7 Reasons Your Skin Looks Dull & How to Fix It
Dull skin: You know it when you see it but what's causing it? We’ve identified every saboteur standing between your skin and that glowy-ness that everyone else seems to have. AND give you solutions to beat them out!
1. CAUSE: Dead skin cells
This one may have been obvious but we had to cover ALL the reasons. We shed millions - yeah you heard me - millions of dead skin cells every day. Therefore, if you're not doing something to slough off the stubborn ones, your skin will look dull and have a greyish color.SOLUTION: Use a cleaner with glycolic or lactic acid in it for light daily chemical exfoliation. Then twice a week use a physical exfoliant such as a scrub or mask.
2. CAUSE: Air Quality
Oh yes - not only is air quality a concern for the planet but its also a skincare concern. Polluted air contains a host of tiny particles, like dirt and sulfur dioxide, that create free radicals on skin. Free radicals damage collagen and stimulate pigment production over time and when your skin’s tone and texture are uneven, it diffuses light and looks dull.SOLUTION: Wash your face every night - yes even when you've had a few glasses of wine. If the free radicals, makeup, dirt, and sweat stay on overnight it will damage your skin. The pollution will cause inflammation otherwise and nobody wants that. In the morning, load up on serums and lotions that contain antioxidants, like vitamin C. Antioxidants help fight off those unavoidable free radicals.
3. CAUSE: Stress
Whatever it is in your life thats putting you on edge, stress causes skin issues. Cortisol levels rise in response, pumping more blood in your organs than in your face, leaving it looking rather dull.SOLUTION: Just relax and.... just kidding. Being told to relax almost 99.99% of the time never works. Take it to the next level and either just a quick express facial or DYI it at home with your moisturizer and circular motions.
4. CAUSE: Your Skin is Hella Dehydrated
Without moisture, your skin is going to look dull. If it goes deeper than just surface dehydration, it can actually cause the lower levels of the epidermis to decrease in the thickness of the skin.SOLUTION: On damp skin, pat on a hyaluronic acid serum or hydrating serum. Then after that soaks in, layer on a moisturizer to seal it all in!
5. CAUSE: You're not getting your daily serving of...metal?
Certain minerals are vital to forming the body’s natural antioxidants, which protect the components of healthy, radiant skin. Even if you eat healthily, getting it from food alone is quite difficult.SOLUTION: Take a daily multivitamin! In particular find one that includes selenium, copper, iron, and zinc.
6. CAUSE: The Sun
Overall hyperpigmentation can cause the skin to look patchy and have irregular colors. Not to mention, sun weakens collagen which in turn creates lax, dull skin.SOLUTION: Well, nobody can avoid the sun entirely, but you can wear your sunscreen! We know you know it, so just do it.
7. CAUSE: Hormones are all over the place
Hormone levels fluctuate from a multitude of different reasons — because of puberty, menopause, medications, or other uncontrollable circumstances. When they are unstable it often affects the appearance of your skin. If estrogen levels drop, skin gets oilier and makes it look less glowy. Melasma, a hormonal form of hyperpigmentation, leaves you with dark patches that don't even fade with topical brighteners.
SOLUTION: Clay masks are an excellent way to help combat oily skin throughout the week. However, if you're feeling oily throughout the day, plotting sheet is a good option! As for stubborn melasma, talk to your dermatologist about prescription strength hydroquinone or treatments with a YAG laser.
For More Information:
For more information on any of the above issues, please contact us at ZONA Med Spa. Or book a complimentary consultation online by clicking here.
