Our pharmacist reveals the best brightening skincare for dull, winter skin
During winter, our skin is exposed to cold weather, dry winds and central heating, all of which can strip your skin's natural moisture barrier of essential lipids. As the in-house resident pharmacist for LOOKFANTASTIC, here are my top skin-brightening tips to boost radiance and help revive your dull skin!
How to prevent dry skin in winter
I recommend switch your lightweight lotion out for a thicker, cream-based moisturiser to protect your complexion from cold weather. Choose moisturisers with hydrating active ingredients like the humectant hyaluronic acid, and emollients such as ceramides to help restore moisture for a softer complexion. At night, opt for a nourishing night cream to help your skin retain moisture whilst you sleep.
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How to boost radiance in winter
Wash your face daily with gentle hydrating cleansers to help reduce the build-up that contributes to dullness. Gentle exfoliation with chemical exfoliators can help remove dead skin cells and smooth any rough texture on your skin. This can allow antioxidant serums and hydrating moisturisers to work more effectively on your skin.
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A broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF30 or higher can also help protect your skin barrier daily regardless of whether you are indoors or outdoors.
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The best brightening skincare ingredients
- AHA exfoliating acids such as glycolic acid can help gently exfoliate and smooth skin texture.
- The antioxidant Vitamin C is known for its role as a radiance booster, working to brighten dull-looking skin.
- Azelaic acid can also help refine your skin texture to help improve uneven skin tone for brighter-looking skin.
- Niacinamide can also help minimise discolouration and help even out your skin tone.
Top 5 brightening skincare products
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Formulated with 10% azelaic acid to help improve clarity and skin texture, this brightening cleanser has exfoliating and radiance-boosting properties to help even your skin tone and revive any tired, dull areas!
- Lightweight cream-gel texture
- Gently exfoliates your skin
- Suitable for all skin types
£27.40
Versed Weekend Glow Brightening Solution
Formulated with a four-acid complex (3% glycolic acid,2% lactic acid, 0.5% azelaic acid and 0.3% kojic acid), bearberry extract and vitamin C, these ingredients all work together to help promote a more radiant complexion.
- Gentle exfoliation
- Smoothens, refines and tones skin
- Suitable for all skin types
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Medik8 Super C Ferulic
This antioxidant serum has an advanced formulation that can help provide protection against environmental aggressors, such as UV light and air pollution. Formulated with 30% highly stable Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid and vitamin E, these powerhouses help enhance skin radiance and brighten your complexion.
- Rich, hydrating texture
- Suitable for normal and dry skin types
£69.00
Neostrata Resurface High Potency Cream for Dull Skin
Formulated with 18% Glycolic Acid, 2% Lactobionic Acid and vitamin E, this replenishing night cream helps to hydrate, exfoliate and smooth your skin.
- Multi-benefit cream
- Silky texture
- Softens the appearance of fine lines
- Suitable for dry skin and mature skin types. Not suitable for sensitive skin types
£50.00
First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Cream
This brightening eye-cream can help hydrate your eye area using peach micro-pearls and niacinamide to even your skin tone for a more radiant under-eye.
- Formulated with sodium hyaluronate and caffeine
- Soothes and nourishes tired-looking eyes
- Suitable for all skin types
£30.00
Shop all skincare on LOOKFANTASTIC
As someone with an affinity for all things beauty, discovering fantastic new products is my not-so-secret obsession. Over the years I've tried and tested a mountains worth of creams, serums and cleansers, finding some of my favourite 'holy-grail' products along the way. However, I'm always on the lookout for more ways to nourish my hair, perfect my dewy base, or enhance my skincare routine. Working as a beauty blogger for over 3 years, I've been lucky enough to collaborate personally with lots of amazing beauty brands including Christian Dior, The Body Shop and Dermalogica. I've used the Dermalogica special cleansing gel religiously since I first got it and their products are some of my ultimate skincare faves. When it comes to cosmetics, NARS Sheer Glow foundation is definitely my go-to - I live for a light, glowy base!
