How sleep affects the skin
Do you get your beauty sleep? Well, if you’ve wondered how sleep and skin are related, look no further – it’s D-Day! Sleep reduces stress and plays a huge role in skin barrier health due to processes that take place such as hormone release, tissue growth, protein synthesis, and muscle repair.
Lack of sleep typically results in premature ageing, swollen eyes, less elastic skin, dark undereye circles, paler skin, and more wrinkles and fine lines.
Here are 6 benefits of sleep to healthy skin function
- The body produces human growth hormone (HGH) while we sleep to repair damaged cells.
- Blood flow to the skin increases while we sleep allowing the skin to receive more nutrients and oxygen.
- The skin gets time to regenerate and heal.
- Increased blood flow to the skin helps flush out toxins reducing breakouts.
- Sleep regulates the production of oil and moisture levels in the skin.
- Increased collagen production.
5 tips for better sleep and healthier skin
- Get enough sleep
Sleeping for anywhere around 7 to 9 hours every night is ideal for healthy skin. Avoid making it a habit to be constantly sleep deprived as this never ends well. You can invest in your bedroom to make sleep more enjoyable in a number of ways such as controlled lighting, keeping the temperature cool, listening to rain sounds in low tones using a speaker, and even getting ear plugs – if that’s your thing – why not?
Pro tip – avoid caffeine before bed like the plague.
- Wash your face before bed
Don’t just cleanse, moisturise, and protect your skin in the morning and go about your business. Skincare in the PM is also NECESSARY. Dirt, extra oil, and makeup tend to accumulate on the skin during the day so we need to get rid of it before we sleep. The consequences? Dry skin, rashes, large pores, acne, and inflammation. The skin also generally looks better when you’re consistent with your skincare routine while considering the night time.
Have a bedtime routine that includes skincare and try to stick to it as much as possible. Ensure to use a moisturiser, particularly one with hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated. For 7 ways to hydrate your skin click here. Sheet masks are also a great way to kick it in the evenings.
- Sleep on your back and elevate your head while you sleep
The position of your face while you sleep has an effect on the skin. Sleeping on a rough cotton surface usually causes wrinkles so sleeping on your back is one way to navigate this. In case it doesn’t come naturally don’t feel like you can’t take your time to practise. If you prefer sleeping on your side you can switch to silk or satin pillowcases to minimise the negative impact on your skin.
- Get exercise
The best way to remain consistent at being physically active is to indulge in exercises you actually like instead of forcing issues with yourself. Chances of falling asleep easily at night are higher when you’re physically active during the day which means healthier skin.
- Limit electronic devices in the bedroom
This is a tricky one but we all know how addictive our phones can get particularly before bed. You know how easy it is to ‘respond to the last text of the day’ then find yourself binge watching funny videos at 2AM. Guilty? This is where self-discipline comes in. You can have a room or specific place far from your bed to put all your devices when entering bed to avoid affecting the quality of your sleep and essentially your skin.
What tip will you be implementing today? Comment below.
