How to Brighten Skin

We all deal with the occasional bout of the blahs when it comes to our skin. But if you’re regularly feeling less than radiant, you might be wondering what you can do to improve your complexion. The good news is that you have plenty of options.

What does dull skin look like?

Dull skin is like the day after a wild night out. It’s sluggish skin that comes out as looking lackluster, flat, and sometimes even gray. It may also include darker circles under your eyes and skin that is a little bumpy to the touch.

Although you may have some magical vegan makeup products that can help cover dull skin, sometimes those won’t even do.

Why does your skin look dull?

There are a number of factors that can cause skin to lose its healthy radiance. The most common reason is a build up of dead skin cells, which can make your skin look ashy and lifeless. Your skin naturally sheds millions of dead skin cells everyday, but as you age this process slows, causing a buildup.

And, not surprisingly, your lifestyle plays a key role in how your body functions and looks. Stress can cause your fight-or-flight response to kick in, diverting blood flow from your face to other parts of your body, such as your tense muscles, causing your complexion to look dull and tired.

A lack of sleep means your skin doesn’t get the chance to renew and repair itself. Just a few nights’ sleep are enough for the visible signs of fatigue to set in, leaving your skin looking less than amazing.

Dehydration is another underestimated factor when it comes to your skin’s appearance. Keeping your body hydrated increases blood flow to the skin, helping even out skin tone and complexion. So if you’re not drinking enough water every day, it’ll show up there. A lack of hydration also comes into play when you skimp on moisturizer, which affects the health and vitality of your skin.

Equally important is a healthy lifestyle. Bad habits like smoking, a lack of exercise, and a diet that is full of processed foods can all wreak havoc on the brightness of your complexion.

How to help brighten dull skin

Let’s be realistic: You can’t be bright and glowy every day of your life. Some of the above stressors are just part of everyday life, so it makes sense that there are going to be times when your skin is a bit under the weather. If your skin lacks radiance or has a case of the blahs, here are a few tried-and-trusted ways to help bring it back to life.

1. Always wash off your makeup

To have clear, glowing skin, you have to take care of it with a thorough skincare routine. This includes completely removing your makeup at the end of the day. But go gentle: Use a gentle oil- or water-based makeup remover to thoroughly remove your makeup, followed by a cream-based cleanser to remove the oil and other impurities. Going gentle on your skin also means using lukewarm water instead of hot, and opting for clean vegan cleansers that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils.

2. Exfoliate regularly

Manually removing the buildup of dead skin cells with a gentle vegan and cruelty-free exfoliator will allow the new cells to glow. This should be an essential part of your skincare routine, especially if you find your skin is dull or dry and flaky. Essentially, exfoliating helps smooth and polish your skin by removing dead skin cells and evening out your skin’s texture. And doing it regularly can increase cell turnover and promote collagen production.

3. Always moisturize

No matter the weather, apply moisturizer. Always and everyday. In the morning, use a light moisturizer with SPF to help block UVA and UVB rays. At night, layer a heavier night cream to lock in moisture and aid in your skin renew and repair processes while you sleep.

4. Add Vitamin C to your routine

Vitamin C is a nutrient-rich antioxidant that should be part of everyone’s skincare routine. Investing in a face serum that includes this magical vitamin can help brighten your skin, boost hydration, and diminish signs of aging.

Vitamin C also helps fade pigmentation, giving you skin a more even-toned appearance. Because serums include key concentrated ingredients that absorb quickly into the skin, you can apply them once or twice a day after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Final thoughts

Bright, healthy skin doesn’t just happen by wishing it into existence. The best way to bring out the glow from within is by taking care of yourself, plain and simple. This includes taking the time for a skincare routine that includes vegan and non-toxic ingredients to keep your skin looking its best.

Need help in the skincare department? Kinder Beauty is here for you.

Sources:

• Effect of oral hydration on skin microcirculation in healthy young and midlife and older adults | National Library of Medicine
• The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis | National Library of Medicine
• Vitamin C in dermatology | National Library of Medicine

Nicole Axworthy is a Toronto-based writer and author of the vegan cookbook DIY Vegan.