The Benefits of Beauty Sleep.
Is a lack of quality sleep and late bedtimes upsetting your skin?
We all know the importance of sleep for our overall health and well-being.
However, few of us know about the skin's nighttime repair system, and how late bedtimes and insufficient sleep can negatively impact our skin.
During the day, your skin is a barrier that protects and defends itself against the elements, including UV exposure, free radical damage, pollution, germs, climate factors, and more.
At night, your skin enters Renew, Regenerate, and Repair mode.
Skin renewal rate almost doubles,
Collagen production rises at night, which helps to minimise fine lines & wrinkles and keep the skin looking its best.
Cortisol levels decrease during sleep; high levels of stress hormones contribute to acne breakouts, inflammation, and premature aging.
Melatonin (known for its antioxidant & anti-aging properties) production increases, repairing UV-induced damage
Blood flow to the skin increases, allowing the skin to receive more oxygen & nutrients. This helps to detoxify the skin and improve the skin's appearance.
Late Bedtimes and Poor Quality Sleep
Countless studies have shown that poor quality sleep and late bedtimes are linked to undesirable changes in skin complexion.
Significant decrease in skin hydration content, skin firmness, and elasticity.
Significant increase in transepidermal water loss (moisture), poor quality sebum production, and wrinkle formation.
Significant impairment of the integrity of the skin barrier, damaged skin structure, and disrupted water-oil balance.
Our Top Tips for Beauty Sleep
Now that we’ve explained the link between optimal sleep and optimal skin health, you can understand why we talk to our clients about the importance of good sleep hygiene.
Sleep hygiene refers to healthy habits, behaviours, and environmental factors that can improve the quality of our sleep.
Try to keep a consistent sleep schedule. This means getting up and going to bed around the same time every day, and ensuring you get at least 7-8 hours of zzz’s in.
Limit screen time and bright light exposure in the evenings.
Exercise daily and avoid eating dinner too late.
Take a high-quality magnesium supplement.
Our favourite…create a relaxing night-time routine. A calming evening ritual can help the body and mind relax and prepare for sleep. Do your night-time skin-care routine mindfully and intentionally; include some gentle facial massage to release any tension from the day. Pop some lavender essential oil in your diffuser and take some deep slow breaths.
Here’s to a good night sleep!
xo