The Truth Behind Beauty Sleep: Can You Sleep Your Way to Healthier Skin?
I’m sure you’ve heard of the term “beauty sleep” before. Heck, maybe you’ve even used it once or twice in a conversation with your friends. According to the internet, the idiomatic expression “beauty sleep” means the sleep you need in order to feel healthy and look attractive. But did you know that it could actually be more than an idiomatic expression? Let’s dive a little deeper, shall we?
What happens when you don’t get enough sleep?
Have you noticed that when you don’t get enough sleep, your face looks dull, breaks out, and you look like you aged overnight?
Well, a recent study has revealed that inadequate sleep is associated with accelerated skin aging, a decline in skin barrier function, and a decrease in the skin’s ability to recover after UV exposure.*
When your barrier function is compromised due to lack of sleep, it won’t be able to lock in moisture and as a result, your skin can become dehydrated.
Benefits of a good quality sleep
When we sleep, our skin goes to work and restores itself by regenerating new skin cells and producing collagen. There is also more blood flow to the skin while we sleep which delivers the much-needed nutrients that helps our skin recuperate from environmental stress.
Getting good quality sleep will give you healthier skin, lesser breakouts and wrinkles, and you’ll most likely also be in a better mood and have an improved self-esteem.
How to get good quality sleep
After covering the side effects of inadequate sleep and the benefits of good quality sleep, you may now be wondering how you can improve the quality of your sleep so you can reap its benefits. Below are some tips that can help you:
1. Invest in a quality mattress, pillows, and bedding.
When you invest in a quality mattress, pillows, and beddings, not only are you more likely to be eager to go to bed early, you’ll also be more comfortable, and get the proper support your body needs while you sleep.
2. Turn your bedroom into a relaxing space
Instead of using your bedroom’s regular lighting which can be too bright, get some low lights or a lamp, and use those at night when you’re getting ready for bed. If you can, paint your bedroom walls a soothing color.
3. Avoid putting the TV inside your bedroom
This may seem like a non-negotiable for some people who prefer to have a TV in the bedroom, but sometimes we can get so caught up in our favorite series that our “just one more episode” turns into a night of binge-watching.
If you do decide to put your TV inside your bedroom, try practicing self-discipline and set a screen-time curfew for yourself, and do your best to stick to it.
4. Set a digital curfew
Disconnecting from your phone, laptop, or any digital device at least 30 minutes before bed can help you wind down and get your bodies ready for sleep. Notice that when you’re on your phone while lying down on your bed, you get caught up in wasting time on social media, and before you know it, it’s already in the wee hours of the morning.
5. Set a bedtime routine
Setting a consistent bedtime routine can help train you to fall asleep faster. Humans are creatures of habit after all. Your bedtime routine can consist of taking a warm and relaxing bath, doing your skincare routine, practicing meditation, and listening to relaxing music.
Of course, there are also some people who have sleep problems that these tips won’t be able to completely solve. If you are one of these people, consulting with a doctor would be the best step to take.
And in the real world, we can’t always afford good quality sleep especially when we have a pile of work and deadlines to beat. The next best thing would be to have good skincare products that can help combat the side effects poor quality sleep can have on the skin.
Cranberry Antioxidant Cleanse
Naturally promotes exfoliation and helps your skin appear refreshed and healthy even when you pulled an all-nighter.
Lipid Refresh Hydrating Toner
This toner offers intense replenishing hydration to all skin types. You can even re-spray throughout the day to refresh your skin.
Complex Vitamin C
The ultimate free-radical scavenger with a potent antioxidant that brightens the skin and gives you a natural glow. This powerful serum also prevents and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
Mineral Tinted SPF40 Sunscreen
Get flawless coverage and glowing skin while protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays with this tinted sunscreen.
Time Master PRO
This at-home treatment activates skin metabolism and regenerates skin cells. As you move the device, your skin will feel tighter almost immediately. And as you pass the treated area, and throughout this process, oxygen to the cells increases and removes wastes in the pores. The perfect device to help combat the side effect of poor quality sleep on the skin.
