5 Causes of Dull Skin and How To Brighten For Good

People commonly notice the dullness in their skin during the start of the cooler months. They can't quite figure out why their skin isn’t as radiant or glowy as it once was during the lighter and brighter months, and we know how frustrating it is when you can’t pinpoint the cause. Could it be the looming dreary months that makes our skin sad... what exactly it is that makes our skin appear like that?

In the quest of gloriously glowing skin, we’ve identified the most common causes of dull skin to help you take back your radiance. The gleaming news is that you’re in control of many of these factors. We’ve got you covered with easy solutions – plus the best skincare products to keep your complexion luminescent and radiant all year round!

Many of our skin care concerns should do with external factors that are not entirely under our control. External factors from seasonal changes to poor sleeping and eating habits can trigger dull skin. If these dreary conditions or routines continue, you may end up with uneven skin tone and texture. Not on our fall watch!

Dull skin tends to be the crybaby of skin concerns. Therefore, it’s going to need a bit more attention and love. With a dull complexion, you’ll usually notice tightness, flaking, redness, and thirsty-feeling skin. This is due to the cooler months bringing dryer, colder temps that can strip skin of natural oils and moisture, resulting in a complexion that looks flaky and dull.

This lackluster appearance can be even more noticeable under the eyes, creating puffiness and eye bags, as a result of seasonal changes and inadequate skin care. Skin can ever appear darker in some areas, like under the eyes, or ashy in the high points of the face. Thankfully, now that we have an idea what dull skin is, we can pinpoint its causes and how to solve them.

As you can see, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to dull skin. To get back your skin’s original lit-from-within look, it’s important to understand why your complexion may have lost its healthy radiance. Dull skin can be caused by:

Poor Hydration
It’s been said water is life. In fact, good hydration is linked with increased longevity and healthy skin. Hydration brings life to dull skin – not only should we drink enough water, but we should be applying topical humectants. Humectants draw water from the air and bring them to our skin; popular humectant ingredients include aloe, honey, and hyaluronic acid.

Another important element of hydration is sealing moisture into skin with occlusives. You don’t want to lose the water you’ve just drawn into your skin! Effective plant-based occlusives include rosehip seed oil, squalane, and shea butter.

On the flip side, some products and habits can increase water loss from your skin. Conventional harsh cleansers strip your skin of oils needed for sealing in moisture. Heat can sap your skin of moisture, too; rinsing skin with hot water is a common habit that affects hydration levels.

What to do: Drink plenty of water, use a moisturizer with humectants and occlusives, and ease off the hot showers by opting for cool or lukewarm water. To quickly retain the moisture in the skin try the 100% Pure Water+Cucumber Hydration Kit. The formula of this hydration kit is made from naturally hydrating resources which makes it safe to use for everyone.

Not Exfoliating Enough
The power of exfoliation is still underestimated by a lot of skincare beginners. People who skip it don't realize that they are not removing the build-up of dead skin cells. Those skin clingers end up clogging the pores, which causes dullness and dryness.

Since dead skin cells dull your complexion, not exfoliating enough is another culprit of dull skin. Exfoliating regularly means you uncover brighter, softer skin – who doesn’t want that? Using a gentle scrub will clean and purify your pores and any impurities. This will also help your skincare products penetrate your skin more deeply. Your complexion will also look fresh, moisturized, and radiant.

What to do: 7% Fruit Acids Apple Enzyme Exfoliating Cleanser is the most gentle scrub you will ever use. It is made from powerful fruits that will deeply exfoliate your skin while keeping it nourished and bright.

Smoking
Smoking is a habit that can lead to yellowish, leathery, and dull skin. Your skin visibly ages more quickly since cigarette smoke contains free radicals. These free radicals are coming in direct contact with your skin, similar to pollution and UV rays. Excessive amounts of free radicals will break down collagen and elastin levels – leading to dull, saggy skin.

What to do: It’s best to refrain from smoking. Talk to your doctor for help in forming a plan. We know you can do it!

Poor Diet
A poor diet full of sugar, fried foods, and alcohol will be rife with free radicals. While too many ingested free radicals can harm your internal organs, your skin will also inevitably be affected by what you eat. What you feed your body often shows up as dull skin; too much sugar, as an example, is known to break down collagen and elastin in the skin

What to do: Gradually replace unhealthy options with skin-healthy foods that feature lower saturated fats, higher fiber, and a lower glycemic index. Slowly cut down on your added sugar intake if this is an issue for you. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many changes at once – a slow and steady transition tends to be more sustainable for long-term change.

Lack of Sleep
Your body repairs itself while you sleep, and your skin is included in this process. Your skin repairs itself and forms new collagen as well as boosts your blood flow when you sleep. When you sleep very little, you’re not giving your skin enough time to rejuvenate, or to soak up your evening products.

What to do: Set up a consistent sleep schedule that fits your rhythm and gives you 7-8 hours to sleep. Go to bed at the same time each night; if you sleep a little late, begin gradually going to sleep 15 minutes earlier each night. Don’t forget nighttime skin repair and renewal.

After waking up from a deep slumber, you can use products that can speed up the process of skin brightening like 100% Pure Vitamin C serum. The lightweight formula of this serum will stimulate collagen production and make your skin glow.

Sun Damage
Sun makes everything bright except your skin. There are a few ways that sun damage, at the very least, causes dull skin. Sun damage can dry out your skin, especially after a sunburn. Drier skin doesn’t produce as much oil, leaving your skin without its natural sheen. Drier skin also has trouble retaining the moisture necessary for plump, glowy skin.

Sun damage hinders your skin’s ability to repair itself, and slows down your cell turnover rate. That means dead skin cells aren’t shedding as often as they should – and dead cells on the surface of your skin will most definitely lead to a dull complexion.

What to do: Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day – even if it’s just to the office. To repair existing sun damage, exfoliate and hydrate your skin regularly. For skin with discolorations, use our Green Tea SPF 30 sunscreen. It will protect the skin against harmful sun rays, have a soothing effect, and help with uneven skin tone. Green Tea will also hydrate dull skin and won't strip the skin of its natural oils.

Every skin type should have a routine that is well-crafted according to its needs. In skincare, the one shoe fits all approach does more harm than good. The knowledge regarding which ingredient suits you will help you create a skincare regime that will brighten up your skin within days.

Oily Skin: For oily skin, go for oil-free products. Try to cleanse it at least twice a day to not let the sebum build-up. Keep in mind that it requires more cleaning and less moisture.

Normal Skin: For normal skin, try to keep a balance between the products. There is no need to use every trendy ingredient as it can mess up the balanced pH level of your skin.

Dry/Dull Skin: For dry skin, use products that hydrate skin like hyaluronic acid. For this skin type, exfoliation is tricky, and overdoing it can irritate the skin. Also, using oils that hydrate and soothe can really liven up dull and dry skin.

What are the benefits of using natural makeup for dull skin?

Natural makeup offers several benefits for dull skin. Firstly, it has little to no amount of chemicals and synthetic ingredients that can cause allergic reactions and inflammation. Natural makeup brands like 100% PURE use gentle, plant-based ingredients like botanical extracts and oils, which are good for dull skin. The makeup also tends to have a lighter, breathable texture, allowing the skin to breathe and minimizing clogged pores.

How do natural makeup products differ from traditional makeup products?

Firstly, natural makeup products are formulated with a higher percentage of natural and organic ingredients, such as plant extracts, fruits, minerals, and oils. In contrast, traditional makeup often contains synthetic chemicals, preservatives, and artificial colors and fragrances. It also doesn’t have common skin irritants. Natural makeup products are also not tested on animals and utilize sustainable packaging materials. If you suffer from dull skin, natural makeup products are your go-to for glowy skin.

Are natural makeup products suitable for dull skin types?

Natural makeup products are generally suitable for all skin types, including dull skin. Due to their natural and organic ingredients formulation, they are often gentler on the skin and less likely to irritate it. However, it's important to note that individual reactions may vary, and it's always recommended to check the ingredient list and do a patch test before using any new product.

What should I look for when shopping for natural makeup products if I have dull skin?

There are a few things to consider while shopping for natural makeup products for dull skin. First, check the ingredient list for natural, plant-based ingredients. Secondly, look at the authenticity of the brand. You can confirm that by checking the certifications or labels indicating organic or cruelty-free standards. Assess the product's packaging for eco-friendly materials and sustainable practices. Lastly, consider your specific skin type and needs to find products that cater to your requirements.

Can natural makeup products really make a difference in my skin's dull appearance?

Yes, natural makeup products can indeed make a positive difference in your skin's appearance. Natural makeup tends to have lighter formulas that allow the skin to breathe, reducing the likelihood of clogged pores and breakouts. Furthermore, natural makeup has ingredients that have hydrating and soothing properties. Using natural makeup can contribute to achieving a more radiant, balanced, and even skin tone.

Revitalizing dull skin takes a mixture of a consistent good, natural skin routine and SPF protection. When you add a naturel exfoliate, healthy food, and hydration, you’ll make leaps and bounds in recovering your skin-within. Take these steps to cue your rosy cheeks and brighter complexion. Your best bet is prevention, so use these suggestions to stave off dull skin!