What is Dull Skin? Dermatologists Explain How to Treat and Prevent Dull, Tired Skin
Maintaining healthy, radiant skin can be challenging, and sometimes our skin can appear a little dull. However, if your skin often appears dull and pale, then you may have dull skin. Pallor can have a variety of causes, from medical conditions to lifestyle choices. However, it is a skin condition that can often be corrected with the right changes in routine and habits. Below, we asked two board-certified dermatologists to explain everything you need to know about dull skin, from its causes to treatments.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-C is a dermatologist at Orentreich Medical Group.
Kiran Mian, DO, FAAD, is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery.
What is Dull Skin?
Dull skin is a skin condition, according to Dr. Mian, meaning “the skin loses its complexion and overall vitality.” It typically affects people with lighter skin tones and causes a change in the natural skin tone. “The skin may be yellow/brown and may appear dehydrated, dull and gray, with fewer blood vessels and less plumpness,” notes Dr. Mian.
What causes dull skin?
“The most common causes of sallow complexion are dehydration and anemia,” explains Dr. Mian. However, there are many factors that can contribute to dull skin:
Medical conditions: According to Dr. LoGerfo, dull skin may be caused by medical issues, such as anemia. “Anemia reduces circulating oxygen, which can be seen in the skin,” she says. “Anemia can cause a pale, yellow, sallow, or dull complexion. Vitamin deficiencies can also contribute to dull skin, especially deficiencies in vitamins A, B12, C, D, and E.”
Smoking: “Smoking is harmful to the skin because it contains many harmful substances,” says Dr. LoGerfo. “Smoking accelerates skin aging, reduces collagen production, damages the skin’s elastic fibers, creates free radicals, constricts blood vessels, and reduces the supply of vitamins and nutrients to the skin.”
Stress: Stress and lack of sleep are other lifestyle factors that can lead to dull skin. “We know that sleep is essential to our functioning on many levels,” says Dr. LoGerfo. “We know that insufficient sleep or poor sleep habits have been shown to negatively impact the body, theoretically altering hormone levels and negatively impacting your health — all of which can adversely affect your skin. Hormones, neurotransmitters, and cytokines can also be altered by lack of sleep, all of which can affect skin cells.”
Excessive sun exposure: Photoaging, or premature aging of the skin from long-term, repeated exposure to sunlight (UV rays), is known to have damaging effects on the skin. “These changes occur in addition to normal aging,” notes Dr. Rogafo. “Photoaging, not chronological aging, is responsible for many of the changes we see in the skin. Signature features of photoaging include fine and coarse lines, pigment changes (such as spots and freckles), rough skin texture, spider veins, redness and blotchiness, sagging and loss of elasticity, and dull skin.”
Dehydration: If you needed another reason to drink enough water, dull skin is it, as dehydration can cause skin to look dull. “Dehydration means you have less water in your body, which in turn causes dry, dull skin,” says Dr. Rogafo. “Over time, skin loses its radiance and looks dull,” adds Mian, who recommends drinking two-thirds of your body weight in ounces per day.
How to Prevent and Treat Dull Skin
The first step is to examine your lifestyle. Consider whether you’re not getting enough sleep and drinking enough water, and correct those habits if necessary. “Tip: If your urine is dark yellow, you may be dehydrated,” says Dr. Mian. “Clear or light yellow indicates adequate fluid intake.”
Dr. Mian also recommends checking your diet to make sure you’re getting enough nutrients. “Make sure you eat a balanced diet with lots of colorful fruits and vegetables. For example, red peppers and green spinach are great sources of vitamin A and iron. Increasing your vitamin C intake can also brighten your complexion.”
She also says exercise can help a lot. “Getting your blood pumping delivers fresh nutrients to your skin and lymphatic flow “stimulates the system that removes waste and byproducts from cellular processes in the body,” she explains.
Once you’ve made lifestyle changes, it’s important to revisit your skin-care routine. Not keeping your skin properly hydrated can lead to a dry, dull complexion. “I think the best way to treat dull skin is to develop a good skin-care routine that includes cleansing, exfoliating, toning, moisturizing, and wearing sunscreen twice a day,” says Dr. Logfor. “Certain treatments like laser and light devices, microneedling, and chemical peels can also help rejuvenate the skin by increasing collagen formation and cell turnover.”
When to see a doctor
Dull skin can also be caused by an underlying medical issue, according to Dr. Logfor. It’s especially important to see a doctor if your dull skin is accompanied by physical symptoms or if your skin has been dull for a month or more.
“If you’re eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and drinking enough water, but your skin is still dull, it’s a good idea to see a doctor,” adds Dr. Mian. “Certain hormonal imbalances, liver dysfunction, or other gastrointestinal conditions can contribute to dull skin, in which case [a medical exam] is appropriate.” “
in conclusion
Dull skin (i.e., dull skin with a yellow-brown hue) can be caused by a variety of medical and lifestyle factors. Fortunately, it can often be treated and/or prevented. In most cases, preventing dull skin ultimately comes down to a healthy lifestyle. “You can prevent dull skin by eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, using sun protection, not smoking, getting enough rest, [avoiding stress], and taking an active interest in your health,” says Dr. Logfor.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
