Cause: Hormones Go Out Of Whack
When hormone levels fluctuate because of puberty, menopause, medications, or other uncontrollable circumstances they often affect the appearance of skin. Just look at what happens when estrogen dips, leaving a higher proportion of testosterone: Skin can get oilier, and greasiness creates a surface shine that accentuates pores and makes your skin look less glowy. And melasma, a hormonal form of hyperpigmentation, leaves you with dark patches that dont fade with topical brighteners because the pigment takes hold in both the uppermost and deeper layers of skin, says Arielle Kauvar, clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center.
SOLUTION:Blotting sheets and clay masks get excess oil off your skin. But if thats not enough, your dermatologist can prescribe medication, like the Pill or spironolactone, to treat the hormonal cause of oiliness. For stubborn melasma, ask your dermatologist about prescribing hydroquinone or obliterating the pigment with a YAG laser or Fraxel treatment.
A version of this article originally appeared in the of Allure. To get your copy, head to newsstands or .
Now, check out more ways to get glowing skin:
Using The Wrong Products For Your Skin Type
Are you using the right cleanser, toner, moisturizer, etc for your skin type? Your skin should feel great after using all of your products never tight and pinched after cleansing or overly greasy after moisturizing. If your skin doesn’t feel good, it’s a sign that you should switch up your routine.
Using the wrong products for your skin type will absolutely damage the skin over time.
This is another area that an esthetician should be able to help you in a good esthetician will always professionally recommend an at-home skin care agenda to follow. You esthetician is like a detective she will your skin and look for clues as to what it needs. She’ll ask you questions to gather even more crucial information, so she can choose the most effective treatment protocol and product choices.
Why Does My Skin Always Look Dull
The Cause: You’re forgetting to moisturize regularly. Dryness is the most common cause of dull face skin. It creates cracks in skin’s surface and causes dead skin cells to build up, making the complexion look uneven and lackluster, says Kenneth Howe, M.D., a dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in NYC.
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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.
Stimulate Collagen Growth With A Retinoid

Retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives, have been scientifically shown to stimulate collagen growth and normalize skin cell turnover, says Shainhouse.
Retinoids help to exfoliate older skin cells and bring new, fresh skin cells to the surface. They also smooth down and thin out the top layer of cells. Ultimately, says Shainhouse, the light will reflect better off of this smooth surface, giving you a more natural glow.
To start, she recommends applying a retinoid treatment 2 nights a week and then increasing the frequency as your skin gets used to this ingredient.
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Why Causes Your Skin To Look So Dull
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. Therefore, it is possible that your skin may sometimes be affected by various internal and external triggers. If you want to regain your skins natural glow and radiance, then it is important to know why your skin may have lost its sheen in the first place. The causes of dull skin include:
Wondering How To Give A Healthy And Vibrant Glow To Your Dull Grey And Lifeless Skin Well We Got You Covered Read On To Know 5 Simple Home Remedies That Can Give Your Skin Sheer Radiance In A Jiffy
All work and no play gives even skin a dull look that lacks radiance and appears lusterless and tired. While work from home mid Covid-19 quarantine was supposed to be all fun, it has on the contrary led to longer screen time and haywire healthy lifestyle with career still topping the priority list and household chores next.
The effects of this unbalanced lifestyle where we try to juggle all roles at once has started to show on our face, making it look dehydrated with dark under eyes and a less radiant skin or one that appears darker than usual. While there is no denying the fact that you are what you eat, our growing up years lead to a build up of dead cells on face which too contribute towards making the skin look dry and dull apart from consuming an unhealthy diet.
While cutting corners with skin care routine has been unwillingly looped into our daily activities, fortunately there are steps to undo the damage and boost the skins natural radiance once more. Check out these 5 simple home remedies that can give your skin sheer radiance in a jiffy.
1.Lemon
The anti-oxidant and anti-pigmentary properties of lemon make the skin achieve radiance and look healthy. Vitamin C and ascorbic acid in lemon help brighten up the skin but also cause burning sensations for some, hence should be applied carefully and washed off immediately if too much burning is experienced.
Method:
2.Yogurt and honey
Method:
3.Coffee
Method:
4.Aloe vera
Method:
5.Cucumbers
Method:
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Cause #4 You Dont Get Enough Sleep
Your skin has the chance to refresh and renew itself while you snooze. According to the Cleveland Clinic, while youre getting a good nights sleep, your skin cells work to repair damage, so its essential to make sure you are giving your skin the time it needs to work its magic! Make the most of your beauty sleep by getting anywhere between seven to nine hours of slumber, so you can wake up feeling and looking refreshed. While you get your rest let the LOréal Paris Age Perfect Rosy Tone Cooling Night Moisturizer go to work stimulating skins radiance and firmness.
Dull Skin: 8 Ways To Prevent And Brighten It
If you have ever looked into the mirror and seen your lifeless visage staring back at you, you can likely relate to having dull skin. Skin dullness is a common concern among us and can be attributed to numerous factors like aging, pollution, and stress.
Whatever the reasons that are causing you to have dull skin, it’s not the end of the world yet. In this article, we will dive into the causes of dull skin and what you can do to brighten up your complexion to achieve a dewy, radiant complexion.
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Accumulation Of Dead Skin Cells
Your skin naturally sheds thousands of lifeless skin cells every day, which slowly begin to accumulate on the upper layer of the skin. This layer of accumulated dead skin cells then inhibits your complexion from reflecting light, giving your skin a lifeless, dull appearance. With advancing age, the cell renewal process of your skin begins to decline, which increases the accumulation of these dead skin cells.
Dull Skin Cause #: Dry Skin
Think about how a dried, shriveled up apple looks compared to a fresh one full of moisturethe same idea is what happens to your skin when it’s dehydrated. Without moisture, the skin becomes dry and dehydrated, which can it turn leave it looking dull. Dry skin also makes fine lines and wrinkles look even more harsh. Not enough moisturizer, dry climates, long hot showers, and indoor air can all contribute to drying out your skin.
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Why Is My Face Skin So Dull
Asked by:Tina Weimann
Silver facial: This facial is done to detoxify and purify your skin. The silver facial consists of a glow scrub, gel, cream and pack that offers dull skin an instant lift. This facial not only restores the natural pH balance of your skin, but also clears the pores and deep cleans to prevent the formation of blackheads.
How Can I Make My Face Glow In Minutes

Besan or gram flour works great to cleanse your skin and give it a beautiful glow. Mix 2 tbsp of besan with 1 tbsp of milk or rose water, few drops of lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric. Apply a layer of this pack on your face and let it dry. Wash with cool water to get a cleansed and beautiful skin in minutes.
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Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage
According to Moaven, the sun depletes the skin of its levels of essential fatty acids and hyaluronic acid, which can lead to dullness as well as pigmentation called lipofuscin. “Use of SPF is very important every day, and the level of SPF depends on the time of exposure,” says Moaven. “Use an SPF 30 for every day and an SPF 50 for activities such as hiking, swimming, walking, or jogging.”
What Is Dull Skin What Causes Dull Skin
Basically, when we meet someone regarding those problems of the skin, they normally discuss something like why my complexion is dull? Or why my skin looks dull and tired?
So, at that point of view, we can assume that having dull skin or a dull face means you have an uneven tone or patches over the skin. Somehow, dull skin causes dark circles under the eyes, acne spots, or even though, your skin looking tired all the time.
Thus, you need to understand that, reasons for dull skin would be countless, and still, if you think like why my skin looks dull, then these reasons/causes would be the answer for you.
- Not enough use of vitamins/minerals
- Dead skin cells
However, if you really think about why my face is dull and dry or why my skin has become dark and dull? Then, you need to follow up these tips which are mention below, to further protect your dull dark skin.
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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.
The Cause: You’re Not Eating A Healthy Diet
The age-old saying “you are what you eat” very much applies here. What you put into your body is reflected in your complexion, so don’t expect to under-nourish your body and see radiant skin.
THE BEST TREATMENT: Stay away from salty and processed foodsthey “enhance tissue swelling through fluid retention, which retards ideal light reflection,” Dr. Palm says. Nutritionist Paula Simpson recommends steering clear of the “typical Western diet” all together, which in her own words includes ingredients that are “high in sugar and fat, and devoid of fiber, antioxidants, high-quality protein and essential fatty acids,” all major culprits when it comes to dull skin. There are healthy food options out there to please both your stomach and your skin. Dr. Howe suggests antioxidant-rich food like blueberries, cranberries, red beans and pinto beans, while Dr. Palm advises good-fat treats like avocados and walnuts, as well as citrus fruits and kiwi, which contain vitamin C, known to boost collagen growth.
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Cher Isn’t Old Enough To Be An Icon Well At Least According To Her
SOLUTION: Being told to relax or get more rest tends to raise cortisol levels further rather than lower them, so well skip the obvious advice for now. Instead, try a quick facial massage while cleansing or applying moisturizer. Its a great way to stimulate blood flow, which will add radiance and plump the skin, says Gohara. For a more lasting glow, consider a microdermabrasion session at a dermatologists office. It will remove dead skin cells and boost circulation.
How Can I Get More Colour In My Face
Load up on dark green veggies, especially leafy greens, to enhance your skins color. Leafy greens, like collards, turnip greens, kale, spinach, mustard greens and dandelion greens, are all very high in carotenoids. Bok choy, peas and carrots, green peas, beet greens and asparagus also boost your carotenoid intake.
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Your Clarins Complexion Rescue Plan For Radiant
Begin your face skin care plan with a cleanser thats effective enough to lift makeup, dirt and bacteria, but gentle enough to care for even sensitive skin. Follow with a toning lotion that not only gets rid of the last traces of makeup and cleanser but also gently exfoliates the skin. Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile helps to visibly balance, refresh, and revive the skins appearance for a radiant-looking skin complexion. Camomile and Linden extract helps to gently purify skin.
On those mornings or evenings when you need a quick skin pick-me-up reach for Beauty Flash Balm. This instant radiance balm helps to wake up tired skin and prep for the best foundation for dry skin and hours of luminous wear. It can also double as a 10-minute energy face mask that makes skin look brighter. All Clarins moisturizers contain Clarins Anti-Pollution Complex to help decrease the risk of premature aging due to environmental aggressors.
Now to turn on that extra glow. Joli Blush is a PH-reactant blush thats enriched with Hazelnut plant oil extracts and Clarins Exclusive Anti-Pollution Complex for buildable color, visibly comforted and protected skin. With ultra-pigmented color, Joli Blush is your go-to for a customized pop of color from subtle to intense, and matte to shimmering. This blush is featherlight and smooth, with each application.
Dull Skin Caused By Questionable Skin Care Ingredients

Theres only so many irritating ingredients your skin can take before it starts to show signs of distress. The skincare industry is notorious for false promises and formulas designed around scent and texture, instead of your skin health. Unfortunately, one of the easiest ways to increase profits is by selling greenwashed formulas loaded with cheap filler ingredients. Even the most innocent looking ingredients like fragrance or perfume can compromise your skin health . When skin is exposed to these ingredients, it can cause imbalances that can show up in the form of dull skin, excess oil production, clogged pores, blemishes, redness, rashes and chronically dry skin.
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The Cause: You’re Forgetting To Moisturize Regularly
Dryness is the most common cause of dull face skin. It creates cracks in skin’s surface and causes dead skin cells to build up, making the complexion look uneven and lackluster, says Kenneth Howe, M.D., a dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in NYC.
THE BEST TREATMENT: Applying a moisturizer every morning and evening fills in those fissures with lipids, which mimic the natural fats of the skin, creating a smooth, reflective surface. Look for moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides to help repair skin barrier function and improve water retention, and hyaluronic acid, which plumps skin cells by attracting water, advises Melanie Palm, M.D., a dermatologist and the director of Art of Skin MD in Solana Beach, California. Extra credit: Apply moisturizer in upward strokes to boost blood circulation and stimulate cells, suggests Debra Luftman, M.D., a dermatologist in Beverly Hills, CA. This brings oxygen to skins surface, making it look nourished and healthy.
Acure Brightening Facial Scrub
Cause: Dead Skin Cells They’re Everywhere
No, youre not seeing things that probably is an ashy tint on your face. We shed millions of skin cells a day, so unless you do something to actively remove the ones that dont fall off naturally, youre going to have a grayish look no matter your skin tone, says Mona Gohara, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Think of that dead-cell buildup like dust. Until you wipe it clean, its a dingy layer that prevents your skin from reflecting light.
SOLUTION: Mist some Pledge on a face wipe kidding, please dont do that. But you are going to need to gently exfoliate once or twice a week. Scrubs with sugar or jojoba esters are mild enough for even sensitive skin, and grainy scrubs with pulverized nut shells are good for everyone else, says Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Peels use alpha and beta hydroxy acids to remove dead skin cells look for formulas that contain soothing ingredients, like aloe and green tea, to minimize irritation.
This November, discover your new favorite products with Allure’s Beauty Box, filled to the brim with brands beloved by our editors, including Peter Thomas Roth’s hyaluronic acid-infused moisturizer and Belif Hungarian Water Essence for lasting hydration.
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