What Causes Dull Skin & How to Brighten it for a Radiant Glow

Dull skin looks like it’s lost its brightness or glow. It can feel rough and look flat or tired.  

Whatever your skin type, it can feel dull and tired. But whatever the cause, there are steps you can take to help brighten your complexion and enjoy a radiant glow. 

Why does my skin look dull?

Understanding dull skin 

There are lots of reasons why your skin might look dull. There are external factors such as pollution, sun damage, cold weather and central heating. There are also your skin’s natural processes including:

• Cell turnover. A slow cellular turnover means dead skin cells will build up on the surface of your skin giving it a dull and rough texture
• Dehydration. When your skin is dehydrated (lacking moisture) it loses its plumpness, and your skin cells lose their reflective qualities 

 

How to Brighten Dull Skin

Did you know you can reveal radiance with two easy tips? Here’s how to get glowing in no time...

Tip 1. Exfoliation - increase your skin cell turnover

The best place to start is gentle exfoliation with a mild AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) that gently exfoliates without stripping your skin. 

Try our NEW Smoothing Gel Cleanser, enriched with 5% Lactic Acid that gently exfoliates as it purifies.

Removing dead skin cells will make an instant difference that you can see and feel.

Exfoliating helps buff away the dead skin cells that can cause skin to look dull, as well as leading to clogged pores and potential breakouts. 

If you prefer more traditional scrubs, you can use your favourite formula a few times a week (instead of an exfoliating acid) to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing.

Now that your skin has been exfoliated, skincare products and their active ingredients will be absorbed better into your skin. So, now is the time to hydrate your skin.

 

Tip 2. Hydrate your skin 

Dehydration is a cause of dull skin. When your skin is dehydrated (lacking moisture) it loses its plumpness, and your skin cells lose their reflective qualities 

Dehydrated skin is a temporary skin condition (rather than a type). So, all skin types can be dehydrated when they lose moisture. Things like hot weather, central heating and diet can cause dehydrated skin.

Ingredients for dehydrated skin 

• Glycerine - draws water into your skin 
• Hyaluronic acid - increases hydration & plumps up your skin
• Vitamin B5 – soothes and repairs your skin 
• Vitamin E - protects and moisturises your skin

Dull skin FAQs

What is dull skin?

Dull skin is skin that has lost its glow and brightness. It can have a rough texture and look tired. 

What causes dull skin?

Lots of things cause dull skin such as your cell turnover slowing down as you get older. Hot weather, cold weather, central heating and a dry climate can make your skin dehydrated.

Can I exfoliate dull skin?

Yes. Choose a mild AHA that gently exfoliates while hydrating your skin. Avoid harsh chemicals as they can damage your skin barrier. 

Can using serums and face masks improve dull skin?

Yes, serums, especially those containing Hyaluronic Acid and Vit C can instantly improve dull skin.