Skin concern
Dullness
Skin that looks flat, grey or tired despite a full routine. Usually a build-up of dead cells plus dehydration rather than anything serious.
What causes it
Why this happens
Slowed cell turnover, dehydration, a build-up of dead surface cells, lack of sleep, pollution exposure and a routine missing any form of gentle exfoliation or antioxidant.
Habits & ingredients to avoid
- Daily gritty scrubs
- Stacking multiple acids
- Skipping moisturiser
- Over-cleansing
Key helpful ingredients
What to look for on the label
Glycolic acid (AHA)
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for dullness, and appears in 1 of the products below.
Lactic acid
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for dullness, and appears in 2 of the products below.
Vitamin C
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for dullness, and appears in 4 of the products below.
Niacinamide
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for dullness, and appears in 2 of the products below.
Hyaluronic acid
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for dullness, and appears in 2 of the products below.
Recommended
13 products for dullness
Rosewater Botanics
4.8Hyaluronic Layering Serum
Multi-weight hyaluronic acid is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Verdant Lab
4.8BHA Pore Refining Liquid
Salicylic acid 2% is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Emerald Atelier
4.7Squalane Daily Moisturiser
Olive squalane is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. Locks in the actives and rebuilds the barrier, which is what stops this concern coming back.
Golden Hour Skin
4.715% Vitamin C + Ferulic Serum
L-ascorbic acid 15% is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Golden Hour Skin
4.7Sheer Tinted SPF 50 Serum
Zinc oxide is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. Non-negotiable for this concern — daily UV and visible-light protection prevents everything else undoing itself.
Rosewater Botanics
4.5Gentle Enzyme Polishing Powder
Rice enzymes is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Golden Hour Skin
4.5Glow Renewal Lactic Serum
Lactic acid 8% is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Emerald Atelier
4.5Night Recovery Botanical Cream
Peptides is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. Locks in the actives and rebuilds the barrier, which is what stops this concern coming back.
Golden Hour Skin
4.5Glycolic 7% Resurfacing Toner
Glycolic acid 7% is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Golden Hour Skin
4.4Rice Water Hydrating Essence
Fermented rice water is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Golden Hour Skin
4.4Papaya Enzyme Brightening Cleanser
Papaya enzymes is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Verdant Lab
4.3Green Clay Deep Clean Wash
Kaolin clay is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Golden Hour Skin
4.3Vitamin C Eye Awakening Cream
Vitamin C derivative is one of the most reliable choices for dullness. Locks in the actives and rebuilds the barrier, which is what stops this concern coming back.