9 Best Ingredients To Brighten Dull, Tired Skin

Have you ever wondered why your skin lack radiance or just appears drab? Here are hidden beauty secrets on how to brighten lackluster skin for a more radiant face.

When you are dealing with dull and sallow skin, you may be wondering what is causing it and how to find the best solution to get an awakened and revitalized complexion back. Learn about this specific skin issue and try dermatologist-recommended ingredients to help you achieve that healthy glow.

What is dull skin?

Dull skin is exactly what it sounds like and is commonly referred to as skin that lacks radiance and appears lackluster and rough. You can think of the opposite of glowing skin, which is more translucent and reflects light evenly.

What causes dull skin?

Our skin naturally sheds dead cells and constantly renews itself with new ones every 30 days or so. When dead skin cells don't flake off as they should be and build up on the outer layers of your skin, causing your skin to look dull and flaky, and even clog your pores.

Unfortunately, as we age, our natural cell turnover rate slows down, making your skin leathery and lifeless, making lines and wrinkles appear deeper as the dead skin cells build up around them on the surface of the skin.

Dehydration and environmental toxins are other factors that affect your skin's ability to perform important functions such as cell turnover.

Skin cells only have that much energy and when they expend all that energy working on these problems they eventually get too tired and surrender. As a result, skin damage occurs and your complexion becomes dry and glowless.

The most common cause of dull face skin include: 

• A buildup of dead skin cells 
• Dehydration / Dryness 
• Aging
• Unhealthy diet and lifestyle 
• City pollution 
• Lack of moisturizer
• Sleep Deprivation
• Sun damage 
• Cigarette smoking
• Vitamin Deficiency
• Vitamin Deficiency
• Overdoing matte makeup
• Stress
• Extreme climate (dry, cold)
• Using the wrong products 

Why does your skin become dull and lose its glow as we age?

As we get older, keratin starts to sit on the uppermost layer longer since our bodies take longer to replace old skin cells with new ones. From the age of 20, the natural peeling of the skin decreases by up to 28% and slows down even more with age.

Accumulated keratin makes the skin appear dull and thin. Again, ultraviolet rays and environmental factors such as pollution and smoking are to blame.

When your skin is exposed to UV rays, the stratum corneum thickens to protect the skin. If you have healthy skin, this dead skin will fall off after 30-60 days; however this process slows down on skin that has started to age.

How to restore radiance to dull skin? 

• Apply sunscreen to block UV rays
• Drink plenty of water
• Use a moisturizer daily
• Add a moisturizing mask to your skin regimen
• Exfoliate dead skin cells and do deep cleansing
• Go gentle on your skin
• Avoid alcohol and smoking
• Get enough beauty sleep
• Eat foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins
• Use a serum that contains Retinol or Vitamin C

What are the best ingredients to treat dull skin?

If your skin has lost its radiance, the trick is to switch up your skincare routine and focus on what is in the products you’re using? Let's look at some of the most effective ingredients to help revive tired-looking skin.

Best hydrating ingredients include:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
• Ceramides
• Glycerin

Best Korean hydrating face care products

Huxley Secret of Sahara Grab Water Essence

A water gel essence enriched with organic prickly pear seed oil and cactus extract carefully sourced from Morocco. True to its name, this moisture booster grabs and draws water to the skin without feeling greasy, keeping the skin supple, soft and refreshed.

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Innisfree Intense Hydrating Serum with Green Tea

A vegan serum instantly replenishes lost moisture, promotes skin balance and leaves the skin nourished and revitalized.

Filled with green tea extract and green tea seed oil from Jeju Island, which contains 16 minerals and amino acids that work together to protect the skin by strengthening the lipid barrier and maintaining ideal levels of moisture throughout the day.

The Plant Base Waterfall Moist Balanced Hyaluronic Acid

An intensely hydrating ampoule that is formulated with 100% pure sodium hyaluronate, a stable, water-soluble form of hyaluronic acid without adding any potential irritants.

This vegan face serum is perfect for anyone who struggles with dryness and dehydrated skin.

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Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution™ Biome Essence

A toning essence  restores hydration to thirsty skin and soothes irritated skin by balancing the skin's microbiome levels.

Enriched with triple hyaluronic acid, prebiotics and the new exclusive probiotic complex Jartbiome (TM), the brand's new patented ingredient that nourishes and strengthens the skin.

Best exfoliating ingredients include:

• Glycolic acid
• Salicylic acid
•  Lactic acid
• Mandelic acid
• Azelaic acid

Best Korean exfoliating products

Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser

A non-drying cleansing foam is absolutely gentle enough to use every day and was specially developed for problematic, oily or acne-prone skin.

This facial cleanser contains a natural BHA component that helps remove dead cells from the skin, unclog pores, and leave the skin clear and smooth.

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By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Prep Water

If you're looking for a gentle daily exfoliant or have sensitive skin, this exfoliating treatment can work wonders on your skin.

This gentle formulation contains 5% mandelic acid, which is less irritating compared to other AHA derivatives and transforms dull, rough skin into smooth and glowing skin.

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner

An exfoliating toner acts as a chemical peel that targets many different skin problems, from reducing pimples, blemishes, blackheads to lightening acne scars.

Enriched with three different peeling acids, AHAs, BHAs and PHAs (salicylic acid, lactobionic acid, citric acid) and tea tree extract to balance sebum production and improve uneven skin tone and texture.

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Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

A gentle yet effective exfoliant contains 4% natural BHA component of Betaine Salicylate, a natural exfoliant derived from plants that refines the look of enlarged pores and leaves skin brighter.

This ‘cult-favorite’ product is clinically proven to reduce the formation of blackheads and excess sebum and hydrate the skin.

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Best brightening ingredients (over pigmented skin) include:

• Ascorbic acid ( Vitamin C)
• Vitamin E (a powerful combo with Vitamin C)
•  Retinol
• Sea buckthorn
• Snail mucin
• Licorice

Best Korean brightening Serums

Isntree C-Niacin Toning Ampoule

A very light ampoule will help revive and repair dry, dull skin and reduce the appearance of discoloration while delivering hydration.

Enriched with 70% sea buckthorn, rich in vitamins C, A and E, and fatty acids like linoleic acid (omega-6) and oleic acid (omega-9), which are effective in treating brown spots and strengthening the skin barrier.

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Urang Vitamin Oil Serum

Rich in vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, this vegan serum nourishes, moisturizes and restores dry, premature and tired skin.

This clean beauty product is made with a powerful blend of cold pressed and unrefined organic seed oils such as jojoba and rose hip oils that combat the visible signs of aging and improve skin elasticity.

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Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

A multifunctional essence with 96.3% snail secretion filtrate, which is known for its calming, regenerating and moisturizing properties.

This lightweight serum hydrates, soothes dry, irritated skin and improves the overall glow of the skin by matting and brightening the skin.

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Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum

A brightening serum with 5% ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) and 84% hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and red ginseng extract that helps fade sun damage and hyperpigmentation.

It also works well against dullness and loss of firmness, and improves skin texture damaged by UV rays, making the skin look healthy and glowing.