There might have been instances when an embarrassing situation got you riled up, and others pointed out how your face turned red. Turns out, this is a cool trick that the body does to display its emotional state, and it is called “blushing.” Other times you might notice that prominently, celebrities and personalities often put rosy colors on their cheeks to enhance their attractiveness and beauty, and in cosmetics this is called a “blush.” Some are lucky enough to have that natural blush even without any makeup on. This has gotten you thinking that while people may always want to look their best, is there any way to look the part and stay pink and fresh? Are there any secrets on how to blush naturally?

The science behind blushing

Blushing or blood rush is an uncontrolled and involuntary reaction triggered by the sympathetic nervous system, which is also the one that controls our “fight or flight” mode. This reaction causes our blood vessels to dilate in an attempt to improve blood flow and oxygen delivery. This can happen when the temperature drops, so the body tries to counteract it by pumping more blood into your blood vessels to warm you up. Overall, blushing is a phenomenon that is not yet fully understood by science. What is certain is it is mostly associated with strong emotions such as embarrassment, feeling shy, anger, and even romantic stimulation, which triggers the body to release adrenaline. And since the blood vessels in the cheeks are closer to the surface of the skin, this creates a pinkish or reddish appearance across the face.

What does it say about you?

The face is the center of expression, and in 1872, Charles Darwin described blushing as “the most peculiar and most human of all expressions.” However, Darwin could not offer any explanation for this and only thought that it was a puzzling function.

For Thomas Henry Burgess, however, he believed that blushing occurs when we realize that we broke a social or moral norm. He believed that it is a sign of sincere regret that you acknowledge your shame, mishap, or social wrongdoing thus, proving how sorry you are. He also believed that this makes other people find you more trustworthy, as it is what people can rely on since it cannot be faked.

Overall, intense blushing at social events where you are feeling exposed says that you tend to be liked more, forgiven more, and trusted more by peers.

How to achieve the pinkish glow

Having that natural pinkish and rosy complexion is, in most cases, perceived as more appealing and healthier, as it gives a radiant and fresh glow. Studies have concluded that, by extension, having a rosier tint on the face can elevate your attractiveness, as most people tend to judge healthiness through skin complexion. Unfortunately, not all individuals can sport a natural rosy cheek, as in most cases, it’s only present on some individuals, especially those with a lighter skin tone. This can also be one main reason as to why in the beauty industry, blush on makeup and blush tints are always an option to look fresh and glowing, as it is a much-desired physical trait. But what if makeup and cosmetics are not always an option in your lifestyle? Are there alternatives to how to blush naturally?

1. Regular exercise. As mentioned, blushing can be a result of blood rushing through the blood vessels on your face. Sweating after exercising helps flush out your body’s toxins, clear the skin, and accelerate blood circulation.

2. Hydrate. Drinking plenty of liquids, preferably 7-8 glasses of water daily, ensures better digestion, which reflects on the skin. This is also a good way to flush out toxins in the body that may hinder you from looking your best.

3. Remember to exfoliate. Make a note of exfoliating the skin once a week. Using mild exfoliants can contribute to bringing out the natural color in your cheeks.  This may not be suitable for everyone as we have varying skin types and sensitivity. Best to seek expert advice.

4. Face massage. Adding regular facial massages to your skin care routine can result in that natural rosy glow as it promotes improved blood circulation. Facial exercises and massages also benefit the skin’s tightness and structure, so be sure to try this regularly.

5. Healthy eating habits. Eating a healthy and balanced diet can have a lot of impact on how your skin looks. Try to incorporate plant oils (such as olive, sunflower, and almond), pigment-rich vegetables (like tomatoes and carrots), and fruits in your diet.

6. Natural bleaching techniques. Some people are desiring to show off that natural pink glow on the skin using skin brightening remedies. Here are some ways on how to blush naturally using natural skin bleaching ingredients. Although these are natural products, it is still important to talk to your dermatologist to prevent any unwanted skin reaction.

• Mix apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:3 ratio, apply it to the face carefully and wash it off immediately. This will bring back the brightness of dull skin.

• The vitamin C present in lemon juice can help reduce dark spots on the skin. Squeeze half a lemon and mix it with honey and apply it to your face. Let it stay for about 20 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.

• Rose petals are also a great natural ingredient to elevate that pinkish glow on your cheeks. Crush a few rose petals and mix them together with ground almonds and honey to be applied to the face for 20 minutes before washing it with warm water.

7. Supplements and vitamins: One of the best ways to have a rosy glow is to incorporate vitamins and supplements into your lifestyle. Look for supplements that are rich in vitamins C and E to really boost skin health. Antioxidants are also beneficial if you are looking for that natural glow.

Gloww Pink Blush is a supplement that is helpful in achieving that natural pink glow. The formulation on each capsule allows it to completely nourish the skin with its unique SKNH Complex (Skin Health and Nutrient Complex), a formulation with 11 essential nutrients that is not only helpful in the enhancement of blood circulation for a rosy complexion but also targets collagen strengthening, detoxifying skin waste, UV protection, and defense from free radicals, overall promoting that healthy and pinkish glow. Below are some of its components and how they can help give you that pinkish glow.

• Marine Protein - also called marine collagen have been proven to accelerate skin healing and slow the aging process. In addition, studies found that it can reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, and enhance the overall structure and appearance of skin.

• Horsetail Extract - it is derived from the Equisetum arvense plant which has been used in traditional medicine for bladder and kidney conditions and to promote wound healing. It is also known to improve skin, hair, and bone health.

• Green Tea Extract - green tea extract is a rich source of the polyphenolic compound, EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) which was found to have a number of health benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, and promotes cardiovascular health. It is also beneficial in many skin conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis, and rosacea.

• Lemon Bioflavonoids - studies have found that citrus bioflavonoids such as lemon bioflavonoids are efficient therapeutics for treating various skin-related issues, such as skin aging/photoaging, skin pigmentation, and maintenance of overall healthy skin.

• Vitamins and Natural Extracts - Glowww Pink Blush also contains several ingredients that have strong antioxidant activities including ascorbic acid or vitamin C, vitamin E, grape seed extract, tomato extract, D. salina extract, and pine bark extract. All of these are also proven to help reduce hyperpigmentation and protect the skin from UV damage.

8. Breathe: Lastly, don’t forget to take a deep breath and relax! Too much stress can have damaging effects on the skin and cause breakouts and a dull complexion. Know how to identify your stressors and how to manage them.

What about darker skin tones?

As we all know, skin color is not the same for everybody, and darker shades of complexion exist, so this begs the question: can darker-skin tones blush? The answer to this question is simple, yes. Individuals with a complexion that is on the darker side of the spectrum can still blush, technically. However, its visibility depends on how dark the skin tone is, meaning a melanated skin cannot turn rosy, pink, or red.

We can think of it as a canvas with a darker background. If we were to paint pinks or reds on it, it might not be as prominent as when painting it on lighter shades of color. This is the same with the skin; darker skin tones may not always have noticeable skin flushing compared to those with lighter ones. But not because of this should other skin tones be considered as not having the same natural response to emotion or even considered inferior to other skin colors. At the end of the day, the level of self-love should not be equated to your skin color, but to how beautiful you see yourself.