Ask the experts: my skin is dry and dull

21 Jun 2010 04:58 AM | Posted by Editor

You asked, so we answer! Well, by 'we' I mean that beautyheaven has teamed up with NIVEA expert, Ken Lee, to answer your skincare questions and help you achieve your best complexion yet.

 

Q: My skin is looking really dull and lifeless and I don’t know what to do about it. Some people say that I’m obviously not using the right skin products, but other people say it can be from diet and lifestyle. Can you help or recommend anything I could do to improve it? I’m not a smoker and don’t heavily drink all that often and I try to stick to cleansing and moisturising every day. - Skohnet

A: There are certainly a few variables that could affect the appearance of dull and lifeless skin. This could well be from an inappropriate mixing of skin care products, or from diet and lifestyle, or a combination of both. It's good to hear you're not a smoker and only a 'social' drinker, which does remove some external negative influences upon your skin. 
 

There are a few suggestions we could offer from a cosmetic perspective. For starters, the cleansing regime that you currently practice may need to be boosted to some extent. You may wish to try a mask or a peel, say once a week for about a month, for deeper action. These tend to rely on the fruit enzymes from papaya or pineapple, or on clay extracts to remove the minor surface scales which gives skin a dull look. If this proves uncomfortable or inappropriate, then a face scrub product is an easy alternative. These deeper cleansing measures should be in addition to your daily gentle cleansing routine.

Another option is to ensure a toner is used post-cleansing. Toners usually contain calming agents, which neutralise any cleanser residue, restoring a natural moisture balance to the skin, and prepare your skin to better accept your moisturiser. Toners also usually contain small amounts of vitamins, which start the skin on a regeneration pathway.

The products that follow should then match your skin type and the specific outcome you desire. For the 'dullness' you experience, look for ingredients that can supplement energy to the skin and help it regenerate, such as vitamin A, vitamin B5, vitamin E, or coenzyme Q10. Finally, an easy thing to do which brings immense benefit is to ensure you drink lots of fluid during the day!

Try: NIVEA Visage Anti-Wrinkle Q10 Plus Day Care, and Night Care.

 

Got a skincare question you'd like Ken Lee to answer? Email it to debbie@beautyheaven.com.au with 'Ask Ken' in the subject line, and your question may feature in the next Ask the experts feature!