3 Reasons Why Your Skin Has Lost Its Glow (And How To Turn It Around)

Nothing says ‘health’ quite like a natural, lit-from-within skin glow, so when it’s gone, it can be particularly concerning. The good news? With a little bit of effort, lost radiance can make a comeback – the trick, however, lies in identifying the right culprit (or culprits). 

Reason 1: Blame It On…Dead Skin Cells

As a natural process of renewal, we shed millions of dead skin cells every day to make way for new, healthier ones. Unfortunately, these damaged skin cells can build up on the skin’s surface, leading to clogged, enlarged pores that affect the texture of our skin and leave us with a dry, flaky and dull complexion. This extra layer of dead skin can also make it more difficult for products to effectively penetrate the skin, creating a never-ending cycle of problems.

Address It With…Regular Exfoliation

Exfoliating the skin at least twice a week is not a good-to-have, but a must-have – especially if you want to maintain a fresh, healthy glow all year round and boost the efficacy of your serums and moisturisers. To gently dissolve dead skin cells without damaging your skin or disrupting its barrier function, look for face-friendly chemical exfoliants such as Lactic Acid. This AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) works by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells, encouraging exfoliation and increasing cell turnover. This then leads to a brighter, more youthful-looking complexion with reduced areas of hyperpigmentation and dark spots, as well as a smoother texture with smaller and more refined pores.

Reason 2: Blame It On…Pollution

We’ve all been warned about the profound impact pollution can have on our health, but how does it affect our skin? Studies have shown that environmental aggressors such as air pollutants accumulate on the surface of the skin and rob our cells of oxygen, resulting in a dull and crepey complexion. Over time, consistent exposure to pollution will also lead to damage from free radicals. These can affect the skin’s texture and how it reflects light while accelerating signs of ageing by destroying our healthy cells and degrading collagen and elastin.

Address It With…Antioxidant-Rich Skincare

One of the reasons we formulate many of our formulas with vitamin C is to capitalise on its potent antioxidant benefits, which neutralise free radicals from pollution, UV radiation, blue light and stress. When applied topically, this powerhouse ingredient can counteract the effects of oxidative dress and support the skin’s natural processes of regeneration. Moreover, it’s a fantastic brightening agent that helps fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots caused by consistent exposure to pollutants. Another great anti-pollution ingredient is Niacinamide, which works synergistically with vitamin C for superior protection and radiance. While vitamin C spots the biochemical reactions that lead to uneven pigmentation, Niacinamide reduces the transfer of melanin to the top layers of the skin.

Reason 3: Blame It On…The Years

It goes without saying that, as we get older, our skin goes through many changes: it loses elasticity and collagen, becomes thinner, its natural moisture levels deplete and it takes longer to renew itself, holding onto damaged cells. This, in turn, causes the appearance of new signs of ageing – from fine lines and wrinkles to dark spots – as well as dullness, dehydration and lack of bounce.

Address It With…Youth-Boosting Ingredients

We’ve waxed lyrical about the benefits of vitamin A (retinoids) many a time before. When it comes to maintaining optimal skin health, there’s perhaps no better and more effective ingredient. By encouraging skin cell turnover and boosting collagen production, vitamin A can improve dullness in mature skin, revealing a more youthful-looking complexion that radiates with health. We’re also big fans of Peptides. These small chains of amino acids essentially serve as messengers, sending signals to the cells that trigger certain processes, including the formation of new collagen.

Hoping to fast-track your way to glowing skin? 

Discover our NEW Illuminating 5-Day Facial

NIGHT 1: Lactic Micropeel

Gentle yet effective, this micro-exfoliator preps the skin for the following treatments while leaving it smooth and more radiant.

NIGHTS 2&3: Ret A Renewal

This powerful drip-fed dose of vitamin A encourages cell rejuvenation for a fresh complexion with a renewed glow.

NIGHT 4: Glow Complex C B3

Blending active vitamin C and niacinamide, this antioxidant-rich shot offers a powerful brightening boost.

NIGHT 5: Meso-Melt Pep⁸ Stem Cell Serum

This peptide-collagen plumping serum boosts collagen and elastin production, promoting a firmer, more supple and even-toned appearance.

Sarah’s Tip: “Amplify the programme’s rejuvenating benefits with a 3D Moisture Infusion Mask on day five for a plumping dose of hydration and apply Digital Shield in the morning to enhance the skin’s natural luminosity.”