As if the cold weather
wasn't enough to keep you down, a dull, listless complexion can often
come with it. There are lots of reasons that could explain why your skin
lacks that radiant glow we all crave. Chances are, one of the mistakes
below could be the culprit. If you tackle your winter skin woes head-on,
you'll have beaming, healthy skin in no time.
1. You're not exfoliating enough.
If
you wash your face twice a day, you might think you have your skincare
routine covered, but there's a very crucial step you need to add:
exfoliation. According to Dr. Kenneth Howe, dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology,
the most common cause of dull skin is dryness. Dry skin needs to be
sloughed away so that you can see the fresh, bright skin beneath it.
Exfoliating also creates a fresh canvas that allow topical products to
penetrate better, says Dr. Hadley King, board-certified dermatologist at
SKINNEY Medspa,
so don't be surprised if you begin seeing improved results from your
other skincare products once you begin exfoliating regularly.
Just
remember to keep the process gentle on your skin to avoid causing
inflammation or irritation in any of those baby-soft layers of fresh
skin you've exfoliated to the surface. Dr. Melanie Palm, board-certified
dermatologist and the director of Art of Skin MD, prefers "a chemical exfoliant (alpha and beta hydroxy acids) to physical exfoliants, which may be too harsh on the skin."
2. You need to moisturize more.
On
top of exfoliation, your complexion is calling out for something else:
moisture. Dr. Howe explains the process on a microscopic level: The
demands that we place on our skin cause cracks in its surface, which
translate as dullness. Using a moisturizer fills in those fissures by
adding lipids, the natural fats of the skin, which seal up the gaps
between the skin cells, presenting a smooth, reflective surface.
Dr. Palm suggests using
moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides, which help repair skin
barrier function and improve water retention, and hyaluronic acid, which
plumps up skin cells by attracting water to surrounding tissues. And how
you apply it matters, too. "Apply your moisturizer in gentle, upward
strokes to boost blood circulation and stimulate the cells around your
face and neck," recommends Dr. Debra Luftman, board-certified
dermatologist and Simple Advisory Board member. "This will bring oxygen
to the surface of your skin, making it look nourished and healthy, and
feel more hydrated."
3. You're not drinking enough water.
If you're dehydrated, it's definitely affecting your skin. Tammie Umbel, founder of Shea Terra Organics,
points out that dehydration decreases the volume of blood flow to the
skin, making you look "pale and sickly." Most of us tend to think of
dehydration as a short term problem solved by a glass of water or a
layer of moisturizer, but board-certified dermatologist Dr. Janet Prystowsky
encourages seeing skin dehydration as a long-term problem, as
consistently failing to get your skin the water it needs can have
lasting results.
Dehydration
also affects you in ways that go beyond the cosmetic. Skin cells are
composed of mostly water, so they operate best in a hydrated
environment. That means that they can still perform basic operations
when water content is low, but according to Dr. Luftman, this deficiency
will manifest in one of three ways. "Dehydrated skin can include
epidermal dehydration, dermal dehydration or both. Epidermal (top layer
of skin) dehydration is indicated by crepiness or fine lines. Scales may
form in the case of more severe, chronic surface dehydration. Dermal
(deep skin) dehydration causes depletion of the dermis and will
ultimately result in deeper wrinkles that are visible on the surface of
the skin, as well sagging skin." Long story short: if you don't want
wrinkles, drink up.
4. Your stress level is showing.
If
none of this has been clicking with you so far, maybe it's less about
what's going on in your body and more about what's going on in your
brain. That's right: We're talking about stress, which plays a large
role in brilliance of your skin — or the lack thereof. "Stress causes an
increase in cortisol, which can affect blood flow to the skin and skin
repair," says Dr. Luftman. Translation: whatever deadline, argument, or
frustration it is you're holding onto could be what's standing between
you and lustrous skin.
5. You're not sleeping enough.
Anything
that keeps you up at night is getting in the way of your best skin,
whether it's stress or not. "Sleep is the body's restorative time, when
your skin cells repair themselves and regenerate," explains Dr. Palm.
"If that period is shortened or altered, skin cells cannot perform at
their optimum, leading to circulatory changes including dark eye
circles, pallor, dry, flaky, less hydrated skin, and changes in oil
production and skin cell exfoliation." Just one more reason to head to
bed early each night.
6. The environment you're in is dirty.
On
top of your own habits, it could be your environment that's dulling
down your skin with air pollutants and UV exposure, as either of those
factors can wreak havoc on unprotected skin. Dr. Howe tacked on low
humidity and harsh winds as environmental elements that could be causing
you problems as well. If you live in a high-smog area, one way to
counteract the effects of your environment is by getting some exercise.
"Aerobic activity enhances circulation to skin, which helps in nutrient
exchange and removal of toxins from our skin cells," advises Dr. Palm,
so add a stop at the gym to your routine and get ready to notice a big
difference.
7. You're a smoker.
Surely
you don't need to be told this again, but smoking is seriously harmful
to your skin, in both the long and short term. Take it from Dr. Palm:
"Carcinogenic substances are extremely detrimental to skin integrity and
structure. Cigarette smoking causes collagen breakdown, making skin
appear sallow, waxy, and wrinkled over time." You know all this, but
seriously — try to get help, your body will thank you.
8. The makeup you're wearing is drying it out.
Other
things that might be affecting your skin dullness are slightly less
damaging. Dr. Palm urges avoiding over-mattifying cosmetics, which can
reduce that glowy appearance, as well as a makeup remover containing
alcohol. Try switching to a gentle cold cream and a makeup remover pad,
which will remove makeup and add moisturize at the same time.
9. You're not eating a healthy, balanced diet.
The
age-old saying "you are what you eat" very much applies here, as what
you put into your body is reflected in your complexion. Our experts have
come armed with foods to seek out — and foods to avoid. If radiant skin
is your aim, Dr. Melanie Palm urges us away from salty and processed
foods — they "enhance tissue swelling through fluid retention, which
retards ideal light reflection." 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, devoid
of fiber, antioxidants, high-quality protein and essential fatty acids,"
all major culprits when it comes to dull skin.
Our
experts reassured us that there are plenty of options out there to
please your stomach as well as your skin, too. Dr. Howe, points us
toward antioxidant-rich blueberries, cranberries, red beans, and pinto
beans, while Dr. Palm advocates for good-fat treats like avocados and
walnuts, as well as citrus fruits and kiwi, which contain Vitamin C,
known to boost collagen growth. And when it comes to occasional
splurges, while some experts would prefer you to skip alcohol, if you're
treating yourself, Mariola Barczewska, Esthetician at Haven Spa,
recommends toward sulfide-free red wine and straight shots neat or on
the rocks, which don't affect your metabolism the way a sugary mixer
might.