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Dull skin can lead to an overall lackluster complexion that may make you appear tired or fatigued. Although these are several factors that contribute to dull skin, they all result in a lack of radiance due to poor light reflection. Once you identify why the skin looks dull, it’s often quite easy to restore its glow.
Dead skin build-up: One of the most common reasons for a dull complexion is a build-up of dead cells. Although this can occur at any point during one’s life, dull skin can become more pronounced as cell turnover slows with age. When dead cells have trouble shedding and stay attached to the skin, they obscure the fresh, healthy-looking skin that lies beneath. A build-up of dead cells can also make it more difficult for brightening or moisturizing skincare products to penetrate the skin.
Pollution: Environmental aggressors, such as pollution in the air, can contribute to dull skin in two ways. First, microscopic particles can accumulate on the skin over the course of the day and interfere with your skin’s natural glow. Pollution can also lead to free-radical damage over time that affects the skin’s texture and how it reflects light.
Skin discoloration: Dark spots and uneven skin tone can contribute to lackluster skin—and discolored, dull skin often appears older than it really is. (There are several types of skin discoloration, which you can learn about them here.)
Dry and dehydrated skin: Similar to dead cell build-up, dry skin can lead to a dull complexion. This is common during colder winter months as well as in dry climates. Dehydration is another one of the causes of dull skin since a lack of moisture within the skin can impede its normal function and allow dead cells to cling to the surface.
Lifestyle factors: Stress and too little sleep can also be causes of dull skin since they can promote the body’s production of a hormone called cortisol. Heightened cortisol levels can have an impact on the skin and contribute to a dull complexion.
HOW TO BRIGHTEN DULL SKIN
When skin looks dull, the proper skincare regimen can help restore its radiance and glow. Once you’ve determined your unique causes of dull skin, choosing products that target the source of your lackluster skin can provide visible improvement—and in some cases instantly.
Exfoliation: The quickest and simplest dull skin treatment is exfoliation to remove the build-up of dead skin cells and reveal radiant, healthy-looking skin. There are several ways to incorporate exfoliation into any skincare routine. To start, an exfoliating cleanser like Glycolic Renewal Cleanser features 8% glycolic acid to target dullness as it gently sweeps away dead cells, excess oil, dirt, and long-wear makeup. Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight exfoliates dull skin and promotes cell turnover with 10% glycolic acid for enhanced skin clarity and brightness. This potent treatment also features a complex of natural oils and botanicals that soothes the skin and helps lock in moisture.
Environmental protection: To prevent the free-radical damage associated with pollution from causing dull skin, a daily topical vitamin C antioxidant is in order. SkinCeuticals offers several formulas that have been proven to provide advanced environmental protection with L-ascorbic acid. C E Ferulic is an effective option for those who are also concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, while Phloretin CF targets skin discoloration. For fatigued-looking or lackluster skin around the eye area, AOX+ Eye Gel helps fight environmental damage and premature signs of aging while giving dull skin a refreshing boost.
Target discoloration: When skin discoloration is one of the causes of dull skin, try a daily-use corrective serum that improves the appearance of existing dark spots, minimizes the formation of new discoloration, and works to brighten a dull complexion with ongoing use. Discoloration Defense is formulated with a synergistic blend of tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niaminacide, and HEPES that has been shown to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone in as little as two weeks.
Moisturize wisely: Keeping the skin hydrated is an effective way to avoid lackluster skin, but specially-formulated moisturizers double as a dull skin treatment. Metacell Renewal B3 and its combination of niacinamide, a firming tri-peptide complex, and glycerin help improve early signs of aging (including a dull complexion) by promoting cell turnover, clarifying skin tone, and strengthening the skin’s barrier.
For more mature skin, A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced targets fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and other visible signs of aging associated with glycation. In addition to Proxylane™, wild fruit flavonoids derived from blueberry and pomegranate, and HEPES, this groundbreaking formula contains glycyrrhetinic acid that counters dull skin linked to A.G.E. accumulation.
Protect and correct: Daily sunscreen use is imperative for maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin. Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30 provides the broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection your skin needs in addition to immediate and all-day hydration, proven improvement for skin discoloration, and an instant skin-brightening boost for all skin tones.
Live well: Dull skin treatment doesn’t stop with skincare. To improve lackluster skin, it’s also important to get an adequate amount of sleep, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and try to manage stress.
To discover how to brighten dull skin and find the ideal products that can restore a radiant-healthy-looking complexion, use our online Regimen Finder, visit one of our SkinCeuticals SkinLab locations, or schedule an appointment with a SkinCeuticals Skincare Professional for a one-on-one consultation.
Next: How to incorporate an antioxidant serum into your regimen
