What Makes Mature Skin Look Dull?
When it comes to ageing, our skin is usually the main area we focus on. With countless formulas claiming a mind-fogging amount of benefits it can become very confusing when trying to remain on top of your daily skincare routine. You may find that as we age, our skin type often changes too. Generally speaking, we have an oily skin during our adolescent years with often breakouts and spots plaguing us until we reach the ages of 25 and onwards. By the time we have reached 30, the first signs of ageing are beginning to make an appearance, with fine lines, crow’s feet and expression lines visible. But for today’s topic, we are going to investigate why we find our skin begins to look dry and dull. Quite often a skincare routine won’t change much throughout the years, which is why it may feel puzzling to see your mature skin looking dull.
The way our skin works it to renew skin cells during a process that takes around 28 days, while the skin is young this is done easily and rapidly, as the years pass the cell process begins to slow down which often leads to a build-up of dead skin cells that cover any signs of radiant looking skin underneath. So, with this in mind we are going to investigate how we can combat this and make dullness in mature skin a thing of the past!
How can I make my mature skin glow?
High performing skin ingredients really come into their own when we are over the age of 40. If you haven’t already done so at this point, now would be the optimal time to introduce skincare formulas containing an AHA that is suitable for your skin type. For more mature skin that is prone to dryness, for example, lactic acid would probably be the best chemical exfoliant to use. If you are wanting to know more about AHAs and how they benefit the skin, there is a blog post dedicated to explaining them all.
I’ll now share with you a simple daily skincare routine containing potent ingredients that can target any dullness you may be experiencing on the skin.
Cleanser
Cleansing the skin with a rich, creamy formulation can help remove any dirt, bacteria or impurities that often make their way onto the skin and make it appear dull and lack lustre. You will not only remove dirt, but also loosen the bonds that hold dead skin cells to the uppermost surface of the skin.
Chemical Exfoliating Toner
If you follow your creamy, non-foaming cleanser with a toner enriched in powerhouse ingredients, such as glycolic acid or lactic acid, you are able to slough away any build-up of dead skin cells that can cause the skin to appear dull and grey looking.
Double up on serums
You are not limited to how many serums you can apply to the skin, having said that, I find 2 containing different ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. Both target the lower layers of the skin and bring with them various skin benefits. Hyaluronic acid for example, is a humectant and can lock in moisturise into the skin making it hydrated and plumped with fine lines, flaky patches of skin and dullness reduced.
Swap to evening formulas
You will find that night creams, moisturisers and oils have a slightly different formula to those found in day products. Our rejuvenates itself while we sleep which is why you’ll find skincare products formulated for use in the evening contain a higher amount of ingredients to give the skin the help it needs to recharge and repair any damage collected from the day.
Use overnight treatments
Products made for use overnight, such as face masks and oils have similar benefits as the previously mentioned night creams etc. however the difference is you can expect to see a more notable impact on the skin’s overall appearance as this is one of the benefits of using overnight treatment products. the results are usually short lived which makes it a good idea to use overnight products in conjunction with evening products.
Retinoids are your best friend
There’s no denying that retinoids are one of the most difficult ingredients to use, by this I mean it is a long process of adding retinol to your evening routine and requires the time and patience to avoid any of the side effects that frequently occur when used incorrectly. Having said that, if used correctly you will be amazed at how your skin looks and feels once it has built a tolerance. If you any concerns about using retinol it is best to consult a doctor, dermatologist or medical professional for more advise. You can find out everything you need to know about retinol over on the blog post about what it does and its skincare benefits.
Final step- SPF
Skin can look dull, lack lustred and grey when it has experienced free radical damage to it. This frequently occurs when there is an overexposure to harmful UV rays, as well as pollution and other environmental aggressors. SPF will not only stop the skin from getting burnt or develop signs of hyperpigmentation and dark spots which are a sign of sun damage. SPF is also able to form a protective barrier over the skin combating any impurities and keeping them off the skin.
What makes a face look younger?
Apart from following the skincare routine that has been shared with you, here are some simple lifestyle changes you can do to make your skin appear younger looking:
Get your sleep- tired skin looks like old skin, aim to get 8 hours of sleep a night to help your complexion look more youthful (it’s called beauty sleep for a reason after all)
Use a silk pillow- its gentle on the skin and helps improve the overall texture and appearance
Get some exercise- when you exercise you increase the blood circulation and even sweat clears the skin of any toxins, giving you a healthy glow!
Body brushing- don’t forget the skin on your body can appear dull too, by using a body brush you can stimulate the blood flow and give the skin a healthy boost
Drinking enough water- although your skin is the biggest organ, it rarely gets enough water so ensuring your intake is the highest it can be and using products containing hydrating ingredients you will have glowing, youthful looking skin.
Quit smoking- I don’t need to go into too much detail, you know yourself its bad for you and even worse for the skin, try your best to quit.
Avoid alcohol- much like smoking, you know it is bad for you so try a cut down your intake. Your skin will thank you for it.
There you have some additional changes or additions you can make to your daily routine you will be blown away with even the slightest change you make!
What is the best moisturiser for over 50s?
Here are some key ingredients to look out for when looking for a moisturiser if you are the over the age of 50:
Day time ingredients
Vitamin C
Hyaluronic acid
Niacinamide
Sunscreen with SPF of 30 and above
Vitamin E
Evening ingredients
Hyaluronic acid
Retinoids
Vitamin E
Lactic acid
If you find a moisturiser with any of these ingredients in, you will help keep your skin looking healthy and full of youthful bounce. Whether you decide to follow these tips religiously or perhaps pick the ones that are most suited to you and your lifestyle you will find a vast improvement on the appearance of your skin.
If you are wanting to ask any further questions or need some advice on your skincare, come and join us on Instagram I’ll be more than happy to help!
