The secret to the best skin of your life may just surprise you
Here at Drowsy, it's no secret that we're (seriously) obsessed with sleep. After all, it's freely available every night!
You've probably heard it a million times: getting enough sleep is crucial for a healthy body and mind eye-roll. But did you know that sleep can also work wonders for your skin [1]? That's right, one of the best-kept secrets for better skin is simply catching some Z's!
You might already have a dedicated skincare routine, but are you giving enough attention to getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night, at the very least [2]? Your skin, being the body’s largest organ, will thank you for adding more (sleep) hours to your daily regimen, giving you that coveted Instagram-worthy I-woke-up-like-this glow [3].
Below, we delve into the most compelling reasons to make shut-eye a priority for optimal skin health. Because, let's face it, they call it beauty sleep for a reason...
Lack Of Sleep Can Cause Acne
Stress = acne flare ups. The End...
Indeed, the lack of sufficient sleep can significantly contribute to stress levels, a critical element in the development of acne. When under stress, our bodies tend to release more cortisol, which can lead to inflammation—a known trigger for acne [4]. Combine the effects of inadequate sleep with naturally blemish-prone skin, and you're looking at a recipe for a worsening skin condition. It's essential to understand how intertwined sleep and skin health are, highlighting the importance of good sleep hygiene in managing skin health.
Your Skin Becomes Imbalanced
During the night, your body is a powerhouse of rejuvenation, clearing away dead blood cells, creating new ones, and flushing out toxins 60% more effectively for that unmistakable #GLOW. This process is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. However, without enough sleep, these vital tasks cannot be fully accomplished, leading to lower skin pH levels and decreased moisture, which can manifest as a dehydrated, lackluster complexion with increased redness and inflammation.
TOP TIP: Notice your skin begging for more after you apply your skincare products? It's a definitive sign to increase your water intake and make quality sleep a non-negotiable part of your skincare routine—or better yet, both.
You Begin To Look (Really) Tired
It may seem self-evident, but lacking sleep invariably results in a fatigued appearance. Regularly neglecting proper rest is a surefire route to acquiring pronounced under-eye bags, dark circles, and swelling, all of which are notoriously difficult to eliminate.
Recalling our previous discussion on dehydration, it's an ironic twist that the minimal moisture retained by the skin can end up pooling in the soft tissue beneath the eyes, leading to the dreaded panda-eye effect. Ensuring adequate sleep is crucial to avoid this unsightly outcome and maintain a fresh, vibrant appearance.
Your Skin Ages Faster
Unfortunately, the consequences of sleep deprivation extend to accelerating the skin's aging process. A recent study has alarmingly shown that individuals who don't get enough rest exhibit more pronounced signs of skin aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, and other age markers. Additionally, their skin's ability to recover from environmental stressors, such as damage from the skin barrier and exposure to UV radiation, is significantly diminished.
It goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway) that protecting your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays is crucial. Knowing that insufficient sleep can worsen the effects of sun damage should motivate you to apply SPF with the speed and urgency of Usain Bolt.
The Bottom-line?
Keeping it short and sweet, healthy sleep clearly promotes healthy skin. Don't know about you but we've booked a ticket to bed-ford! Now, where did we put our Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask?!
[1] Source: ‘Why Lack Of Sleep Is Bad For Your Health’, NHS UK, 30/05/2018
[2] Source: ‘National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Time Duration Recommendations’, National Library Of Medicine, March 2015
[3] Source: ‘The Skin Microbiome’, National Library Of Medicine, Aug 2011
[4] Source: ‘How Sleep Affects the Health and Appearance of Your Skin’, 11/05/2021
[5] Source: ‘Sleep For Success’, Dr. James B. Maas
[6] Source: Clinical Trial Commissioned by Estee Lauder, University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Centre