No matter your skin type, you’ll likely encounter dull skin at some point. Dull skin is a common concern because several factors can lead to it. We’ve covered how to achieve glowing skin, but here we’ll explain the causes of dull skin and how to tackle each issue with skincare and body care. From Sol de Janeiro body creams to The Ordinary toners, there are plenty of treatments that can restore your radiant complexion…
What is Dull Skin?
Dull skin basically means a complexion that looks a little lacklustre and devoid of radiance. It can appear ashy and dry often because, spoiler alert, dryness contributes to it. Ultimately, dull skin is the absence of a glowing, radiant complexion.
Why Does Your Skin Look Dull?
If you often find your complexion looking duller than you’d like, consider addressing some of the root causes below to get back to your usual glowing self.
Your Skin is Dry or Dehydrated
Dryness and dehydration are often the main culprits of dull skin. If you don’t moisturise enough or aren’t drinking enough water, this could be causing your skin to lose its glow. Dry skin can result from your skin not producing enough lipids, which can be genetic or due to ageing, while dehydrated skin lacks water.
The solution, whether you’re dealing with dryness or dehydration, is to hydrate your skin regularly. For your face, look for moisturisers containing hyaluronic acid (which deeply hydrates) and ceramides (which prevent dehydration). For your body, use rich body moisturisers with shea butter or Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian alternative, cupuaçu butter (found in Bum Bum Cream), to intensely hydrate and lock in moisture, banishing dullness.
Skin can become dry if you’re not following a proper body care routine or adapting your skincare steps to the seasons. As we move into autumn, it’s crucial to adjust your routine for winter since your skin is more prone to dryness and dullness in colder months. Some of our favourite products to add moisture and glow back into your skin are…
Slow Cell Turnover
Slow skin cell turnover can lead to a build-up of dead skin cells. It’s not as gross as it sounds, don’t worry, but it can cause a dull complexion. If you’re not exfoliating enough, these dead cells will sit on your skin, preventing renewal and leaving your complexion looking dull.
To speed up cell turnover, keep pores unclogged, and leave your complexion glowing, use exfoliants or retinol. For your face, we recommend chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, which can be used daily to keep dull skin at bay. Alternatively, use a physical face scrub a couple of times a week. If you want to start using retinol, read our guide on how to use retinol for everything you need to know. To keep your body free from dead cell build-up, use a body scrub a couple of times a week. You’ll have smooth skin that’s free from dullness in no time.
These are our favourite face exfoliants, retinols, and body scrubs…
Environmental Stressors
Dull skin is a common concern because our skin is exposed to environmental stressors like pollution and sun exposure. These factors lead to the formation of free radicals, which can damage your skin, causing pigmentation and hindering collagen production, resulting in uneven and dull skin.
While you can’t completely avoid free radicals and exposure to sun and pollution, you can take steps to minimise their impact. First, always wear SPF on your face, even in winter. This will help prevent dull skin caused by sun damage, as well as other skin damage and premature ageing. To protect your skin from pollutants and other free radicals, look for antioxidant-rich skincare products like serums or toners. These will help you maintain your radiance day in and day out.
