Rosy Glow Sign of Good Health
Women look more healthy when they have a rosy glow, a study suggests.
The conclusion was reached after a team of researchers at the University of St Andrews, asked volunteers to digitally modify photographs to make them appear healthy.
All participants added more red to the skin of the people photographed, with women receiving more colour than men.
Women with rosy complexions tend to have plenty of oxygenated blood. This can often be associated with increased levels of the sex hormone oestrogen.
While possessing a rosy hue is deemed attractive, having a very red face was found to be unhealthy. This is because it tends to be associated with alcoholism. The research also found that green or pale colouring signifies illness.
To achieve that natural healthy glow, researchers recommend that you exercise more or give up smoking.
Lead researcher Ian Stephen, from the school of Psychology, said: "Parents and doctors know that when you get ill, you can end up looking pale. Our research goes further and shows that even young, healthy university students can benefit from a complexion reflecting more blood and more oxygen in the skin."
The results of the study have been published in the journal PLoS (Public Library of Science) One.
FemaleFirst: Fiona Haran