How to Fix Dry and Dull Skin: 10 Expert Tips to Revive Tired Skin
The winter months can play havoc with our skin. Harsh outdoor weather, biting winds, and centrally heated indoor environments strip the skin of vital moisture. This doesn't just cause dryness, it slows down desquamation - the natural process where your skin sheds dead cells which leads to a tired, grey, or ‘lacklustre’ appearance.
10 Professional Ways to Treat Dry and Dull Skin
1. Switch to a Non-Stripping, pH-Balanced Cleanser
Avoid using any harsh cleansers that contain synthetic ingredients, which may strip the skin of its natural oils. Instead opt for a gentle cleanser, which does not damage the fragile acid mantle layer of the skin.
2. Hydrate from the Inside Out
It is important that you drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. Make sure that you drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day.
3. Use Enzymatic Exfoliation to Get Rid of Dull Skin
Exfoliate with an enzymatic, non-abrasive exfoliator daily. Gentle exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to prevent it from looking lacklustre and dull. Choose a gentle non-abrasive exfoliator to achieve a natural radiance without stripping the skin.
4. Lock in Moisture with a Targeted Facial Oil
Adding a facial oil into your night-time routine can be very protective to the skin. A facial oil will provide the omega fatty acids that the skin cannot make for itself and help stop excess water loss at night.
5. Exclude Drying Ethanol to Protect the Lipid Barrier
All year round, it is a good idea to exclude products containing ethanol alcohol. Not only does this have a drying effect on the skin, ethanol can interact with the skin’s natural lipids and damage the lipid layer. This reduces its protective qualities and can increase skin’s permeability to pollution.
6. Layer Serums and Moisturisers for a Radiant Routine
A facial serum and moisturiser are two crucial steps in any skincare routine. Prep your skin with a super hydrating facial serum to quench your skin. Then apply a hydrating facial moisturiser.
7. Prioritise Sleep for Natural Skin Repair
It is important that you aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Did you know? Most of your skin renewal and repair happens at night.
8. Use Lukewarm Water to Protect Natural Lipids
When you are experiencing very cold temperatures outside, it is tempting to run a hot bath or have a hot shower. Long hot baths and showers can remove the natural protective lipids from the skin and cause the skin to enter a dry cycle. By turning the water temperature down, you can help to reduce the drying effects on the skin.
9. Use a Mineral-Rich Overnight Recovery Mask
For an instant moisture boost, revive tired, dull and dry skin with a face mask that contains vital minerals, such as zinc, magnesium and copper. Leave on overnight for an intensive skincare treat.
10. Refresh with a Peptide and Hyaluronic Acid Mist
If you are in centrally heated environments for a long period of time, use a hydrating mist that contains Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate the skin.