Refreshed and Glowing: 6 Ways to Avoid Looking Haggard

Does your skin look fatigued? Has anybody commented that “you look tired”? This is probably due to dullness and uneven skin tone, as well as blemishes, under eye circles, and signs of aging. The additional stress in your job or personal life is the common culprit, but in many cases, your lifestyle is the one to blame. 

Continue reading as we share what you can do to avoid looking haggard or less tired. 

1. Don’t forget to exfoliate

An accumulation of dead skin cells is one of the main causes of dull skin. This can be due to age, which can slow down natural cell renewal, as well as inadequate cleansing and unprotected sun exposure. Weather and climate can also be the culprit, as dry environments and indoor heating can dehydrate the skin and promote dead skin cell buildup.

What helps: Exfoliate regularly or based on your skin type. Many recommend using chemical exfoliators, as these don’t use abrasives or microbeads that can potentially cause little tears in the skin. It involves the use of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) that can break down skin surface cells and reveal clearer skin underneath. 

You can also consider non-invasive treatments that resurface your skin and unclog pores. At Sanctuary by Cutis, we have the HydraMaster, which is a multi-step facial that cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates the skin. It also involves the delivery of a nourishing solution to protect and hydrate the skin.

We also have VI Peel in Singapore, which is a chemical peel that can improve the tone, texture, and clarity of your skin. It contains a special formulation that resurfaces the skin and helps unveil a clearer, brighter complexion. Benefits include: 

• Softens lines and wrinkles
• Reduces or fades age spots and hyperpigmentation
• Clears acne skin conditions
• Reduces acne scars
• Helps stimulate the production of collagen

2. Wear sunscreen daily 

Sun is one of the skin’s worst enemies. Prolonged and unprotected exposure not only dries out the skin and depletes its natural oils, but also prematurely ages the skin and increases your risk of skin cancer. Photoaging or the premature aging of the skin due to UV radiation can lead to:

• Pigmentation changes (age spots, melasma, freckles)
• Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth
• Spider veins on the face
• Thinning of the skin
• Loss of elasticity

What helps: Make sure to wear sunscreen every day, regardless of the weather. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply after sweating, swimming, or toweling. You can also benefit from limiting your exposure, especially during peak hours (between 10 am and 4 pm), seeking shade, and accessorizing with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

3. Establish a good nighttime routine

Nighttime is when your body produces melatonin, a natural hormone that helps balance your circadian rhythm and regulate other hormones. While melatonin is not essential for human sleep, it is often referred to as “sleeping hormone. This is because its production rises in the evening or the dark, and people sleep better when melatonin is secreted.  

Too little light during the day and exposure to bright lights in the evening can disrupt melatonin cycles. Poor sleep and stress can also interrupt this process and even prompt your body to produce more cortisol and cause increased inflammation. Elevated cortisol can also inhibit the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, resulting in dry, dehydrated, and dull skin, with impaired moisture barrier.

What helps: Aim to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep and keep a consistent sleeping schedule. Regular sun exposure (10 to 30 mins a day) is also beneficial, as well as limiting the use of electronic devices before bedtime. Also, make sure not to skip your nighttime skincare routine. Cleanse, apply serums, and moisturize to support the skin’s repairing mechanism while you’re sleeping. 

4. Avoid or limit sugary foods/drinks

A diet high in sugar can contribute not only to weight gain and increased risk of serious medical conditions, but also to skin aging and dullness. Excess sugar can cause your insulin levels to spike, resulting in inflammation. This can negatively affect the clarity of your skin and contribute to clogged pores and breakouts, as well as exacerbate other skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. 

A sugary diet, furthermore, is associated with weakening collagen and elastin fibers. Too much of it binds with proteins in the bloodstream. This can result in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are molecules known to increase the breakdown of collagen and elastin fiber. This can contribute to wrinkling and sagging.

What helps: While it seems impossible to completely eliminate sugar, you can limit your intake. Read labels and stay away from those with lots of added sugars, which can go by different names such as corn syrup, high fructose syrup, cane juice syrup, fruit concentrate, and more.

5. Add antioxidants to your skincare regimen

Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals to protect the skin and improve its appearance. Fruits and vegetables are natural sources of antioxidants, but they are also added to skincare products, such as serums and creams. A quality vitamin C serum is a good source of antioxidants that can help combat oxidative stress and signs of aging.

What helps: Vitamins with antioxidant properties include A (retinol), B3 (niacinamide), C (ascorbic acid), E (alpha-tocopherol), polyphenols, and zinc. Dr. Sylvia’s 20% Vitamin C with Ferulic acid also contains tocopherols, providing protection against free radicals. It can also improve signs of aging and fade pigmentation. Benefits include: 

• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Evens skin tone for a brighter complexion
• Protects skin from environmental damage by neutralizing free radicals
• Suitable for all skin types

6. Quick fixes to freshen up your look

Here are a few other things you can do to freshen up your look immediately:

• Take a cold shower to wake you up, feel more alert, and potentially boost your mood and reduce anxiety. 
• Don’t forget to moisturize while your skin is damp. 
• Use a concealer to hide some dullness or discoloration. Just a dab of the product is enough and only apply it in areas where you need it. 
• Put spoons in the freezer (for 10 to 20 minutes) and place the backs of the spoons under your eyes. This can help minimize puffiness. 
• Go easy on your eye makeup; avoid smokey dark eyes or using black liner and dark brown shadows.
• Avoid a too tight or sleek hairstyle. Keep your hair loose and let a few pieces float. 
• Energize your look by wearing clothes in bright colors such as red, yellow, and orange.

Make Sanctuary by Cutis your skincare destination for achieving your beauty goals. WhatsApp us at +65 9780 2079 to learn more or book an appointment.