Bringing Tired Skin Back To Life - 5 Tips From Experts

Constant stress and worry make our skin look pale and tired. Read here how to make your complexion glow again.

Tired skin: That's what experts recommend

"How are you?" Is something that friends, family, and colleagues ask us all the time. Often the answer goes in the direction of "somehow I feel tired". One of the many consequences of the challenges of the past year and the uncertainty about the months ahead is the feeling of persistent tiredness, tiredness that can be seen on our faces. We are talking about a pale complexion, dark circles under the eyes, and irritated skin.

"The current situation indirectly affects our skin in a number of ways," said Dr. Anjali Mahto, a dermatologist at Skin55 in London. “Many of us suffer from increased stress and anxiety that make us feel mentally fatigued. But that's not all. Chronic stress also affects our sleep rhythm, which leads to physical fatigue and the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which exacerbates existing skin problems."

Tired skin: That's what experts recommend | Bringing tired skin back to life - 5 tips from experts

These are the effects of stress that show up on our skin, says Noella Gabriel, Co-Founder and Global President of Elemis. “We have to realize that stress is not just something we feel, but also something our skin struggles with day in and day out,” she says. "Our skin is exposed to external stressors every day, a fact that is made worse by our emotional stress."

So even if we still sleep well, the constant stress that many of us are currently experiencing makes us feel limp and tiredness can be seen on our skin. Read here for the best tips from experts on how to counteract it.

1. A good sleep rhythm is important

"At around 9 p.m., as the day draws to a close, the body prepares for sleep by producing melatonin, a powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidant," explains Gabriel. “Melatonin ensures that the circadian rhythm remains in balance and also counteracts inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are key players in the aging process. When this process is interrupted by insomnia, stress, and worry, the body produces cortisol. This in turn prevents the body from producing hyaluronic acid, which is a natural moisturizer. " All of this means that poor sleep can lead to dry and dehydrated skin, resulting in a dull complexion and a damaged skin barrier.

Given that many of us currently work from home and may not wear makeup there, skipping the nightly skincare routine can be tempting. However, by doing this, you are missing out on an opportunity to aid the skin's repair mechanisms, which work while you sleep. The best products on the market counteract this. Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair makes use of the circadian rhythm to make your complexion look more even and provide more glow. In contrast, the Elemis Ultra Smart Pro-Collagen Night Genius night cream has been proven to strengthen the protective function of the skin so that the skin's own moisture can be better stored; this makes the skin less sensitive. It was also found that the cream moisturizes the skin for a full 72 hours. Both of these products can help make you look more rested than you might feel.

2. Give your eye area enough moisture

"When my patients think they look tired, they are often referring to changes in the upper third of their face, especially the area around the eyes," said Dr. Mahto. "The problems range from discoloration of the skin and dark circles under the eyes to fine or deep wrinkles and depressions due to loss of volume and the associated bags under the eyes."

According to Dr. Mahto the key to a fresh look. “Make sure that the eye area is sufficiently hydrated. A good eye moisturizer, with caffeine or peptides, can temporarily improve fine lines by smoothing the surface of the skin. In addition, products with vitamins A and C can help to lighten dark circles under the eyes to a certain extent. "

The Honest Beauty Depuff Eye Gel with caffeine and chamomile for a calming effect is excellent day care for the area under the eyes. Due to the light texture, the eye gel can also be applied well under make-up. If you are concerned about small wrinkles, try La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol Eye Cream with non-irritating retinol, which combats signs of fatigue. The easiest and most effective way to improve the complexion of your skin is to increase the skin's moisture level. The Dr. Dennis Gross B³Adaptive SuperFoods Stress Repair Face Cream strengthens the skin barrier with the help of niacinamide, while avocado, kiwi, and bush plum provide more moisture and a more radiant complexion and help the skin to cope better with stress.

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3. Don't forget to clean your face

You may find that you don't need to clean your skin before bed if you haven't left the house all day. But indoor spaces also have airborne contaminants, and it's important to remove excess sebum and dead skin that has built up over the course of the day. Gabriel even recommends cleansing the face in two steps. “For me, cleansing is the basis for beautiful skin,” she says. "Start the double-cleansing with an oil-based cleanser like the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm to remove impurities and make-up residues deeply." The second step should consist of a formula that is tailored to your specific skin situation and, for example, has a moisturizing effect or works against pimples. "With double-cleansing, you create an optimal basis on which oils and serums can achieve their maximum effectiveness."

4. Put a stop to dull skin

Pale skin and a lack of glow are often the reason why we think we look tired. "You can use a gentle chemical peel to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, revealing a lighter complexion," said Dr. Mahto.

Are you dealing with sensitive skin? "Use a toner with polyhydroxy acid (PHA) in the winter months, which exfoliates without peeling or drying out the skin too much." The Zelens PHA + Bio-Peel Resurfacing Facial Pads are ideal. Put it over cleansed skin every evening before applying moisturizer. The pads contain PHA, which creates a gentle peeling effect - perfect for sensitive skin.

Pamper your skin once a week with the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Baby Facial. With 25 percent AHA acid and two percent BHA acid, the formula ensures wonderfully smooth skin. For particularly dry skin, leave the SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight on overnight. The peeling mask loosens dead skin and supports cell exchange, which means it has an extremely skin-cleansing effect.

5. Take a deep breath

Gabriel also has perhaps the simplest tip: take a few deep breaths. “I'm a big fan of taking deep breaths to make the skin relax and softer,” she says. “Because so many of us sit hunched over our desks for hours, day in and day out, our breathing is pretty shallow. Breathing, breathing deeply, is important for our body to function properly.

“From digestion to detoxification, without oxygen, our cells, and this also applies to our skin cells, simply cannot do their job optimally. When we breathe in deeply, the diaphragm descends. This allows the lungs to expand and take in oxygen. In the lungs, oxygen is replaced by low-oxygen blood, which then flows into the body's circulation. In this way, all vital processes are supported. And that is exactly what our tired skin needs right now."