Beauty Sleep 101: The Skin Benefits of a Good Night’s Rest
Finally, a beauty solution that’s free, fun and possible to do in bed… Sleeping! It’s sleeping. (That’s what you were thinking, right?)
Getting enough sleep is hugely important to your overall health and emotional wellbeing. But good sleep is also probably the most rejuvenating thing you can do for your skin.
How sleep effects skin health
The optimal amount of sleep falls somewhere between 7-9 hours, depending on the person. During that time your body is producing a growth hormone that is essential for cell regeneration and only activated while sleeping (sorry, no shortcuts). Your body is also producing new collagen, which keeps skin strong and elastic, more resilient to aging and environmental factors. Also, the blood flow below the surface of your skin increases while you sleep, allowing muscles to relax and wrinkles to soften. In other words: you slow down the aging process. In addition, your body heals itself more efficiently while you sleep, so everything from eczema to bruises will actually heal faster if you get the right amount of shuteye.
Conversely, when you’re tired blood flow is restricted which can make skin look dull. In fact, your entire system becomes stressed when you don’t get enough rest, which can actually accelerate the effects of aging on your skin.
How to improve your sleep
Not a natural sleeper? Don’t start popping pills just yet – there are plenty of gentle lifestyle fixes that can help cure insomnia and nighttime restlessness.
- Set a bedtime and stick to it, preferably before midnight. The consistency helps reprogram your body’s natural rhythm.
- Don’t drink caffeine after 3pm. If you still struggle with insomnia, try cutting out caffeine altogether.
- Exercise daily.
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine to help you wind down. You can practice restorative yoga poses to quiet the mind and relax the body. Or, take a warm bath with essential oils that are good for relaxation like lavender.
How to maximize the beauty benefits
There are a few steps you can take to further improve the beauty benefits of sleep.
- Absorption is at its peak while you sleep, so choose a vitamin-packed, rich night cream that will seal in moisture and deliver nutrients to your slumbering dermis. Apply 45 minutes before you hit the sac, so it has a chance to absorb before your face starts rubbing against the pillowcase.
- Use a dense hand repair lotion AND lip recovery treatment.
- Turn the heat off (or down) and open a window to ensure a fresh supply of oxygen throughout the night.
- Change your pillowcases every 3 days.
- Lie on your back. If you lie on your stomach or favor a side, you could be restricting blood flow to certain areas over and over, that can eventually lead to unbalanced wrinkles.
Do you notice a difference in your skin when you get a good night’s sleep? Share with us in the comments or on our Facebook page.
Want to learn more about your skin’s needs? OKU, your personal skin care coach helps take away the guess work by analyzing your skin below the surface, and giving you an assessment of your skin along with tips on lifestyle, diet and products to help address your concerns. Learn more and pre-order at getoku.com.
