Why does my skin look so dull?
Having skin that looks dull and lifeless is definitely one of the most frustrating things, especially when you take extra care of it! Sometimes it just doesn’t cooperate, and if you find that your skin isn’t looking its best, looking a little dull, maybe even grey, then here are 5 reasons why and how to prevent that from happening again!
Stress
Do you have a heavy workload? Have you had a huge argument with someone? Are you not getting enough sleep and wearing yourself out? It all piles up and you can see it. If you find that your daily stress is taking its toll, here’s a simple trick to help restore your skin’s glow.
Use a cream cleanser and allow the product to penetrate the skin. Don’t be too rigid, apply a lot of pressure and massage in circular motions all over your face. The pressure and movement stimulates circulation, bringing it to the surface of the skin, making it look plumper and more hydrated.
If you’re not a fan of the above techniques, don’t worry. You can also try using a microfiber cloth or washcloth. Both are stronger on the skin than your hands, but still gentle enough to avoid irritation.
With your skin looking dull and lifeless due to stress, it seems like the perfect time to book a professional facial. So treat yourself!
Dead Skin Cell Buildup
Imagine a dusty desktop. You can’t see the beautiful painted wood when it’s cluttered. The same is true for your skin. Dead skin cells naturally fall off your skin, but often a buildup forms, causing it to lose its radiance and look duller and even a little gray. Here’s how to restore your face’s health.
Use an exfoliator once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells from your face. Procoal’s Exfoliating Face Scrub is suitable for all skin types because you can reduce the intensity of the peeling by adding more water to your face before using the scrub.
Instead of an exfoliator, you can also use a liquid exfoliant, such as an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta hydroxy acid (BHA). These are simple and easy to use. Pour it onto a cotton pad and wipe it over your face, avoiding your eyes. Let the acid do its job without over-rubbing the product on. You may notice a grey residue on the pads, that’s dead skin cells!
Pollution
I know you’re all busy and the idea of staying indoors all day seems ridiculous, but unfortunately, pollution can definitely affect your skin by causing inflammation and damaging your skin’s moisture barrier. Pollution also introduces free radicals to your face, which in turn causes collagen damage and, you guessed it, wrinkles! To protect your skin as much as possible from environmental pollution, do the following.
Afternoon: Remove all makeup and then double cleanse your skin. Opt for something sturdier than your hands and try using a facial brush or cotton pad to thoroughly cleanse your skin.
Morning: In the morning, nourish your skin with the many antioxidants found in many moisturizers. Vitamin C is my personal favorite for restoring skin’s radiance and evens out skin tone.
Dehydration
Any skin type can become dehydrated, and while drinking enough water generally helps with your overall health, sometimes it may not be the help your skin needs. Dehydrated skin can look grey and dull, and you may even notice more wrinkles on your face! How to combat dehydration.
Use hyaluronic acid, which is often found in serums. Your skin will love this acid. You can literally hear her soaking it all in. Apply it in the morning for a super plump, hydrated look. It’s also a great starting point for a flawless makeup look.
Also, always moisturize, even if you have oily skin. When you choose moisturizer, your skin forms a hydrating film and locks in moisture.
Overexposure to the Sun
Yes, you guessed it, I’m about to tell you something we all know, but it shocks me how many of you still overexpose your skin to the sun! If your skin is overexposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays, you’ll notice your skin becomes patchy, dull, and hyperpigmented (dark spots that cause uneven skin tone). I have some tips on how to protect your skin from sun damage.
I know this is obvious, and I don’t want to sound too much like Baz Luhrmann, but wear sunscreen. Wear it every day, whether you’re in the sun or not. You don’t have to worry about the sun causing skin problems like premature aging and dark spots when you’re on vacation.
Using a retinol product at night can help even out your skin tone, but don’t use it during the day because the UV rays will dissolve it and make it unusable. Save it for the evening! You can also combine retinol with vitamin C for a powerful anti-pigmentation combo!
These are some examples of why your skin looks so dull. There are many other factors to consider, such as hormonal imbalances, poor diet, and poor health. However, the advice I give you is the easiest way to restore your face’s glow in no time!
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
