Glowy, radiant skin is among the most popular beauty trends right now. From glass skin to the clean girl look, everyone’s chasing a complexion that appears lit-from-within. But while a fresh-faced glow may look effortless, achieving the look doesn’t always come easily. If dewiness seems to evade you, you might be dealing with dull skin. Despite being the opposite of what’s en vogue, skin dullness is a common concern that can affect any skin type and skin tone. The good news is that having dull skin isn’t an insurmountable problem: the right skincare routine and products can help you reclaim a healthy-looking glow. That’s what we’re here to help with. Ahead, we’ll fill you in on what causes dullness in the first place and explain how to brighten dull skin for a luminous-looking complexion. What Is Dull Skin? Dull skin is the opposite of radiant skin, with a complexion best described as flat or lackluster. This lack of youthful radiance can make you appear tired and older than your years. Characteristics of dull skin Skin dullness is most strongly associated with diminished radiance, meaning your skin lacks a healthy-looking shine or glow. Dullness can also be accompanied by discoloration, making your skin appear gray, ashy, or uneven in tone. Texture changes are common, too—dull skin and rough texture often go hand in hand. Dullness vs. dryness It’s easy to confuse dry skin and dullness, but the two aren’t quite the same. Dry skin lacks moisture, whereas dull skin lacks brilliance. Both can be accompanied by a rough texture, but dry skin often comes with other telltale signs, such as flaking, itchiness, and a tight or scaly feel. You may experience dullness and dryness together, but lackluster complexions aren’t unique to parched skin. Oily, combination, and even normal skin types can appear dull due to factors such as buildup, environmental stress, or uneven tone. Why Does My Skin Look Dull? Understanding why your skin doesn’t appear as glowy as you’d like is step one in bringing back its radiance. Here are six different reasons your skin may be in need of a brightening regimen. 1. Dead skin cell buildup When dead skin cells build up on the surface of your skin, it can make your complexion appear dry and dull. This buildup prevents light from reflecting evenly, leaving your skin looking flat and uneven in tone. It’s a particularly common cause of skin dullness for mature skin. Your skin sheds dead cells all on its own (it’s happening every day, whether you notice or not), but over time, this natural process slows down. If you don’t supplement with exfoliation as you age, dullness can become more prominent. 2. Dehydration A healthy-looking glow is a hallmark of hydrated skin. But when your skin lacks water, it can lose its suppleness and luster, becoming dull and rough. Dehydration can affect any skin type, which is why moisturizing is important for everyone, even those with oily skin. 3. Lack of sleep and stress It’s no surprise that your sleep habits and stress levels can have wide-reaching effects on your health. One area of life you might not expect a lack of Z’s to affect, however, is your skin. But both sleep and stress can affect your skin’s appearance. Consistently poor sleep can influence how your skin ages and cause it to look dull. Likewise, skin dullness can sometimes be linked to being under too much stress. 4. Pollution Exposure to pollution can lead to dull skin, as well as other skin concerns, including dryness, a rough texture, and acne. Both indoor pollutants (like kitchen fumes) and outdoor pollutants (like car exhaust) can contribute. And it isn’t solely your skin that can be affected; pollution can result in dry, lifeless-looking hair, too. 5. Skipping SPF Speaking of environmental factors, dull skin can also be a sign of sun damage. When your skin is exposed to the sun and you don’t take protective measures like using sunscreen, UV rays are able to damage your skin. With repeated exposure, this damage can accumulate and lead to pigment changes, such as freckles and age spots. It can also give your skin an uneven texture and color. 6. Inconsistent skincare routines Skincare works best when you’re consistent. If you use products for dull skin occasionally, but not with any regularity, you’re not likely to get the results you want. Skipping basic steps like moisturizing and exfoliation can also contribute to dull skin. Remember this: When you see people with glowing glass skin, it’s usually safe to assume they don’t just wake up like that. A good, steady skincare routine is almost certainly part of the equation. How To Brighten Dull Skin: Pro Tips 1. Exfoliate regularly Exfoliating your skin can help you slough away dull, dead skin cells to reveal brighter-looking skin. You can use chemical or physical exfoliants to do this, but chemical exfoliants tend to be best for gentle exfoliation. Glycolic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid) is a particularly popular pick—it’s known for its anti-aging uses and can help visibly improve radiance, texture, and tone. Lactic acid is similarly sought-after for its skin-smoothing and radiance-boosting properties. You can find both ingredients in the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel, which also contains niacinamide and salicylic acid. The gentle exfoliating solution helps visibly reduce post-acne marks, renew skin tone and texture, and brighten your complexion. Lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA) is another skin-renewing and exfoliating ingredient worth considering. The Kiehl’s Milk-Peel Gentle Exfoliating Toner is formulated with LHA, alongside 23% emollients and almond milk. This gentle toner refines skin’s texture to reveal smoother, softer, brighter-looking skin over time. 2. Add a vitamin C serum to your routine Vitamin C serums are a skincare staple, known for helping to even skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots. The right formula can also help brighten dull skin. We love Vichy’s Liftactiv 16% Pure Vitamin C Brightening Serum. Formulated with 16% pure vitamin C, it boosts radiance, evens skin tone, smooths fine lines, and helps strengthen the skin’s antioxidant defenses. 3. Keep your skin hydrated Moisturizers with hydrating ingredients can help increase your skin’s water content and prevent dry, dull skin. Specifically, look for formulas containing humectant ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, as these help attract moisture to the skin to promote a dewy, hydrated appearance. For dry skin types, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer. The formula with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and Pro-Retinol keeps skin hydrated all day and helps brighten your complexion in as little as one week. If you have oily skin, try a lightweight formula, like La-Roche Posay’s Pure Vitamin C Face Cream, instead. The daily moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and glycerin not only hydrates but also helps visibly plump and brighten skin. Beyond skincare products, some research suggests that drinking enough water may help improve skin hydration, too. Keep a water bottle handy throughout the day to make sure you stay hydrated. 4. Wear sunscreen daily To protect against sun damage, it’s important to wear sunscreen every day, rain or shine. To further support a healthy-looking complexion, we suggest opting for a sunscreen with skincare benefits, like the Kiehl’s Better Screen™ UV Serum SPF 50+ Facial Sunscreen with Collagen Peptide. The lightweight, invisible formula shields against UVA and UVB rays while helping to correct the appearance of sun damage. It works to boost skin radiance and visibly improve skin tone and texture. It’s also wise to take additional protective measures when spending time outdoors. This can include covering exposed skin with clothing, wearing sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats, and limiting your time in the sun. Plus, don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day, at least every two hours. 5. Try a weekly brightening mask Once a week, treat your skin to a little at-home spa day with a brightening face mask. We’re fans of the antioxidant-rich Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask. It targets dullness and uneven skin tone while deeply hydrating, plumping, and brightening. Plus, an at-home spa session can be incredibly relaxing—and a great way to reduce stress levels if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed. 6. Get enough sleep and manage stress It’s easier said than done, but getting plenty of sleep and not stressing too much can have a lot of benefits. And that includes helping brighten dull skin. Aim to get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night, and practice relaxation techniques like meditation if you feel yourself getting stressed out. These seemingly small habits can make a big difference in the overall appearance of your skin. 7. Stay consistent We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: Consistency is key. Even with a dedicated routine, skincare typically takes time to see results. Be patient and stick with it. With time, your dull skin woes will be little more than a distant memory. Next Up: What Is Your Skin’s Moisture Barrier? Plus, How to Support It
