When you stare into the mirror and think your skin looks dull and tired, you instantly reach for a brightening serum. However, that isn’t the only option that you have. Serums are great, but a few other options can help you discover how to get rid of dull skin.
Brightening serums are a great idea. They are effective. However, if you consistently have dull skin, you can do a few other things too. Brightening serums are not the only way to get brighter skin.
Instead, you need to look at everything. Simple lifestyle changes like picking up aerobic exercise, limiting blue light, and eating more natural foods can work miracles for your skin. The right skincare products to address dry skin and help slough away dead skin cells are also critical components to eliminating dead skin so you can enjoy glowing skin.
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What Is Dull Skin?
Dull skin is skin that looks lackluster. It doesn’t have a radiant shine that glows. Instead, it tends to appear dull and may have a greyish tint. It’s common for dull skin to be accompanied by hyperpigmentation, redness, and dry skin. This can make your skin feel rough and look patchy.
What Causes Dull Skin
We are not born with dull skin. Ultimately, there are several things that take your skin from healthy skin with a radiant glow to dull skin. These are the most common causes of dull, lackluster skin.
Dehydration
Dehydrated skin does not have a radiant complexion. Instead, it’s dry, occasionally itchy, and looks dull. That’s because your body is sucking the hydration out of everything it can to keep functioning, including your skin.
If you don’t drink enough fluids to accommodate your lifestyle, it can lead to dehydrated skin. A key indicator that you have dehydrated skin instead of dry skin is when you suddenly have oily skin. Your skin needs moisture, so it goes into overdrive, producing more sebum to hydrate itself. If your skin suddenly went from radiant skin to oily skin, there’s a good chance that you have a dehydration problem.
Dead Skin Cells
As dead skin cells accumulate, they bind together, forming a layer on top of your face. That layer makes it impossible to see the healthy glow that is naturally happening underneath the dead skin cells.
If you don’t exfoliate your face or constantly skimp on skincare outside of cleansing, this could be why you have a skin type that appears dull. Exfoliating products are a great idea. If you have sensitive skin or want something sustainable, check out the Makeup Eraser. One side removes makeup, and the other is used to exfoliate the face. You only need water and a few circular motions to reveal a healthy glow.
Aging
Collagen production helps keep the skin plump and radiant. As we age, our bodies naturally begin to produce less collagen. That’s why products and treatments are specially designed to help increase collagen production, such as anti-wrinkle creams and treatments like micro-needling.
Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, you more than likely have dull skin. The two go hand in hand sometimes. To treat dull skin, you must address the underlying issue: dry skin.
How To Treat Dull Skin
Dull skin that lacks radiance can instantly make your self-esteem take a nose dive. Thankfully, you’re not stuck with it. These are some of the best ways to treat lackluster skin. We’ve combined both natural remedies and products so you can find something that works for your dull skin and your budget.
1. Get Hydrated
If you haven’t been drinking your daily recommended amount of water lately, it will impact your entire body. That includes your skin. Most of us can be mildly dehydrated without realizing it. That mild dehydration could be behind your dull skin.
When you aren’t a fan of water, it can be a task to drink one glass. Instead of dreading drinking water, try to get it how you like it. Add a slice of lemon for extra flavor. Eat fruits and vegetables that are packed with water, like watermelon.
2. Stay Loyal To Your Skincare Routine To Get Rid Of Dull Skin
Not staying loyal to your skincare routine can lead to dull skin. That’s because moisturizer is essential to keep skin hydrated. Exfoliation is necessary to get rid of dead skin cells. When you don’t have those essential components daily, it can lead to dry skin and a build-up of dead skin cells. That could be what is making your skin appear dull.
3. Address Dry Skin
Sometimes, a daily moisturizer isn’t enough for dry skin. If your skin is still dry, even though you religiously follow a skincare routine, it could be the reason behind your dull skin. Pick up a facial mist spray or moisturizer specially formulated for dry skin. Double-check your products, such as your cleansers, to ensure they don’t have drying ingredients.
4. Use Lukewarm Water
It can be tempting to wash your face quickly while in the shower, but you must adjust the temperature first. Hot water can strip your skin of natural oils, which will dry your skin. It can also make your skin feel irritated or red. When your skin gets dry, it can have a dull appearance. Instead, wait until you’re out of the shower or ensure the water is cool enough to wash your face.
5. Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen
Sunscreen is typically applied in the morning. If you’re not wearing sunscreen, you should at least be wearing a moisturizer with an SPF. This can help prevent the effects of aging because it protects your skin. One of the most common signs of aging is rough skin that appears dull.
6. Pick Up Multitasking Makeup Products
Multitasking makeup products are designed to work as both skincare and makeup products. You’ll discover foundations with hyaluronic acid and primers with SPF in them. All these ingredients go the extra mile to ensure your skin is healthy and protected. Healthy skin is radiant skin.
7. Exfoliating
Exfoliating is a crucial step in eliminating dull or grey skin. It helps remove the outer layer of dead skin cells to reveal your gorgeous skin. Then, your skin is better able to absorb skincare ingredients like Vitamin C to make your complexion glow. Sugar scrubs are great, but these can be harsh on sensitive skin. Chemical peels are another great way to promote skin health.
When exfoliating, it’s important to remember that regular exfoliation is essential. One day may give you results, but you’ll want to keep exfoliating 1-2 times weekly for glowing skin.
8. Address Dry Skin
Addressing dry skin can be challenging. You may have uneven skin tone or other skin conditions on top of that. However, you’ll need to address dry skin in every way possible. Start by drinking plenty of water and focusing on a healthy diet without toxic ingredients. Then, pick up hydrating skincare products to keep your skin hydrated from the outside. You can enjoy baby-soft skin that glows with a combination of the two methods.
Recommended Hydrating Products
Pink Cloud Soft Moisture Cream By Herbivore Botanicals ($46)
Herbivore Botanicals skincare products are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, smell heavenly, and be effective. Pink Cloud Hydrating Cream is specially formulated with ingredients like vegan squalene and tremella mushroom to pack your skin with hydration. Then, it helps protect and strengthen your skin’s barrier, keeping moisture locked in.
Genius Liquid Collagen By Algenist ($115)
This is the product for you if you have dry skin due to aging. Vegan collagen works with powerful ingredients like Alguronic Acid and Microalgae Oil to hydrate the skin while visibly plumping for a difference you can see and feel in up to two weeks.
9. Include Vitamin C In Your Skincare Routine
Vitamin C is such a big part of skin health that several studies have shown it. First, Vitamin C works hard to protect against environmental damage from free radicals, meaning you’re less likely to deal with inflammatory skin conditions. Then, it helps strengthen your skin’s barrier, preventing moisture loss to keep your skin hydrated. Finally, it helps visibly brighten skin for a difference that you can see. Murad has a complete line of skincare products that have Vitamin C.
10. Get Plenty Of Sleep
As you sleep, your body repairs itself. This includes your skin cells. Not getting enough sleep for 1-2 nights in a row can lead to dull skin and dark circles under your eyes. Shoot for at least seven hours of sleep a night. If you need more than that to feel well-rested, sleep more. Your body needs more sleep because it needs to repair itself. If you’re having difficulty sleeping, consult a physician to see if they can help, or try listening to meditative music to help you relax.
11. Exercise
Daily lifestyle habits can help you learn how to deal with dull skin. One of them is to get plenty of aerobic exercises. This helps speed up the cellular regeneration level and increases blood circulation. The increased circulation helps your skin remove toxins and absorb nutrients better, making your skincare product more effective.
12. Eat Healthily
Eating a healthy diet of natural ingredients will work wonders for your skin. Natural fruits and vegetables are packed with water. Fresh foods are full of ingredients like antioxidants and Vitamin C that do their part to protect the skin against environmental factors.
13. Limit Screen Time
According to this article, limiting your screen time can work wonders for your skin. That’s because electronics emit blue light. Consistent exposure to blue light can wreak havoc on your skin, resulting in premature aging, quicker cell death, and dull, lackluster skin. Instead, turn the television off and go hiking for healthier skin.
14. Try A Sleep Mask
Sleep masks are designed to work hard while you’re sleeping to pump your skin full of nutrients and hydration. They don’t work like exfoliating or peel-off masks to remove dead cells. Instead, they work to repair and hydrate skin. You apply a thin layer of your sleep mask before bed and wash it off when you cleanse in the morning.
Our Recommendations
Holy Hydration Sleep Mask By e.l.f. Cosmetics ($11)
This creamy mask is formulated to make your skin feel plump and refreshed. Use it as a mask that you rinse off by leaving it on for ten minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water or leave it on overnight and rinse it off in the morning. All e.l.f. products are cruelty-free.
Doppeltree Renew Overnight Facial Mask With Aloe Vera Gel & Hyaluronic Acid ($20)
This overnight mask is suitable for all skin types and is a great way to discover how to get rid of dull skin. A unique formula that includes ingredients like Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid, and Green Tea helps to soothe dry skin, pump it full of moisture, and then repair the skin barrier to keep moisture locked in for hydrated, vibrant skin. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and all-natural.
Final Thoughts
Having tired, dull skin can be from a variety of factors. Things like washing your face with hot water instead of lukewarm water can make a difference. You’ll need to address lifestyle factors, up your skincare routine, and change your diet to correct the lack of radiance. However, it’s well worth it. Check out the rest of the blog for more skincare information, product reviews, and more!
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