What is Dull Skin? Dermatologists Explain How to Treat and Prevent Dull, Tired Skin
Maintaining healthy, radiant skin can be challenging, and sometimes our skin can appear a little dull. However, if your skin often appears dull and pale, then you may have dull skin. Pallor can have a variety of causes, from medical conditions to lifestyle choices. However, it is a skin condition that can often be corrected with the right changes in routine and habits. Below, we asked two board-certified dermatologists to explain everything you need to know about dull skin, from its causes to treatments.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-C is a dermatologist at Orentreich Medical Group.
Kiran Mian, DO, FAAD, is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery.
What is Dull Skin?
Dull skin is a skin condition, according to Dr. Mian, meaning “the skin loses its complexion and overall vitality.” It typically affects people with lighter skin tones and causes a change in the natural skin tone. “The skin may be yellow/brown and may appear dehydrated, dull and gray, with fewer blood vessels and less plumpness,” notes Dr. Mian.
What causes dull skin?
“The most common causes of sallow complexion are dehydration and anemia,” explains Dr. Mian. However, there are many factors that can contribute to dull skin:
Medical conditions: According to Dr. LoGerfo, dull skin may be caused by medical issues, such as anemia. “Anemia reduces circulating oxygen, which can be seen in the skin,” she says. “Anemia can cause a pale, yellow, sallow, or dull complexion. Vitamin deficiencies can also contribute to dull skin, especially deficiencies in vitamins A, B12, C, D, and E.”
Smoking: “Smoking is harmful to the skin because it contains many harmful substances,” says Dr. LoGerfo. “Smoking accelerates skin aging, reduces collagen production, damages the skin’s elastic fibers, creates free radicals, constricts blood vessels, and reduces the supply of vitamins and nutrients to the skin.”
Stress: Stress and lack of sleep are other lifestyle factors that can lead to dull skin. “We know that sleep is essential to our functioning on many levels,” says Dr. LoGerfo. “We know that insufficient sleep or poor sleep habits have been shown to negatively impact the body, theoretically altering hormone levels and negatively impacting your health — all of which can adversely affect your skin. Hormones, neurotransmitters, and cytokines can also be altered by lack of sleep, all of which can affect skin cells.”
Excessive sun exposure: Photoaging, or premature aging of the skin from long-term, repeated exposure to sunlight (UV rays), is known to have damaging effects on the skin. “These changes occur in addition to normal aging,” notes Dr. Rogafo. “Photoaging, not chronological aging, is responsible for many of the changes we see in the skin. Signature features of photoaging include fine and coarse lines, pigment changes (such as spots and freckles), rough skin texture, spider veins, redness and blotchiness, sagging and loss of elasticity, and dull skin.”
Dehydration: If you needed another reason to drink enough water, dull skin is it, as dehydration can cause skin to look dull. “Dehydration means you have less water in your body, which in turn causes dry, dull skin,” says Dr. Rogafo. “Over time, skin loses its radiance and looks dull,” adds Mian, who recommends drinking two-thirds of your body weight in ounces per day.
How to Prevent and Treat Dull Skin
The first step is to examine your lifestyle. Consider whether you’re not getting enough sleep and drinking enough water, and correct those habits if necessary. “Tip: If your urine is dark yellow, you may be dehydrated,” says Dr. Mian. “Clear or light yellow indicates adequate fluid intake.”
Dr. Mian also recommends checking your diet to make sure you’re getting enough nutrients. “Make sure you eat a balanced diet with lots of colorful fruits and vegetables. For example, red peppers and green spinach are great sources of vitamin A and iron. Increasing your vitamin C intake can also brighten your complexion.”
She also says exercise can help a lot. “Getting your blood pumping delivers fresh nutrients to your skin and lymphatic flow “stimulates the system that removes waste and byproducts from cellular processes in the body,” she explains.
Once you’ve made lifestyle changes, it’s important to revisit your skin-care routine. Not keeping your skin properly hydrated can lead to a dry, dull complexion. “I think the best way to treat dull skin is to develop a good skin-care routine that includes cleansing, exfoliating, toning, moisturizing, and wearing sunscreen twice a day,” says Dr. Logfor. “Certain treatments like laser and light devices, microneedling, and chemical peels can also help rejuvenate the skin by increasing collagen formation and cell turnover.”
When to see a doctor
Dull skin can also be caused by an underlying medical issue, according to Dr. Logfor. It’s especially important to see a doctor if your dull skin is accompanied by physical symptoms or if your skin has been dull for a month or more.
“If you’re eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and drinking enough water, but your skin is still dull, it’s a good idea to see a doctor,” adds Dr. Mian. “Certain hormonal imbalances, liver dysfunction, or other gastrointestinal conditions can contribute to dull skin, in which case [a medical exam] is appropriate.” “
in conclusion
Dull skin (i.e., dull skin with a yellow-brown hue) can be caused by a variety of medical and lifestyle factors. Fortunately, it can often be treated and/or prevented. In most cases, preventing dull skin ultimately comes down to a healthy lifestyle. “You can prevent dull skin by eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, using sun protection, not smoking, getting enough rest, [avoiding stress], and taking an active interest in your health,” says Dr. Logfor.
