How To Brighten Dull Skin & Boost Radiance

Dull skin is commonly characterized as skin that lacks radiance and appears flat or lackluster. Unlike radiant skin which is more translucent and reflects light evenly, dull skin often has an uneven skin tone or texture which causes light to reflect less evenly.

While there are a wide range of factors that can contribute to dull skin, some of the main causes include:

• Dehydration
  When skin lacks water, it often appears dry and dull. The outer layer of skin should contain 10% to 15% water.^I When this level drops, skin can become dehydrated which can contribute to a dull complexion and even cause fine lines to appear more visible.
• Sun Damage
  While a tan might seem to give skin a healthy appearance, it is actually a sign of sun damage. Skin may initially appear more radiant for a day or so after being in the sun, but a suntan or other sun damage quickly causes skin to look dull and depleted.
• Pollution
  In addition to UV rays, skin comes into contact with pollution every day. These external aggressors can cause free radical damage which can contribute to discolorations, signs of aging, and dullness.
• Age
  As you grow older, skin gradually becomes thinner and produces less oil. The accumulation of sun damage over the years can also contribute to dark spots, discolorations and an overall uneven skin tone. These forms of hyperpigmentation along with fine lines and wrinkles, cause light to reflect less evenly.
• Environment
  Seasons, weather and environment also play a large role in how skin looks and feels. Exposure to low humidity for even a few hours – whether freezing cold or in the desert – can affect skin’s moisture balance and texture.^II

While using an illuminating moisturizer may be an instant way to boost your glow, prevention is a key step in maintaining a healthy complexion. Follow these tips to help prevent dull skin and maintain radiance:

• Use Efficacious Skincare
  Using a balanced routine for your skin type is essential to cleanse away impurities, exfoliate dead skin and moisturize dry areas – all of which can contribute to dullness.
• Remove Makeup Before Bed
  Wearing makeup to bed leaves dirt and impurities on overnight when skin is naturally restoring itself. Removing oil, makeup and impurities from the day helps restore skin’s pH balance and helps promote skin that looks healthy and radiant.
• Don’t Skip Sunscreen
  Exposure to UV rays is one of the leading causes of early signs of aging, like dull skin. Regular sunscreen use in childhood and adolescence may result in an 80% reduction in damage from UV rays. ^III
• Add Antioxidant Protection
  In addition to SPF, your skin also needs protection from pollution which can also damage skin and contribute to dullness. Use a antioxidant serum every morning to help prevent free radical damage.
• Stay Hydrated
  Keeping skin balanced and moisturized is an effective way to help prevent dull skin related to decreased moisture. Apply a moisturizer morning and night and add a hydrating serum to help plump and smooth dry or dehydrated skin. Drinking plenty of water is also important to help boost your body’s overall hydration levels.

If your skin looks lackluster or dull, take these steps to help boost your radiance:

• Exfoliate skin regularly to help remove dead skin, smooth texture and stimulate skin’s renewal process
• Add a hydrating moisturizer rich with humectants and emollients – ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin
• Spritz on a hydrating facial mist to help refresh skin throughout the day

If your skin is very dry, exfoliation is an important step in your routine but requires a little extra care. For very dry skin types, choose a formula with ingredients like Glycolic or Lactic Acids rather than using a scrub or cleanser that physically exfoliates skin as these types of exfoliants can irritate dry skin and cause it to feel even drier. Moisturize skin morning and night with a rich, hydrating moisturizer and don’t hesitate to reapply throughout the day as needed.

While dull skin is often related to dryness, oily skin types can also appear dull. If your skin has excess shine but still lacks radiance, take care to avoid soaps or formulas that may overly dry skin. Not only can these formulas actually prompt skin to produce more oil but they can also leave skin looking dull.

Moving between cold, dry winter weather outside and heated indoor environments can have a big impact on skin’s moisture levels and lead to dullness and dry fine lines. If you’re in a cold environment, use the following tips to help maintain your glow:

• Switch to a richer moisturizer to help lock in hydration
• Have an eye balm and moisturizer on hand to refresh and replenish skin throughout the day
• Add a hydrating serum twice a day and use moisturizing face masks to keep skin smooth and soft

In the summer, skin is often exposed to a wide range of external aggressors. In addition to the sun, the beach, salt in ocean water and chlorine can all impact skin’s balance. If you are in a humid environment, you may experience excess oil but in a dry, desert climate you may notice that skin becomes rougher and has an uneven texture. In addition to outdoor heat, air conditioning can also contribute to dehydration. In the summer, switch up your routine with the following tips:

• Avoid skipping your moisturizer or other steps in your routine
• Keep up with regular exfoliation throughout the week
• Apply a daily sunscreen and pollution protection to help defend skin from external aggressors

A trusted skincare ingredient, Vitamin C is known for its powerful brightening properties. In addition to boosting radiance and a range of other skin benefits, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help defend skin from free radical damage. This efficacious ingredient is essential to a brightening skincare routine to help even skin tone, diminish dark spots and boost radiance.