How to Brighten Dull Skin Naturally This Winter
By the time the calendar flips to February, many of us living in cold weather climates are suffering from complexions that can be best described as winter-worn: dull, rough, sensitive and extremely dry. Why does this happen? The blustery weather outside, combined with the constant blast of indoor heating, creates a supremely dehydrating environment that can leave your skin chronically parched, sensitized, drab and inflamed.
Moving to a warmer climate is (obviously) not an option for most of us, but we can employ simple, hydrating, anti-inflammatory strategies to help brighten up our skin, stat. The gold standard in combating inflammation is our Three-Tier Philosophy for beauty from the inside-out and outside-in
Tier 1: Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet for skin
The foods you consume can dramatically impact the health and look of your skin.
To fight inflammation, choose foods rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C, which help counter free radicals in your body and decrease the deterioration of collagen and elastin (the spongy substances in your skin that make it plump and firm). Vitamin A is abundant in carrots, squash, sweet potatoes and spinach. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, kiwi, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and most berries.
Tier 2: Boost your diet’s nutrient intake with daily supplements
Being thoughtful about what you eat goes a long way toward fighting inflammation and dehydration. But taking supplements can help speed up your radiant-skin results. Targeted nutrients taken daily in capsule or powder form help ensure you’re always getting ample antioxidants and healthy fats — even on days when your diet may be lacking.
To ensure you get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids as well as plenty of hydration for your skin, pop one Omega-3 Supplement capsule with each meal. The healthy fats in this supplement are derived from wild sockeye salmon.
Tier 3: Target your skin topically
Skin dehydration can lead to an overall lackluster complexion. Combat dullness over time with skincare that’s rich in antioxidants and other brightening ingredients like our proprietary Vitamin C Ester. This ingredient is an ideal option because it is a more potent and less abrasive form of vitamin C, making it suitable for all skin types. “Vitamin C Ester works at brightening dull skin because it’s a water- and fat-soluble form of vitamin C, so you get maximum antioxidant benefits,” explains Rosalba Martone, Head of Education at Perricone MD.
Our Vitamin C Ester Brightening Serum and Vitamin C Ester Photo-Brightening Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 are two supercharged essentials we swear by for a radiance boost. The first is a powerful, ultra-fine treatment that targets uneven skin tone and discoloration while promoting collagen-rich skin. The latter is an oil-free, SPF-infused moisturizer that visibly brightens, tightens and reduces the look of dark spots while shielding the skin from harmful UV rays with mineral-based, broad spectrum SPF 30. Bonus: the formula also boasts Alpha-Lipoic Acid to help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
While Vitamin C Ester is a go-to for combatting winter dullness, our High Potency Face Finishing & Firming Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is a must-have for that instant pick-me-up. Featuring unique pigment-filled capsules that slowly release upon application, this tinted moisturizer delivers an instant hint of luminous tint to minimize the appearance of wrinkles, pores and imperfections. Though, yes, it contains Vitamin C Ester as well, that’s just one star of the show. Alpha-Lipoic Acid — AKA nature’s most powerful antioxidant —reduces the look of lines as bisabolol visibly brightens, soothes and imparts a dewy glow. Meanwhile, mineral-based sunscreen protects the skin from aging UVA and burning UVB rays. It’s a true one-and-done solution for luminosity you won’t have to wait on.
