So, you’re trying to take care of your skin but every time you step out the door, it’s dull and dry? Let’s check what might be causing that.
The “skin dullness” is a condition that can be caused by many different factors. The good news is that regaining that healthy glow is simple.
Skin that is radiant and glowing never goes out of style. However, keeping a radiant face isn’t always simple, and the truth is that there are a variety of reasons why your skin lacks that elusive shine. So, what precisely does “dull skin” imply? Our skin sheds dead cells on a regular basis, but if the process isn’t operating properly, your complexion might seem dull, weary, and unhealthy, emphasizing wrinkles, for example.
When it comes to your complexion, the little things can make a big difference. If you’ve lost your shine due to dull skin, it’s likely that one of the factors listed below is to blame. Learn about these behaviors and how to get rid of, revitalize, and brighten dull, tired skin in no time using dermatologist-recommended home remedy remedies, such as skincare products and treatments.
Table of Contents
9 Important causes of Skin Dullness are listed below:
1. You and your skin are both dehydrated.
According to Tammie Umbel, CEO of Shea Terra Organics, dehydration reduces the amount of blood flow to the skin, making you seem “pale and sickly.” Though dehydration may seem to be a temporary condition that can be cured with a glass of water, dermatologist Janet Prystowsky, M.D., Ph.D., recommends treating skin dehydration as a long-term concern. Failure to provide your skin with the necessary hydration may result in long-term damage such as fine lines, sagging skin, and even scales and deep creases from severe chronic dehydration.
THE MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT: DRINK UP! Stefani Sassos, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Good Housekeeping Institute, suggests drinking at least eight glasses of water or other sugar- and caffeine-free liquids such naturally flavored seltzers each day.
2. You aren’t exfoliating enough.
Most likely, you wash your face every day (phew). According to a GH poll, over half of women skip an important step in their beauty routine: exfoliation. According to Hadley King, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City, the procedure eliminates dry, dead skin cells, providing a clean canvas that enables topical treatments to penetrate better. “The greatest technique to smooth skin’s surface so it reflects light and looks glowing or brightened is to exfoliate,” explains Sabina Wizemann, Senior Chemist at GH Beauty Lab.
THE BEST TREATMENT: To avoid skin irritation and damage, the Beauty Lab recommends incorporating one type of exfoliator at a time into your routine — either a physical formula like a face scrub or a chemical formula like a face peel — and protecting with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ face sunscreen every morning.
Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Peel Pads by L’oreal RevitaLift
3. You fail to moisturize on a regular basis.
The most prevalent reason of dull facial skin is dryness. According to Kenneth Howe, M.D., a dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in NYC, it produces fissures in the skin’s surface and causes dead skin cells to pile up, making the complexion seem uneven and lifeless.
THE BEST TREATMENT: Moisturizer, applied morning and evening, fills in the cracks with lipids that resemble the skin’s natural fats, resulting in a smooth, reflecting surface. Melanie Palm, M.D., a dermatologist and the director of Art of Skin MD in Solana Beach, California, recommends moisturizers containing components including ceramides, which assist restore skin barrier function and increase water retention, and hyaluronic acid, which plumps skin cells by drawing water.
Bonus points: According to Debra Luftman, M.D., a dermatologist in Beverly Hills, CA, “apply moisturizer in upward strokes to improve blood circulation and activate cells.” “This increases the amount of oxygen on the skin’s surface, making it seem fed and healthy.”
With SPF 30, Vichy LiftActiv Sunscreen Peptide-C Face Moisturizer
Clinique Moisturizing Lotion
4.You’re under a lot of pressure & stress.
Anxiety has a part in your skin’s brilliance — or lack thereof — whether it’s caused by a tight deadline, a fight, a major life transition, or simply the day-to-day grind. “Stress causes the hormone cortisol to rise, which may impair blood flow to the skin and skin restoration,” adds Dr. Luftman.
THE BEST TREATMENT: De-stress for a few minutes (or more!) each day. A brief yoga practice, careful breathing, or soaking in an aromatherapy bath are all good options (look for bath salts or oils with lavender, which studies show promotes relaxation). According to George Slavich, Ph.D., head of UCLA’s Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research, “these help relax your body and bring your attention to the present.” As a result, you’ll feel more at ease — and your skin will become healthier and more radiant over time.
5. You haven’t gotten enough sleep.
Anything that keeps you awake at night might get in the way of beautiful skin. Dr. Palm notes that “sleep is when your skin cells heal and rejuvenate.” “Skin cells can’t work at their best if that time is reduced or changed.”
THE BEST MEDICATION: Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Apply a night treatment with an ingredient like retinol to increase collagen formation while you sleep for further anti-aging effects. Replace night cream with an extra-nourishing overnight face mask once a week to boost hydrating power. (Amorepacific Sleeping Recovery Masque with Moisture boosted skin’s moisture levels by 49 percent in GH Beauty Lab tests.)
6. Your skin is being affected by the environment.
Unprotected skin dullness may happen by environmental variables such as air pollution, low humidity, severe winds, and exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Researchers monitored women who lived in rural regions and those who lived in cities for over 20 years and discovered that city inhabitants had much more lines and dark patches which gives skin a dull look.
THE BEST TREATMENT: Keeping your skin smooth and even doesn’t need relocating (or hiding in a cave). To begin, make a habit of cleaning your face every night. According to Annie Chiu, M.D., a dermatologist and the head of The Derm Institute in Redondo Beach, CA, “otherwise, pollution particles might block pores” as you sleep.
Next, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day to protect against UV rays and pollution, as well as an antioxidant product like a serum every morning to “prevent the free radicals we’re exposed to in the environment from hurting skin,” she suggests. (Vitamin C, green and white tea, and resveratrol are some of the most powerful antioxidants.) Regular exercise is another approach to combat the damaging effects of the environment on skin. “Aerobic exercise improves skin circulation, which aids in nutrition exchange and toxin clearance from our skin cells,” adds Dr. Palm.
7. You’re a smoker.
Puffing away is not only bad for your health, but it may also make your skin seem dull. It is one of the major causes of skin dullness. “Carcinogenic compounds are particularly harmful to the integrity and structure of the skin,” adds Dr. Palm. “Smoking cigarettes induces collagen breakdown, which causes skin to become sallow, waxy, and wrinkled over time.”
THE BEST TREATMENT: You already know all of this, but please seek assistance to stop smoking; your body (and your loved ones) will thank you.
8. You’re using too much matte makeup.
Avoid mattifying cosmetics that absorb the skin’s natural oils, such as thick or chalky powders (and glow). Also, stay away from makeup removers that include alcohol, since they might deplete skin’s hydration. The products rich in brightening & hydrating ingredients keep skin dullness away! Some of products which help in managing skin dullness are-
Moisture Bound Sleeping Recovery Masque
THE BEST TREATMENT: Use a dewy base, such as a BB cream with moisturizers, or a foundation with light-reflecting pigments (search for phrases like “radiance,” “glow,” and “luminating” on the container) for better coverage. Surratt Beauty cofounder Troy Surratt adds, “These bounce light off the face so it appears more even-toned.” A smidgeon of cream highlighter in a champagne tone for fair skin or gold for medium to dark skin may also rapidly brighten the complexion. He suggests swiping it down the length of your cheekbones for “a lovely, dewy finish that makes your whole face seem more bright.”
Vitamin C Serum Multi Correxion Revive + Glow
Maybelline SPF 30 Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream
Murumuru Butter Highlighter rich in murumuru butter.
9. You aren’t consuming a balanced diet.
The age-old adage “you are what you eat” holds true here. Because what you put into your body reflects on your skin, don’t expect to have glowing skin if you under-nourish it. Undernourished body can not have a healthy & glowing skin. Skin dullness happens eventually and get us more depressed.
THE BEST TREATMENT: Dr. Palm recommends avoiding salty and processed meals since they “increase tissue swelling via fluid retention, which inhibits proper light reflection.” Nutritionist Paula Simpson advises avoiding the “normal Western diet” entirely, which she describes as “heavy in sugar and fat, and lacking of fiber, antioxidants, good-quality protein, and essential fatty acids,” all of which are key contributors to dull skin. There are healthy meal alternatives available that will satisfy your stomach as well as your skin.
Dr. Howe recommends antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries, cranberries, red beans, and pinto beans, while Dr. Palm recommends healthy fats such as avocados and walnuts, as well as citrus fruits and kiwi, which contain vitamin C, which is believed to promote collagen development.
“My skin looks dull and tired” is a common problem that many people experience. Some of the causes for this are dehydration, poor diet, and lack of sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason for skin dullness ?
A: There are a number of reasons for skin dullness, including the following -The use of cosmetic products that contain oil and other ingredients which can cause extra stress on your skin. -Trying to cover up imperfections such as acne scars with makeup. -Excessive sun exposure over time, especially if you’re not wearing sunscreen when its hot outside or using indoor tanning booths too much.
What deficiency causes skin dullness?
A: A deficiency of vitamin-rich foods can cause a dull skin. This is because the body cannot make use of this food as it does not have enough nutrients to do so.
How can I stop my skin from being dull?
A: Using a lightener or other products that contain zinc can help to create an appearance of transparency.
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