sallow skin? Make your skin shine again!

Pale skin, dark circles under the eyes? Especially in winter it is not easy to look fresh and rested. We spend more time indoors, miss the sun and curl up on the couch with gingerbread. Stop it! These 7 tips will give your skin back its glow.

You can do something about pale skin

The sun-kissed complexion fades with the leaves, this is normal. Pale skin and shadows under the eyes are not. They are mostly the mirror of your well-being. That can go downhill on cloudy days, especially since we're sitting inside even more because of Corona. A bicycle crash has also paralyzed me in the last few weeks. That's why I set a new record for looking pale. I want to change that now. Do you also want rosy skin in winter? Then come on, let's do this together!

Bye-bye winter pallor

In winter , several factors come together that make us look pale and tired. Fewer hours of sunshine mean less vitamin D, which is important for the skin's protective function. Less exercise means less blood flow, so nutrients don't reach the skin as quickly. Many also feel a lack of serotonin, which affects mood. And it also affects your skin. Fortunately, you can counteract a lot of this – Corona or not.

1. Do sports

Moderate endurance sports such as jogging, walking or cycling are ideal. Cross-country skiing is also great in winter. This gets your circulation going and reduces stress. The change of scenery when training in the fresh air has the advantage that you get a little more sun. But muscle toning with yoga, Pilates or other indoor workouts is also useful. This allows you to counteract tension caused by long periods of sitting in the home office.

☝️ You can find out more about how sport makes your skin glow and when it's too much of a good thing for you under Get the Glow: With sport to beautiful skin .

2. Eat a balanced diet

In winter we have more cravings for unhealthy things and little temptations are everywhere. It is all the more important to consciously eat more healthy foods. Fresh vegetables, wholesome carbohydrates and enough protein should make up the bulk of your diet.

🥬 You don't have to fly in blueberries from Chile for the glow. Local, seasonal vegetables also provide plenty of vitamins. With the right recipes, even the unloved Brussels sprouts taste insanely delicious!

3. Good night

It's not called beauty sleep for nothing . A good night's sleep is one of the most effective ways to combat dark circles and sallow skin. During this time, completely free from stress, environmental pollution and make-up, your skin regenerates . How can you make the most of it?

• Cleanse and nourish : Before bed is the right time for an enzyme peel and a moisturizing serum that stays in overnight.
• Get enough sleep : Eight hours is a guideline, but everyone has their own biorhythm. Listen to your body to find the perfect time to fall asleep and sleep duration.
• Sleeping ritual : If you tend to brood at night, small rituals can help you mentally prepare for sleep. This can be a warm cocoa, read something or relaxation techniques - whatever is good for you.

4. Relieve stress

The dark season increases the pressure on our psyche. And all the more so when there are additional circumstances that unsettle us. Stress and anxiety are not only reflected in worry lines, but also in the complexion - more on this under How does stress affect my skin? It doesn't have to be. You can find more serenity .

Mindfulness sessions or relaxation techniques can help. If you find it difficult to switch off – there is – try exercising. This also offers a balance to mental pressure. And try to reduce stress. We can't turn off all sources, but some can. Think carefully about how you can avoid triggers. Small things that make things easier in everyday life often make a big difference.

5. Away from the screen

After a long night of TV, when has someone ever told you how rested you look? Happens rather seldom. TV, YouTube and whatever else you do on the screen is not really relaxing for the body. You sit quite motionless and often slouched on the couch while your stressed eyes follow the flickering images. The cool light really gets your brain going when it's supposed to be getting tired.

Active relaxation is much better . Choose activities that bring you down.

• Go for a walk. If nobody accompanies you, podcasts are my hot tip. There are really every interest.
• Reading makes you think differently. Completing a book also fills you with a feeling of accomplishment. Who says proudly: "I've binged five series this year?" "I've already finished ten books" sounds better, doesn't it?
• Celebrate cooking. If you think of it as a chore, it will add stress to you. So turn on the music, chop the vegetables in peace, breathe in the scent, taste – cooking involves all the senses. Enjoy it!

6. Skin care

In winter, the skin dries out faster. A balanced fat and moisturizer lays the foundation for a fresh complexion. Facial care in winter deals in detail with the topic of skin care. But there is more.

Everything that stimulates the metabolism helps to turn snow-white into rose-red . This includes peelings , steam baths or a massage . You can easily use these treatments at home. They promote blood circulation in your skin. In this way, nutrients reach the outermost layers of the skin and toxins are better removed. This also reduces dark circles that build up due to accumulated lymph fluid.

🌟 Dry, brittle skin? If you need a little more care, the FIVE Shea Cream is ideal. The nourishing balm protects against cold and dry air.

7. Have your iron value checked

It's not just winter that causes pale skin and shadows under the eyes. Such signs can also indicate a nutrient deficiency. Low iron levels mean your skin and other organs don't get enough oxygen. This affects their function. At the same time you feel tired and listless . Since we often feel this way in winter anyway, an iron deficiency is easily overlooked.

☝️ If nothing helps, have it checked by the doctor . Do not just take iron supplements on suspicion! An excess of iron can also have unpleasant consequences.

Make dull skin shine

The winter is still long. But you can breathe new luster into your pale reflection. Moderate exercise, a balanced diet, restful sleep, stress reduction, screen detox and good skin care all help. All these steps are not only good for your skin. You will also feel better . Many of these can be combined, for example cooking to relax or a facial massage as a bedtime ritual. Just try around a bit and find the combination that you can perfectly integrate into your everyday life.

Pale out, shine on!
Your Anna