Pale/grey washed out face - help

[stupidphone]

I am nearing 40 and trying to take care of my skin. Trouble is I only seem to look healthy and pretty when I have a tan on my face! Unless I plaster on loads of make-up. I eat healthily, I could drink more water, I use a scrub and then hot cleanse method with micro fibre flannel. Trouble is I look really old tired and 'grey' in the face! What can I do to give my face a fresher look without make- up?! Any ideas?

Origins Vitazing is a good moisturizer that gives a nice glow to the face. I use it when my skin feels a bit dull

Korean sheet face masks are a good pick me up too!

I'm not a skin care expert but I'm guessing make up is the answer. My skin looks ok when I've just washed/exfoliated it but after a while it just looks sallow, grey, not good at all. My skin is in decent condition, it's just the colour that it is! Make up all the way for me

You could always try that new face cream from L'oreal that has a rosy tint. Age Perfect Golden something.

This sounds silly but you could try regularly doing some yoga poses that cause blood to go to your head. The 'downward dog' for example! And pinch your cheeks a little. After a minute once the redness has gone,you might see more natural colour to your face.

Not to worry you but have you heart disease?
Are you unfit? Are your nails on your feet or hands grey or are they a healthy pink colour.

Do you smoke?

Maybe try some vigorous exercise three times a week. Fast bursts of sprinting or cycling SIL do the trick.

Fwiw, fake tan is excellent for the general pale look, but having a grey undertone isn't good news vascularly speaking.

Keep active, and try and to get enough rest. Hope this helps.

Cycling SIL = "cycling can"

Makeup wise, clarins do a facial tanning oil that you mix a few drops in with your moisturiser. Gives you a glow without being full on fake tan.

Bourjois little round pot healthy mix blusher is a good colour for perking up complexion. As is estee lauder peach blusher. I also like clarins radiance foundation.

I'd try glycolic acid or lactic acid pads combined with daily sunscreen. You said no makeup but blusher can work magic if you feel a bit faded and gray. Have you checked your iron levels?

Sorry - just read you don't want makeup!! I think ageing makes your pigment less so you'll look more washed out than when you are younger. That's why I love makeup!

How are your iron levels? I looked pale grey when mine were v low.

Thanks for replies! I do a lot of exercise and am fit and generally healthy. I did have low iron once, maybe I need to take some again. I just seem to have really pale skin in the winter. Without make up I do look like shit! I like the sound of the clarins oil stuff..... off to google!

I have good skin; few wrinkles, clear complexion. I look like death, without makeup. I use foundation, blush and lippie. Eye makeup too. Every day. Not to look younger or flamed up but simply to look like I still have a pulse. I tried the Pixi Glow To I'd (made me glow...for 1 minute - then I was back to normal. I'm mid 50's. It's fine. Wear the makeup (if you want) or don't. No one is judging you as harshly as you judge yourself.

If you're not keen on makeup this is lovely and smells divine

m.johnlewis.com/dr-hauschka-translucent-bronze-concentrate-30ml/p/122644

I know it's soooo boring, but I look a million times better when I drink more water. Also, spend a bit longer massaging your face when you put cream on.

The Clarins oil is amazing. A couple of drops mixed with your moisturiser give a lovely, healthy, 'glowy' colour. I'm a complete convert..

I second the Clarins facial tan drops. I add 3 to my moisturiser. It's very subtle though - gives more of a healthy glow rather than a full on fake tan look. It lasts maybe about 2 days before I have to reapply.

I also like Nib & Fab Extreme Pads. Use at night and they'll gently exfoliate and liven your skin up a bit.
here

I'd try a primer too. I like MAC Strobe cream but only under foundation. If you don't wear make-up the Rosie for M&S autograph would be good for putting on over moisturiser. This:

www.marksandspencer.com/amazing-radiance-cream-35ml/p/p22445358?&mcptredirect