Dull Skin: A Science Backed Approach

Dull skin isn’t always related to sun exposure, winter weather, or even age. It happens to the best of us and is caused by severaldifferent factors. Knowing the cause of dry dull skin is the first step to restoring a vibrant glow.

A healthy complexion has a natural dewy luminosity, whereas dull-looking skin doesn’t reflectlight evenly, giving it a grey and lusterless appearance.Common signs of dull skin include:

• Uneven skin tone
• Dry, rough texture
• Skin lacks radiance
• Dark spots and wrinkles are more pronounced

Lifestyle habits, environment, physical stressors, and the aging process can all contribute to dull skin. Here’s a look at some of the primary reasons your complexion has lost its inner glow.

Dead skin cells

Facial skin needs to be exfoliated regularly-- otherwise, dead skin cells build up on the surface, giving it a dull appearance. Your skin will naturally shed away these dead skin cells, but as you age the rate at which this occurs will slow down. Finding other ways to help your skin prevent these dead skin cells from building up will help the fresh, new, and shiny skin to reach the surface. Chemical or physical exfoliation sloughs off excess oil and debris and allows fresh skin to emerge.

Poor blood circulation

Blood plays an important process in your body. It’s responsible for carrying essential nutrients and oxygen to the various systems and cells in your body. An inadequate blood flow will mean that less of these nutrients and oxygen will make it to your skin cells, especially the outermost layers. As a result, poor blood circulation can result in a dull, pallid, or ashy complexion.

Environmental stressors

Exposure to pollution and UV rays produce free radicals in the skin that accelerate collagen loss, increase melanin production and discoloration-- all resulting in dullness. Harsh winds and arid climates can also strip away natural moisture, making the skin appear rough and flakey.

Dehydration

Dehydration has a direct effect on circulation to the skin. When your skin becomes dry and dehydrated, it can result in a more dull appearance while making fine lines and wrinkles become more defined and harsh. A lack of moisturizer, living in a dry climate, and taking long hot showers can all contribute to dehydrated skin. Studies have shown that higher water intake positively impacts normal skin physiology. Aim for a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day to maintain brighter, clearer skin.

Natural aging process

With age, our skin cell turnover rate slows down, and we are more susceptible to hyperpigmentation. The result is an uneven skin tone that looks blotchy and dull. Additionally, the amount of moisturizer that is naturally produced by the skin will decrease, along with the production of collagen, but melanin production will increase. This means that not only will your skin dehydrate faster, but it won’t be able to repair itself as quickly and more dark spots will appear, creating an uneven and dull skin tone.

Smoking

While the negative side effects of smoking on the respiratory system might be common knowledge, the negative effects on skin might not be as known. Cigarette smoking can result in the breakdown of collagen, resulting in sallow, waxy, and wrinkled skin. The heat will also contribute to drying out your skin, while the toxins in the smoke are a harmful environmental hazard for the skin. All of this is in addition to the free radicals being introduced inside the body.

Lack of moisture

Hydrated skin is healthy skin, and facial moisturizer is even more important during the winter months or in dry, arid climates. Look for products enriched with hyaluronic acid and ceramides (these are most similar to your skin’s natural oil) that lock in moisture and help revitalize.

Damaged lipid barrier

Also known as the skin barrier or moisture barrier, the lipid barrier is found in the outermost layer of your skin and consists of dead skin cells and the natural fats of your skin. This incredibly thin “wall” helps to protect you from the harmful environmental toxins and pathogens that can cause you harm. If this layer is damaged by tiny and invisible cracks, then moisture could be escaping it, resulting in dull looking skin.

Physical stressors

Sleep deprivation, chronic stress, and a poor diet can increase cortisol levels, which impair the body’s renewal and repair processes, causing the skin to look sallow and pallid. Stress will lead to an increased level of cortisol in the body and skin, which will contribute to increased skin inflammation. While this is known to worsen certain inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea or acne, it will also directly contribute to an uneven and dull skin complexion.

Wrong products for your skin type

Your beauty routine may not contain the right products for correcting dull skin and may even exacerbate the issue by stripping oils from the skin’s moisture barrier. The key to getting your glow back is using dermatologist-tested actives that exfoliate, moisturize, protect against UV damage, and brighten dark spots.

Having dull skin is a fairly common problem and can naturally pop up from time to time. After all, your skin is protecting your body from all kinds of various toxins and environmental poisons.

These are some of the ways that you can keep your skin looking radiant while it does it’s job:

Be gentle with your skin

It’s important to make sure that you completely remove anything that can clog your pores, such as makeup and dirt, at the end of your day. However, you should do this as gently as possible. Avoid harsh scrubs and drying soaps, instead use a cleansing oil to first remove the pore clogging agents, followed by a second wash with a gentle cleanser that will remove the oil.

Avoid hot water

While a long hot shower might feel incredible, it’s really bad for your skin. Hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and cause the skin to dry out and become irritated easier. Instead, it’s best to use lukewarm water, especially when cleansing your face. You should also use a moisturizing cleanser with coconut oil, shea butter, or almond oil, as they are known to help your skin to retain moisture.

Add exfoliation to your routine

Dead skin cells are one of the most common causes of dull skin. As you age, your body will lose its ability to naturally remove these dead skin cells, so you will have to help it out by exfoliating routinely. Over time, regular exfoliation can help to increase overall cell turnover and even stimulate the production of collagen in your skin cells. Start off with exfoliating twice a week and increase the frequency as long as your skin will tolerate it. After exfoliation, apply a moisturizer right away and lock in the moisture to help protect these newly revealed skin cells.

Moisture multiple times a day

Moisturizers can help to repair and protect your skin barrier, draw water into your epidermis that helps plump on the skin, and can prevent moisture loss. Using a quality moisturizer twice daily can help repair your skin and keep it healthy.

With the right actives and skincare regimen, radiant, luminous skin is just a few weeks away.Not sure which ingredients are right for your skin’s unique characteristics? Take the PROVENskin skin quiz for personalized formulas that will nourish and brighten a dull complexion, and restore that healthy glow.