Dull skin: how to bring back its glow

In short: skin looks dull when its surface reflects light less evenly. Common causes are dryness, too little moisture, a layer of dead skin cells and the dry air of winter. What helps: give your skin moisture, exfoliate gently once a week, add a drop of face oil and use a tinted SPF for a fresh look during the day.

"My skin is very dry, and during the day I would like a bit of glow so it does not look so dry." A customer asked me this in the chat recently, and I understand it well. Dull skin is not a problem you need to solve, but it can make you look more tired than you feel. In this article I explain where a dull complexion comes from and how to give your skin its glow back, step by step.

Why does skin look dull?

Healthy, well-cared-for skin has a smooth surface that reflects light evenly. That is what we see as glow. Skin looks dull when that surface becomes rougher or drier. That can have several causes:

• Dead skin cells. Your skin renews itself all the time. Old cells on the surface normally shed by themselves, but sometimes they stay on longer. Your skin then feels rough and looks flat.
• Dryness. Dry skin misses fats that keep it soft and supple. It quickly looks matte and grey.
• Too little moisture. Dehydrated skin feels tight and shows fine lines more. Read more in my article on dehydrated skin.
• The season. In autumn and winter, cold wind outside and the heating inside make the air dry, so your skin loses moisture faster.

Tired skin after short nights or a busy week often looks dull too. The care below helps just as well then.

Moisture first

Glow starts with skin that has enough moisture. After cleansing, apply a hydrating toner or lotion, and finish with a cream that suits your skin type. Does your skin often feel tight? Then add a hydrating serum. Skin that is well cared for reflects light better, and that alone makes a visible difference.

Check your cleanser

A cleanser that strips your skin can also make it look flat. If your skin feels tight right after washing, switch to a milder cleanser and use lukewarm water. Our Organic Purifying Cleanser is made with aloe vera instead of water and cleanses thoroughly without drying out the skin. In the evening, remove makeup and SPF first with an oil; our page about double cleansing explains how.

Exfoliate without a scrub

A layer of dead skin cells makes your skin look flat. You can help it on its way, but gently. A rough scrub can put pressure on your skin, especially when it is dry or sensitive. An enzyme peel works differently: fruit enzymes loosen dead skin cells, so you only need to massage gently.

Our Organic Enzyme Peeling is a powder with colloidal oatmeal, strawberry powder, fine cherry shell powder and enzymes such as bromelain and papain. You mix 1 tablespoon of powder with 1 tablespoon of organic honey or vegan kefir yoghurt and apply it to thoroughly cleansed skin. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes, massage gently and rinse with lukewarm water. Then follow your evening routine. Once a week is enough. In my article on enzyme peels I explain how it differs from a scrub.

Does your skin sting, feel tight or react quickly? Then wait with exfoliating and first give your skin some rest. My article on the skin barrier explains why.

Glow without makeup: a drop of oil and a tinted SPF

For the chat question above, these are my two favourite tips.

A drop of face oil. Our Organic Miracle Oil is based on jojoba oil, with St John's wort oil, sesame oil and rosehip extract. It absorbs quickly, does not leave a greasy layer and leaves skin soft and naturally glowing. Use a few drops as the last step of your routine, mix one drop into your day cream, or use it only on dry patches. You can also apply it as a base before makeup. The Miracle Oil is not recommended for skin with severe redness from rosacea.

A tinted SPF. Our Organic Luminous SPF 20+ Cream Nude is day cream, SPF and a light tint in one step. The mineral filter zinc oxide helps protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays, and the Nude tint softly evens lighter skin tones without looking like heavy makeup. Do you prefer a little warm colour? Then choose the Sunkissed version. Apply it as the last step in the morning and reapply every two hours if you spend a long time in the sun.

Try it first: the Go with the Glow Box

Would you like to try a glow routine before you buy full sizes? The Go with the Glow Box contains the Soothing Lotion, the SPF 20+ Sunkissed and the Miracle Oil in 10 ml minis, plus a 7 g sample of our Natural Glow Mask. Together they are enough for about 10 to 14 days. The box is put together to wake up a dull, tired complexion: the lotion calms and hydrates, the SPF protects with a light tint, and the oil gives a natural glow without heavy makeup.

A routine for dull skin

Morning: cleanse, apply a hydrating toner or the Soothing Lotion, then your day cream with a drop of Miracle Oil mixed in. Finish with the SPF 20+ Nude or Sunkissed.

Evening: cleanse, apply your toner or lotion, then a few drops of Miracle Oil or your night cream.

Once a week, in the evening: after cleansing, use the Enzyme Peeling. Then continue with the rest of your evening routine.

Not sure which products suit your skin type? Our free skincare test gives you a routine that fits.

Who is this for?

For anyone whose skin looks grey, flat or tired, especially in autumn and winter. Dull skin is often dry as well; on our page about dry skin you will find more tips. Is your skin very sensitive or does it react quickly? Then start with a mild routine and leave out exfoliation for a while.

Read more

• Which face oil suits your skin?
• What is an enzyme peel, and how is it different from a scrub?
• Dehydrated skin: how to recognise it and care for it
• Miracle Oil in winter: five ways to use it

Love,
Barbara Baars
Skin Specialist