Dealing with a dull, tired complexion doesn't have to be a fact of life.
Discover how to get achieve a complexion smooth with luminous glow.
We’ve all felt a little dull skinned at times but as we get older, it feels a little more. As we age, the skin exfoliates itself less so that the fresh complexion we used to unveil more regularly remains hidden beneath. That’s where the care comes into your skin ‘care’ routine to keep things moving and shine bright.
But it isn’t just age that affects radiance. Dull skin means dead skin cells have built upon the surface of the skin so a few lumps and bumps may form a surface texture which also causes the luminance and glow to go. It’s often the inside showing on the outside so overall health is certainly important.
It’s that easy fix we assign to so many ailments. ‘Have you drunk enough water today’?! All skin types can become dehydrated and when they do, cell regeneration is prohibited. That’s when the dead skin cells begin to collect which in turn leads to congested pores and bad/dull skin.
Carry your water bottle, keep yourself topped up with the pure stuff and add hydration in the form of a moisturiser. These assistants are your friends.
A build of dead skin cells can be due to a lack of exfoliation. As we hit our 30’s, our skin no longer exfoliates itself twice a week as things start to slow down. You know how it is! The increased layers of dead skin cells leave that dull look and allow focus on the fine lines and wrinkles which isn’t a highlighter we desire. That is why exfoliating is a paramount procedure to eliminate dead cells, polish sin, and refine pores to smooth lines. Exfoliating also scrubs away clogged pores and stimulates blood circulation and breathes new life into skin.
That well used C-word – Collagen! We hear it on all the ads and read it on all the skincare labels but it’s rarely understood. Those that ooze youth have a plentiful supply. It’s what gives us smooth and plump skin.
Collagen is a protein that gives the skin elasticity but firms and holds everything up. In our youth, collagen is regenerated regularly and automatically but as we age, it will wrinkle and sag with a lack of it. Collagen breakdown can be due to a number of influencers like lifestyle (smoking and drinking alcohol) and environmental factors. If you live in the sun and are hit by UV rays constantly, collagen will start to break down.
The tiniest of pollutants can make a move into your pores and pretty much everywhere we of these days, the air is polluted. Our skin is porous so absorbs all the nasties around us which gets into our pores and does some damage. Air pollution can cause premature wrinkling and irregular skin pigmentation as the collagen becomes weakened. This is when pigment-producing cells go into overdrive and start to produce dark spots. Pollutants also mean that skin gets depleted of vitamins. The pollutants fight with the vitamins and always win! The main goal of our skin is to be an immune barrier so if that is compromised, the unwelcome get let in.
It’s not that stress that causes problem skin, it’s our reaction to it. We understand that if stress burned calories, many of us would be supermodels. But on a serious note, we all need to find our own ways to manage it. A sudden trigger of stress can cause a chemical response in your body that makes skin more sensitive and reactive. You know that sudden beating of the heart and increased blood flow when we start to panic or feel like there are just not enough hours in the day to get through our load? As more circulation is redirected to vital organs, such as the heart, brain, and lungs, it means it’s diverted from the face so dullness can creep in.
Stress also causes your body to make hormones like cortisol, which tells glands in your skin to make more oil. Oily skin is more prone to acne and other skin problems. It can have an all-over effect on your whole body, including your hair, nails, and skin. We know that in turn, this causes even more stress so your skincare routine should not be left behind.
Foregoing the intake of all the vitamins and minerals we should be paying attention to is tricky business in our busy lifestyles. However, we do require a healthy level of antioxidants to enable us to neutralise free radicals.
When free radicals from the sun and the environment (smoke or pollution) come in contact with your skin cells they break them down which leads to a loss of collagen and depleted moisture. The body’s cells produce free radicals themselves during normal metabolic processes. However, cells also produce antioxidants that neutralise these free radicals. In general, the body is able to maintain a balance between antioxidants and free radicals. However, when there is an imbalance in the body, it is named Oxidative Stress. While we used to rely on the topical products of an entire skincare range, it’s now worth diving deep into the ‘behind the scenes’ internal health. Oxidative stress occurs naturally and plays a role in the ageing process which can lead to cell and tissue damage. So the issue is when there are excess free radicals that then damage cellular structures.
Read more about dull complexions on our journal
