10 surprising causes of dull skin
Do you ever wonder why your skin looks so dull, when you see others with skin that seems to glow naturally? Sure, it could be their lucky genetics that gives them naturally glowy skin… but there are 10 other factors you should think about before blaming your genes for your dull skin.
Whether your skin has had a drab, sluggish appearance or lacks healthy, even color… if you keep reading, you’ll find out what’s preventing you from having smooth, glowing skin that looks so natural, people will think you woke up like that!
#1 UV Damage
UV Damage
It may not be a surprise, but nothing is more damaging for your skin than the sun! 80-90% of your age signs come from sun exposure¹. If you have an extensive skincare routine but you don't apply sunscreen, you are wasting your time and money!
Solution → Regularly applied sunscreen + Vitamin C serum. Antioxidant-rich Vitamin C protects your skin against environmental aggressors while reversing discoloration and sun damage.
Expert Recommendation → 1) Incorporate a dark spot corrector like Bioelements LightPlex GigaWatt Dark Spot Corrector, and 2) Check out my blog on incidental sun exposure to make sure you’re taking all the necessary steps to avoid sun damage!
Skin by Sunni Service → CHEMICAL PEEL FACIAL
The skin you want is under the skin you see! Reveal it with a powerful, acid-hybrid peel. You’ll undo years of visible damage and premature age signs - without the redness, flaking or actual “peeling” of the skin from a traditional peel.
#2 Dehydration
Dehydration
Dehydrated skin can be caused by poor diet/water intake, your medications, smoking, and UV exposure. If you have dehydrated skin, you may see: dullness, premature aging lines and thin texture. When you replenish the moisture in your skin, you’ll see the transformation almost immediately. Imagine yourself with dewy, radiant, bouncy skin: exuding more confidence and beauty in all your interactions!
Solution → Instantly relieve your thirsty skin with deep hydration!
Expert Recommendation → Use Hydroplunge, a Bioelements mask that delivers hydration to the driest layers of your skin to balance out water loss. The sugar beet extract and hyaluronic acid will balance your skin’s water levels, while the glucose and xylitol increase your cells’ capacity to hold water!
According to 3rd party dermatologist-supervised clinical hydration efficacy and skin dryness studies on 30 women aged 28-55 of all skin types…
93% showed improvements in hydration 30 minutes after use
50% decrease in skin dryness for a full 24 hours after rinsing
#3 Not Exfoliating
Not exfoliating
Exfoliation is a vital step in treating dull skin. It is a necessity for all skin types (even sensitive) if you want healthy, happy skin! It’s not surprising that removing dead skin cells from the surface creates smoother skin, but exfoliated skin also reflects light which makes it glow naturally!
Solution → Exfoliate 2-3 times a week.
Expert Recommendation → Exfoliate with a deep skin-purging treatment like kerafole to instantly remove impurities and open up clogged pores with a blend of citric and malic acids.
Skin by Sunni Service → MICRODERMABRASION FACIAL
Expertly using the Diamondbuff handheld Microdermabrasion tool during this treatment, I will safely reveal the velvety smooth and rejuvenated complexion that you’ve been desiring. You can expect to feel like a new, fresh version of yourself as you walk out of my spa with glowing skin!
Specific Benefits: improved skin tone, texture, fine lines and wrinkles; reduces acne scars, minimizes pores and reduces sun damaged skin. $136+ / Duration: 1 hr 45 min+
#4 Pollution
Pollution
Skin exposed to daily toxic pollution becomes prematurely aged, weakened, dull, dehydrated, and sensitized. When dirt, oil, and products build up, your skin can’t function optimally.
Solution → Cleanse and repair your barrier! Giving your skin a clean slate is the first step in creating naturally glowing skin. Also, incorporate antioxidant-rich Vitamin C, because it will protect your skin against environmental aggressors!
Expert Recommendation → Use a gentle oil cleanser like Bioelements Sensitive Skin Cleanser to remove all environmental debris and makeup while soothing skin with plant and olive oils.
Skin by Sunni Service → BARRIER REPAIR + RELAX FACIAL
Designed for skin that’s stressed, red or delicate! This facial is incredibly calming as it helps soothe irritated skin while restoring your skin barrier to be healthier and more resilient. Clean, clinical ingredients triple-target sensitivities as active ingredients nourish skin’s barrier.
$136+ / 1 hr 45 min+
#5 Not Seeing a Professional
Not seeing a professional
Think of estheticians like a personal trainer… but for your skin! The pros know how to transform sluggish, dull skin!
You might not NEED an esthetician, but wouldn’t it make your life so much easier and stress free? Imagine feeling instant relief knowing you have a friendly expert to guide you on your skincare journey.
The version of you that invested in an esthetician saved time, stress, and anxiety regarding your skin health and appearance because you finally decided to go to an expert who gives you ongoing support!
It’s super important to me to provide skincare education to everyone through blogs and social media, but I also prioritize follow-up communication when you become my client-friend! For example: after a consultation/facial/service with me, I’ll send you detailed instructions on how and when to use certain products! I’ll continue to check in with you over time to track how your skin reacts, in case we need to make alterations to the routine.
#6 Aging
Aging
As your skin ages, your circulatory system’s ability to transfer oxygen, nutrients, and waste slows down. This causes your skin to lose its vibrancy, appear drab, lifeless, and rough.
Solution → Power up with peptides! Peptides are one of the most potent collagen-stimulating, skin-firming, complexion brighteners in skincare. Peptides are extra helpful for anti-aging processes because of their compact sizes and their ability to cross cellular membranes easily! According to a comprehensive database of anti-aging peptides published by Oxford Academic², 35 different peptides exhibit anti-inflammatory functions, 27 peptides deal with cell repair, 14 different peptides promote antioxidant activity, and 8 peptides have been shown to enhance learning and memory. It’s time for you to start using this powerful biology!
Expert Recommendation → Use Bioelements Power Peptide Toner to nourish, hydrate, and brighten your skin. Made for dry, combination, and oily skin types!
Skin by Sunni Service → FIRM + LIFT FACIAL
This treatment is designed for client-friends who want to lift and sculpt their skin to combat its’ natural tendency to sag over time. You’ll see and feel the renewing benefits immediately, as skin elasticity, fullness, and lines improve almost instantly. $146+ / 1 hr 45 min+
#7 Sluggishness
Sluggishness
Does your skin look visibly tired, grey, or thin, even though you’ve been following your skincare routine? Sometimes your skin can hit a phase where it just seems “stuck” and the results are less visible. This is due to skin becoming resistant and stubborn over time.
Solution → You need hydration, oxygen, and peptides!
Expert Recommendation → Bioelements Power Peptide Toner, Hydroplunge, and Vitamin C serum will all help you transform sluggish skin into glowing skin! If you need help deciding where to start, book a quick 30 minute consultation with me (in person or virtual).
Skin by Sunni Service → OXYGEN GLOW FACIAL
A purifying treatment to renew dull, tired, sluggish, clogged or prematurely aging skin. Designed to deliver personalized results with increasing levels of oxygenating exfoliation! Oxygen facials are known to add radiance, hydrate skin, even skin tone, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and even calm acne! $136+ / 1 hr 45 min+
#8 Lifestyle Choices
Lifestyle choices
Lack of sleep, poor diet, improper skincare for your skin type, smoking, excessive alcohol intake³, tanning, using makeup wipes, or sleeping in your makeup are all lifestyle choices that will be reflected in your skin; if not now… they will someday.
Solution → None of us are perfect, and I’m not saying you can never do these things! All I ask of you is to be aware of your habits and try to limit your negative habits and increase your positive ones! You’ll be amazed at how quickly your skin can transform when you change just one of these negative habits!
Expert Recommendation → Check out the book The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. Read with a grain of salt since the book was written by a white man 20 years ago, but the overarching message is extremely valuable: Every decision we make is a slight edge decision, and the effects of those decisions will compound over time, whether they’re working for you, or against you. Good decisions are easy to make, but they are also easy not to make. Take responsibility for how your life is going, and whether or not your actions are in line with your goals!
#9 Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation
Your dull skin’s lack of healthy color can show up in the form of all-over discoloration, sallowness, and dark spots called hyperpigmentation.
Solution → Brighten up with Vitamin C! Antioxidant-rich Vitamin C protects your skin against environmental aggressors while reversing discoloration and sun damage.
Expert Recommendation → To achieve healthy, glowing skin, I recommend you try Bioelements VC10 Daily Glow Serum, a triple sourced 10% Vitamin C serum that won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin!
According to Bioelements’ clinical study of a diverse group of 100 women over 42 days…
97% say it’s gentle enough for daily use
85% say skin feels hydrates, looks brighter and more toned
82% say skin clarity is improved
95% say product is non-irritating
86% say skin’s healthy glow is renewed
91% say skin looks radiant
Skin by Sunni Service → EVEN BRIGHTER FACIAL
Are you specifically wanting the glowiest skin you could possibly get? You can make evening out your skin tone and fading dark spots a reality with this high-tech facial featuring maximum (yet safe) levels of skin brighteners with proven results. $146+ / Duration: 1 hr 45 min+
#10 Using the wrong products for your skin type
Using the wrong products for your skin type
your skin should feel great after using all of your products– never tight after cleansing or overly greasy after moisturizing. Using the wrong products for your skin type will cause damage over time, and probably make you feel overwhelmed and hopeless!
Solution → 1) Figure out your skin type, and 2) cleanse/repair that barrier!
Expert Recommendation → Use a gentle oil cleanser like Bioelements Sensitive Skin Cleanser to remove all environmental debris and makeup while soothing skin with plant and olive oils! Pay attention to how your skin feels after completing your skincare routine; if it feels dry or irritated, you should change something in your routine.
Bonus Recommendation → If you have dry or combination skin… get dewy with facial oil! Incorporating the right facial oil for your skin will change your skin-game forever! Dewluxe uses argan oil, sea kale, and squalene to lock in moisture and repair barrier lipids. As you use this product regularly, the oil will help your skin to look plumper and more radiant!
Final Thoughts
Phew, that was a lot! I don’t expect you to remember everything or be an expert yourself.
And that is exactly why I’m here: I help my client-friends feel more confident with their skincare journeys through professional services, education, and follow up.
If you know of a friend who struggles with skincare or confidence, share this with them! You don’t know how a simple act of thoughtfulness can change someone’s day… or life!
Are you ready to finally get the glowing, healthy skin of your dreams? Send me a DM on instagram or book a skin consultation with me today!
💛Xo, Sunni
References:
Flament F, Bazin R, Laquieze S, Rubert V, Simonpietri E, Piot B. Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2013 Sep 27;6:221-32. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S44686. PMID: 24101874; PMCID: PMC3790843. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3790843/
R, K., Kumar, A., Vinod Kumar, K. et al. AagingBase: a comprehensive database of anti-aging peptides. Database (2024) Vol. 2024: article ID baae016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/database/baae016
Liu SW, Lien MH, Fenske NA. The effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the skin. Clin Dermatol. 2010 Jul-Aug;28(4):391-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.024. PMID: 20620755. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20620755/
