3 Reasons Our Skin Can Lose Its Radiance & How to Get It Back

While a dewy complexion and a plump appearance are two of the main markers of youthful skin, another key sign is radiance. When we’re young, our skin seemingly glows from the inside, out, with very little effort on our part. However, over time, the signs of youthful skin begin to diminish for a number of reasons and with them, that tell-tale radiance. Thankfully the first step in restoring that look of radiance is in knowing the reasons why its faded away in the first place. Below we list common reasons why our skin can lose its glow—and some tricks to get glowing again!

The number one reason our skin loses its glow and begins to dull is age. As we get older our skin’s natural desquamation process slows down—laymen’s terms: the shedding of old, dead skin cells to reveal newer, brighter-looking skin underneath. This effect of age can cause a buildup of dead skin cells to sit on the skin’s surface which don’t reflect light the same way youthful-skin would.

The Fix: One of the easiest ways to remove that buildup on skin’s surface is with gentle exfoliation. You can opt for chemical exfoliation using formulas with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or physical exfoliation with scrubs. We love L’Oréal Paris’ Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Peel Pads. Formulated with a glycolic complex, these peel pads can be used nightly to help peel away a dull, uneven skin tone to reveal brighter looking surface skin (and reduce the appearance of wrinkles!). It is important to note that when using AHAs your skin is more sensitive to sunlight. This is why it’s key to wear a broad-spectrum SPF each and every day in order to protect your skin from the damaging—and skin aging—effects of the sun. After cleansing each morning reach for L’Oréal Paris’ Bright Reveal Brightening Day Moisturizer SPF 30, which not only protects your skin it also helps to visibly brighten the look of skin and even its tone.

Another leading cause of dull looking skin and a loss of radiance is dry, dehydrated skin. When skin lacks moisture is can also lack the luminosity that helps it look younger. Fine lines and wrinkles can appear more noticeable, skin texture can look rough and uneven, and it can cause dead skin cells to buildup on skin’s surface. While you can have a dry skin type, there are other factors that can cause dry skin including low-moisture, arid climates (think: deserts, wintertime, etc.) or even over-cleansing the skin.

The Fix: The best way to beat dry skin? Moisturize! There are three non-negotiables in skin care: sunscreen, cleansing, and always, always, always hydrating your skin. Kill two birds with one stone by using a moisturizer that is formulated with skin-brightening ingredients. L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Rosy Tone Moisturizer was developed for mature, dull-looking skin. Formulated with micro-exfoliating LHA and imperial peony, it helps to renew and revive a healthy-looking tone for visibly younger-looking skin. The ultimate goal? Restoring that unmistakable rosy glow our skin had in our younger years.

While age and environment are the two major contributing factors when looking to the causes of dull skin tone, there are indirect causes as well. Our lifestyle choices—everything from diet to exercise to whether or not we smoke—can indirectly lead to a loss of a radiant, glowing complexion.

The Fix: Smoke? Stop…now. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) smoking can cause wrinkles and a dull, sallow complexion. There’s the first step. Next up? Try to break a sweat here and there. The AAD notes that moderate exercise can give the skin a more youthful-looking appearance. Finally, stock up on some fruits and veggies, drink a healthy amount of H2O, and cut down on the refined sugars and alcohol. While there’s no concrete proof of the radiance-restoring benefits, it never hurts to live well!