taking a blood test, paying attention to the cardiovascular system, and taking the temperature. Redness of the skin may result from inhalation or ingestion of harmful or potent substances.

If your skin has turned gray

An earthy-gray skin tone usually occurs in people with digestive problems, such as gastritis and frequent constipation. Even just poor nutrition can leave an imprint on the skin. Grayish skin tone in smokers and people exposed to frequent stress. In this case, blood vessels and capillaries narrow, and the supply of oxygen to the skin is reduced.

If your skin has a greenish tint

Problems with the gallbladder, liver or cancer can give this shade to the skin. Moreover, as in the case of blue skin color, a green tint is dangerous and requires immediate medical attention.

A green tint appears in patients with liver cirrhosis, in case of complications of gallstone disease and cancer.

Based on print media materials

Very often, women, even those who pay enough attention to self-care, notice that their face becomes gray. Many of them simply try to hide an unhealthy complexion under makeup without trying to find out the reasons.

We are looking for the root of “gray” evil

There are several main reasons for changes in complexion:

If this problem occurs, you should consult a doctor, as this may indicate a serious illness. A gray face, as a rule, indicates problems of the gastrointestinal tract, and with pancreatic disease, the face becomes sallow. Also, complexion may change due to long-term use of certain antibiotics.

In addition, smoking and alcohol abuse are often the cause of a gray and sallow complexion. Poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle negatively affect the condition and color of the skin.

Regardless of the cause, when your complexion changes, you need to take steps to restore your face to a healthy, radiant appearance.

Remedies for gray complexion

Dull and gray skin requires special intensive care. It requires the use of special tools. Care must be systematic; only in this case can a healthy and well-groomed appearance be restored to the face.

Cosmetical tools

It is necessary to thoroughly cleanse your face every day of dirt and makeup residues. Simply washing with water is not enough, and washing with soap is not recommended, as soap dries out the skin.

Therefore, you need to wipe your face with a special tonic or lotion every day, morning and evening. Even if you didn’t apply makeup during the day, by evening there will still be dirt on your face, so cleansing is necessary in any case. Without proper cleansing of the skin, all further skin care procedures will be pointless.

For additional deep cleansing, you need to use special scrubs at least once every two weeks. If your skin is oily and problematic, you need to use a scrub once or twice a week. It is necessary to select scrubs, lotions and tonics taking into account the type and age characteristics of the skin.

After cleansing, hydration and nutrition are necessary. To do this, there are a large variety of different creams for different skin types and ages. You need to apply the cream in the morning, before applying makeup, and in the evening, after washing your face. In addition, special face masks should be used once every two weeks or more often. Many of them are sold in specialty stores or pharmacies.

A mask that is correctly selected for your age and face type can significantly improve your complexion and give it a healthy appearance. In order to achieve results, you need to use masks systematically. Many remedies for improving complexion can be prepared at home.

Folk remedies against gray face

There are many recipes for face masks that can be easily made at home from the simplest ingredients.


After using any face mask, rinse it thoroughly with water and apply a moisturizing or nourishing cream to the skin. Before trying any new product, you should try it on a small area of ​​your skin to see if you have an allergic reaction to the ingredients used.

Smooth, radiant from within and pleasing with an even matte color, facial skin is not only a source of special pride for any woman, but also the main indicator of well-groomed skin. However, not every representative of the fair sex has such a gift from nature. And, having received it from birth, rarely does anyone manage to maintain the beauty of their skin for life.

Sometimes it happens that the skin of the face seems to have no obvious flaws - acne, enlarged pores, wrinkles and age spots, but it still looks imperfect. And the reason for this may be its unattractive, overly pale, yellowish or earthy-gray tint, which gives the face a tired or even sick look.

Many women who are faced with this problem try to disguise it with the help of decorative cosmetics, which, although they help even out skin tone, do not last long, because powder and foundation require repeated application throughout the day. In fact, you can improve your complexion without cosmetics. For this you need very little - a sincere desire to be beautiful, a positive attitude and patience. In addition, it is necessary to determine why the skin may have lost its natural radiance and acquired an unhealthy shade.

Causes of bad complexion

Unhealthy complexion is a rather vague concept that does not have clear definitions, because shades of ill health can be different: from pale olive or earthy gray to crimson. But most often people talk about a bad complexion when the skin loses its natural radiance, freshness and dullness, becoming dull, sluggish and lifeless. Thus, her cells signal that they lack moisture, nutrients and oxygen. Among the factors that negatively affect complexion, the following are primarily worth highlighting:

  • genetic predisposition (too pale skin from birth);
  • diseases of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver and kidneys;
  • various types of anemia (iron deficiency, protein deficiency, hemolytic and others);
  • oncological diseases;
  • diseases of the nervous system, emotional shocks, stress;
  • dermatological diseases of infectious nature;
  • metabolic disorders in the body;
  • disruptions in the functioning of the circulatory system;
  • poisoning by chemicals, food or drugs;
  • unbalanced diet (meager or, conversely, diet oversaturated with fats and carbohydrates);
  • excessive consumption of coffee, strong tea and sweet carbonated drinks;
  • oxygen starvation caused by regular and prolonged stay in a room with poor ventilation and lack of systematic walks in the fresh air;
  • bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
  • uncontrolled use of medications (oral contraceptives, antibiotics, diuretics);
  • lack of proper rest, regular lack of sleep, excessive physical activity;
  • sedentary lifestyle, staying in one position for a long time (for example, sitting at the computer);
  • age-related changes (in persons over 45 years old);
  • abuse of tanning, including artificial tanning;
  • neglect of proper skin care or use of inappropriate (or low-quality) cosmetics.

Complexion can also be affected by low temperatures, unfavorable weather conditions, increased dryness of air in heated rooms, lack of ultraviolet radiation and seasonal vitamin deficiencies. Unfortunately, many people do not pay attention to pallor, yellowness or redness of the skin for a long time and attribute the appearance of an unhealthy shade to constant lack of sleep, overwork and diet. But this is wrong, since a change in complexion, even in the absence of clinical manifestations, may indicate dysfunction of the internal organs and systems of the body. To determine the exact cause that led to dullness of the skin (especially if it appeared suddenly), it is recommended to consult a doctor and undergo a series of medical examinations that will confirm or, conversely, exclude the presence of serious diseases.

How to improve your complexion

If you don’t have any obvious health problems, then a comprehensive approach that includes certain activities and cosmetic procedures will allow you to restore the lost radiance and healthy appearance to your facial skin. So, what needs to be done to improve your complexion? Take note of a few tips:

  • Adjust your diet. Enrich your daily menu with fiber, microelements and vitamins, the main sources of which are fresh fruits, berries, vegetables, herbs and nuts. Reduce to a minimum the consumption of foods containing large amounts of simple carbohydrates and saturated fats - baked goods, sweets (including sweet carbonated drinks), fatty meats, mayonnaise, etc. Do not get carried away with spices, pickled, sour and spicy foods.
  • Adjust your drinking regime. Try to drink at least 6-8 glasses of clean water daily, which can be partially replaced with green tea, unsweetened rosehip infusion or berry fruit drinks. It is recommended to avoid strong black tea and coffee altogether, since regular consumption of these drinks negatively affects the complexion.
  • Get enough time for healthy rest. Try to sleep at least 6 hours a day, walk more in the fresh air and do not neglect moderate physical activity. Make sure that the room in which you spend most of your time is regularly ventilated.
  • Avoid stress as much as possible. Try to take everything calmly, because neuroses and stress do not have the best effect on the condition of the skin.
  • Do not abuse long-term medications, especially potent ones (antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives, anabolic steroids). Remember that any drug therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
  • Get rid of bad habits(smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages), since they not only worsen the complexion, but also have a negative impact on the condition of the entire body as a whole.
  • Choose your decorative cosmetics carefully. Use only high-quality products that do not cause you any adverse reactions. Always remove your makeup before going to bed using special products selected according to your skin type.
  • Protect your face from harmful UV rays. Before going outside (in summer, autumn and spring), always treat your skin with a cream containing UV filters. Try to avoid prolonged exposure to the open sun and do not overuse the solarium.
  • Don't forget about regular facial skin care. Be sure to carry out cleansing procedures (peelings or gommages) that exfoliate dead particles from the surface of the dermis, thereby providing the skin cells with a sufficient amount of oxygen. To wash your face, use only warm (not hot and not too cold) water or herbal infusions. Replace soap with a special gel or foam containing moisturizing ingredients.
  • Periodically pamper your skin with healthy masks that can provide it with the necessary amount of moisture and nutrients. Use nourishing and moisturizing mixtures at least twice a week, alternating between different formulations.

By following these simple recommendations, you can restore your skin’s lost natural radiance, elasticity and pleasant matte tint. And in order to speed up her recovery, use remedies from the arsenal of traditional medicine, recipes for which will be presented below.

Folk remedies for improving complexion: recipes

At home, you can use various products to improve your complexion, but masks made from natural ingredients are especially popular among them. They are easy to use; you just need to first steam the skin with a steam bath and clean it with a scrub - this is necessary so that the active components can penetrate deeply into the cells and start metabolic processes in the upper layers of the epidermis. After removing the mixture, it is recommended to treat your face with a nourishing or moisturizing cream.

Egg mask with orange juice for oily skin

This product helps to tighten pores, eliminate oily shine, and give the skin a matte and natural glow.

  • 1 egg white;
  • 50 ml low-fat yogurt or curdled milk;
  • 20 ml natural orange juice.

Preparation and use:

  • Beat the egg whites until foamy and mix with the rest of the ingredients.
  • Apply the prepared mixture to your face and leave for 20 minutes.
  • Wash your face with cool filtered or simply settled water.

Oatmeal mask with strawberries for dry skin

This mask evens out the complexion, gives the skin a boost of energy, fills it with moisture and vitamins.

  • 30 g oatmeal;
  • 150 ml hot milk;
  • 20 g glycerin;
  • 2-3 strawberries.

Preparation and use:

  • Grind the oatmeal in a coffee grinder, pour hot milk over it and let the mixture brew for a while.
  • Mash the strawberries into a puree with a fork.
  • Mix oatmeal porridge with berry puree and glycerin.
  • Mix everything thoroughly and apply the resulting mixture to your face for 30 minutes.
  • Wash your face with cool water.

Potato mask with yolk for aging skin

This mixture helps improve complexion, eliminate fine wrinkles and restore skin elasticity.

  • 1 young potato, boiled in its jacket;
  • 1 raw carrot;
  • 1 egg yolk;
  • 20 ml olive oil.

Preparation and use:

  • Peel the carrots and grate them on a fine grater.
  • Mash the potatoes (peeled) into a puree.
  • Mix carrot pulp with mashed potatoes, add beaten yolk and butter.
  • Mix everything and distribute the finished mass on your face.
  • After 30 minutes, wash your face with cool water.

Beer mask with potato flour for problem skin

A mask prepared according to this recipe perfectly refreshes the complexion, eliminates greasy shine and effectively fights acne.

  • 50 ml light beer;
  • 1 raw carrot;
  • 30 g potato flour;
  • 1 egg white.

Preparation and use:

  • Grate the peeled carrots on a fine grater.
  • Mix the resulting slurry with flour and whipped egg whites.
  • Pour the finished mixture with beer, mix and apply to the skin.
  • Wait about 20 minutes and then rinse your face with warm water.

Apple mask-compress for normal skin

This easy-to-prepare product perfectly tones the skin, gives it a healthy and radiant appearance and evens out the complexion.

  • 1 large apple;
  • 100 ml of cold mineral water;
  • 50 ml cold milk.

Preparation and use:

  • Grate the apple (along with the peel) and squeeze the juice out of the resulting pulp.
  • Mix juice with milk and water.
  • Soak a piece of gauze in the prepared solution and apply it to your face.
  • Cover the compress with a plastic bag and lie in a comfortable position for 30–40 minutes.
  • After the specified time has passed, remove the compress and rinse the skin with water.

By following the above rules and regularly carrying out cosmetic procedures using home or commercial products, you can not only improve your complexion, but also get rid of poor health, as well as strengthen your immune system and prevent the occurrence of various health problems. A balanced diet, fresh air, physical activity and quality self-care are the main components of the beauty of any woman.

Complexion can say a lot about a person's health. Yellow, gray, earthy tint indicates functional malfunctions in the functioning of body systems and the possible development of serious pathologies.

The shade of the skin on a person’s face is largely determined by the physiological state of the body. Pale, yellow, sallow color of the epidermis can signal the development of pathologies. For this reason, to determine whether a person is healthy or not, you just need to look at his face. Skin color speaks volumes, but it is very important to correctly decipher these signs in order to prevent or eliminate the developing disease at the initial stage. If a yellow complexion appears, the reasons that led to the appearance of an unnatural shade of the epidermis may be due to endo- and exogenous factors.

Many people dream of having healthy, smooth skin. It is generally accepted that a white face with a slight blush is a sign of good health. The color of a person’s skin can change, which is due to several factors: race, health, lifestyle, professional habits, heredity.

Most often, the question of why the complexion has become unnatural arises when yellowness is clearly expressed. It cannot be hidden under cosmetics, makeup, or eliminated with creams. Why does the epidermis acquire a jaundiced tint, what reasons lead to this pathology? Let's try to understand the issue.

Unnatural skin color on the face and poor condition of the epidermis are harbingers of serious pathologies in the human body. The most common, widespread problem of yellowness of the epidermis is “excess” bilirubin in the bloodstream. It is a breakdown product of iron-containing protein - hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.

Bilirubin is formed when dead red blood cells (red blood cells) are broken down in the liver. An increase in the concentration of this pigment is noted in chronic diseases, pathologies of the liver, bile ducts, in particular, when their ducts are blocked, or stones in the gall bladder.

If there is an excessive concentration of bilirubin in the bloodstream, yellowing of the sclera of the eyes, palms, and the inner surface of the tongue is first diagnosed.

Yellow skin on the face may be a sign of disruptions in the functioning of the cardiovascular system and lipid metabolism disorders. It happens that a change in the shade of the epidermis indicates a sharp change in diet, disruption of metabolic processes, and excess cholesterol in the blood.

A yellow complexion can be caused by an excess of carotene in the body due to excessive consumption of vegetable salads, juices, fresh juices with a high content of carrots, tangerines, oranges, and pumpkins. Yellowness is caused by a lack of enzymes that break down beta-carotene. Stagnation of bile can be provoked by the consumption of large quantities of spicy spices, such as turmeric, cumin, the predominance of fatty, spicy foods, and marinades in the diet.

A yellow complexion indicates an unbalanced, incorrectly selected diet. This shade of the epidermis appears during prolonged fasting, abuse of alcoholic beverages, and narcotic substances.

Additionally, the problem may be caused by the following conditions:

  • stress, long-term depression, emotional overstrain;
  • regular lack of sleep, insomnia;
  • disorders of the digestive tract;
  • hormonal imbalance causing frequent mood swings;
  • excessive exposure to the scorching sun.
  • Another common reason that leads to changes in complexion, yellowness of the mucous membranes and skin is a disruption in the functioning of the endocrine system, in particular the thyroid gland.

    A sallow, yellow complexion is often noted among people living in environmentally unfavorable regions, and among those whose professional activities involve working in hazardous industries.

    Yellow complexion due to liver disease

    Based on the nature of the disturbance in the processes of bilirubin secretion, three types of jaundice are distinguished:

    • hemolytic;
    • hepatic;
    • cholestatic.

    In the first case, accelerated breakdown of bilirubin is noted. At the same time, the liver cannot cope with the load and does not have time to convert direct bilirubin into indirect bilirubin.

    Hepatic jaundice develops against the background of infectious, viral, and fungal diseases. With this form, a high concentration of direct bilirubin in the bloodstream is noted.

    The cholestatic type occurs due to blockage of the bile ducts, due to stagnation of bile, with neoplasms and stones in the gallbladder.

    Liver diseases are accompanied not only by a yellow-green tint of the epidermis, but also by disturbances in digestive processes, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, attacks of nausea, light-colored stools, deterioration of the general physiological condition, and pain in the lower part of the peritoneum. Yellowness of the epidermis is often accompanied by darkening of the color of urine, especially in the morning.

    How to improve your complexion

    To get rid of the unnatural color of the epidermis, you will have to understand why it arose and eliminate the cause. If no serious health problems are detected, it is worth radically reconsidering your lifestyle, giving up bad habits, and starting to monitor your diet. It is important to pay attention to physical activity, sports, be in the fresh air more often, and follow a daily routine.

    The diet should be dominated by fresh vegetables, herbs, berries, fruits, whole grains, dairy products, vitamin and mineral complexes. Excessive pallor and yellow skin color will disappear if you systematically consume figs, dates, veal, foods rich in fiber, garlic, apples, and tomatoes. In case of severe intoxication, absorbents will help cleanse the body of harmful substances.

    Cosmetic procedures, professional medical cosmetics, and special care can improve the color of the skin on the face and remove yellowness. Several times a week it is worth making nourishing masks based on fermented milk products, natural ingredients, and medicinal plants. Alternative medicine will help normalize the condition of the epidermis.

    Matte, smooth and beautiful facial skin is the dream of any of us. We dream, but in reality sometimes, when we look in the mirror, we get upset. Complexion is not always pleasing. What makes skin look dull? Why does it take on an earthy hue? And most importantly, how to deal with this?

    Reasons for changes in skin tone

    A sallow complexion very often indicates serious problems in the functioning of internal organs. Therefore, your first priority is to undergo a medical examination, because beauty is inseparable from health. The problem may also be caused by poor diet and bad habits.

    Smoking, alcohol, sweet, fatty, spicy foods, coffee and a sedentary lifestyle worsen the color of the skin and the body's resistance to disease in general. You can maintain your attractiveness only if you take responsibility for your health and devote enough time to caring for your face.

    Fast color restoration

    We often think about skin “the night before Christmas,” that is, on the eve of the holidays, when we urgently need to get ourselves in order, a few days in advance. To quickly return a beautiful shade to your skin, drink carrot juice. Just one glass a day - and in a week and a half you will look fresher.

    How to restore the beauty of your skin?

    Try to eat as much seafood as possible. You need vitamins and essential fatty acids. So, fish, nuts, spinach, new potatoes, broccoli and olive oil should always be present in your diet.

    Don't forget about water! It is clean water that our body needs. You need to drink 1.5-2 liters of it per day.

    Dehydration and a sallow complexion go hand in hand. Moreover, pay special attention to the quality of the liquid consumed. If you do not have the opportunity to buy purified water or bring it from a spring, then use the good old method: freeze it in the refrigerator, let it melt and drink.

    Pamper your skin with calendula infusion with olive oil, beet juice, watermelon and melon masks. They are able to restore the radiant color and beauty of the skin in a month.

    A beer mask has a very good effect on your complexion. To prepare it, mix a quarter glass of beer, egg yolk, 1 tbsp. l. potato flour and the same amount of grated carrots. All such masks are applied for 15-20 minutes, after which they are washed off.

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