Why Does My Skin Look Dull & How to Treat It
Skincare enthusiasts know that results appear in 3-6 months after introducing a new product into their routine. You’re eager to know how to get glass skin and you’re dedicated to the regimen. The anticipation is exciting, which can lead to huge disappointment when you continue to wake up with dull skin.
You’re not alone: Dull skin affects even the most naturally vibrant among us, which can lead us down the road of bronzer and tanning overloads. Fortunately, getting a grip on the causes of dull skin is your first step towards banishing it. In this guide, we’re exploring the top reasons for lifeless skin and ways to restore your skin’s health for a glowy complexion by recommending some products to include in your skincare routine.
What Does Dull Skin Look Like?
Before we dive in, let’s establish a better handle on what we mean by dull skin.
Typically, dull skin appears:
All in all, it lacks that luminosity we swear we were rocking just last week. What gives?
4 Leading Causes of Dull Skin
You may be doing all you can to score radiant skin, but some things can creep into our existence and turn a dewy complexion dull and dismal.
#1 The Culprit: Stress
That impending deadline, that crushing line of traffic, that endless barrage of bad news—there’s no double about it: We’re often subjected to stress. And while “acute” stress can be galvanizing, chronic stress can take a toll on your brain and body.
Skin has an immediate and ongoing response to stress, which may cause:
- Delayed skin rejuvenation
- Hormonal imbalances
- Inflammation
- Premature aging
All of these skin offenders can impact your complexion’s natural rosiness. To rub salt into the wound, stress can stymie your skin’s ability to retain moisture. The result? A dry, dull complexion.
Your Solution: Stress-Busting Strategies + Ultra Hydration
Daily stressors may be inescapable, but there are several savvy ways to manage it:
- Yoga – Three of yoga’s biggest components, breath, movement, and meditation, have been shown to curb stress and uplift a negative mood. Try one or all three and you may see some of that glow return to your complexion.
- Exercise – Exercise boosts circulation, which brings oxygen and essential nutrients to your skin, which may pull it out of the funk it’s in.
- A healthy diet – A diet filled with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables can improve the health and vitality of your body’s biggest organ.
Top it all off with HydraKate Recharging Water Cream to give your skin an extra dose of moisturizing affection, with marigold flower extract as one of the leading ingredients. Aside from moisturizing, other marigold extract benefits include healing and regenerative properties, which helps brighten dull skin.
#2 The Culprit: Dead Skin Cells
You’ve probably seen dry, flaky areas around your nose or chin.
Those are dead skin cells—and certainly not something to say ew about. Your epidermis, the outermost layer of your skin, constantly sheds dead cells to regenerate fresh, healthy cells (and a brighter complexion).
However, this cell turnover decelerates as we age and a surplus of dead skin cells can accumulate on your skin, ultimately leading to a dull appearance.
Your Solution: Exfoliators
Exfoliators do a brilliant job of scrubbing off the dull outer surface to reveal the lush skin underneath. More specifically, ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment naturally rejuvenates your skin to bring back your dewy glow and improve skin texture.
#3 The Culprit: Sun Damage
It may seem like spending time in the sun can help you restore your glow, but sun damage is one of the biggest threats to the integrity of our skin. Sun damage accelerates the development of wrinkles and fine lines. Exposure to UV rays may also contribute to a dull complexion by:
- Shrinking collagen – Collagen is the magic protein that gives skin its structure and elasticity. Sun damage degrades it, which can give your skin a sagging, sallow look.
- Increasing hyperpigmentation – Sun damage and hyperpigmentation are practically synonymous, and unprotected exposure to the sun may give your skin a blotchy, dull appearance.
Your Solution: Retinol
Retinol, a form of vitamin A, may help restore your dull-looking skin’s buoyancy by evening out your skin tone and softening the appearance of those age spots. And, of course, you should always prioritize sun protection by wearing moisturizing sunscreen daily and minimizing sun exposure.
#4 The Culprit: Inadequate Sleep
You could have the most advanced and effective skincare products at your disposal but without sufficient, restorative sleep, your tired skin may suffer.
During rest, your skin goes into recovery mode, working to mitigate the damage from oxidative stress you encountered throughout the day. Indeed, inadequate sleep has been linked to a number of skin issues that may result in a dull complexion and can:
- Impact collagen production and compromises skin integrity
- Accelerate skin aging
- Cause dark circles under the eyes
Overall, the fatigue you experience after a poor night’s sleep is felt—and mirrored—in your skin.
#5 The Culprit: Dehydration
Skin dullness can also be a sign of dehydration. Other signs of dehydrated skin include uneven skin tone, dry skin, and fine lines and wrinkles. Aside from drinking enough water, you should also repair and strengthen your skin barrier by using the right moisturizer.
Your Solution: Sleep Hygiene + A Rejuvenating Serum
Getting a good night’s sleep is easier said than done, especially if your attention feels pulled in multiple directions. And while “sleep hygiene” might not have the sexiest ring to it, it’s vital. Here are a few ways to practice it:
- Aim to go to sleep and rise at the same time every day—even on the weekends
- Kill your electronic devices (or at least put them away) an hour or two before bedtime
- Weave a self-care routine into your nightly schedule that promotes relaxation
That self-care routine will take on a new level of effectiveness if it involves babying your skin and prepping it for the healing that happens while you rest. HydraKate Recharging Serum is rich in ingredients like hyaluronic acid to infuse your skin with nutrients and moisture, giving lackluster skin that oomph it needs.
Elevate Your Skin’s Radiance with Kate Somerville
Dull skin may feel disheartening but it’s certainly not a life sentence. Tweaks to your lifestyle and a handful of restorative products can ease your skin back into that healthy glow.
Our HydraKate Collection serum and water cream are expertly formulated with hyaluronic acid, marigold extract, and blue light-activated algae to brighten dull skin.
What are you waiting for? Get that radiant complexion with Kate Somerville.
Sources:
Inflammation and Allergy Drug Targets. Brain-skin connection; stress, inflammation and skin aging. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4082169/
Mayo Clinic. Stress management. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/yoga/art-20044733
Healthline. 10 benefits of exercise. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise#
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. Systemic antioxidants and skin health. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23135663/
Advances in Wound Care. Characteristics of aging skin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3840548/
Photochemistry and Photobiology. Collagen alterations in chronically sun-damaged human skin.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8310007/
ABD. Acquired hyperpigmentations. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3938350/
WebMD. Can you reverse sun damage? https://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/skin-sun-damage-treatment
Medical Hypotheses. Can poor sleep affect skin integrity? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20678867/
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25266053/
Healthline. Dark circles under your eyes: causes and treatment. https://www.healthline.com/health/dark-circle-under-eyes#Dark-circles-under-the-eyes
