We all love a bit of shut-eye. But did you know sleep also plays a central role in your skin’s health?
Sleep is your body’s optimal time for skin repair. This means that sleep deprivation is more than just a form of torture (although that’s bad enough). By preventing the extra boost in blood flow your body enjoys when you snooze, lack of sleep also leads to dullish-looking skin. In other words, when your Mumma was telling you that you needed your beauty sleep, she really wasn’t kidding!
While sleep intrinsically offers a number of natural benefits, you can also help it along with some steps that will boost your skin health and make sleep a central part of your daily beauty routine.
So to ensure you get the most out of everyone’s favourite eight hours, we’ve outlined our top six beauty sleep and skin health tips below.
1. Keep it clean
Sleeping with makeup on can lead to clogged pores (hello pimples, who invited you?) and sore, gunky eyes. Even if you didn’t wear makeup during the day, everyday exposure to air pollution can also affect your skin’s visible ageing. So keep it clean by cleansing your face and neck before bed to encourage healthy, vibrant skin and prevent premature ageing!
We recommend you opt for a good cleanser like our Miss Divine Active Face Cleanser that washes away impurities and makeup (without stripping your skin), soothes and balances (great for acne and blemishes), and protects and sings you a sweet lullaby (… ok, so we did make that last bit up).
2. Don't get "sheet-faced"
Slippery fabrics cause less friction between your skin and the surface you’re sleeping on. By choosing a satin or silk pillow case, you can reduce creasing and wrinkles and avoid ending up “sheet-faced”.
(As an added benefit, slippery pillow cases are kinder to your hair, meaning fewer tangles to un-tease in the morning.)
PS… while you’re there… because bacteria like sleeping on your pillow case too, it’s also worth changing your pillow case every three days to boost your skin health even further.
3. Get back
Sleeping on your side puts pressure on your skin and causes creasing. Years sleeping on the same side can make that creasing more defined.
Sleeping on your back will help prevent this problem… But when you’ve been sleeping on the same side since you left the womb, we realise this can be easier said than done!
To help you along, try propping yourself up with an extra pillow – “Weekend at Bernie’s” style.
4. MOISTURISE
Yes, we’re yelling! Because this one is sooooo important!
Before you go to bed each night, apply an anti-ageing moisturiser that contains hyaluronic acid (we can recommend a good one… These Days Active Moisturiser. This stuff holds water like nothing else and is best applied at night for optimum results.
5. Get tied up
If your mind immediately went 50 Shades of Grey, that’s not what we meant (though we won’t judge). Instead, we’re talking about your hair. The natural oils in your hair can upset your skin, so be sure to get tied up by popping your hair up in a high pony or bun before you hop into bed so it stays off your face overnight.
6. Hold the salt!
Most of us enjoy indulging in salty foods and alcohol. But it’s important to avoid them before you sleep. Both these guilty favourites can dehydrate your body, which responds by trying to compensate. Unfortunately, this means it tends to collect fluid around your eyes, causing puffy eyes. So steer clear of the salt and booze before bedtime.
Get the beauty sleep you deserve
Sleep is such an important part of your day. And while you might not be getting as much of it as you’d like, these 6 sleep tips will help you get the maximum beauty benefit out of the ZZZZs you are getting, every night.
