Your skin is your body’s largest organ. So, it makes sense that there are going to be times when your skin seems a bit under the weather. The trick is to figure out why and what you can do to change that.
Let’s look at some of the most common causes for dull-looking skin.
If you aren’t drinking enough water, it’ll likely affect the appearance of your skin. In fact, one 2015 study found a strong link between drinking enough water and having healthy skin.
Drinking plenty of water will help boost hydration from below your skin’s surface. Also, applying a hydrating face serum can help bind moisture in the upper layers of your skin.
Skimping on moisturizer, especially if your skin tends to be dry, can affect the health and vitality of your skin. Using a moisturizer twice a day can help hydrate your skin and protect the delicate top layer.
Your skin naturally sheds dead cells on a regular basis to make way for new cells. But sometimes the dead cells don’t shed as they should. Instead, they build up the surface of your skin. This can result in skin that’s dry, dull, flakey, and patchy.
Dry skin can quickly take on the appearance of being dull and lifeless. This is especially true during the winter months, when the air is cold and dry, or if you live in a climate that has very low humidity.
According to a 2010 review, smoking is an important environmental factor in premature skin aging.
The review found that smoking can impair the production of collagen and degrade the elastic fibers and connective tissue in your skin. It can also increase the oxidative stress in your skin cells. All of this can speed up the aging process and contribute to dull-looking skin.
Aging is an inevitable part of life. So is aging skin. And while you can’t control the aging process, you can adopt a skin care routine that helps provide your skin with the nourishment and hydration it needs to stay healthy and vibrant.
We all deal with the occasional bout of dull skin. But if you’re regularly waking up to lackluster skin, you might be wondering what you can do to improve your complexion.
The good news? You have plenty of options.
“You want to make sure that you’ve completely removed your makeup and pore-clogging dirt from your day, but do it gently,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD.
Her advice? Avoid harsh scrubs and drying soaps, which can cause skin irritation, tiny tears, redness, tightness, and flaky skin.
Instead, use a cleansing oil first to remove your makeup and sunscreen without stripping and damaging the top layer of your skin. Then, do a second wash with a gentle cleanser to remove the oil.
Going gentle on your skin also means no hot water or harsh soaps.
“Hot water can strip natural oils, which can cause dryness and irritation,” says Shainhouse. It can also cause superficial vessel dilation, which, Shainhouse says, can make the skin appear red, but only temporarily.
Instead, use lukewarm water when cleansing your face. Also opt for a moisturizing cleanser with ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, or almond oil to help retain moisture.
Regular exfoliation is key to a glowing complexion, according to New York City-based dermatologist, Hadley King, MD.
When dead skin cells build up on the outer layers of your skin, it can cause your skin to look dull, dry, and flakey, and can even clog your pores. Regular exfoliation can prevent this from happening.
According to King, exfoliation also helps to smooth and polish your skin, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and evening out your skin’s texture.
“Exfoliation helps expose a fresh layer of skin ready to retain hydration when moisturizer is applied,” she says. “This can help to plump up the skin, making it look younger, smoother, and healthier.”
King explains that over time, regular exfoliation can increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production.
When adding exfoliation to your skin care routine, King generally recommends starting out by exfoliating twice a week and increasing the frequency as tolerated by your skin. You may need to be especially careful if your skin is overly dry or irritated.
Exfoliation can be either:
After exfoliating, apply a moisturizer right away to lock in moisture and protect the newly revealed skin cells.
Face serums contain a high concentration of ingredients that help to brighten your skin, boost hydration, and diminish the signs of aging.
Because serums absorb quickly into your skin, you can apply them once or twice a day after cleansing.
Shainhouse recommends products with:
These ingredients have a strong antioxidant effect that can help prevent and undo collagen-destroying free radical damage.
Vitamin C also helps to fade hyperpigmentation or dark spots, giving your skin a more even-toned appearance over time.
Another key ingredient to look for is hyaluronic acid, which temporarily binds water in the skin’s superficial layers.
Treating yourself to a weekly face mask is another excellent tool to get your skin glowing.
Look for masks that contain:
In general, you can use a face mask 1 to 3 times per week, but this depends on the product and your skin type.
Make sure to read the directions before using a face mask on your skin.
According to a 2017 review, moisturizing twice a day with the right product can help maintain your skin health and treat various kinds of dermatitis.
More specifically, says Shainhouse, the benefits of regularly using a moisturizer on your face include the following:
Tip: Look for ceramides in the ingredients.“Retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives, have been scientifically shown to stimulate collagen growth and normalize skin cell turnover,” says Shainhouse.
Retinoids help to exfoliate older skin cells and bring new, fresh skin cells to the surface. They also smooth down and thin out the top layer of cells. Ultimately, says Shainhouse, the light will reflect better off of this smooth surface, giving you a more natural glow.
To start, she recommends applying a retinoid treatment 2 nights a week and then increasing the frequency as your skin gets used to this ingredient.
Your dermatologist is trained in some of the best procedures to improve the appearance of your skin.
According to Shainhouse, procedures like an IPL photofacial session can help minimize the appearance of brown spots. It can also help even out your skin tone and improve the light-reflectiveness of your skin. For best results, she recommends a once-a-year freshening session.
Fraxel lasers, another in-office treatment, help to resurface the skin.
“This procedure helps make skin smoother with fewer fine lines and more even pigmentation. This can make your skin look more glowy,” she says.
Last, but certainly not least, wear sunscreen daily.
“This will help prevent UV-induced damage, including skin dyspigmentation, aging brown spots, and rough, dulling texture,” says Shainhouse.
Dull skin can be caused by dehydration, lifestyle choices, or cutting corners with your skin care routine. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to boost your skin’s natural radiance.
Exfoliating your skin, moisturizing twice a day, using a hydrating serum and face mask, and applying a retinoid product may all help replace dull-looking skin with a healthier, more vibrant glow.
If you have questions about your skin or which product to use, be sure to talk to your doctor or a dermatologist.
dehydrated skin
3 min read
Learn the signs of tired, stressed skin and how to energize your skin for your best complexion yet.
Dehydrated skin
Skin health
translation missing: en.general.icons.icon_titletranslation missing: en.general.icons.icon_title Copy LinkWhen you’re tired, it shows on your skin. Here’s how to change that.
If you’ve ever tossed and turned, pulled an all-nighter, or hit the alarm and wondered “Did I even sleep?” you’ve probably worn it: That unmistakable too-little-sleep look. Most people chalk it up to dark under-eye circles, but looking tired is actually a combination of the many ways that fatigue impacts our bodies – and our skin.
Tired skin is tough to cover up. That’s why we suggest actually treating it instead of piling on concealer (in fact, makeup can actually prolong the problem and keep skin from bouncing back). Whether you’re suffering from chronic sleep loss or just one restless night, there are ways to combat the four telltale signs of tired skin, helping you look a little more like you until you can get a full night’s sleep:
Despite what you’ve heard, the darker pigmentation below your eyes doesn’t get darker when you’re tired; it just looks darker because the skin above it is dehydrated, letting dark “circles” show through. Resist the urge to just cover them up; instead, drink plenty of water and apply a brightening treatment like BioLumin-C Vitamin C Eye Serum, which is specially formulated to restore luminosity and hydration to that delicate under-eye skin.
Tired skin retains water near the eyes in efforts to stay hydrated, leading to another giveaway that you’re sleep-deprived: Puffy eyes.
Not only do they scream “I’m zonked;” they also cast shadows on the under-eye area that can make dark circles look even darker. A cool compress can take the edge off; you can also use Awaken Peptide Depuffing Eye Gel to brighten and de-puff.
Like dark circles, fine lines stem from the dehydration your skin endures when lack of sleep throws off its pH. On tired days, use a quality moisturizer on your face and body after dragging yourself out of bed. Use a dedicated night cream like Sound Sleep Cocoon before falling back into bed; the added moisture will make fine lines less obvious, and motion-activated essential oils will help you get some much-needed rest.
Buildup from dead skin cells and products becomes a bigger problem when your body hasn’t had enough time overnight to regenerate. The silver lining: Exfoliating your skin can restore some of its missing glow. Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant® powder works well with all skin conditions, keeping your face smooth and bright.
If you know you’ll be missing out on sleep sometime soon (maybe you’re traveling, prepping for an exam, or expecting a new baby), prepare skin beforehand by Double Cleansing with PreCleanse Balm. It melts away makeup and impurities in the days before and during sleep loss, giving your body one less thing to do when it’s tired.
Sound Sleep Cocoon is a revitalizing treatment gel-cream that transforms skin overnight by optimizing nighttime skin recovery.
Learn how to spot when your skin needs a pick-me-up and give it a boost.
An exfoliator, moisturizer, and eye treatments are skin-replenishing essentials to create your restorative regimen.
Achieve brighter, smoother skin every day with this iconic exfoliating powder. Rice-based powder...
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recommended for: all skin types dryness and dehydration Revitalizing treatment gel-cream trans.
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Supercharged Vitamin C eye serum outsmarts visible premature skin aging caused by daily eye movem...
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recommended for: all skin types dryness and dehydration fine lines and wrinkles loss of firmness...
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Sleep and hydration are some of the most important non-skin care factors to keep skin healthy.
Dehydrated skin
Skin health
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When your working day turns into a working night, it is quite possible that fatigue will win in the fight for your appearance. But do not give up and take a few minutes to take effective action in the fight against the winter tired look.
Salt will improve blood circulation and give the skin a glow. 
This will give you a fresher look. nine0013 
They are less noticeable than crumbly, but will not make you look pale and tired. Under the rays of the sun, which will ruthlessly show all your makeup, your cheeks will look very natural and fresh. nine0013 Besides the fact that you will look better, you will feel better and every new day will take on a new meaning!
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\x3c!--\x3e\x3c!--But what if the skin is sensitive? “During the winter months, you can try polyhydroxy acid (PHA) toners that exfoliate the skin very gently without drying it out.”
“Towards the end of the day, around 9:00 pm, the body begins to prepare for sleep by producing melatonin, an antioxidant with powerful anti-inflammatory properties,” explains Noella Gabriel. - Melatonin helps to balance the circadian rhythm, prevents inflammation and oxidative stress, which play a key role in the aging process. When lack of sleep, stress or anxiety interferes with the biorhythm, cortisol is released in the body, it interferes with the natural production of hyaluronic acid - the main natural moisturizer.
In other words, lack of sleep is a sure way to dry and dehydrated skin. nine0007
“When my patients complain of a tired look, all the external symptoms are usually concentrated in the upper third of the face, especially around the eyes,” says Dr. Mahto. “Manifestations are different: pigmentation and dark circles, wrinkles from fine to deep, bags caused by loss of volume and, as a result, sagging of the tear troughs.”
According to Dr. Mahto, hydration is the secret to a revitalized appearance. “Make sure that the area around the eyes is always well hydrated, use a quality moisturizer with caffeine or peptides for this, it will make the surface of the skin more uniform and smooth out expression lines at least temporarily. It doesn’t hurt to add a couple of products with vitamins A and C - they will help lighten dark circles by several tones. nine0007
Take a series of deep breaths - this is the simplest of all the recommendations.
“Personally, I am a big fan of the deep breathing technique, it helps to relax the skin and make it softer,” says Gabriel. “Many of us sit hunched over at our desks for days on end and breathe rather shallowly, which is in vain. Breathing - real breathing - is the key to the proper functioning of the whole organism. Digestion, detoxification - all this is impossible without enough oxygen, without it our cells are simply not able to work at full capacity. Skin cells included. When you take a deep breath, the diaphragm moves down to the abdomen, allowing the lungs to expand and fill with air. The lungs saturate the blood with oxygen, and it, in turn, carries it through the body to support all life processes. nine0007
Some people think that if you don't leave the house, then you don't need to wash your face before going to bed. It's a delusion. The air in the apartment is not the cleanest, and in general it is extremely important to cleanse the skin of fat and dead particles.
