A good night’s sleep is definitely a sought after luxury these days.It’s great for your mind, body and definitely vital for your skin.
Does Sleep Affect Skin?
Yes, your skin performs most of its regeneration at night time, which is why it’s a great time to be using your heavy-duty lotions and potions before bed. Not enough sleep can lead to adverse effects:
- sagging eyelids
- swollen eyes
- darker under eye circles
- paler skin
- wrinkles and fine lines
How much sleep should you get?
Most studies suggest people should be getting between 7 to 9 hours of sleep — that means no more staying up late!
Here are some tips to make the most of your night time skincare routine so you wake up with healthy skin!
6 Tips for the Best Night Time Skincare & Beauty Routine
1. Start by getting zen
Sleep hygiene is SO important to set your mind and body up for a restful sleep.Try setting a timer an hour before bed. When you hear it ring, start to wind down whatever you are doing and do something relaxing, like meditating, stratching, or watching something lighthearted on Netflix ( ‘You’ does not count, no matter how cute Penn Badgely is).
2. Make your serum work
Serums and moisturisers work their best magic at night, where your skin is unwinding and in the mood to absorb all the nutrients in them. This is the perfect time to experiment with an oil or deeply hydrating mask as they have time to sink in as you get your beauty sleep.
3. Clean your Pillowcases
The golden rule of skincare, second only to never sleeping in your makeup, is to clean your pillowcases. Pillowcases are a breeding ground of dirt oil and bacteria that settle in your pores and announce themselves with a not so welcome blemish in the morning. Buy some extra pillowcases in a neutral colour so that you always have one on hand while the others are in the wash.
4. Create a peaceful sleep environment
Add little sleep cues to your night time skincare routine.Try burning a lavender scented candle every night before bed so that your body associates that with sleep and you automatically start to feel sleepy, or ensure that you invest in some crisp and comfortable sheets so you’re out like a light as soon as your head hits the pillow.
5. Switch Off your phone
Keep your sleep space sacred; no aggressive beeping or bad vibes allowed. Text the group chat goodnight with an appropriate sleepy kitten gif before hitting flight mode and settling in for a good night’s sleep. If you live in a noisy area, invest in some noise cancelling headphones to use as you settle in and then remove them just as you’re about to drift off.
6. Cut out Caffeine
If you’re a part of the under eye circle club, and have been known to have more coffee running through your veins than blood, this is for you.
Coffee can affect your cortisol production at rest, which can sap your hydration and make it harder to fall asleep. Try swapping out your afternoon cuppa for decaf, and invest in a hydrating under eye cream to lock in moisture as you sleep.
Ready for Healthy-Looking Skin?
What tips and tricks do you have for getting a better night’s sleep? Do you have any holy grail products you use to wake up to fresh, well-rested skin? Make sure to check out the complete Sand & Sky collection to find your next favorite product and learn more about skincare tips by exploring our blog.
