The upside: “How to get glass skin” was a top Google search last year—glass skin being the ultimate (if euphemistic) term for non-dull skin—and with it have come so many solves for a tired complexion. And they're surprisingly simple.
The first step is targeting what’s causing the dullness. That way, you know exactly what’s needed to bring back luminosity and get out of a skin rut for good.
What is dull skin?
Dull skin isn’t a scientific term (for the record, neither is glass skin). Rather, it's a catchall phrase to describe skin that lacks vibrancy and healthy color. Dull skin may be dry, rough, sallow, ashen—basically, anything that makes your overall complexion seem lackluster.
Dull skin isn’t a condition in and of itself. It’s a symptom of whatever is limiting the skin’s ability to look its natural best. Usually, dull skin is temporary, though a chronic illness can cause prolonged dullness.
And as we get older, our complexion becomes naturally less glowy as the skin gets thinner and its production of lipids—which keep skin soft and hydrated—slows down.
What causes dull skin?
General wellness rule: If it's not good for your overall health, it's probably not the healthiest for skin, either. For example, overconsumption of alcohol, excessive sun exposure, lack of sleep, and not exercising all negatively impact skin function.
But what typically causes dullness is an accumulation of dead cells called keratinocytes, which are the most abundant type of cell in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. These cells produce keratin, the fibrous protein that gives skin its strength, and they also play a key role in wound healing and the skin’s immune response.
When keratinocytes die as part of the skin’s natural cell turnover process, they become literal dead weights. Think of the turnover process like a conveyor belt, with fresh new cells continually moving to the surface to replace old ones that slough off the top.
Starting in our early 30s, that turnover rate slows down, and the dead cells don’t shed as fast as they once did. These cells are opaque, so light doesn’t reflect off them, and if they pile up on the skin’s surface, they can cloud the complexion.
How can I brighten dull skin?
It might seem like slathering on moisturizer is the quick fix for dull skin, but that’s a bit like watering soil covered in dead leaves—the hydration won’t get to the roots of where it’s needed. To restore your skin’s healthy glow, you need to first sweep away the layer of dead skin cells that can block your moisturizer and other skincare products from absorbing and doing their job.
There are a few simple ways you can work regular exfoliation into your skincare routine:
Cleanse daily with a washcloth. This creates gentle exfoliation through the friction of the terrycloth against your skin. Just be sure to use a light touch and don’t rub or scrub it on your face.
Use a face wash that contains glycolic acid. The ingredient helps dissolve dead cells. But since cleanser gets diluted with water and is only on your skin for a minute or less, this alone may not be enough to prevent dead skin buildup.
Add an at-home peel or face scrub to your bedtime regimen two to three nights a week. A peel uses chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid or lactic acid to dissolve dead skin, while a scrub manually sloughs them off. If you opt for a scrub, be gentle and lightly work it across your skin. And don’t apply a scrub with a washcloth, as doubling up on these two exfoliants can be too abrasive to the skin.
Consistent exfoliation allows for serums and moisturizers to absorb better, and well-hydrated skin is radiant skin. Our skin’s natural lipid production—which is essential for maintaining soft, moisturized skin—decreases by an estimated 60% by the time we’re 40.
To restore what’s been lost, choose a moisturizer that contains lipids like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids as well as hyaluronic acid, one of the best ingredients for helping skin retain moisture.
What helps prevent dull skin?
The skin’s natural cell turnover process slows down starting in your 30s and continues getting more sluggish over the years. One of the best ways to prevent dead cell buildup is by adding a retinoid product to your skincare regimen.
These vitamin A derivatives are proven to increase skin cell turnover to regulate the shedding of dead cells. This, in turn, stimulates collagen production to help refine skin’s texture, balance out uneven tone, boost brightness, and reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots.
Cottonball VX.1 Advanced Anti-Aging & Repair Complex and VX.2 Wrinkle-Smoothing & Prevention Complex contain tretinoin, a gold-standard prescription-strength retinoid; the concentration will be customized to fit your skin type. Depending on your skin needs, they can also be formulated with azelaic acid (a mild exfoliant that helps fade discolorations and refine the skin’s surface) and tranexamic acid (a skin brightening agent).
“A regimen that contains tretinoin, azelaic acid, and tranexamic acid will lead to increased shedding of the epidermis, resulting in greater vibrancy of the skin,” says Michael Krathen, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Natick, Massachusetts, and Chief Medical Advisor for Cottonball.
These two custom-blended formulas will help treat and prevent dullness through a multi-targeted approach:
Regulate skin cell turnover. Cottonball offers prescription-strength tretinoin in 0.01% to 0.1% concentration depending on your skin’s needs. This keeps the skin cell conveyor belt moving so dead cells consistently shed and are replaced by fresh, new skin cells—ultimately brightening the complexion. “Tretinoin also reduces hyperpigmentation and helps build collagen for firmer, smoother skin with more even tone and enhanced glow,” says Dr. Krathen. Just be sure not to use another exfoliant like a peel or scrub on the same night that you apply a retinoid, as layering the two can irritate skin.
Brighten skin and refine texture. Azelaic acid gently dissolves dead cells while also helping reduce inflammation and even out skin tone. Tranexamic acid helps fade discoloration and prevent the formation of new dark spots, resulting in a more radiant complexion.
Hydrate and calm the skin. Both creams boast hyaluronic acid and may be formulated with niacinamide, a potent antioxidant that helps enhance the skin’s lipid barrier function and improves radiance and texture. Niacinamide has also been shown to reduce skin inflammation and redness, helping offset the sometimes drying or slightly irritating effects of prescription-strength tretinoin.
And in case you need one more reason to wear sunscreen daily, UV rays are directly responsible for the damage that leads to dry, rough texture. Slathering on SPF 30 or higher every morning is one of the best defenses against dull skin.
Is Cottonball VX.1 Advanced Anti-Aging & Repair Complex or VX.2 Wrinkle-Smoothing & Prevention Complex right for you? Take this short quiz to find out.
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