I'd appreciate your help on how to revive tired looking skin and brighten dull face complexion. I'm a young woman in my mid 20s and have fairly good skin. I rarely get pimples except a few zits on my cheeks just before my period. I don't smoke or drink and try to get as much sleep as I can but my face still looks really dull, lifeless and tired in the morning. So what can I do to improve it naturally without wearing tons of makeup? – Kristie, North Dakota.
You are on the right track by not smoking and drinking, and getting sufficient sleep every night. However, that's really not enough if you want a fresh, bright-looking skin complexion that glows beautifully. I am not talking about the latest or the most expensive skin rejuvenating products on the shelves but rather simple things that you can do at home to perk up sluggish skin and restore a rosy radiance to lackluster complexion.
How to Make Skin Look Less Tired?
1. The fastest and easiest way to instantly wake up tired looking skin in the morning is to splash your face with cold water, or take an ice cube and rub it over your face for a few seconds. The reason is that cold water as well as ice stimulates blood circulation, which will temporarily invigorate fatigued skin. As an added bonus, this also helps to tighten large skin pores so your face appear much smoother and softer.
Alternatively, put your toner or moisturizer, or eye cream (great for reducing puffiness around your eyes) in the refrigerator before you go to bed. Then apply on your face to refresh tired looking skin in the morning.
2. Exfoliation should also be a regular part of your skincare routine if you want to brighten sallow skin. Scrub your skin 3 times a week to remove dull rough skin texture and reveal younger, brighter looking skin that is supple and silky soft to the touch.
I would suggest you use a facial scrub that contains natural skin brightening ingredients such as milk (lactic acid), papaya (papain), mulberry (arbutin) or licorice extract (glabridin), to name a few. I also like this super energizing MORNING BURST Facial Scrub from Clean & Clear. It has Vitamin C and Ginseng, known to invigorate, stimulate and rejuvenate weary skin naturally.
If you like to experiment with homemade face scrubs, mix a small palmful of dead sea salt with several drops of olive oil or virgin coconut oil and a few shavings of fresh ginger root. Ginger sends a warming energy below the skin to stimulate blood circulation and boost lifeless tired skin. Perfect on cold winter mornings.
3. A face mask made with mint will greatly improve fatigued and stressed skin. Mint has a soothing and cooling effect that energizes and gives life to your skin in a matter of minutes.
Together with the refreshing goodness of cucumber, this cucumber-mint face mask will surely revitalize and jump-start that tired, dull-looking skin in the morning. Mash 1 cucumber (cut into pieces first) in a food processor and then strain. You should get about ½ cup cucumber solids.
Place cucumber solids in a microwave safe bowl and add just a bit of water. Microwave on high until slightly warm to touch, about 2 minutes or so. Stir in ¼ cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves and microwave on medium for a few more minutes.
Remove and let cool completely before applying on your face. Wash off with cold water after 15 minutes.
If your face is on the oily side, try this clay mint mask. Clay tightens pores and soaks up excess oil from your skin for a fresh, clean look.
Mix 2 tablespoons Clay powder with 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Add just enough water (or rose water) to make a smooth spreadable paste.
Apply on face and relax. Wait for the clay-mint mask to dry completely, about 15-20 minutes. Remove using a clean warm wet wash cloth and warm water. Finish with a splash of cold water to invigorate tired skin.
4. It is no secret that a unhealthy diet that's high in fat and low in skin-boosting nutrients contributes to pasty-looking skin so I am not going to bore you with too many details on how to eat your way to beautiful skin and delay visible signs of aging on your face.
Just remember to consume plenty of dark green leafy vegetables (good sources of iron to prevent pale skin, brittle nails and dark eye circles) along with oily fish like salmon and tuna (omega 3 fatty acids to nourish and moisturize dry skin). Snack on Vitamin E rich almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds to keep your skin vibrant and glowing.
5. Pay attention to how much fluid you drink every day since your body needs to receive adequate hydration to maintain healthy plumping looking skin. If you don't drink enough water, your skin cells can become really dry and shrivel up, leading to premature wrinkles and dullness. Therefore, make sure to drink about 8 glasses of clean pure water daily.
Avoid caffeinated beverages since caffeine interferes with the body's absorption of vitamins and minerals like Vit C and iron, both strongly linked with dewy hydrated complexion and a rosy glow.
If you really need caffeine to get you through the day, limit yourself to no more than 2 small cups of coffee, tea or other caffeine containing beverages a day. And, gulp down an extra glass of water with each cup of caffeinated drink.
