What is dull skin & how to brighten it?

Is your complexion looking a little lacklustre? From environmental stressors to lack of sleep to a build-up of dead skin cells, there are a number of factors that could be the culprit – or it could be a combination of a few. We take a closer look at why your skin may be looking dull and how you can recapture your radiance.

Why does your skin look dull?

Understanding why your skin has lost its lustre is the first step to getting back your glow. These are some common reasons why you may be dealing with dullness.

Dehydration

Just like our bodies, our skin needs plenty of water to stay healthy. If you skin is dehydrated, it isn’t getting the moisture it needs from your body or skincare routine. The result? Skin that looks dull and shadowy instead of bright and radiant.

Dead skin cells

Our skin is constantly shedding dead skin cells, a process which can slow down with age. Dead skin cells which remain on the surface of skin cause dullness, as not only are they dull themselves, they cover the healthy-looking skin underneath.

Lifestyle

Poor diet, stress, smoking and a lack of sleep can all take their toll and play havoc with our skin, zapping its lively appearance.

Pollution

When we are out and about, we are exposed to skin-damaging pollution which can compromise our skin’s moisture barrier, leading to a whole host of skin-dulling concerns including dehydration and blocked pores.

What can you do about dull skin?

Don’t despair, glowy days are ahead. Here’s how you can banish the look of fatigue and dullness.

Check your cleanser

Twice-daily cleansing is essential to remove make up, dirt, SPF and skin-dulling pollutants. Harsh cleansers can strip essential oils from skin so make sure you are using a mild – but effective – formula to avoid damaging your skin’s protective layer.

Supercharge your routine with a serum

Serums contain high amounts of active ingredients for visible results. The serum you need will depend on your skin type, concerns, and the reason you are experiencing dullness. Here are a few ingredients to look out for.

Hyaluronic acid

It’s the hydrating hero that can hold many times its weight in water and helps bind moisture into the skin.

Try it for yourself with our Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum , containing a hydrating blend of hibiscus peptides and hyaluronic acid to help smooth skin and boost radiance. This formula also contains our unique brightening complex, a powerful blend of sophora, emblica and vitamin C that helps to fade areas of pigmentation & dark spots and reveal an even brighter glow.

Retinol

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and a must-try ingredient for those concerned with signs of ageing in addition to dullness. It boosts collagen production, sweeps away dull, dead skin cells and promotes skin renewal to boost radiance.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid, also known as BHA or beta hydroxy acid, is an ultra-gentle exfoliating ingredient that helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of skin and deep inside pores to reveal smoother, clearer, more radiant skin.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from environmental stressors – we’re looking at you, pollution – and helps boost skin brightness by encouraging skin cells to use their nutrients more effectively.

Exfoliate regularly

Regular exfoliation with either a gentle physical exfoliant or chemical exfoliant will help “unglue” dull, dead skin cells from the surface of skin to reveal the brighter and healthier-looking layer underneath.

Maximise your moisturiser

Moisturising twice daily, but skin still feeling tight and looking dull? You may need to up your moisturiser game. Capture lit-from-within skin by switching to a formula that provides the more intensive nourishment your skin needs.