To help your dry, dull skin get back its natural glow and radiance, we have listed some tips and tricks to help you get started. Scroll down.
What Is Dull Skin?
Dull skin is one of the most common dermatological complaints. This condition is characterized by skin that has lost its radiance or glow. Dull skin looks aged and unhealthy. It may also have an uneven tone and texture. Spots, blemishes, fine lines, wrinkles, etc. can cause your skin to lose its natural glow and make it look dull. Dull skin is not just the direct result of aging; many other factors play a role in making your skin look dull.
What Are The Causes Of Dull Skin?
In today’s day and age, our lives revolve around hectic schedules. This lifestyle pattern does not leave us with the time or the energy to incorporate a proper skincare regimen into our daily routine. Here are a few factors that cause dull skin:
Pollution: Be it the commute to work and back home or a short trip to the grocery store – you are constantly exposed to pollution. The smoke and dust suspended in the air can cause the skin pores to get clogged. Eventually, this can affect the natural glow of your skin and cause other skin-related issues like acne, pimples, and uneven skin tone. UV Rays: The sun’s rays are usually the strongest between 9 AM and 4 PM. The UV index is very high during this period and can cause significant damage to your skin. Walking out in the sun without applying sunscreen can cause dull skin (1). Hydration: Staying hydrated is key to good skin. It helps in making the skin look supple and replenished. Lack of hydration can make your skin look dehydrated and dull. Stress: Stress is the most common complaint today. You could feel stressed at work or in your personal life. What most people often overlook is its impact on health. Your skin shows clear signs of stress in the form of acne, pimples, and dullness of skin. Diet: A proper, well-balanced diet is imperative to maintain healthy skin. Consuming nutrient-rich foods will ensure that your skin is well-nourished. The modern lifestyle takes a toll on our eating habits, forcing us to neglect our diet. This can cause dull skin (2).
How Can You Tell If You Have Dull Skin?
Dull skin is characterized by:
Aging skin: Your skin can develop wrinkles and fine lines. In some cases, this can happen as a result of photoaging. Uneven skin tone The appearance of blemishes and spots Loss of natural glow of the skin
If your skin shows any of the above signs, you may be having dull skin. Here are some easy tips to brighten dull skin at home.
Natural Remedies To Brighten Skin
1. Lemon
Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C or ascorbic acid. Vitamin C has an anti-pigmentary effect, thereby improving complexion and brightening the skin (3).
1-2 lemons Sterile cotton pad
Do this 2 times a week. Caution: Lemon juice can cause a stinging or a burning sensation on your skin. Please do a patch test before trying this remedy. Make sure you apply sunscreen before you go out as lemon juice can make your skin photosensitive.
2. Sugar Scrub
Sugar can help remove dry skin and dead skin cells due to its slightly abrasive texture (4), (5). This can help in making your skin look brighter.
1/2 cup of brown sugar 2 tablespoons of olive oil 1 tablespoon of honey
You can do this 2 times a week.
3. Honey
Honey contains fructose, glucose, and alpha-hydroxy acids that can help decrease excessive pigmentation, thereby making your skin look brighter and more supple (6), (7).
1 lemon 1 tablespoon of honey
Do this 2 times a week. Caution: Lemon juice can cause a stinging or a burning sensation on your skin. Please do a patch test before trying this remedy.
4. Chocolate Mask
Chocolate is made from cocoa beans. Cocoa exhibits antioxidant properties that can help neutralize oxidative stress (8). This means that it can help reduce the deterioration of skin cells and dullness of skin.
¼ cup of melted dark chocolate 1 tablespoon of milk 2-3 drops of honey
You can apply this face mask once every week.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains aloin, which acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor and helps reverse the effects of hyperpigmentation (9). This, in turn, can help brighten dull skin.
1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel 1 teaspoon of brown sugar
Do this 2 times a week.
6. Walnut Scrub
Walnut scrub can be used as an effective home remedy to brighten dull skin. Walnut contains tyrosinase inhibitors that can reduce pigmentation and brighten dull skin (10).
1 cup of yogurt 5-6 crushed walnuts
You can do this once every week.
7. Yogurt
Yogurt is a popular product used extensively in traditional medicine to treat skin-related conditions. Yogurt is a natural source of L-cysteine, a compound that inhibits tyrosinase activity (11). This helps reduce pigmentation and brightens dull skin.
½ cup of yogurt 1 tablespoon of honey
You can do this 2 times a week.
8. Cucumber
Cucumber is a rich source of vitamin C and other bioactive compounds that inhibit tyrosinase activity (13). This, in turn, can reduce pigmentation and dull skin.
1 cucumber 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
You can use this face pack once a week.
9. Pineapple
Pineapple is a rich source of bioactive sulfur-containing compounds that can reduce pigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase activity (14). These compounds can thus help in brightening dull skin.
1-2 slices of pineapple 2 teaspoons of gram flour
You can use this face pack once a week.
10. Neem
Neem inhibits tyrosinase activity, which means that it can reduce excessive pigmentation of the skin and brighten dull-looking skin (15).
A handful of neem leaves 2-3 tablespoons of yogurt 1 teaspoon of honey
You can use this face pack once a week for brighter-looking skin. The above remedies can help you get rid of dull skin naturally. Listed below are a few tips that you need to follow to prevent your skin from looking dull.
How Can I Prevent My Skin From Looking Dull?
Exfoliate your skin with natural facial scrubs once every week to ensure that it is free of dirt and pollutants. Cleansing your skin before sleeping every night makes sure that it does not lose its natural glow. Make sure to keep your skin moisturized after using cleansers or makeup products. This will help in making it look healthy and bright. A healthy diet can keep your skin healthy and gives it a natural glow. Also, remember to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Smoking has a direct effect on the health of your skin. Smoking makes your skin lose its natural glow and gives it an aged look (16). Always remember to apply sunscreen on your face, arms, and legs before you step out into the sun. This will ensure that your skin is protected from UV-induced damage.
How can I improve my complexion? Check out the infographic below to know the top foods you can have to prevent dull skin. You can improve your complexion by following a strict skincare routine that includes keeping your skin clean, eating nutrient-rich foods, and following simple home remedies to brighten dull skin. Are skin-lightening products safe to use? Skin-lightening products containing hydroquinones are not all safe as they can cause skin irritation and rashes. Hence, do not use them without consulting a dermatologist. Do skin-lightening products brighten skin instantly? No, skin-lightening products can take at least 6-8 weeks to show a visible change. This is because they are formulated to reduce the production of new melanin, not to act on the melanin already present in the skin.
