Your skin can start to look dull and lackluster for many reasons, including exposure to environmental stressors, dead skin cell buildup, and a diet lacking essential nutrients. The good news is that most of these causes have solutions.

If your complexion has been looking less than radiant lately and you're wondering how to brighten skin quickly and effectively, you have several options. Read on to discover six simple tweaks you can make to your routine to transform your skin from dull and damaged to bright and healthy.

Top Causes of Dull Skin

Knowing how to brighten skin starts with understanding what causes your radiance to fade in the first place. All of the following can lead to a dull complexion:

• Dead skin cell buildup
• Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, diet, or stress
• Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and pollution
• Dehydration
• Weather extremes
• Sun damage
• Dry skin

What Helps Brighten Skin?

Everyone's brightening routine will look a little different depending on factors like genetics, age, climate, lifestyle, and skin care habits, but you can follow some basic best practices. Try these tips to help keep your complexion luminous and healthy.

1. Apply a Brightening Serum
   

   One of the easiest, most effective ways to get more radiant skin is to start using a targeted brightening serum. For example, PCA SKIN Vitamin b3 Brightening Serum with 6 percent Niacinamide, Plankton Extract, and an advanced ingredient blend decreases excess pigment production while reducing dark spots and evening skin tone. Meanwhile, Niacinamide is a powerful yet gentle antioxidant known for its ability to minimize redness, reduce transepidermal water loss, and boost skin barrier health. When used consistently, a brightening serum can help you achieve a glowy, healthier appearance.
   
   

2. Exfoliate Regularly
   
   Ask any Dermatologist what helps brighten skin and they'll tell you gentle exfoliation is crucial. Without it, dead skin cells accumulate on the skin's surface, creating a noticeably duller appearance. Exfoliation buffs away buildup, resulting in a brighter, smoother complexion. The key is to be gentle so you don't harm your skin barrier. A product like PCA SKIN Daily Exfoliant is mild enough to use every day and contains soothing ingredients like Green Tea Extract and Aloe Leaf Juice to help calm skin and minimize irritation.
   
   
3. Use Sunscreen Year-Round
   

   Using sunscreen daily (yes, even during the winter!) is vital to maintaining healthy, resilient skin. If you're not diligent about sunscreen use, especially during peak hours, cumulative exposure to UV rays can lead to signs of premature aging, like fine lines and wrinkles, sun spots, sagging, and—you guessed it—dullness. By incorporating a broad-spectrum sunscreen like PCA SKIN Hydrator Plus Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 into your routine, you can slow the natural aging process and help keep your skin healthy and bright. Remember to reapply every two hours or more often if you're sweating or swimming.
   
   

4. Keep Skin Moisturized
   
   Dry skin takes on a dull appearance. After cleansing and applying serum, gently pat an emollient moisturizer into your skin to lock in water and help keep your skin nourished, balanced, and bright. For example, PCA SKIN HydraBright is a cloudlike daily moisturizer that brightens dry, lackluster skin by targeting the three common causes of dull skin: dryness, rough texture and uneven skin tones.
   
   
5. Try a Brightening Face Mask
   
   Using a concentrated face mask once or twice a week can help rejuvenate your complexion and encourage a healthier, brighter-looking skin tone. PCA SKIN Revitalizing Mask with Papaya Enzymes, Vitamin E, and Honey gently exfoliates and purifies skin while soothing, hydrating, and nourishing. Reveal visibly smoother, softer skin that looks lit from within.
   
   
6. Stay Hydrated
   Finally, hydrate from the inside out by drinking enough water (generally somewhere between four and six cups of water a day) and eating hydrating and nutrient-rich foods. Leafy green vegetables and fruits like watermelon, berries, and oranges are always a great way to go!
   

Brighter Skin for the Win

From preventing sun damage to beating dullness from dehydration or skin cell buildup, you can take action to transform your skin. If you need a little support, contact a skin care professional near you for expert advice and a customized treatment plan. No matter how you get there, know you're on the path to feeling better in the skin you're in.

Author:
Kaleigh Fasanella
Kaleigh Fasanella is a New Jersey-based beauty and wellness reporter with over a decade of experience writing for both digital outlets and brands. She previously worked at magazines like Allure and Teen Vogue before going freelance to write for a variety of publications. While she loves all aspects of beauty, she's especially passionate about skin care and helping others learn about and care for their skin.