I still remember the day when I looked in the mirror and wondered why a thick, gray fog settled over my face. My skin is objectively dull. And while I love a good cream blush, I wonder how I lost it light without makeup—And how to get it back. Suggestion I immediately turn to Google with “how to lighten skin” and panic buy a few products that promise to change.
But in doing my research, I found that there’s a reason radiant, glowing skin implies holistic health. That cute phrase, glow from the inside out…? It’s legal.
“Your skin is an instant, real-time measure of health, both externally and internally,” says Dahlia Devkota, former beauty editor and founder of the functional beauty brand. Editor. “If your skin is less than radiant, you know you’ve gone the wrong way with your lifestyle or skin care regimen.”
Featured image of Sara Prince Photography.
Sorry. The truth is I’ve gone astray — and it’s showing. Mine hormone corrected thanks to two pregnancies and I am washing my face with soap… also thanks to two pregnancies. Taking care of yourself takes a back seat. Heck, I was actually in the trunk. And the proof was right in my face.
The good news is that dull skin isn’t the end. I got my light back. I stopped using the bar soapyes, but I also worked consciously to make lifestyle changes on Daily routine that effectively put this mom in the front seat, thank you very much.
For now, I’m digging deep into Dahlia to understand what causes dull skin — and how to lighten it naturally. Plus, look for a few products you can trust. (Spoiler! They don’t all of skin care products.) Curious? Let’s start after that light.
What does dull skin mean?
You know it when you see it, right? It’s hard to define a definition for dull skin, but Dahlia recommends paying attention to a more obvious sign. “As I dedicated myself to my regimen,” she explains, “I never felt the need to put makeup on my skin — the moment I started using foundation, I knew something was up. no OK “.
Next, take an inventory of your current lifestyle. “It feels like most of the things we love are giving us light damage – too much alcohol and too little sleep are the most obvious culprits,” says Dahlia.
Finally, let’s look at an underlying cause—let’s call this a bowel exam. “Sometimes […] Our hormones are turned off, our livers aren’t working for maximum detoxification, the microorganisms in our gut and skin are damaged, our acid layer is depleted,” she explains. There are often deeper causes than just product swaps.”
What is skin lightening?
“My definition of skin lightening is the look of really “It’s not a fleeting glow from over-exfoliating,” says Dahlia. We all crave that sparkle but it often comes at the expense of the health of our skin. Skin lightening is an alchemy of inner health and wisely chosen topicals. In a nutshell, long-lasting glowing skin tells the state of your health all around — and it’s more than just applying a serum.
How can I lighten my dull skin?
You will love this answer. “What is very encouraging,” she reveals, “is that the skin is quite resilient and will respond quickly to the changes we make to address the lightening issue.” Here’s how to lighten skin naturally, according to Devkota:
1. Add chlorophyll to your water tank
“The first thing people can do (that is so easy) is to start adding Chlorophyll into their daily waters. It has no taste, is portable, and is a concentrated juice rather than a green juice. It is rich in vitamins K, A, C and E and supplies oxygen to the blood (giving life to the skin)”.
2. Check your bowels
Remember those “potential causes” mentioned above? This is where you learn and make adjustments — it’s also where Devkota is most passionate. She claims that glowing skin starts in the gut “because the microorganisms in your gut and skin are linked through the skin shaft of the gut.” In other words, “damaged gut leads to less luminous skin.” How do you fight compromised gut health? A word: fiber.
“Try to get at least 25 grams of fiber per day,” advises Dahlia. “Fiber acts as a prebiotic (food) for the beneficial bacteria in the gut, which in turn creates postbiotics that our skin loves. Fun Fact: Did you know that your gut makes postbiotics like hyaluronic acid? Our skin loves that! ”
(Psst… Here are a few High-fiber recipes to get you started.)
3. Pay Attention to Your Product
“Thematically, it is very important to make sure that we do not use soaps and alkaline detergents on the skin.” (I feel like I’ve seen it.) “This is extremely damaging to the acid mantle of your skin. When our skin is young and healthy, the surface of our skin is slightly acidic. This is what keeps the barrier function intact and what keeps the skin’s microbiome alive. ”
So it’s important what you’re putting into your body and what you are putting on your skin. “From a topical perspective, the skin’s microbiome is really a key driver in skin health and luminosity. It’s all about trying to keep our healthy bacteria alive and thriving to balance the pathogenic bacteria,” aka the cause disease. “If this balance is disrupted, we start to see pathogens take up too much of our skin and this not only reduces radiance but causes all sorts of skin problems. ”
What natural ingredients lighten the skin?
To keep your skin’s microbiome balanced, Dahlia recommends looking for products that include:
- Postbiotic fermentation. The lightening powers of these ingredients may vary.
- Rice. It’s not just for hair growDevkota claims it instantly brightens skin.
- Niacinamide. Effectively skin lightening compound.
- Arbutin. A natural melanin inhibitor that helps fade dark patches and hyperpigmentation.
- Vitamin C. Look for one that is stable and highly effective, like sodium ascorbyl phosphate instead of straight L-ascorbic acid.
You might even consider trying Glutathione IV drips: “I have seen miracles from regular glutathione drips (through my functional physician). It is a superlative antioxidant and not only makes the skin bright, but also helps heal inflammation in the body.”
Best product to lighten dull skin
Below, Dahlia shares how to brighten your skin with her absolute favorites to make your skin glow — and stay that way.
