Is Beauty Sleep a Real Thing?: 8 Ways Sleep is Great for Your Skin

1. Human Growth Hormone releases to heal and repair

During the first few hours of sleep, your pituitary gland releases Human Growth Hormone which helps your skin repair itself from the stresses and damage of the day. This nightly skin tune-up helps your skin reset for a glowing morning complexion.

2. Melatonin increases for its antioxidant powers

Melatonin isn’t just the hormone that makes you sleepy, it also has some pretty potent antioxidant abilities. This means that Melatonin helps mop up some of those skin-damaging free radicals created throughout the day.

3. Cortisol levels decrease to reduce inflammation

Cortisol is your stress hormone, and while you need some of it to have that get-up-and-go to help you deal with the rigors of the day, you need it to reduce to a low level at night and while you sleep. When your cortisol drops at night and while you sleep, it helps reduce the overall inflammation in your body and provides deep tension relief in the muscles of your face. And, since inflammation can show up on your face in ways like red, irritated, or blotchy skin, letting your cortisol settle down at night is a good thing.

4. Your body balances moisture levels while you sleep

At night, your body can help regulate and redistribute the water content of the body and skin, including making sure your face is optimally hydrated. So, if you have ever had a bought of sleeplessness, you may have noticed that your skin became dull, lackluster, or dry in the process.

5. Blood flow improves during sleep and when you are well-rested

Everything in your body needs an optimal supply of blood to deliver all necessary oxygen and nutrients to the area, including your face. When you sleep, the blood vessel in your face dilate, allowing more blood flow than during the day. And, it’s this increased blood flow that helps you look fresh and rosy in the morning.

6. Reduces appearance of dark circles under eyes

When you skimp on sleep the blood vessels under the thin skin of the eye can expand and cause fluid to linger, causing the eyes to have a darkened or puffy appearance. Get enough sleep to ward off eye bags, and try to stay hydrated and elevate your head when lying down to help reduce extra fluid pooling under the eyes.

7. Your skin makes more collagen and protects existing fibers

Collagen is the vital skin component that gives skin its elasticity and bounce, meaning that the more collagen you have in your skin, the less wrinkles you see forming. While you are sleeping, your skin ramps up the production of those youthful collagen fibers. Also, reducing the stress on your skin by sleeping well can help prevent the breakdown of your existing collagen.

8. Skin cells grow faster when you are sleeping

Rapid skin cell turnover is a great way to keep your complexion looking fresh and dewy, and happens to be one of the main targets in skincare products ranging from retinoids, to exfoliants, or even chemical peels. However, you can help your body launch into quicker skin cell growth and turnover by simply getting high-quality shut-eye on the regular and also by using gentle moisturizers and serums with glowing-skin ingredients like Vitamins, Hyaluronic Acid, or Retinoids (if wrinkles or acne are a problem) are a great nightly add on to up your beauty sleep game.

11 tips for taking your beauty sleep to the next level:

• Sleep on silk or satin pillowcases and sheets

• Elevate your head and try to sleep on your back

• Reduce caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before bed

• Make sure the room is completely dark at night

• Drink plenty of water before bed

• Reduce use of electronics before bed or use a blue light filter

• Take a warm bath or shower at night

• Use your CPAP machine if you need one

• Aim for getting 7-9 hours nightly

• Go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day
• Wash your face before bed and apply high-quality skincare products