Do you have a radiant glow in summer, but struggle with dullness and a lacklustre complexion as soon as winter sets in? You’re not alone. Having a dull, grey or lacklustre complexion is one of the most common winter skin concerns.
When your skin is dull, it makes you look tired and ages your appearance. It can also draw attention to signs of dryness, flakiness and uneven texture.
So why is our skin so prone to dullness during this time of the year? It mostly comes down to moisture. During winter the humidity is low, meaning the moisture content in the air is low. To compensate, the air draws moisture from anywhere it can, including your skin, which may leave it feeling dry and looking dull. But that’s not the only factor to consider – dull skin may also be directly influenced by your skincare regime, the ingredients you’re applying and how often you exfoliate.
Here’s how to step up your skincare routine to beat dullness and get that radiant glow everyone is after.
1. Cleanse
All good skincare regimes start with effective cleansing. It’s absolutely essential to use a good quality cleanser that not only removes lingering traces of makeup, but also dirt, oil and impurities. Without effective cleansing you may experience a build-up of impurities which may result in breakouts and a grey, ashy appearance.
We recommend:
Gatineau Collagene Expert Phyto Radiance Cleanser (R625.00). Its triple action formula is designed to cleanse, tone and micro-exfoliate the skin, leaving it hydrated, cleansed and radiant. The water-soluble creamy texture removes all traces of dirt, makeup and impurities thanks to its clever formulation comprising of fruit AHAs, phyto collagen and hyaluronic acid.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliating twice a week is crucial to increase your skin’s radiance. Our skin sheds dead cells every day, and if they accumulate and build up on the surface of the skin, they may clog your pores (causing breakouts and blackheads), give you an uneven skin texture and – wait for it – make your skin appear dull. Plus, a build-up of dead skin cells prevents your active ingredients from penetrating properly, meaning you won’t reap their full benefits. Exfoliating regularly will ensure these cells are soughed off and your skin looks healthier, brighter and lit-from-within.
We recommend:
Neostrata Restore PHA Renewal Pads (R863.00) are pre-soaked with 4% PHA (polyhydroxy acid) which gently but effectively exfoliates skin to reveal a more even and radiant complexion. They’re designed to balance, reset and prime skin for other regimen products that follow, while also helping to remove remaining traces of dirt and impurities after cleansing.
Gatineau Exfoliating PHA + BHA Glow Tonique (R550.00). This radiance-boosting acid tonique gently yet effectively exfoliates, hydrates and refines skin for a brighter, smoother and glowing complexion. It contains 3% PHA and 0.5% BHA (salicylic acid) to exfoliate and refine pores and hyaluronic acid to hydrate.
3. Vitamin C
If there’s one active ingredient that’s going to up your glow, it’s vitamin C. A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C has the ability to brighten skin, help fade and prevent hyperpigmentation and give the skin a radiant glow. Incorporate a good quality vitamin C serum in your daily regime to enjoy a brighter, more radiant complexion.
We recommend:
Endocare C Ferulic Edafence Serum (R1163.00). This fast-absorbing vitamin C serum with an advanced anti-pollution and antioxidant formula protects skin from damage caused by environmental stressors. It delivers intense skin protection against pollution, sunlight and tobacco smoke thanks to powerful antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic Acid, where vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid assist with the improvement of skin moisturization.
SKIN Functional Vitamin C 12% Ascorbic Acid + Briteodant Complex Serum (R270.00). This powerful and stable vitamin C serum is formulated with SKIN Functional’s trademarked Briteodant Complex to ensure powerful skin brightening and antioxidant protection. The patented formulation ensures perfectly stable delivery of vitamin C.
Vitaderm Radian-C Serum (R762.00). An oil-free vitamin C serum, this beauty boosts skin vitality and brightens the complexion. The addition of hyaluronic acid dramatically increases skin hydration, thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with regular use.
4. Hydrate
We know that dry or dehydrated skin may appear dull, so it’s important to replenish the moisture our skin loses during winter. The best ingredient to do this is hyaluronic acid, which has the ability to hold 1000 times its own weight in water. You can layer a hyaluronic acid serum over your vitamin C serum to reap the benefits of both. Apply twice a day to restore and maintain your skin’s moisture levels.
We recommend:
Justine A-Firm Hydro Plus Plumping Serum (R360.00) addresses the early signs of ageing with the power of its three-phase complex of hydration-intense ingredients. It helps dramatically hydrate skin for a plumper feel and radiant glow.
Sothys Hydra Intensive Hydrating Serum (R1245.00) combines four sources of hyaluronic acid to offer skin lasting hydration. Its water-light texture effortlessly melts into skin, leaving it supple, hydrated and renewed.
L’Oréal Revitalift Filler Anti-Wrinkle 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum (R365.00) boasts a powerful new formula which combines three types of hyaluronic acid to provide deep and fast re-plumping efficacy. Each type of hyaluronic acid benefits the skin at a different level to offer optimal hydration.
5. Mask up
Why do you need a weekly face mask if you already follow a great daily regime? Think of it as the cherry on the cake – it isn’t the most important part of your regime, but it adds an extra boost of something special. Treating your skin to a hydrating mask once or twice a week will help with moisture retention and will provide your skin with added nutrients.
We recommend:
Babor Skinovage Vitalizing Mask (R722.00). The Skinovage Vitalizing Mask gives dull skin an intense boost of energy. The stimulation of skin regeneration, metabolism and blood flow makes the skin appear more invigorated and radiant. The mask also intensively hydrates and protects against light-induced skin ageing.
6. Glow-enhancing tinted cream
Some foundations may draw attention to signs of dullness and dryness. We recommend wearing a tinted moisturiser or CC cream with a dewy finish instead. It’s light on the skin, offers additional nourishing benefits and helps give the complexion a glowy appearance.
We recommend:
Filorga Oxygen-Glow CC Cream (R630.00). Inspired by carboxytherapy used in aesthetic
medicine, this unique CC cream brings out the skin’s natural glow. Micro-encapsulated
pigments even out the complexion (whatever your skin tone), hyaluronic acid hydrates and an anti-blue light oxygenation booster protects against UV. The universal pink shade adapts to all skin tones.
