Get Your Beauty Sleep: How Sleep Benefits Your Skin

Do you know how sleep benefits your skin? We are told to get our beauty sleep but here are reasons beauty sleep is so important. A lack of sleep can result in obvious outward effects such as dark circles and puffy eyes, but that’s not all. Being sleep deprived can cause long-term damage to your skin. Keep these beauty benefits in mind next time you’re tempted to stay up late binge-watching a new show!

Helps creams and serums work better

Creams designed to reduce wrinkles work better at night. Prescription retinoic acid cream or over-the-counter retinol creams aren’t stable in sunlight, but putting them on before bed will increase their efficacy. When the body is sleeping, blood flow increases to the skin. Creams and lotions applied to the face will be absorbed more quickly.

Slows the aging process

Production of collagen — a protein that helps keep skin strong and firm — happens at night while the body is at rest. During sleep, the body also produces growth hormone, which helps repair cell and tissue damage. While sleep won’t reverse the aging process, getting enough sleep can help slow down the effect it has on your skin.

Heals the skin

Many skin disorders such as acne, eczema, and rosacea can flare when you feel stressed. Sleep loss results in elevated levels of cortisol, the hormone that fuels the body’s “fight or flight” response during a crisis. In addition to skin issues, elevated cortisol levels contribute to chronic inflammation, which also takes a toll on the skin. Not only can inflammation make the skin appear puffy, it slows down wound healing and breaks down collagen, which can accelerate the aging process. Adequate sleep is essential for keeping cortisol and inflammation under control.

Promotes cellular repair

The face isn’t the only place that has skin. During the day, the body is bombarded with ultraviolet radiation from the sun and pollutants in the air. During the sleep cycle, oxygen is delivered to the cells, helping them repair themselves. Injuries throughout the body, visible or not, heal more quickly when the body is well rested.

Beauty sleep best practices

• Always wash your face before bed. Makeup and debris from the day can clog pores and cause breakouts. Thoroughly remove eye makeup, which can get into your eyes while you sleep and cause irritation or infection.
• Use a nighttime moisturizer specially formulated to provide hydration while you sleep. Your skin needs more hydration at night, when the body can become dehydrated.
• Stay well hydrated throughout the day, and drink a glass of water before bed to avoid nighttime dehydration.
• Sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on your face, which can contribute to wrinkle formation.
• Combat inflammation with a healthy diet and anti-inflammatory supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids.

Look and feel your best with aesthetic services from Garcia Weight Loss and Wellness Centers. We offer an array of aesthetic services, including Botox, dermal fillers, Venus Freeze, and more. Request a free consultation to learn how we can help you be the most confident version of yourself!