Whether it’s an overnight change or a recent occurrence that you’ve noticed for weeks now, it can be concerning to look at your face in the mirror and see the appearance of dull skin that doesn’t look as bright or luminous as it should. And depending on when you’ve noticed this change, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of this dullness. But there are quite a few common reasons why most people’s skin looks dull, and thankfully there are several things that can be done to fix it.
Dead Skin Cells
A buildup of dead skin cells can cause your skin to not look as vibrant as it could. Dead skin cells do not reflect the light as well as healthy skin cells would, creating the look of an ashy or crusty-looking barrier on your skin. This is the usual cause for most people because everyone’s skin sheds millions of skin cells a day, and not all of them fall off naturally on their own.
This is a simple solution with plenty of exfoliating products out on the market. Sugar scrubs are gentle enough for those with sensitive skin, and salt scrubs work well to properly exfoliate with more intensity. Washing your face regularly and being sure to gently exfoliate your skin often can usually take care of the excess dead skin cells that build up and cause that dull look.
Dryness
As with dead skin cells, dryness is also a suspected culprit for dull skin. They almost go hand-in-hand, because if you have dry skin, you’ll likely have excess dead skin cells and may be used to exfoliating regularly. Because dry skin means that your skin is dehydrated, it means that your skin is lacking the moisture needed to naturally glow. So, of course, drinking lots of water and using hydrating products such as moisturizing creams and lotions will improve the look of your lackluster skin.
Environmental Factors
Polluted air, overly-dry air, and many other environmental factors can affect the way your skin looks. A lack of humidity or low humidity in the air can dry out your skin and cause it to look the way it does. In polluted air, small particles such as dirt and sulfur dioxide float through the air and expose themselves to your skin. They can produce something called free radicals on your skin that damage collagen levels, which are known for nourishing dry skin and combating wrinkles. Not only will it do this, but it also can affect your skin tone’s pigment production, which can cause your skin to look darker and less vibrant over time.
Your Diet
Yes, unfortunately, the foods you eat can be what’s causing that lusterless look in your skin. But you won’t have to scour the world looking for a magic fruit—luckily, there are plenty of foods you can eat every day that will boost the look of your skin with their nutritious properties.
Proteins such as fatty fish, like salmon, have enough omega-3’s that will keep skin supple and moisturized. It also contains vitamin E, which is a great antioxidant for the skin, meaning that it can fight against free radicals and inflammation. Avocado is another healthy fat that works great to moisturize, as well as also serve as an additional antioxidant, and to stimulate collagen production. Many nuts and seeds are also great for skin health.
An easy thing you can do to employ these great foods into your diet is to make a quick fruit smoothie with a few of these ingredients. That way, you’ll have your daily intake of antioxidants, vitamins, and water-rich fruits to hydrate. As long as you have a good blender, you can have good skin, too.
Though sometimes, it can be hard to get a good level of all nutrients just through food alone, that’s where dietary supplements and multivitamins come in handy. These will give you just enough nutrients for the day that will keep your internal levels balanced and healthy enough to promote better-looking skin.
Stress and Hormonal Issues
Stress and hormones always have something to do with everything, and dull skin is no different. It can be frustrating due to the fact that these are usually hard to control and monitor when you’re going about your daily business, but simply being aware of these causes can be a big help in fixing it.
When stressed, your body typically kicks into a fight-or-flight response that sends blood flow to your most vital organs instead of to your face, which can cause the look of pale, discolored, or tired-looking skin. This is the reason that happy people have a glow about them. So, increasing your exposure to relaxing activities such as getting a facial, taking a nap, or doing other calming things can definitely help to improve the look of your skin.
With hormones, there are many different medical factors that could lead to hyperpigmentation in the skin, dryness, and that undesired “tired” appearance. Some of these might be able to be fixed with a good skin care regimen, or a change in medications. If you are worried that hormones are the reason behind your dull skin, talk to your doctor about what can be done for you, though you can still try to do a few things to improve your skin’s appearance.
Wear SPF
Sunscreen is a great way to protect your skin when out and about, as UV rays are known for being damaging to the outer layer of your skin. Making sure that you’re protecting your skin regularly would be a great way to combat dryness and the threat of discoloration throughout the day.
Never Forget To Moisturize
For any skin type, moisturizing is an important step in keeping healthy skin happy. Many people often forget to moisturize after cleansing their face in the morning or at night, but it is a simple step back and can make all the difference in how your skin looks and feels.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep plays an important part in our every day appearance, so, of course, sleeping the right amount every night will help to improve the look of your skin. Most people leave their skincare routines for the evening right before bed, as the skin is more receptive to healing while we sleep, so ensuring that your skin is well-cared for and sleeping enough can allow your dull skin to revert back to its healthy, glowing state in no time.
