With the help of these at-home solutions and professional tips, your skin will be glistening in no time.
1. CAUSE: Dead skin cells — they’re everywhere.
No, you’re not seeing things — that probably is an ashy tint on your face. “We shed millions of skin cells a day, so unless you do something to actively remove the ones that don’t fall off naturally, you’re going to have a grayish look no matter your skin tone,” says Mona Gohara, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Think of that dead-cell buildup like dust. Until you wipe it clean, it’s a dingy layer that prevents your skin from reflecting light.
SOLUTION: Mist some Pledge on a face wipe — kidding, please don’t do that. But you are going to need to gently exfoliate once or twice a week. “Scrubs with sugar or jojoba esters are mild enough for even sensitive skin, and grainy scrubs with pulverized nut shells are good for everyone else,” says Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. (Try Paula’s choice:skin perfecting.) Peels use alpha and beta hydroxy acids to remove dead skin cells; look for formulas that contain soothing ingredients, like aloe and green tea, to minimize irritation
2. CAUSE: A fossil-fuel-based economy and eased environmental regulations.
Oh, yes, that’s also a skin-care concern. Polluted air contains a host of tiny particles, like dirt and sulfur dioxide, that create free radicals on skin. Free radicals damage collagen (hello, new wrinkles!) and stimulate pigment production over time and when your skin’s tone and texture are uneven, it diffuses light and looks dull.
SOLUTION: Wash your face at night — every night. If the day’s filth lingers, it will damage your skin while you sleep. (But feel free to skip a morning wash.) “Because pollution causes inflammation and can disrupt the skin barrier, it’s important to choose a gentle creamy cleanser that helps build it back up,” says Zeichner. (Try Olay Luminous Brightening Cream Cleanser.)
3. CAUSE: Skin issues cause stress, which causes skin issues, which…
A work deadline, an argument, or a bad night’s sleep has you a little on edge. Then you hear the most obnoxious three words ever strung together: “You look tired.” Whatever form stress takes, the result is the same. “Cortisol levels go up, your fight-or-flight response kicks in, and blood flow goes to your vital organs, not your face, leading to skin looking sallow,” says Gohara.
4. CAUSE: Your skin is dehydration station.
Without moisture, your skin looks dull, but the problem is deeper than you may realize. And we mean that literally. “Loss of hydration from below the skin’s surface — in the dermis and the lower levels of the epidermis — causes a decrease in the thickness of the skin,” says Zeichner. “Think of a deflated balloon: It doesn’t shine as well as an inflated one.”
5. CAUSE: You’re not getting your daily serving of…metal?
Trace minerals are vital to forming the body’s natural antioxidants, which protect the components of healthy, radiant skin, says Draelos. But it’s difficult to get the recommended daily amounts from food alone.
SOLUTION: Pop a daily multivitamin. Draelos says to look for one that includes selenium, copper, iron, and zinc. The required amount of each depends on your age and sex, so clear the breakdown with your doctor first.
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