Having luminous dewy skin never goes out of style. Everyone wants the glowing, lit from within skin but only a few of the lucky ones have it, maintaining the radiance is a whole other case. When you look in the mirror what do you see? Is it bright and glowing skin or does your skin seem a little grey or lacklustre? If the latter is your answer then you are most likely suffering from dry and dull skin.

Dry skin refers to lack of radiance or a tired uneven tone. Skin constantly sheds dead cells but if the process isn’t effectively working chances are your complexion may take on a tired, unhealthy and dull appearance. Your skin appears dull when light doesn’t reflect off of it, the more light bounces off your skin, the brighter it will appear. Below, is an outline of the common causes of dry dull skin along with beauty tips on how to bounce back dry and dull skin.

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Major Causes of Dry and Dull skin

Achieving beautiful glowing skin becomes an almost easy task when you know what your skin loves. Break these few habits and get ready to have healthy-looking skin ASAP!

Failing to give your skin the hydration it needs can cause lasting damage like fine lines, sagging skin, scales and deep wrinkles from severe chronic dehydration. Drink up your 8 glasses.
Skipping exfoliation
Sleep deprivation and stress
You are probably overdoing the matte make up
Not moisturizing adequately
Poor diet
Failing to wash your face before hitting the sheets. Environmental pollutants can wreak havoc on unprotected skin which may cause your pores to clog.
Wrong skincare products

How to Take Care of Dull and Dry Skin

1. Moisturize

Regular moisturizing is a pillar of any natural skincare routine for dry skin. The world around is bent on stripping moisture away from your skin from howling winds to harsh winters, it is your duty to ensure you correctly add moisture back. Start by finding the right moisturizer. I prefer natural ingredients such as almond oil, aloe vera gel, shea butter and mango butter which add moisture to dry skin without irritation.

Make sure you moisturize throughout the day. Just washed your hands? Straight out of a lukewarm shower? Always moisturize after to prevent cracking and dryness. Keeping a small tube of your ideal moisturizer close always comes in handy.

CHECK OUT: Skincare Guide for Your 20s

2. Don’t Forget Your Toner

A facial toner should be an irreplaceable part of your dry and dull skin care routine. Toners refresh your skin and help your moisturizer absorb thoroughly into your skin. I like to spritz on a layer of one part apple cider vinegar and three parts of water after cleansing my face. Apple cider vinegar helps restore and balance your skin pH after using an alkaline cleanser.

3. No More Hot Showers

There’s no doubt hot long steamy showers feel amazing. However, hot water is incredibly tough and torture on your skin. Turn down the heat, switch to lukewarm water and minimize the time you spend in the shower. Using dry shampoo often can help you cut down on the time you spend in the shower. Trust me, your skin will love this.

4. Be Picky with Your Clothes

After giving your skin the proper moisturizing TLC it needs, you should ensure you are putting on the right clothes. Itchy, irritating clothes made from fabrics such as wool, polyester or any other material that makes you want to scratch can make dry and dull skin worse. Opt for gentler options such as cotton or silk.

5. Exfoliate Correctly

As previously stated, skin appears dry and dull when there’s a build-up of dead skin. Exfoliating is a great way of clearing away dead skin cells. Look for natural exfoliators rather than harsh synthetic ones such as micro-plastics. Exfoliate at least once or twice a week.

Try making a natural olive oil and sugar scrub. Combine ½ cup of sugar with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and use it to gently scrub your skin. Wash off and follow up with a moisturizer.

FUN READ: Easy Home Remedies for Relieving Dry Skin

6. Try Out Serums

Serums are a great way to provide your skin cells with loads of vitamins and other beneficial ingredients, which helps to liven up dry and dull skin. Look for serums with hyaluronic acid that helps retain moisture in your skin. You can also use a serum with retinol occasionally which is amazing for decreasing fine lines but if misused can seriously dry your skin out.

7. Get Your Beauty Sleep

Beauty sleep is real! During the day your skin works super hard to protect itself from environmental pollutants. When you sleep it switches to recovery mode and releases growth hormones that allow skin cells to regenerate and repair themselves. Lack of sleep hinders this process, negatively affecting your skin moisture levels, in turn, decreasing the amount of blood flow to your face. Try to get at least 7 hours every night.

8. Healthy Diet

‘You are what you eat’ Stay away from salty, high sugar and fat processed foods as they enhance tissue swelling through fluid retention which ideally retards light reflection. Go for healthier options such as antioxidant-rich food like blueberries and cranberries when craving sugar, and good fats such as avocado and walnuts. Add to the list citrus fruits and kiwi which are rich in vitamin C to boost collagen production. Drink your water and smile your way into healthy glowing skin.

What are your tips on bouncing back dry and dull skin? Share in the comments below.

About the Author – Abigail Mbithe

Abigail is a 20-something wild child who still believes in unicorns, fairy tales, and everything beautiful. When she’s not trying to invent a new hairstyle or fighting acne, and keeping her skin ageless, she’s either sipping on something or hanging out with her tribe.

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About the Author

Abigail Mbithe

Abigail is a 20-something wild child who still believes in unicorns, fairy tales, and everything beautiful. When she’s not trying to invent a new hairstyle or fighting acne, and keeping her skin ageless, she’s either sipping on something or hanging out with her tribe.