There are a lot of things that can impact the health of our skin. Different foods we eat can make us break out, sun exposure can have a really negative effect on our skin’s health and stress can wreak havoc in our entire bodies, skin included.
But did you know that sleep – or lack thereof – can also affect your skin? Chances are that you’ve noticed that whenever there’s any talk about skin health, proper rest is mentioned quite often. However, chances are you don’t really know why that is. So, with that being said, here are all of the ways your sleeping habits can impact your skin.
Skincare and sleep
You often hear that the easiest way to improve your skin’s health and glow is to have a good skincare routine. And while this is true, there’s no skincare in the world that will hide the fact that you’re not getting enough rest. When you sleep, you offer your skin the chance to regenerate and recuperate naturally which can only be further encouraged by good skincare. So, make sure you clean your face, use toner, layer serums and apply moisturizer. However, be careful when layering serums as not all of them mix well with each other.
Sleep and skin elasticity
The lack of proper rest will deprive your skin of its elasticity, making your skin look duller, which can lead to you looking older than you actually are. So, in order to avoid having your skin age prematurely, make sure you get well-rested. Chronic lack of sleep can even result in irreversible side effects, so keep that in mind as well.
Sleep and skin thickness
There are also numerous studies that suggest that the lack of sleep can and will affect your skin thickness. Our bodies produce a growth hormone in the initial sleep phase. So, when this cycle is compromised, hormone production will significantly decrease. This will lead to compromised cell growth, which can result in your skin getting significantly thinner over time. Since your skin is your body’s outer layer and the first layer of defense against outside influences, this can lead to numerous other health issues.
Sleep and eye area
The most obvious sign of sleep deprivation is the dark circles that form around the eyes. On top of that, without proper rest, your eyes will appear reddish in color. This is due to the fact that when you’re not rested properly, your blood will start to gather in your under-eye area, making the dark circles around your eyes more prominent. This pooling of fluids can also make your eye area appear puffier, which will only make you look even more tired.
Sleep and skin moisture
As mentioned earlier, the lack of sleep will negatively affect your skin’s primary function. When you don’t sleep properly, your skin will be prone to greater water loss, which will leave your skin looking dry and patchy. So, aside from staying on top of your hydration game and using quality moisturizers, make sure you also get enough sleep each day.
Sleep and other skin-related problems
In the end, the lack of sleep can easily lead to other skin-related problems. For instance, some studies suggest that, particularly due to all of the changes happening to our skin when we don’t get enough rest, our skin can become more prone to various rashes, discoloration and hyper-coloration, and other similar issues.
Therefore, in order to ensure that your skin not only looks good but is also healthy, you need to make sure you get plenty of rest. Sleep deprivation can lead to other more serious issues regarding your overall health, so make sure you minimize the risks as much as possible. Getting enough rest will not only improve the health of your skin but it will also feel better in general.
Tips for better sleep for better skin
- Establish a routine bedtime and get 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
- Limit alcohol and cigarettes before bed.
- Keep up your sleep hygiene to promote a good night’s rest.
- Get high thread count sheets and pillowcases to help avoid any pulling on the skin.
- Wash your face nightly and apply skincare treatments that help promote a flawless complexion.
- Invest in CBD products, which can alleviate stress and help you nod off – this site does CBD,
- If you are prescribed a CPAP machine, use it. Researchers recently found apnea sufferers who use their CPAP machines look younger and fresher than those who do not.
If you still find yourself having missing out on sleep even after practicing good sleep habits, you may want to talk to your doctor about your sleep problems and schedule a consultation with a sleep specialist. At the Alaska Sleep Clinic, we treat hundreds of patients throughout Alaska for various sleep disorders: sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and more. Click the link below to receive more information regarding scheduling a sleep study.
