We all know that sleep is important. It’s the time when our body rests and repairs, going into standby mode to let the body focus on healing and processing the previous day. Lack of sleep can contribute to low mood and feelings of irritability, and can even cause insulin resistance, which leads to increased fat storage and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
What you may not realise though, is that a lack of sleep can have a profound effect on your skin, beyond the dark circles we associate with tiredness. A recent survey of 2000 women found that 70% of women said they always notice a difference in their skin if they’ve not got enough sleep the night before.
Over half of the women surveyed said they looked ‘pale or washed out’ after a bad nights’ sleep, and a fifth revealed that a lack of sleep makes them more prone to spots and breakouts, while 30% said they experience more puffy looking and feeling skin if they’d not got enough sleep, giving confirmation that the concept of ‘beauty sleep’ is more than an old wives’ tale.
So, what can we do to combat the effects of poor sleep?
Well, the obvious answer is – get more! 7-8 hours of sleep per night should be the minimum that you aim for, but taking a look at your sleep routine can also help. Try not to fall asleep in front of a screen. You should give yourself at least 30 minutes of screen-free time before you try to switch off so that the blue light doesn’t affect your circadian rhythm, and the act of getting into bed instead of dozing on the sofa is important also.
If you like a hot drink before bed, try to switch to caffeine free tea or coffee, or better yet, invest in an herbal tea with ingredients like camomile or lavender which help to relax the body.
Keep your bedroom as dark as possible, so if your blinds or curtains don’t block out every bit of light, investing in a sleep mask can also help as the body really does need proper darkness in order to get fulfilling rest.
Make sure your bedroom is just for sleep – leave mobiles and other devices in another room so you won’t be tempted to sit in bed and reply to emails or browse social media before bed. Also, having a relaxing bath and slipping into clean, fresh nightwear will help to set your brain into ‘sleep mode’.
Finally, invest in some products which will supercharge the effects of sleep if you apply them before bed. Here are a few that we recommend:
Decleor Hydra Floral White Petal Skin Perfecting Hydrating Sleeping Mask – this will reduce the appearance of dark spots and refine skin.
Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon – this is a revitalising treatment that transforms skin overnight by optimising night time skin recovery.
Elemis LIFE ELIXIRS Sleep Perfume Oil – this deeply relaxing perfume oil of 13 pure essential oils, including tranquil patchouli, elemi and palmarosa helps you to feel restored and ready to take on a new day.