Why Does Mature Skin Lose Its Glow?
Dullness refers to skin that appears flat, tired or lacking radiance. As we age, skin can begin to look less vibrant due to several natural changes – including slower cell turnover, reduced hydration, a weakening barrier and more visible wrinkles, fine lines and uneven pigmentation. While the first signs of ageing can appear on the skin in our 20s[1], many people notice this shift from their 30s onwards[2], as hormonal changes influence oil production, elasticity and sensitivity.
The goal of this guide is simple: to explain what’s happening beneath the surface, and offer realistic ways to support your skin so it looks brighter, smoother and more refreshed.
The Main Causes of Skin Dullness as You Age
Slower Cell Turnover
When you're younger, skin renews itself roughly every 28 days. With ageing, this renewal process slows, which can lead to a build-up of dead skin cells. This makes the surface appear matte, textured and uneven.
Reduced Collagen and Elastin
As collagen breaks down, the skin can start to sag slightly. Skin texture may become rougher and fine lines more obvious.
To learn more about the role of collagen in skin health, read our blog here, which explains how internal and external sources of collagen can work together to offer supportive benefits.
Less Natural Hydration
Your skin gradually loses natural moisturising factors. This dryness contributes to dullness and enhanced visibility of age spots and texture.
Environmental and Lifestyle Stressors
Pollution, UV exposure and everyday stress can all contribute to oxidative changes in the skin. Research suggests that UV radiation may be responsible for up to 80% of visible signs of ageing, gradually affecting skin tone and overall appearance as the skin matures[3].
Hormonal Shifts
As hormone levels change, particularly around perimenopause and menopause, the skin may feel drier, thinner and more prone to sensitivity.
To explore natural skincare that provides support during menopause, read our guide here.
Poor Circulation
As blood flow slows with age, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the surface reduces, leaving skin looking tired or washed-out.
Step-by-Step Ageing Skincare Routine
Here’s a simple, effective skincare routine to help you achieve brightened, hydrated, and radiant skin:
1. Cleanse: Some foaming cleansers can be heavily astringent, stripping away your skin’s natural oils and leaving it feeling dry or tight. Instead, switch to a gentle cleanser that removes impurities effectively while maintaining hydration and comfort.
Try: Napiers Rowan Brightening Gel Cleanser
Ideal for ageing or sensitive skin, this gentle gel formula cleanses without the tight sensation that harsher products can leave behind. Enriched with rowan berry extract, naturally high in Vitamin C, it helps brighten dull complexions, protect the skin and support the skin barrier for a refreshed, comfortable finish.
Infused with rowan berry extract naturally rich in Vitamin C, along with heather, sea buckthorn, and witch hazel, it provides antioxidant protection against daily environmental stressors and free radicals. To learn more about the benefits of rowan berry, read here.
2. Tone: Apply a hydrating toner to prep the skin for serums and moisturisers.
Toning is an often-overlooked step that can make a noticeable difference to the look and feel of ageing skin. As we get older, the skin’s natural hydration levels decline, and the barrier becomes more prone to dryness, dullness and sensitivity. A good toner helps restore balance after cleansing while adding light, comforting hydration – without heaviness or irritation.
Try: Napiers Neroli Blossom Water
Ideal for mature, dry or sensitive skin, this floral water hydrates, brightens and balances the complexion after cleansing. Its naturally rejuvenating qualities help refresh tired, lacklustre skin and soften the appearance of dullness associated with ageing.
The fine mist delivers light, instant moisture, soothing dryness or redness while keeping skin comfortable throughout the day. With its uplifting floral aroma, it doubles as a calming sensory moment. Use morning and evening as your daily toner, or spritz anytime your skin needs a gentle refresh.
3. Serum: Use a Vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid to brighten and support ageing skin.
As skin matures, it can lose brightness, hydration and evenness, making a targeted serum one of the most effective steps in an anti-ageing routine. Vitamin C helps counter dullness and uneven tone, while hyaluronic acid adds essential hydration to keep the skin feeling plump, smooth and comfortable.
Lightweight and fast-absorbing, this serum pairs stabilised Vitamin C with hydrating humectants to support the needs of ageing skin. It helps brighten a tired, lacklustre complexion, even out tone and reinforce the skin’s natural defences against daily environmental stressors – all common concerns as skin becomes more delicate over time.
Formulated with Stay-C® 50, a stable form of Vitamin C, this serum helps even out tone, improve dullness, and deliver lasting antioxidant protection without irritation. To learn more about Stay-C® 50, read our blog.
To also explore more on Vitamin C and its importance in skincare, read here.
4. Eye Cream: Choose a cooling, hydrating formula to target signs of ageing around the eyes.
The eye area is often where ageing first becomes visible – with puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and dryness appearing sooner due to the skin being thinner and more delicate. A targeted eye product can help keep this area looking smoother, brighter and well-hydrated, offering gentle daily support without heaviness.
Try: Napiers Speedwell Ageless Eye Gel
This lightweight botanical gel is designed to cool, soothe and refresh the delicate under-eye area – ideal for mature skin prone to puffiness, dryness or early fine lines. Formulated with organic Scottish speedwell, Hebridean seaweed and marine collagen, it helps soften the appearance of wrinkles while supporting the skin’s natural resilience.
Scottish Speedwell is a unique plant extract that has been proven to visibly reduce wrinkles when used for a 4 week period. Read our research on Scottish Speedwell here.
Cucumber, aloe vera, arnica and green tea offer an instant soothing effect, helping tired eyes feel calmer and more comfortable. Apple, blueberry and avocado extracts add lightweight nourishment, supporting smoother, more hydrated skin throughout the day.
5. Moisturiser: Choose a nourishing cream to soften dryness and support mature skin.
As skin ages, it can become drier, less supple and more uneven in tone, making a hydrating moisturiser an essential daily step. A formula rich in botanical oils and soothing extracts helps replenish lost moisture, soften roughness and keep the skin feeling comfortable throughout the day.
Try: Napiers Age Defiance Cream
This deeply nourishing cream is designed to support the changing needs of mature or uneven skin. Blending shea butter, cocoa butter and coconut oil, it provides lasting hydration without feeling heavy, helping to restore softness and comfort where ageing skin often feels dry or tight.
Chamomile and chickweed offer gentle soothing benefits, while mistletoe extract and natural plant oils help improve the appearance of uneven tone, age spots and dryness over time. Delicately scented with rose geranium and lemon essential oils, it brings an uplifting freshness to your routine while supporting the skin on the face, neck and hands.
6. Protect: Finish with SPF 30+ to prevent further dehydration and protect against UV damage.
Following this step-by-step skincare routine can help maintain a healthy glow as you age.
Upgrade Your Night Ritual
As we age, the skin becomes progressively drier and slower to replenish itself, making your evening routine an essential time to restore moisture and support overnight renewal. Adding richer hydration to your evening skincare routine can help maintain softness, smoothness and comfort. Using a nourishing night cream or sleeping mask is an effective way to help ageing skin feel more supple and supported by morning.
Try: Napiers Frankincense Nourish Night Cream
This deeply hydrating night cream is crafted to support mature or dry skin as it rests. Frankincense, sandalwood and vetiver provide comforting nourishment, while rosehip oil helps soften and smooth areas where fine lines or uneven texture may appear more noticeable. Shea butter creates a protective layer to seal in moisture overnight, and jojoba oil offers balancing care without clogging pores.
A blend of natural antioxidants helps defend the skin’s appearance from the visible effects of daily environmental stressors, working in harmony with your skin’s natural night-time processes.
Extra Skincare Tips to Support Ageing Skin
- Exfoliate smartly (not aggressively) to avoid increasing sensitivity
- Use antioxidants daily, like Vitamin C, to help reduce the appearance of dullness and support an even tone.
- Add retinol or a retinoid to support surface renewal, helping to improve fine lines and uneven pigmentation over time. Start slowly to reduce sensitivity.
- Boost circulation by using a regular facial massage or gua sha, helping to improve glow by stimulating microcirculation.
Lifestyle Factors That Make a Major Difference
Small, sustainable lifestyle choices can noticeably support brightness as your skin matures:
- Sleep quality: essential for overnight renewal.
- Diet rich in colourful fruits, vegetables and antioxidants.
- Hydration supports overall skin comfort.
- Stress management helps balance cortisol, which may otherwise influence skin tone and dryness.
FAQs
Why does my skin look so tired as I get older?
Ageing naturally slows renewal, hydration and circulation, which can make skin appear less bright. Simple routine changes can help support a natural glow.
How can I brighten dull, ageing skin quickly?
Focus on hydration, antioxidants and gentle exfoliation. Even small adjustments to your daily routine may make a noticeable difference.
What’s the best ingredient for dullness?
Vitamin C is a popular choice for supporting radiance, while retinol helps smooth texture over time.
Can lifestyle changes really help with ageing skin?
Yes – sleep, hydration and nutrition may all play a role in keeping skin looking fresh and supported.
References
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Eucerin. (2016) Understanding signs of ageing – How does skin age and how should I care for it? [online] Available at: Eucerin.
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Harvard Health Publishing (2023) Aging overview. Available at: Harvard Health Publishing.
- Amaro-Ortiz, A., Yan, B. and D’Orazio, J.A. (2014) ‘Ultraviolet Radiation, Aging and the Skin: Prevention of Damage by Topical cAMP Manipulation’, Molecules, 19(5), 6202-6219. Available at: NCBI.
