Is dull skin getting you down? Are you trying to figure out ways to get rid of dullness???

It happens many times, that you consistently layer on products on your skin only to no avail! This is because of the dead skin cell build up on the surface. Let’s see what dead skin cells are exactly…

What are Dead Skin Cells?

Sebaceous glands are naturally occurring glands in your skin that produce hydrating oils and possess a built-in course where by they produce new cells, while simultaneously shedding the dead ones. 

Skin cells basically comprise the protein keratin which form your skin layer called the epidermis. In its lifecycle, a single cell is known to travel from the epidermis to the dermis reaching the outermost layer of your skin. The outer most layer comprises the dead skin cells.

As the cells reach the outermost layer of your skin, they tend to die and then shed off naturally. This process is termed as desquamation. Around 40,000 cells are shed per hour in your body via desquamation and it takes a months’ time for a cell to reach this stage of desquamation. 

What Causes Dead Skin?

It is very important to understand the root cause of dead skin accumulation to get rid of it. Most common causes of dead skin cells are environmental factors. A drastic change in weather with sudden rise and fall of temperatures may affect the moisture retention levels of your skin. behavioral changes also play a part for dead skin formation along with other skin conditions. Here we have put together for you a list of factors that cause accumulation of dead skin cells. 

It is very important to understand the root cause of dead skin accumulation to get rid of it. Most common causes of dead skin cells are environmental factors. A drastic change in weather with sudden rise and fall of temperatures may affect the moisture retention levels of your skin. behavioural changes also play a part for dead skin formation along with other skin conditions. Here we have put together for you a list of factors that cause accumulation of dead skin cells. 

Weather

The weather surely impacts how your skin retains moisture. in winter for instance, the temperature and humidity level tend to be low, hence the skin struggles to stay hydrated. This causes dead skin cells and hence a dull complexion. 

Hot Showers

Hot showers can cause more damage to your skin than you can imagine, disturbing your moisture barrier. This renders your skin unable to battle dryness therefore creating a build up of unwanted dead skin cells on the surface which seems to be a common skincare concern. 

Harsh Soaps

Soaps are great for removing oiliness and dirt from your skin surface. But if you use overly harsh soaps, you are likely to rid your skin off the natural oils from your skin, drying it furthermore, hence causing dead skin cell build up. 

Makeup Residue

It is very common to be applying makeup for many of you on a regular basis, especially for ones who are working. Now what happens is, most of you tend to sleep without removing your makeup properly or at all for that matter. This lack of proper cleansing, leaves make up residue on your skin which doesn’t make way for dead skin cells to shed off your skin layer. 

More so, the thick makeup layer creates more dead skin cells. So, girls even if you are only applying sunscreen on your face, you should be aware even this could mess up with your skin. 

P.S. always apply a hydrating sunscreen. 

How Can You Remove Dead Skin Cells?

After discussing the few causes of dead skin cell build up, now we will be considering the solutions to effectively eradicate them. But first you need to make sure that when it comes to the face in specific you should use a gentle method avoiding all the delicate area around your eyes and lips. You can use physical as well as chemical methods to remove dead skin cells.

Manual Cleansing Methods

Facial Scrub

These are commonly used to eliminate dead skin cells from your skin. However, you need to be sure of what ingredients it contains and if they’re well suited to your skin type. Avoid formulations with hard particles like nutshell which can cause micro tears. 

It is best to use scrubs that are sugar and salt based since these can easily dissolve and have a gentle impact on your skin. Nevertheless, be careful with their use not using them more than once a week. 

You can prepare your own facial scrubs rather than going for commercial ones. You can use coffee, oatmeal, brown sugar, clay etc. Right after cleansing it is suggested that you apply lightweight moisturiser. 

Washcloth

You can take a washcloth if your skin is super sensitive. Make sure that the cloth is clean and soft. Dampen it with warm water and gently rub it on your skin in circles. This will cleanse your pores thoroughly as well as remove dead skin cells.

Sponging

There are many sponges available in the market under different brands. You can purchase one as per your liking and wet it with warm water. Wring it so the water droplets are not dripping all over you. 

Wipe your skin with the sponge in light circular strokes. Make sure not to apply a lot of pressure on your skin as that could disrupt your skin barrier. This should easily eradicate the dead skin cells from the surface.

Chemical Cleansing Methods

Retinol

A form of vitamin A, retinol is widely used in skincare. But since it has the tendency to cause inflammation, you must avoid it if you have eczema, rosacea or psoriasis. 

AHAs

These work by dissolving the outermost layer of your skin to reveal new cells. You can use AHAs for making pores appear small and decrease the appearance of fine lines on your face. The most commonly used AHA is glycolic acid. 

BHAs

BHAs work by penetrating through your pores to decongesting them. they are best for oily and combination skin. the most common type of BHA stands to be salicylic acid which is referred by dermatologists for treating acne. 

The Final Verdict

Accumulation of dead skin cells is a common skincare concern owing to environmental, behavioural and other factors. Nonetheless there are many treatments you can take to eliminate them and get a glowing complexion. If you are experiencing dull skin you may want to try the tips we have suggested above!