No matter how many steps you use in your daily skincare routine, maintaining bright, dewy skin becomes more of a challenge as you age. That youthful, smooth, plump, and glowing skin doesn’t stay that way forever in many cases, especially with decades of sun exposure. It also gets a whole lot more expensive to keep up with the products and treatments that may help sustain a healthy-looking complexion, too.<\/p>\n
And, since there are so many skin conditions that seem to appear with age, it can be hard to detect exactly what is going on with your skin when things get out of whack. Of course, there are the typical concerns of fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, and loss of elasticity, but there’s also a less commonly discussed skin issue: sallow skin. It’s one of those skin concerns that can take over your complexion without you having any idea what’s going on or how to fix it. Thankfully,\u00a0WH\u00a0<\/em>tapped two dermatologists to get to the bottom of sallow skin, including what causes it, how to prevent it, and how to remedy it. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of dealing with sallow skin.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever taken a glance in the mirror to find that your skin has a yellow or brown tint, you may be dealing with sallow skin. Basically, sallow skin happens when the natural complexion of your skin changes. \u201cSallow skin is a condition where the skin yellows or browns,\u201d says board-certified dermatologist\u00a0Dendy Engleman, MD. The process is called glycosylation, she explains. \u201cAs we age, chains of sugar molecules attach to skin proteins and over time cause a yellowish hue.\u201d This typically occurs in lighter skin and is connected to aging and continual sun exposure.<\/p>\n In people with pale or pink skin, sallow skin appears more yellow, says Hadley King, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. For those with olive skin tones, sallow skin may appear brown. This condition is not commonly found in darker skin tones. In addition to the discoloration, sallow skin tends to be dry, flaky, and dull.<\/p>\n Sallow skin can happen naturally due to aging, too much exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays, and poor skincare habits. There are also a variety of health conditions that may cause sallow skin. One of the most common causes is anemia, Dr. Engelman says. According to the\u00a0American Society of Hematology, iron-deficiency anemia causes a lack of oxygen circulation to the rest of the body, including the skin, and can result in a pale complexion or dull, sallow skin that appears yellowish or brownish.<\/p>\n Vitamin deficiency, smoking, and poor diet may also be likely culprits of sallow skin, adds Dr. Engelman. Other known factors include dehydration and stress. Or, sallow skin can be attributed to genetics in some cases (especially if anemia is in your genes).<\/p>\n According to Dr. King, preventing sallow skin comes down to practicing good health habits, including proper diet, sleep, and adequate hydration. For starters, quitting smoking should be a no-brainer. It has no positive effect on your skin (or body) and will cause you to age a whole lot quicker.<\/p>\n\n Dr. Engelman suggests cleansing the skin daily and utilizing serums, eye creams, and moisturizers. Maintaining these\u00a0healthy skin\u00a0habits are the beginning steps of creating a solid skin care routine. Removing dirt, grime, and oil are essential for having bright, healthy skin. Dr. Engelman says that proper cleansing is so important that even if you only have five minutes, it should be your number-one priority.<\/p>\n Serums, eye creams and moisturizers (that work with your specific skin type, whether it’s combination, oily, or dry) help to target specific skin concerns and lock in moisture as a shield of protection for the skin. \u201cEven if the skin does not seem dry, it still needs a moisturizing layer of protection,\u201d Dr. Engelman says. When you don’t use moisturizer, it makes the skin barrier weaker and more vulnerable.<\/p>\n And most importantly,\u00a0don\u2019t skip sunscreen. No matter what the forecast is outside, if you\u2019re going outdoors in any capacity, you need to slather on the SPF. \u201cMy main focus with sunscreen is to prevent sun damage that could turn into cancer or another fatal disease,\u201d Dr. Engelman says. She recommends both chemical and physical sunscreens to ensure full protection. But even if you choose to opt for one over the other, the key is making sure to protect your complexion from harsh UVA and UVB rays.<\/p>\n Adv<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n There are ways to remedy sallow skin, if you think you may be dealing with the skin condition. In addition to the steps above, Dr. Engelman suggests\u00a0exfoliating regularly. \u201cExfoliation does wonders for hyperpigmentation,\u201d she says. \u201cChemical exfoliants, like AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, will help promote cellular turnover, removing scarred, discolored skin cells and revealing healthy ones.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. King agrees that exfoliation is key to reversing sallow skin, but she also recommends\u00a0adding a retinoid\u00a0to your evening skincare routine. Retinoids are powerhouses when it comes to addressing a slew of skincare concerns, including unclogging pores, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and increases cell turnover to help correct discoloration of the skin. Dr. King also notes that if you\u2019ve tried all of the above without seeing any positive results, you should consider calling your dermatologist for a proper solution.<\/p>\n\n No matter how many steps you use in your daily skincare routine, maintaining bright, dewy skin becomes more of a challenge as you age. That youthful, smooth, plump, and glowing skin doesn’t stay that way forever in many cases, especially with decades of sun exposure. It also gets a whole lot more expensive to keep …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":69940,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[4556,34],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Is Sallow Skin?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What Causes Sallow Skin?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Can Sallow Skin Be Prevented?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Treatment Options for Sallow Skin<\/strong><\/h2>\n