What’s the best skincare routine to prevent a dull complexion?

Don’t we all long to have glowing skin all year round? Learn more about the kind of skincare routine you should follow to restore balance, luminosity and radiance.

When your skin is uneven and lacks radiance, the result is a dull complexion. Depending on your natural skin tone, your skin may look gray, or even (in the case of very dark skin tones) have an olive tinge. You might also see pigmentation marks, some darker than others – especially if you’ve spent a little too much time in the sun… Your face looks tired every day, your skin no longer reflects the light, and you feel like you’ve lost both your inner and outer glow!

There are many reasons why your skin might lose its radiance, starting with climatic conditions. The cold winter weather can take a toll on your skin – and take away its glow! Too much sunshine (and too little sun protection) can do the same.

But you can’t just blame the weather when your skin is looking (excuse the pun) under the weather! Your lifestyle plays a role too. Pollution, smoking, alcohol, oxidative stress, lack of sleep, a diet that’s not as healthy as it could be… They can all directly affect your skin’s beauty. And it’s worth taking a closer look at the products you’re putting on your skin too. If your skincare routine isn’t right for you, it could prevent your skin from catching the light, and certainly won’t make it look its best.

It’s the first step in any skincare routine – and the most important one! Cleansing is an essential daily beauty step, as it purifies the skin of your face, encourages cell renewal, and helps to prevent the appearance of the first signs of aging. When it comes to choosing your facial cleanser, look for one that will fit your preferences and match your skin’s mood.

Our tip: If you want your skin to glow with health, give double cleansing a go! This method consists of cleansing your skin with two complementary products in order to effectively remove impurities while promoting skin renewal.

Begin with a cleansing oil or balm to dissolve makeup and lift away pollution particles, then follow with a gentle cleansing gel or lotion to complete the cleansing process. It goes without saying that you should give priority to natural, certified-organic formulas, which are better for both your skin and the environment.

These products are perfect for dissolving all those impurities lingering on your face at the end of the day. Both makeup and pollution particles are lipophilic (i.e., fat- or oil-loving, and soluble in oil), so they’re quickly dissolved when you apply an oil-based makeup remover. Sweat and dust, meanwhile, are hydrophilic (water-loving and soluble in water), so they’ll be removed once you’ve added warm water to work up a lather.

Ideal for all skin types, and even highly reactive skin, Le Baume Céleste is a soothing oil-in-gel makeup remover that helps to regulate blemishes and even out skin tone. This certified-organic formula contains (among other ingredients) Blue Tansy, and Coconut and Chaulmoogra oils, which trap impurities while protecting your skin’s hydrolipidic film.

To complete your cleansing routine and remove any remaining impurities, use a gentle cleansing gel, lotion or cream. Ideal for sensitive skin, La Crème Douce Démaquillante gently removes makeup and cleanses the face. It contains Pracaxi oil, St John’s Wort and Neroli, which together work to nourish, regenerate, and restore balance to your skin. If you have combination or oily skin, opt for Le Nettoyant Pureté. This certified-organic formula contains Roman Chamomile, which calms irritations, White Willow (rich in salicylic acid) to combat blemishes, and Oat, to soothe inflammation.

At the end of the skin cell renewal cycle, which lasts about 28 days, skin cells are renewed. Once these cells have moved up from the basal layer (the lowest layer of the epidermis) to the stratum corneum (the uppermost layer), they become dead “squamous” cells. While the stratum corneum and hydrolipidic film certainly protect the skin, a build-up of dead cells on the skin’s surface will make it look dull.

When you exfoliate, you slough away all those dead cells that have built up on your face. Exfoliation helps to keep blemishes at bay, makes your skin more receptive to the active ingredients in your skincare products, boosts cell renewal, and stimulates collagen and elastin production.

A quick word of warning: make sure you always use mild, non-abrasive exfoliants. And don’t use them too often either! Once every two weeks is often enough for normal, combination and oily skin types. And if you have sensitive, reactive or mature skin, you should exfoliate even less often – once every three to four weeks.

To exfoliate your skin really gently, put your trust in La Crème Gommante. Rich in exfoliating fruit acids, it contains very fine, rounded granules derived from fossilized microalgae called Diatoms. This organic face scrub promises to revive dull skin and give it a radiance boost! Apply to slightly damp, clean skin and leave on for a few minutes so that the AHAs can start to lift away dead cells. Then gently massage the face with circular movements before rinsing off with clean water. If your skin is extra sensitive, skip the massage step and simply leave the scrub on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing.

Well-hydrated skin catches the light better. So, after cleansing and/or exfoliating, treat your skin to a moisturizing routine tailored to its mood. There’s plenty of choice available, with moisturizing essences, serums, oils, creams and masks that infuse cells with moisture, leaving skin visibly plumped.

Morning and evening, spray La Brume Systémique over the face, neck and décolleté, then pat and press it into the skin. Halfway between a toner and a serum, this bi-phase mist nourishes, moisturizes and boosts radiance. It’s enriched with Rose Hip oil, Neroli hydrosol and Anthyllis – active ingredients that work to soothe, firm and even out the skin.

Serums make excellent hydration boosters, and can be applied before your day cream to give your skin some extra moisture. They can also be used on their own – especially if you have oily skin. Le Sérum Anti-Soif replenishes your skin with moisture. This certified-organic formula is enriched with soothing and hydrating Aloe Vera. It also contains Alpine Skullcap, which stimulates beta-endorphins (“feel-good molecules”) in the skin, and Elderberry Flower, with softening and emollient properties. Like a big glass of water for your skin, Le Sérum Anti-Soif increases hydration of the upper layers of the epidermis by 188%* within an hour!

*Laboratory test result

No skincare routine is complete without a moisturizing cream! This beauty staple nourishes your skin, leaving it better protected against environmental aggressors. And of course, there’s a moisturizing cream for every skin type: normal, combination, oily, dry, sensitive or mature! Just choose the one that best meets your skin’s needs.

A facial oil can be used by day and/or night. It nourishes, protects, and helps to seal in moisture by forming a film that prevents the evaporation of water from the skin. Look for a natural, certified-organic face oil, and steer clear of mineral oils, which clog pores, provide no real benefits for your skin, and are very bad for the environment. Our Addiction oil is a certified-organic, does-it-all face oil that meets all your skin’s needs. Made with a blend of 27 botanical oils and antioxidant ingredients, it works to nourish, smooth, regenerate, and regulate your skin. Its ingredients include Helichrysum essential oil, which helps to improve skin texture, and is also known to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and scars.

Would you like to find the ideal moisturizing routine for your skin? Read our article on the subject, or get an online skin diagnosis. It only takes 3 minutes!