How To Brighten Your Skin

Skin Care Concernshow To Brighten Your Skin: 8 Helpful Tips

Lets be real, the transition from warm weather to super cold temperatures can take a toll on your skin. So much so, your once glowing complexion can easily transition to dry and dull skin. Not cool! So naturally, you may be wondering how to brighten skin. The good news is, with a few tweaks to your skin care routine, you can sport more radiant skin in no time. And as always, we have a few skin care tricks up our sleeve to help you do just that. Ready to learn all our best skin brightening tips? Keep reading for seven tips to help give your skin the luminous glow it deserves.

Home Remedies For Glowing Skin

Sure, you do have dull skin right now because of all the environmental stressors, or lifestyle conditions around you, but that doesnt mean it cant be revived back! Were here to tell you how to brighten your skin, with our collection of home remedies for bright skin, that weve put together ourselves-

Before applying your homemade mask on your face, first make sure your face is cleansed well and free from any dirt or germs. Use the Coco Soul Revitalizing Face Wash to fuel your skin with the essential goodness of neem, gotukala and turmeric. This 100% natural and vegan product will leave your skin glowing and ready.You can read all about the benefits of turmeric for your skin here.

• Hot Oil Body Massage- From our list of skin brightening home remedies, this one will not only help with your face, but your entire body too.Method: Take some coconut based oil in a bowl and slightly heat it. Gently massage this all over your body for at least 30 minutes. This helps with natural skin brightening at home, and gives you glowing skin.
• Tomatoes- Want to know how to brighten dull skin at home naturally? Grab a tomato and try this face pack! Tomatoes contain lycopenes, which protect you from the sun.Method: Make a pulp of a whole tomato, mix it with lemon juice and apply it to your skin. Let it sit for 20 minutes, and then rinse it off with cold water.

Make A Fresh Papaya Mask

Papaya smells heavenly and tastes great, too, and its also a great choice for homemade face masks. If you want to make this type of mask, just mash up a fresh papaya and add some olive oil or almond oil, to get a paste consistency. Then, put the mask on your skin and leave it for ten minutes. Afterward, rinse it off with warm water. Doing all of these things will be the key to improving your skin quality easily and quickly. As well, youll love the way that this product smells.

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Skin Whitening Egg Mask

Egg white works wonders on your skin! Egg has astringent properties, it can shrink your pores and tighten your skin and also lighten your skin tone. To make a skin whitening egg mask, mix 2 tsp of corn flour powder and 1 egg white, apply this on your face. Those who have acne prone skin can add lemon juice to this pack for better results.

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Dont Skimp On Exfoliating

As we age, the speed at which dead skin cells naturally slough off decreases. As a result, dullness will reign supreme if you dont help remove the dead skin cells through exfoliation. The experts recommend weekly exfoliating. A buildup of dead skin cells can make even the dewiest skin look dull, Woodin tells TZR.

Regular exfoliation allows plump skin cells to come to the surface of your skin a crucial step to achieving a brighter complexion. Not only that, it also helps skin care products absorb easier since its removing a layer of dead skin cells that would otherwise block products from penetrating the skin. Just be sure not to overdo it over-exfoliating can also cause irritation.

If dewy skin is your goal, Woodin recommends looking for exfoliators with fruit enzymes as they gently exfoliate the skin without causing any reaction. Mild physical exfoliants that also have soothing ingredients will help restore skin texture without leaving skin overly sensitive, he says. A gentle fruit enzyme exfoliant, a few days per week, will unglue the bonds that hold dead cells together. Chemical exfoliators are another great option to explore within the world of exfoliants.

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Be Sure To Get Plenty Of Sleep

In news that should surprise no one, getting enough rest can do more than leave you feeling physically refreshed the next day. Lead aesthetician at SkinSpirit Karen Fernandez notes that “…a good night’s sleep can revive skin like nothing else.

Your skin gets more of the attention at night when you’re organs are restingthat’s when skin gets the most nutrients and revitalization.”

Swap Retinol For Bakuchiol

If you have sensitive skin, you may well have a love-hate relationship with retinol. Often touted for its skin-renewal properties, it can also be incredibly irritating for many people.

According to Jen Graybeal, a director at the skin care brand Beekman 1802, “Retinol can cause redness, peeling, and irritate the skin, which is why plant-based actives like bakuchiol are great alternatives. In fact, bakuchiol is four times safer and more gentle on the skin.”

Also note, if you’re pregnant you’ll want to steer clear of retinol and opt for bakuchiol, whichaccording to current researchis safe when used by pregnant women.

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How To Brighten Dull Skin In 8 Steps

Now that you know some of the factors that might be contributing to your dull skin tone, itâs time to reclaim your innate brightness and do away with dullness once and for all with some help from Olay.

Here are eight skin tone brightening tips so that your skin achieves that healthy glow you crave:

Moisturizing For A Brighter Complexion

Dead skin cells don’t absorb moisture well, so exfoliating prepares your skin to get the most out of your moisturizer. Exfoliating exposes fresh skin that is better able to soak up moisturizer however, to pick the best type of moisturizer for your skin, you need to know what varieties are out there.

So what do moisturizers do for skin? Normally, the middle layer of your skin, called the dermis, passes water up to the outer layer, or the epidermis. Once it reaches the surface, water then evaporates. When the amount of water is too low, however, your skin will start to dry out. That water then evaporates. Moisturizer helps the epidermis hold onto water — and a healthy glow — for longer .

Moisturizers line drugstore shelves and department store counters. Although the number of ingredients may seem dizzying, the main ingredients in most moisturizers are humectants and emollients. Humectants draw water from the air to your skin and help keep it there. This is great if you live in a very humid climate, but humectants don’t do much in dry weather. Urea, glycerin and alpha hydroxy acids are examples of humectants.

Sometimes, exfoliating and moisturizing aren’t enough. In the next section, you’ll learn about the available medical options meant to brighten your complexion.

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Make A Date With A Face Mask

Treating yourself to a weekly face mask is another excellent tool to get your skin glowing.

Look for masks that contain:

• other hydrating and brightening ingredients

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.

How Do You Treat Dull Dry Skin

If your skin is very dry, exfoliation is an important step in your routine but requires a little extra care. For very dry skin types, choose a formula with ingredients like Glycolic or Lactic Acids rather than using a scrub or cleanser that physically exfoliates skin as these types of exfoliants can irritate dry skin and cause it to feel even drier. Moisturize skin morning and night with a rich, hydrating moisturizer and dont hesitate to reapply throughout the day as needed.

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How Can I Brighten My Dull Skin

Youre gonna love this answer. What is very encouraging, she reveals, is that the skin is quite resilient and will respond quickly to changes we do to address brightening. Heres how to brighten skin naturally, according to Devkota:

1. Add Chlorophyll to Your Water Bottle

The very first thing that everyone can do is to start adding Chlorophyll into their daily waters. Its tasteless, easy to travel with, and is a more concentrated shot of greens than a green juice. Its rich in vitamins K, A, C, and E and oxygenates the blood .

2. Keep Your Gut in Check

Remember those potential underlying causes mentioned above? Here is where you dig in and make adjustmentsits also where Devkota is most passionate. She claims that bright skin begins in the gut since your gut and skin microbiomes are linked through the gut skin axis. In other words, a compromised gut leads to less than glowing skin. How do you combat compromised gut health? One word: fiber.

Try to get a minimum of 25 grams of fiber a day, Dahlia advises. The fiber serves as a prebiotic for the beneficial bacteria in the gut that in turn produces postbiotics that our skin loves. Fun fact: Did you know that your gut produces postbiotics like hyaluronic acid? Our skin looooves that!

Image by Riley Reed

3. Pay Attention to Your Products

The Cause: You’re Dehydrated And So Is Your Skin

Dehydration decreases the volume of blood flow to the skin, making you look “pale and sickly,” explains Tammie Umbel, founder of Shea Terra Organics. Though dehydration may seem like a short-term problem solved by a glass of water, , a dermatologist in New York, encourages viewing skin dehydration as a long-term issue. Consistently failing to give your skin the hydration it needs can cause lasting damage, like fine lines, sagging skin, and even scales and deep wrinkles from severe chronic dehydration.

THE BEST TREATMENT: Drink up! Aim for at least eight cups per day of water or other sugar- and caffeine-free beverages like naturally flavored seltzers, recommends Good Housekeeping Institute Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Stefani Sassos.

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Use Preventative Sun Care

Most of the uneven skin issues such as age spots, melasma, and PIH can be aggravated or triggered by prolonged UV exposure. UV radiation generates free radicals, which stimulates melanin production to protect the skin from these harmful rays.

Thats why UV exposure creates a vicious cycle: Increased sun exposure promotes melanin levels in the skin, which causes darker skin. Existing hyperpigmentation may turn darker while new age spots, freckles, or melasma flare-ups may occur.

As such, you should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 and above to prevent your skin from turning darker in the first place. Even if you are indoors, your skin is still susceptible to UVA rays which can pass through the windows. This means that whether you are indoors or outdoors, you should apply sunscreen on your face and body, particularly your neck, hands, and legs. You should also use a hat and a pair of sunglasses when you’re outside for added protection against UV-induced pigmentation.

The Cause: The Environment Is Affecting Your Skin

Environmental factors such as air pollution, low humidity, harsh winds and exposure to UV rays from the sun can dull unprotected skin. In one study, researchers tracked women who lived in rural places and others in urban areas for over 20 years and found that the city dwellers ended up with significantly more lines and dark spots.

THE BEST TREATMENT:You dont have to relocate to keep your skin smooth and even. First, be diligent about cleansing your face each night. Otherwise, pollution particles can clog pores, while you sleep, says Annie Chiu, M.D., a dermatologist and the director of The Derm Institute in Redondo Beach, CA. Your next defense: daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ to shield against UV rays and pollution, plus an antioxidant product like a serum every morning to stop the free radicals were exposed to in the environment from harming skin, she advises. Another way to counteract the environments detrimental effect on skin is regular exercise. Aerobic activity enhances circulation to skin, which helps in nutrient exchange and removal of toxins from our skin cells, Dr. Palm says.

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The Refiner: Glycolic Refining Mousse

Naturally derived from sugar cane, the emollient-rich exfoliant contains a macromolecular size Alpha Hydroxy Acid to correct visible signs of photoaging including dull, sagging, rough skin. Extrastrength formulation improves the overall complexion as it safely and aggressively smooths fine lines and wrinkles. Formulated with 15% medicalstrength pure Glycolic Acid and a natural botanical polyphenol, moisture-rich ingredients increase the skins protection against harmful environmental factors.

• Dramatically corrects visible signs of photoaging and regenerates natural collagen growth
• Actively regenerates natural collagen growth and cell production for healthier, younger-looking skin
• Nongreasy, the nonirritating formula works effectively for maturing skin and as part of any postprocedure skin care regimen

Mind Your Sun Exposure

We love the sun, but if ever there was a poster child for the adage “too much of a good thing can be bad,” it’s the sun. Adequate exposure to direct sunlight is important for supporting essential vitamin D synthesis in the body. But excessive time in the sun can be problematic.

While you can’t entirely avoid the sun, Audrey Kunin, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and the chief product officer of , and the founder of DERMAdoctor, encourages her patients to wear a 30 SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. “The sun works against your glowing skin wishes: It ages skin, leading to a thickening of the epidermis, which creates a dull complexion.”

Also note that if you’ve recently exfoliated, begun using retinol or alpha-hydroxy acids, you’ll want to be sure to wear sunscreen when you head outside as these all cause increased photosensitivity.

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Wear Sunscreen Even When Indoors

You need to protect your skin from the harmful radiations of the sun when you step out from home and even when indoors as the rays can penetrate glass as well. Apply sunscreen lotion or spray generously all over your body and carry sunglasses, cap or a scarf to protect your skin from sun and pollution. .

Give Microdermabrasion A Try

If you’re looking to lighten your leftover acne blemishes, give microdermabrasion a try. This procedure involves a deep exfoliation of the skin to reveal new skin cells, even out skin tone, lighten PIH marks, and diminish fine lines and wrinkles. Repeated sessions are usually recommended for a marked improvement in your skin tone.

Do note that microdermabrasion should not be done on inflamed skin as the abrasive motions of the tiny crystals used in the procedure could aggravate your skin condition. Speak to your dermatologist first to determine whether you are suitable for one. Additionally, you may experience mild redness, dryness, or increased sun sensitivity after each treatment.

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What Natural Ingredients Brighten Skin

To keep your skins microbiome balanced, Dahlia recommends looking for products that include:

• Postbiotic ferments. The brightening powers of these ingredients are transformative.
• Rice Water. Its not just for hair growth, Devkota claims it immediately brightens skin.
• Niacinamide. An effective skin-brightening compound.
• Arbutin. A natural melanin suppresser that helps with dark patches and hyperpigmentation.
• Vitamin C. Look for one that is stable and highly effective, like sodium ascorbyl phosphate as opposed to straight L-ascorbic acid.

You might even consider trying a Glutathione IV drip: Ive seen miracles from doing regular glutathione drips . Its a master antioxidant and not only does it make skin glow, but it also helps heal inflammation in the body.

Image by Teal Thomsen

Using Skin Lightening Products And Treatments

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