Dull skin: what it is & quick tips on how to brighten it
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 6 minutes
Glowing skin long gone? Here’s how to deal with dull skin all year round – whatever your skin type
Unlike even skin texture and dry patches, it’s a little harder to pinpoint when skin has lost its luminosity – and if it is looking a little lacklustre, how can we go about getting our glow back? We ask some of the leading dermatologists how to brighten dull skin via lifestyle switch-ups and skincare products. Consider this your skin’s light bulb moment.
What is dull skin?
Our skin can look dull for a number of reasons.
“So much of the dull skin that I see is associated with dryness or dehydration,” explains Dr Emma Wedgeworth, a consultant dermatologist.
“While it can be a genetic tendency, we can all be prone to dry skin depending on our environment – cold weather, central heating and harsh skincare can dry out our skin.
“Loss of water from the outer layer of skin results in changes in skin-cell functioning and a build-up of dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, which already become sluggish as we get older.”
How to deal with dull skin
Lifestyle tweaks
“A healthy lifestyle is essential,” advises Dr Wedgeworth. “Getting enough sleep and allowing cells time to renew is an important part of keeping our skin healthy and hydrated.
“Ensure your diet is rich in healthy fats, such as nuts, seeds, avocados or oily fish and avoid excess sugar intake and stay hydrated.” This will all help provide that elusive glow from within.
“Last, but certainly not least, avoid smoking,” says Dr Wedgeworth. “The small particles from cigarettes can be incredibly damaging to the skin.”
Skincare swaps
Skincare is another key fundamental, according to Dr Sophie Shotter. “A focus on skin barrier health, using ingredients like ceramides, is an excellent way to help prevent transepidermal water loss and allow you to protect your skin, preventing skin barrier dysfunction and flare-ups,” she says.
Exfoliation
“If cell turnover is a little more sluggish, exfoliation is more important than ever,” says Dr Shotter. “Increasing the use of exfoliants in your skincare regime can help keep your skin stimulated and looking radiant, as well as sweeping away what’s clogging pores.”
This can either be mechanical with scrubs, brushes or sponges, or chemical with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids).
After exfoliating, apply a moisturiser immediately to lock in moisture and protect the newly revealed skin cells.
And to help avoid drying skin out, “keep your showers short and warm, rather than hot”, suggests Dr Shotter.
Retinol
If uneven skin tone, skin texture or pigmentation are concerns of yours, consider weaving in a retinol serum into your nightly skincare routine. “A healthy dose of vitamin A via retinol can help speed up cell turnover, which becomes sluggish during weather extremes and over time. Keeping your skin stimulated will keep it looking more vibrant, healthy and less wrinkled,” says Dr Shotter.
However, those with sensitive, dry and darker skin tones should be wary of using retinol as it can cause hyperpigmentation if used too often. It’s best to introduce it into your routine gradually (try once a week at first) and a product with a low concentration until skin gets used to it.
There are also some great options specifically formulated for first-timers and those with sensitive skin. Check out our guide to retinol serums to find the best one for your skin type.
Sunscreen
Remember to finish with a sunscreen during the day to help prevent UV-induced damage, including hyperpigmentation, ageing brown spots and rough, dulling texture. Sun protection can be even more important if you’re using actives, such as retinol or exfoliating acids like AHAs, as they may make skin more sensitive to UV rays.
10 of the best skincare products to help brighten dull skin
From exfoliators with glowing reviews to skin-brightening serums, here are 10 of our top radiance-boosting product picks to help combat dull skin.
Shop more skincare products for dull skin in our full range.
Best for sun protection & brightening
Try: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical Anti-UV Fluid SPF50+
• Size: 50ml
• SPF50+
This daily, broad-spectrum filter provides both UVA and UVB protection to help prevent the dulling effects of ageing, such as dark spots and uneven skin tone. What’s more, its vitamin C content helps support skin’s defences against environmental aggressors for a brighter, more radiant-looking complexion.
Best for a gentle, exfoliating cleanse
Try: Garnier Micellar Gentle Peeling Water
• Size: 400ml
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
You’ve got to love a multitasker. Swipe this peeling water over dull skin using a reusable pad to help remove dead skin cells and make-up in one simple step. Formulated with 1% PHA (AHA’s little sister – it’s a larger molecule, making it slower to penetrate the skin) and glycolic acid, the formula helps provide a gentle yet effective cleanse to leave skin looking smoother and glowing.
Best for brightening hyperpigmentation
Try: Byoma Brightening Serum
• Size: 30ml
• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Fragrance-free
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
Brimming with skin-brightening goodies, this serum’s blend of glow-boosting ingredients, including ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, all help improve the appearance of skin texture and tone. It’s also non-comedogenic, so suits a wide range of skin types, too.
Best for night-time nourishment
Try: Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Multi-Intensive Night Cream
• Size: 40ml
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• 97% natural origin ingredients
This brightening night elixir has the late shift covered. The deeply soothing cream, fortified with haritaki extract, gets to work as you rest. With super-effective ingredients, including niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, the brand’s soothing thermal spring water and retinol to help stimulate cell renewal, you’ll wake up to skin that appears firmer and less fatigued.
Best for long-lasting hydration
Try: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Micro-Epidermic Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Water-Cream
• Size: 50ml
If you’re looking to immerse your skin in glow-up moisture, the two types of hyaluronic acid in this sensorial cream help tackle dehydration and replump the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Meanwhile, three ceramides help support the skin’s barrier and seal in moisture, while niacinamide and glycerin help lock down hydration for longer.
Best for brightening & moisturising
Try: Liz Earle Revitalise & Glow Illuminating Gel Moisturiser
• Size: 50ml
• Cruelty-free
Powered by natural ingredients, such as prickly pear to exfoliate, acerola cherry to help brighten and sea buckthorn to hydrate, this moisturiser is the answer for those with dull, sensitive skin. The glow-enhancing blend quenches and exfoliates to give skin a fresh, dewy-looking finish that lasts all day. Consider it your daily do-over.
Best for waking up tired skin
Try: Boots Vitamin C PRO Brightening Booster Serum
• Size: 15ml
• Vegan
Looking for a little pep to brighten your day as it brightens your skin? This more affordable option for vitamin C fans includes – you guessed it – a vitamin C derivative and Japanese yuzu extract to help reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and restore your glow.
Best for uneven skin tone, fine lines & wrinkles
Try: La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum
• Size: 30ml
• Formulated for sensitive skin
This serum zeroes in on signs of uneven skin texture and tone with a formulation designed for those with sensitive skin who still want to see results. With a balanced combination of retinol, vitamin B3 and glycerin, the serum helps irritation-prone and dehydrated skin feel more hydrated, soothed and smoothed, while looking plumper.
Best for instant hydration
Try: Garnier Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask
• Size: 32g
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• Boots Beauty Awards 2022 winner
If dehydration has dulled your skin’s sparkle, try this face mask on for size for plumper-looking skin in just 15 minutes. Infused with a hyaluronic acid and pomegranate serum, it’s a treat and treatment in one. No wonder it won the Beauty on a Budget category at the 2022 Boots Beauty Awards.
Best for quick results
Try: Liz Earle Smooth & Glow Exfoliating Tonic
• Size: 200ml
• Cruelty-free
Need to get your glow on fast? This resurfacing toner helps refresh and even out the appearance of skin tone for a re-energised complexion. Simply sweep over skin after cleansing to create the perfect canvas post-cleanse, enhancing the effectiveness of the skincare to follow.
