Our skin can experience burnout too! But we found a simple way to combat fatigued skin

Let’s face it, during a time when we’re barely holding it together, the last thing we need is to hear a comment about how tired we look.

In our fast-paced and ever-changing world, sometimes we make sacrifices and take less-than-ideal shortcuts just to keep up with the demands of daily life. Aside from the obvious toll that these take on our mind and body, our lifestyle choices can also lead to a frequently experienced but not often discussed skin concern: skin fatigue.

So how exactly do we spot fatigued skin? And is there a solution that can help reboot our skin quickly overnight? Keep reading, because Daily Vanity will be answering those questions ahead.

Pssst! Read till the end to find out how you can redeem a complimentary sample of one of our favourite new anti-fatigue products!

The signs of skin fatigue and its causes

Dullness, enlarged pores, fine lines, and persistent dryness are all main indicators of skin fatigue. You may notice that your skin doesn’t reflect light as well as it used to, which makes it appear less radiant and luminous.

If you find your skin looking more sallow, feeling more parched than usual, and no longer benefiting from the skincare products in your routine, there’s a good chance your skin is probably experiencing burnout.

Maintaining a radiant complexion isn’t easy, and the reality is that there are numerous reasons why our skin is missing that coveted glow.

1. Lack of sleep and exercise

In a recent study revealed by bedding manufacturer Sleepseeker, Singapore came out on top as the most fatigued nation in the world, which doesn’t bode well for our health and skin.

Sleep is when your skin cells repair themselves and regenerate. If that period is shortened or altered, skin cells can’t perform at their optimal level. This is why anything that keeps you up at night can stand between you and glowing skin, and that includes late-night TV bingeing or scrolling on devices.

To help you get a better night’s rest, put your devices away an hour before bed and allow your mind and body to unwind and relax. Aim to log about seven to eight hours of sleep per night.

Another way to counteract skin fatigue is regular exercise. In fact, it was found that aerobic activity promotes circulation to the skin, which helps to exchange nutrients and remove toxins from our skin cells.

2. Smoking

Not only is puffing away harmful to your health, but it can also sap skin’s glow. Carcinogenic substances are extremely detrimental to the skin’s integrity and structure. Smoking causes collagen breakdown, making skin appear sallow and wrinkled over time.

To counter its skin ageing effects, you already know what to do – try to get help to quit smoking, your body, skin, and loved ones will thank you.

3. An unhealthy diet

The age-old saying “you are what you eat” very much applies here. What you put into your body is reflected in your complexion, so you won’t see radiant skin if you’re under-nourishing your body.

First, you’ll want to stay away from salty and processed foods – they enhance tissue swelling through fluid retention, which retards ideal light reflection. In addition, steer clear of foods that are high in sugar and trans fat, which are major culprits when it comes to dull skin.

A healthier diet doesn’t have to be boring, though. There are healthy food options out there to please your tastebuds, stomach, and skin. Antioxidant- and vitamin-rich foods like kiwi, blueberries, cranberries, and red beans are great for your complexion, as well as good fats like wild salmon, avocados, and walnuts.

4. Environmental aggressors

Environmental factors such as air pollution, low humidity in air-conditioned environments, and exposure to UV rays from the sun can dull unprotected skin.

Of course, you don’t have to relocate or hide in a cave to keep your skin smooth and even. Being diligent about cleansing your skin daily is a great first step to protecting your skin from pollution particles, which can clog pores and damage your skin.

You should also be slathering on sunscreen during the day to shield your skin against UV rays and pollution (yes, even when you’re indoors all day), so reach for a formula with an SPF 30 or higher.

5. Stress

Whether it’s brought on by a pressing deadline, an argument, a big life change, or just the day-to-day grind, feeling stressed and anxious plays a role in your skin’s glow - or lack of it.

When you’re under stress, your adrenal glands release the stress hormone cortisol, which affects blood flow throughout the body and damages the collagen in your skin. This accelerates the ageing process and hinders your skin’s ability to repair itself, resulting in skin fatigue.

If you’re absolutely starved for time, try carving out a few minutes per day to de-stress. It’s best to find out what relaxes you and do more of it, so it may come in the form of a quick yoga session, mindful breathing, reading, or a pampering soak in the bathtub. Whatever eases your mind and body will help you achieve better skin.

A simple way to recharge your skin overnight

Addressing the main causes of skin fatigue we shared can certainly help your complexion over time, but if you seek near-instant results and want to wake up to smoother, radiant, and poreless-looking skin the next morning, allow us to introduce you to our new secret weapon: the YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum.

Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells to make room for new cells every 28 days or so, but when it’s exhausted, this process slows down drastically, which paves the way for a dull complexion. This is why the YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum is infused with an optimal dose of 3.4% glycolic acid.

An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently buffs away the outer layers of the skin, glycolic acid speeds up cell turnover and brings fresher, younger cells to the surface. The nature-backed formula is also powered by moonlight cactus harvested from the YSL Ourika Community Gardens in Morocco.

What’s more, this exfoliator-in-oil boasts a unique bi-phase technology, which combines a lower aqueous phase with an upper oil-based phase.

Designed with sustainability in mind, YSL Beauty took a step further and created a reusable bottle, which saves 95% of plastic use as compared to purchasing a new bottle. Simply twist and remove your empty Pure Shots Serum cartridge and refill it with other serums from the Pure Shot range – it’s as easy as that.

Since the serum promises smoother, radiant, and poreless-looking skin by the first morning, I decided to put it to the test to see if it actually delivers. Read on for my full review of the YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum.

YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum review: First impressions

Like most of us who struggle to lead a healthy lifestyle amid a pandemic, I’ve been sacrificing hours of sleep to catch up on work or mindlessly scroll through TikTok. Months later, my skin started to look sullen and lacklustre. Fine lines crept around my eyes and my dark circles became more prominent too. And let’s not forget the dark spots and pigmentation – those seem to have worsened with time.

So when YSL Beauty sent over a bottle of their Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum, I was excited to try it and see what it could do for my complexion. I instantly fell in love with the gorgeous, decadent bottle and its clever, refillable system – a thoughtful touch for our modern ages.

After I cleansed my skin, I shook the bottle seven times to mix the bi-phase formula well. Then, I dispensed two pumps of the YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum into my palm and spread it evenly on my face and neck. Its refreshing, water-like texture applied like a dream, and my thirsty skin drank it up fast.

The oil-based phase comforted my skin and gave it that hint of nourishment it craved, all without leaving a greasy layer on my face. In fact, it felt like I had just applied a lightweight moisturiser on my skin. In true YSL Beauty fashion, the serum bears an intoxicating scent, which took my skincare routine to luxurious new heights.

I finished off my night routine with a layer of moisturiser to seal in all that goodness, unwinded for the rest of the evening, and headed to bed.

The next morning, I woke up to skin that felt softer and more supple. My complexion looked a little fresher than usual too, which proved the serum’s efficacy.

As I caught up on some Zs, the serum was somehow able to reset my skin overnight. It seems to work synergistically with mitosis – the process by which our cells divide and repair when we’re resting – for a more well-rested appearance the morning after.

I was sceptical at first, but the YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum quelled all my doubts overnight. I decided to use the serum for two more weeks to see how it would transform my skin.

YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum review: Results after 2 weeks

After two weeks, my skin tone looked a little more even and my complexion had taken on an unexpectedly radiant glow. My pores appeared much smaller and I saw fewer bumps and smoother texture around my forehead too.

As someone with sensitive skin, I experience redness on my cheeks and around my temples easily, but the YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum seems to have soothed those reactive areas.

It’s one of the gentlest, most comfortable formulas I’ve tried delivered in the lightest texture, yet it effectively livened up my complexion and banished the most obvious signs of fatigue. Besides that, my skin feels a tad firmer and bouncier too.

If you’ve been chasing after an ineffable glow, try the YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum yourself to see the difference.

YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum retails for S$139 (S$119 for the refill), available at ION Orchard, Isetan Scotts, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Metro Paragon, TANGS at TANG Plaza, BHG Bugis, and Takashimaya S.C.. You can also purchase it online at TANGS, Metro, Isetan, Takashimaya, and BHG Singapore.

This article is brought to you by YSL Beauty.