You slept well, have good energy level, and don’t feel exhausted but still your face looks tired. Dull skin, dark circles, and a slightly sunken look make people ask if you’re unwell or have not slept well. A tired-looking face isn’t always about sleep. It’s usually the result of small, cumulative lifestyle and grooming habits that quietly change how your skin reflects light, holds moisture, and maintains structure. Here’s what’s actually happening and how to fix it.
1. Dehydration
Even mild dehydration can make the skin look flat, wrinkly, and lifeless. It’s because dehydrated skin loses surface plumpness, fine lines appear more pronounced on it. “If you are also not having enough water or if the skin is dehydrated for various reasons, this weakens the skin barrier and thereby, reducing your collagen and elasticity of the skin. This also makes the skin look older with fine lines and dullness and uneven skin,” says Dr Madhuri Agarwal, Celebrity Dermatologist and founder of Yavana Skin Aesthetics.
To fix this, drink water consistently, not all at once; use a lightweight moisturiser daily, even if your skin is oily; and add a hydrating serum to your routine.
2. Inflammation In Body
Stress, poor diet, pollution, and alcohol trigger low-grade inflammation that dulls skin tone. “Inflammation disrupts the collagen repair and also break down the collagen faster, and elastin goes down faster. The structure of the skin becomes weak and there's increased water retention making the face puffy and tired,” explains Dr Agarwal. Needless to say, cut on late-night alcohol and sugar, use a gentle cleanser, and make sure to check on internal allergies like dairy or gluten that might also be causing inflammation internally.
3. Excessive Screen Time
Hours of staring at screens reduces blink rate and strains the eye area. “The light increases the oxidative stress which is a free radical damage and thereby, causes eye strain worsening pigmentation around eyes,” says Dr Agarwal. Using a hydrating eye cream is always beneficial, and wearing blue-light-filter glasses also helps.
4. Poor Circulation Makes Skin Look Dull
A lack of blood flow equals a lack of oxygen and the skin shows it immediately. There could be multiple reasons because of it like sedentary lifestyle, smoking or stress. “If there's poor circulation, it reduces the flow of oxygen and nutrition delivery thereby making the skin look very dull, tired and fatigued all the time,” says Dr Agarwal. Make sure you include fitness in your routine and try lymphatic drainage.
5. Inappropriate Grooming Routine
Over-cleansing, harsh scrubs, or skipping moisturiser strips the skin barrier. It can make the skin oily or dry, damaged skin barrier with fatigue lines showing on the face.
