After a long, tedious day at work, have you ever looked at yourself and said, “Ahh! What do I do to get rid of this dull skin?” Dull, lifeless skin is a common concern for people of all ages and gender. Not only does it impact our mood, but it also makes us lose confidence. So, to answer your most asked question, we have curated an easy routine that you can use anytime to revive dull skin. Check it out now.

Reasons you may experience dull skin

Before diving into how you can take care of dull skin, you must know what causes it in the first place. Here are some of the common reasons:

• Due to pollution, and dirt, the top layer of your skin, that you can see, can have too much build-up and that’s what results in dull skin.
• As you age, your skin’s cell regeneration process slows down and this results in loss of collagen production, which may make your skin look dull.
• If you have dehydrated skin that lacks moisture, it may appear dry, dull, and pale. Dehydrated skin could also be the result of excessive smoking.
• Frequent worrying about things can be a huge bummer for your skin as it reduces blood flow to your skin, making it look less lively.
• If you suffer from insomnia and skimp on sleep, its results can easily appear on your skin, making it look dry, dull and uneven.

The perfect 5 step routine to instantly revive dull skin

1. Make double cleansing your bestie

If you only cleanse your skin once at night and complain about having dull skin, then you have to try double cleansing! In double cleansing, you use a balm/oil cleanser as the first step and then a gel/foam cleanser as your second step.

Without proper cleansing, the pores remain blocked which further weighs down your skin and your complexion looks dull. Incorporate our Daily Duet Face Wash in your routine to eliminate all the toxins through your pores. It effectively cleanses your skin without stripping the natural oils off your face and is suitable for all skin types!

2. Use a face mask to wipe out the impurities

The easiest way to make your skin look brighter is by using a face mask! Everyone has that one face mask that they can rely on to take care of their dull skin. If you haven’t found one, just DIY it! Take some Fuller’s earth (Multani mitti), mix in some water and apply the paste for 10 mins.

Pro tip: If you have had an extremely frantic day, take nice and relaxing steam before and while you apply the face mask. It’s sure to calm your nerves!

3. Start your skincare routine with a hydrating serum

Dull skin can be the result of dehydrated and parched skin, so using a hydrating toner and a serum after cleansing can be game-changing. Use serums that comprise hydrating ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, Peptides, etc.

Incorporate a Vitamin C serum in your daily skincare routine to bring that dull skin back to life. Since this ingredient alone can fight free radicals and wrinkles, you won’t have to whine over dullness.

4. Make moisturization your mantra

No matter what skin type you have, you just cannot skip over moisturizer. In fact, no skincare routine is ever complete without it. Using a barrier repair moisturizer like our Ceramide Supercream twice, every day is like a Skin-vestment. It keeps your skin barrier healthy, which instantly makes your skin from dull to daisy!

5. Finish it up with SPF in daytime

Isn't it frustrating when your skin looks dull and needs a lot of TLC from time to time? We're here for you. We must take care of our skin to maintain a youthful appearance. As a result, it serves as a mirror for our overall well-being and attractiveness. There are a variety of ways to maintain the skin healthy, from utilizing high-quality skincare products to cleansing the body of toxins. To keep your skin looking and feeling its best at all times, you must drink plenty of water. However, as we become older, it becomes more difficult to maintain optimal hydration. Make it work for all skin types with these helpful hints and hacks.

8 ways to hydrate your skin

1.Use a mild, hydrating cleanser

Using a hydrating and non-stripping cleanser is an excellent approach to maintaining your skin well-hydrated. Choosing a cleanser is the first step in skincare, so if you want to keep your skin hydrated, you should look for one that matches that goal. Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, and other moisturizing chemicals are included in our Daily Duet Face Wash, which also serves as a makeup remover.

2.Incorporate products with sodium hyaluronate 

To keep your skin hydrated, you need humectants. Therefore, look for products containing sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide, and the like. Sodium hyaluronate is a derivative of hyaluronic acid which has smaller molecules that penetrate deeper into the skin. As a result, it provides better hydration.

3.Use hydrating serums 

Choose hydrating, water-based serums as a part of the skincare regime. They are lightweight, get easily absorbed and make up for great moisturizers for oily skin as well! Make sure to pick a serum that only has hydrating ingredients and not any actives.

4.Apply certain products on damp skin 

Research has shown that damp skin is more absorbent and applying hydrating serums and moisturizers to it can be more effective. You can use a hydrating face mist to make the skin slightly moist before applying any of these products. However, do not use chemical exfoliants, vitamin c serum, retinol, or sunscreen on damp skin. 

5.Exfoliate dead skin cells 

Getting rid of the dead skin cells will allow the healthy skin underneath to breathe and receive the benefits of the products. Chemical exfoliation from time to time eliminates the dead skin so that product absorption is better and the skin stays more hydrated.

6.Use Spf deliberately 

Never neglect SPF! It is the key rule to keep the skin hydrated. Sunscreens provide skin protection and prevent dehydration. Incorporate sunscreen with hydrating ingredients such as Niacinamide, Vitamin E, and Panthenol for extra hydration and nourishment.

7.Avoid long, hot showers

Hot showers feel lovely but they are notorious for leaving your skin dehydrated. So how do you enjoy your hot showers without damaging your skin? Avoid taking hot showers for too long and keep the temperature of the water moderate.

8.Drink adequate water 

Internal hydration is as vital as quality skincare. Your skin's youthfulness depends on how much water you consume. About 3-4 liters of water every day is vital for any skin type to stay hydrated. If you don’t have the habit of drinking water, try preparing infused water/fruit juices and keep a water bottle constantly nearby.

Imagine the following scenario: you and your best friend both have the same skin type and use the same cosmetics. However, the outcomes of using the skincare products on either one are rather dissimilar. How in the world is that even a possibility? To be honest, the methods are the most important thing to focus on here. Yes!! You did hear that correctly.

Today, at Foxtale, we are going to reveal a few techniques to use your existing skincare products in a way that they work even better without making you spend an extra penny. If you’re ready to take your skincare game to the next level and don't mind learning a few tips and techniques along the way, keep on scrolling!

10 Tricks to maximize your skincare product’s performance

1. Cleanse your skin right

The importance of properly cleansing one's skin cannot be overstated; it’s a game-changer. If you have ever felt that your face was “squeaky clean” after washing it or if you have been vigorously cleansing your skin with a foaming face wash for either ten seconds or ten minutes, then you are not washing your face properly.

The best way to cleanse your skin is to wash it with a gel-based cleanser instead of a foaming face wash. A gel-based cleanser is a lot more gentle and hydrating on your skin and doesn’t strip the natural oils of your face. A great pick would be our Foxtale Daily Duet Face Wash. It is made with mindful and hydrating ingredients such as Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Red algae extract, etc. Its hydrating formula gives you a deep cleanse and naturally glowing plump skin.

Another thing to incorporate is the ‘60 second rule’ with your face washes. The idea behind the method is as straightforward as the name suggests; rather than giving your face a hasty rinse that doesn't reach all of its crevices, you wash your face for exactly one minute. This allows all the goodness of your face wash to penetrate your skin.

2. Layer your skincare correctly

It doesn’t matter how incredible the quality of the skincare products is, the only way for them to deliver the results they promise is for you to apply them correctly. Your skincare should be used based on their consistency- thinnest to thickest. Here’s the right order to layer your skincare- cleanser, treatment, toner, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, facial oil, and lastly sunscreen in the daytime.

Some products are most effective when used on the skin that is only slightly damp, but others demand that the skin be completely dry in order to provide its full potential. Here’s a simple way to understand what to use on damp vs dry skin:

• Oil-based cleansers/Micellar waters- Dry skin
• Water-based cleansers- Damp skin
• Active ingredients (AHA, BHA, Retinol, Vitamin C)- Dry skin
• Hydrating serums- Damp skin
• Moisturizers- Damp skin
• Facial oil- Dry skin
• Sunscreen- Dry skin

3. Exfoliation is key

Standard cleansers clear out pores by removing dirt and oil, but if you really want to see a significant boost in product absorption, you need to exfoliate your skin with the help of enzymes or acids. When dead skin cells are removed with chemical exfoliators like AHA and BHA, any skincare applied to your skin will be absorbed more effectively. It's basically a way to make your skin’s surface more receptive. Look for gentle, lower concentrated chemical exfoliators if you’re just starting out.

4. Switch up your morning & night skincare routine

Some skincare products need to be used at certain times. This is why you should have different skincare routines in the morning and evening. Since cell turnover is at its peak at night, this is the best time to sort of fix/repair your skin's barrier and bring back its glow. Treatments like Retinol, AHA, BHA, sleeping masks, and lip masks should only be used at night. During the day, on the other hand, protecting yourself from the sun, dirt, pollution, and free radicals should be your top priority. Make sure that you use your vitamin C serum and sunscreen every morning as part of your morning skincare routine.

5. Marry the right ingredients

Just like Ryan Renolds and Blake Lively, some things go better together when they are married. Using the right combinations of ingredients will have a big effect on your skin. Putting your sunscreen and antioxidants together is a good place to start.

While a vitamin C serum works to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and acne scars, sunscreen acts as a shield and prevents any further sun damage. Both these when used in the same routine even fight off early signs of aging. If you’re looking to add these two notable ingredients to your skincare, and are tired of searching for the right ones, you are in for a treat. Our Get That Glow Combo consists of an effective and powerful 15% Vitamin C serum along with a creamy, moisturizing sunscreen. Get your hands on it and thank us later!

Other few ingredients that work like magic are Peptides and Antioxidants, Retinol and Hyaluronic acid, Salicylic acid and Niacinamide, Retinol and Niacinamide, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, and Ceramides and Fatty acids.

Also Read: These are the skincare ingredients you shouldn’t layer with each other, EVER

6. Avoid using cotton pads to apply toners

In the olden days, people used to use an astringent toner to remove a few last bits of their makeup with the help of cotton balls/pads. Fast forward to today, toners are all for giving hydration and exfoliating your skin. This completely eliminates the need to use a cotton pad to apply a toner. Cotton pads absorb some of your product and applying such expensive toners with it seems like a total waste! To avoid this, just use your clean hands to do the job. Pour some product onto your hands, warm it up slightly and pat it on your skin very gently.

7. Apply your sunscreen deliberately

If you were to take home just one trick out of all those we’ve listed today, it should be this one. Use sunscreen correctly every single day, and reapply it every 2-3 hours if you’re out in the sun for long hours. Your sunscreen acts as a shield against those harmful UV rays and if you’re not using your sunscreen correctly, all the other skincare is of no use!

Some people suggest applying 1/4th teaspoon worth of sunscreen on your face while others suggest using 2-3 fingers worth of sunscreen for the face & neck. We find it utterly confusing as the finger rule does not apply to different textures of sunscreen. Hence, we found the best method to apply sunscreen. Just take a dollop of sunscreen, dot it all over your face, and then massage it. This will ensure an even and smooth application and that every inch of your face is covered!

8. Lock it all in

Applying a thick and heavy cream on top of your skincare regimen at night is one of the most effective strategies to increase absorption. The best occlusive agents are- thick ointments and lotions containing significant volumes of petrolatum, butter, oils, and waxes. The general rule of thumb to follow here is to lock all your humectants like Hyaluronic acid, Aloe vera and the like with occlusives such as Ceramides, Shea butter, etc.

The idea is to hydrate your skin well first and then create a barrier on top of your skin to seal in the moisture beneath. It is extremely beneficial to avoid TEWL (Transepidermal water loss). This trick is best suggested for people who have skin that is exceedingly dry and inflamed, as well as those who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema. Always make sure your occlusives go as the last step of your night skincare routine so that it has time to soak into the skin and work its magic.

9. Don’t overwhelm your skin

Ever heard of the saying- "Less is more"? With regards to skincare, this is accurate.

The best advice we can give you if you really want your skincare to work is to avoid overdoing it. It's the most effective when you don't overcomplicate your skincare and instead keep it simple. Since there are so many exciting things currently available, it's tempting to feel you should try them all out at the same time. But simplicity might at times be superior.

Avoid using too many exfoliants at once. Use it every other day or at a different time each day. Use vitamin C serum in the morning and retinol at night, for example. Use only those products that your skin needs. Customizing your skincare products to one concern at a time improves their effectiveness.

10. Give your skincare time to work

Our final tip for you to make your skincare work at its best is to give them time. Before you discard your products in the trash, make sure you've given them a fair chance to make a difference in your skin. It takes about 30 days for your skin to regenerate new cells, which is why a month is a benchmark to test a product.

Stop using a product altogether if you notice that it causes breakouts on your skin. But make sure to understand whether you're purging or breaking out due to that product.

It's possible that a month from now, you'll be thanking yourself for the present that you gave yourself in the past.

Whenever we think of bright and glowing skin, the first thing that comes to mind is a trip to the salon. But is it possible to achieve salon-like radiant skin at home? Definitely! Now we have a potent weapon to nourish the skin and reduce the number of visits to salons or spas. You can reap the benefits of going to the salon without leaving the comfort of your home. This ingredient is known to provide you with a broad range of benefits, whether it is achieving acne-free skin or aiming for the perfect hydrated skin. Glycolic acid is universally regarded as a skin fixer by skincare professionals throughout the world, and this is also one of the top recommended solutions for various skin concerns by certified dermatologists. 

If you're into skincare, you've probably heard of this new trendy ingredient. Here's an in-depth article that will teach you everything you need to know about it, including its benefits, drawbacks, who can use it, and why it is your skin’s best friend!

What is Glycolic Acid?

Something that has been trending for a long time- Glycolic acid is one of the most powerful and potent kinds of Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA). It is a plant-based ingredient commonly derived from sugarcane. It is an exfoliator that removes dead skin by targeting the upper layer of the skin and breaking the bond between various skin cells. Glycolic acid is water-soluble and has small molecules that reach into the skin and promote skin cell turnover. 

When and Who should use it?

This is a very common question that lingers in our minds. Anyone in the age group that belongs to more than 20 years old can include glycolic acid in their skincare routine. Glycolic acid is suitable for all skin types, especially those who deal with acne. 

However, sensitive skin must undergo patch testing before introducing it into the skin regime. Ideally, glycolic acid must be started with the mildest dose, anywhere between 2% to 5% is great, to begin with. It should be applied twice a week in the beginning. 

How to use Glycolic Acid in your skincare routine?

Until now you must have gained a fair amount of knowledge on Glycolic acid, but have you wondered where can you use this magical ingredient? Here are the different ways you can start using glycolic acid:

• Glycolic acid as a face wash:

Glycolic acid has significantly less concentration in a cleanse and is usually great for beginners or sensitive skin. It is one of the best remedies for acne-prone skin and to keep your skin clean and fresh.

• Glycolic acid as a toner:

It can be used as a skin toner to brighten and smoothen the complexion. It can be applied as a toner after cleansing the face, and most toners contain a small amount of glycolic acid. As the acid concentration is very low, it can be used as a toner every other day.

• Glycolic acid as a mask:

Glycolic acid is present in a higher concentration in face masks. Hence should be used weekly only. You’ll notice how easily and flawlessly other skincare products absorb once you apply the mask.

• Glycolic acid as a serum:

if you wish to use a higher concentration of glycolic acid in your routine, a serum is your best bet. Unlike face masks that get rinsed off, this stays on the skin and may be the best choice for sensitive skin.

• Glycolic acid as a spot treatment:

One of the best things you can do for your skin gives it a spot treatment of glycolic acid along with other actives. This way you can make sure that you’re only targeting those specific areas of the face without the risk of affecting other sensitive areas of the face.

• Glycolic acid as a peel:

Glycolic acid is present in very high concentrations in chemical peels. It is always ideal to consult a dermatologist before opting for a glycolic acid peel as part of the skincare routine.

Benefits of Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is a must-have and has been the top-recommended product by many dermatologists due to its multiple benefits. The chief advantages are- 

• It boosts collagen production:

Glycolic acid has the property of penetrating deep into the skin and enhancing the production of collagen. Collagen is a protein that strengthens the skin and increases hydration. Glycolic acid removes the dead cells from the skin by dissolving the glue-like substance (desmosome) that holds the skin together, thereby reducing skin aging.

• It acts as a skin hydrant:

Glycolic acid absorbs the moisture from external surroundings and signals your skin to produce sebum in drier surroundings thereby acting as a hydrant for the skin. However, do not think of it as a moisturizer, and do use a barrier-strengthening moisturizer afterwards. Foxtale’s Smoothening moisturizer will help your skin achieve a smoother texture and maintain its barrier. 

• It prevents and fights off acne:

Glycolic acid is an exfoliator that peels away dead skin cells, allowing the skin to rejuvenate. If used consistently, this product relieves the pores present in the skin, preventing the growth of acne-causing bacteria. Foxtale’s Acne spot corrector gel gently exfoliates the surface to help remove dead skin and excess oil, reducing the mark and discoloration over time.

• It brightens and improves skin tone:

Its deep penetrating effect controls melanin production and improves skin tone.

Side effects of Glycolic Acid

If you’re using glycolic acid wisely in your skincare routine, chances are there won’t be any side effects. However, every skin type is different and reacts to products differently. 

• Skin becomes photo sensitive

Glycolic acid has the property of making the skin more susceptible to UV rays (photosensitive). Hence it is recommended to use the product at night only. Applying it at night provides ample time to do its work without damaging the skin cells. In the daytime, you should always apply Sunscreen SPF 50 whether or not you’re planning to step out and reapply it every 2-3 hours.  

• Itchiness

Unfortunately, glycolic acid might cause irritation to a few people. It is recommended to perform a patch test before applying the product to the face. If you do use Glycolic Acid and feel your skin becoming itchy, swollen, or turning red, rinse off the product immediately. If you use Glycolic Acid and notice your skin becoming itchy, swollen, or turning red, immediately rinse it off.

• Burning sensation

Although it is not common, using products containing a higher concentration of glycolic acid might cause burns or even scar the skin. If your skin is more on the sensitive side, it is recommended to use a lesser concentration(5%) product. 

The Conclusion

Whether your skin needs to be hydrated or needs help in fighting off acne, Glycolic acid is the hero that’ll save the day. While using glycolic acid has a plethora of benefits, it is crucial to perform a patch test before applying the product to your face. If you’re a beginner, start using a product containing a milder concentration of glycolic acid.