We’ve all heard the phrase “beauty sleep” and possibly wondered if it’s a real thing or just another old cliché phrase. The truth is that beauty sleep is very real.
A good night’s rest is good for your skin as it keeps wrinkles, dark circles, and puffy eyes at bay. Getting enough sleep also increases blood flow to your skin and helps it glow while also keeping it hydrated. During deep sleep, your body starts to produce growth hormones that help repair your skin. The result is beautiful and healthy skin.
Want to know how else your skin benefits from beauty sleep? Read on.
#1 – Glowing Skin
Sleeping too little leads to increased production of cortisol, a stress hormone often released when your body and skin are stressed. High cortisol levels are typically responsible for stress-related skin problems, such as breakouts.
However, during sleep, your skin is no longer under stress, and the production of cortisol diminishes. This promotes the healing of blemishes, acne, eczema, and other skin-related issues which leads to an even, healthy, glowing complexion.
#2 – Fewer Wrinkles
A good night’s rest allows the body to increase production of collagen and this is important to combat wrinkles and other signs of ageing. Collagen is a growth hormone that helps keep your skin plump, preventing fine lines and wrinkles.
Getting enough sleep also helps repair any skin damage such as wrinkles caused by UV rays and other environmental stressors. Additionally, skin tissue grows during sleep which improves its elasticity – a signifier of youthful skin.
#3 – No More Dark Circles
Sleep deprivation causes your skin blood vessels to dilate under the thin layer of your eyes. The result is dark circles and puffy eyes.
Dark circles are caused by reduced skin elasticity which tends to happen when we don’t get 7-8 hours of shut eye per night. As mentioned earlier, the production of collagen when you’re asleep improves your skin’s elasticity, which also helps reduce the appearance of dark circles.
So, next time you notice puffy eyes, eye bags, or dark circles on your skin, take preventative action by getting an hour or two extra hours in bed.
#4 – Improved Blood Flow
During sleep, blood flow increases to the skin. Blood helps deliver the nutrients your skin needs to heal and repair itself. Improved blood flow also gets rid of the waste that causes damage to your skin. If you cut back on sleep, you’ll reduce the circulation of nutrients to your skin which will further damage and dry it out.
#5 – Sleep Enhances Skin Hydration
Skin hydration is also related to sleep. Research shows that getting enough sleep increases skin moisture levels and decreases sebum production.
In short, the less sleep you get, the drier and more dehydrated your skin becomes. Your skin’s lipid barrier, also called the moisture barrier, helps lock in moisture. Unfortunately, when this barrier is damaged, it leads to skin dehydration. When you’re asleep, your skin gets enough time to repair the damaged lipid barrier, which helps replenish moisture.
So, next time you are recommended to get seven hours of beauty sleep, take notice. And if you’re struggling to get this much-needed shut-eye, invest in some soft eucalyptus Tencel sheets or a new mattress to help you get the rest you need to feel and look beautiful.
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