An Expert’s Easy Tips on How to Brighten Dull Skin
Yads Cauchi is a Dermal Clinician, Nutritionist (BHSc, MSc) and Beauty Journalist. She's also a mum of four. Evidence based skin health and nutrition are her thing and she works from her own skin clinic based in Canberra - you can find her there, or on Instagram and TikTok @yadscauchiskin.
Dull skin isn’t a skin type or your skin doing anything “wrong”. Most of the time it just means your skin could do with a little pick-me-up. Plus, there are so many reasons your skin could be feeling a little dull.
You might need to focus on a better way to exfoliate for your skin; your skin might be in need of a little more barrier love or more hydration (yes, even if you’re oily) or even a little inside-out support too (ahem, how are your sleep and stress levels going?).
Even pigmentation and post-blemish marks can make our skin look tired and flat.
So dullness isn’t uncommon because skin will always ebb and flow.
However, if it’s not feeling its best (or you’re feeling duller than usual post the festive season), let me give you a few tips as a dermal clinician to get it back to its normal glowy/healthy self.
Best Products to Brighten Dull Skin
Tips to brighten dull skin? Keep scrolling...
Start with the basics!
A gentle cleanser, a well-formulated moisturiser, and daily SPF will always = a non-negotiable foundation for keeping the skin supported, and healthy.
If we’re sleeping in our makeup that will = dullness. Cleanse and moisturise morning and night.
Hydrate properly
True skin hydration comes from topical humectants (like hyaluronic acid) paired with barrier support to lock everything in.
Hydrated skin = healthy skin, and if you’re feeling dehydrated, this will help your skin hold onto water. And no, drinking more water does not contribute directly to more hydrated skin. (Although yes, we drink it to support our health).
Exfoliate strategically (not aggressively)
The goal is to gently remove dead skin cell build-up without disrupting the barrier. Meaning, using the right exfoliant for your skin and the rest of your routine is so important.
Dull skin can be a result of under-exfoliation, so upping it gently can help. However, over-exfoliating will make things worse too. So you need to understand your routine and where the rest of your actives are.
Prioritise SPF like it’s skincare
Daily sunscreen isn’t just about protection, it helps prevent pigment and collagen breakdown, which is key to maintaining brighter, healthier skin long-term.
Upgrade your PM routine for overnight renewal
A gentle cleanse followed by hydration, an optional targeted active like a retinoid and a nourishing moisturiser will support overnight repair.
Retinoids are the gold standard when it comes to our overall skin health. (Focus on the right exfoliant for your skin over a retinoid if you are pregnant.)
Lifestyle inside-out support
Sorry to break it to everyone, but sleep, adequate protein and fibre intake, proper hydration, and stress management all play a quiet but powerful role in how bright, clear, and resilient your skin looks.
You can be doing all of the right things topically, but these need to mirror all the internal things too.
In clinic treatments
Clinical treatments will kill dull skin in an instant. Promise. That is what they are designed to do. (When the right treatment is chosen for your skin type/concerns, obviously.)
Common mistakes that keep skin dull
- Over-exfoliating
- Using stripping cleansers
- Skipping moisturiser
- Inconsistent SPF wear
- Too many active ingredients at once
It’s so important to remember that dull skin is incredibly common; skin will always ebb and flow…but the good news is it’s usually one of the easiest concerns to improve! You just need a consistent, well-balanced routine and if you listen to your skin/give it what it needs, brightness should return naturally. Promise.
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