Sleep + Skin
Valentine’s Day may be over, but we’re still sticking with our theme of #selflove!
We’re going to talk about how sleep affects your skin. Sleep is one of those things we all want more of, and seem to have a difficult time getting enough of. It’s easier to pop on under eye gels in the morning (or the classic cold spoons) than going to bed early and getting a full 7-9 hours, but we’re here to tell you why you should make sleep an act of self-love.
It keeps dark circles at bay
Dark under eye circles have many different causes, and a big factor is genetics. So if you were #bornthisway, getting more sleep might not have a huge effect on that bluish tint beneath your eyes. For the rest of us, the number one reason we have dark circles under our eyes is due to lack of sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep your blood vessels tend to dilate, which is a major contributing factor to under eye circles. If you absolutely must stay up late for some reason, make sure to use an eye cream the next morning (one that contains a form of caffeine is great) followed by a good dose of concealer.
It’s the #1 way to detox
Move over, green juices and steam saunas. The basics of detoxing are simple and inexpensive. Staying hydrated, exercising, and eating your vegetables all help your body naturally clear toxins, but sleep is a bigger part of the detoxing equation than most people realize. A 2015 study showed “[w]hen sleep is deprived, the active process of the glymphatic system does not have time to perform [correctly], so toxins can build up, and the effects will become apparent in cognitive abilities, behavior, and judgment” (Eugene & Masiak). In more simple terms, this means that not enough sleep = toxic overload. When you get the proper amount of sleep (at least seven hours) you clear 60% more toxins than those who sleep less than seven hours. This, in turn, helps give you that glowing complexion we all strive for.
It helps your skin stay hydrated
When you get too little sleep, your skin becomes imbalanced: your pH levels drop, which instantly ages your skin. Your moisture levels also drop as a result, which means you lose that healthy, hydrated look. It can also give you an uneven red tone to your skin, and for some people, the lack of pH balance can trigger a breakout. So while slathering on your favorite serums, moisturizers, and oils will definitely help rehydrate your skin, they’re not going to solve chronic skin imbalance from lack of sleep. Get your z’s!
It reduces stress hormones
When you don’t get enough sleep, the stress hormone cortisol jumps in to give you an added boost. Although this is a great backup system, it shouldn’t be a regular occurrence. Aside from the general health problems an excess of cortisol can cause, it can be particularly inflammatory to the skin. Too much cortisol can exacerbate conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, causing a flare up. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night helps keep your hormones stable and keep your cortisol levels balanced throughout the day.
These are just some of the why’s. If you’re interested in the how of getting enough sleep, stay tuned! We’ll be back soon with some of our best tips for creating the perfect beauty sleep routine.
The author of this blog, Layla Hanson, is a writer and project manager for Infinity Aesthetics, specializing in holistic media production. You can see her popping in and out of the office from time to time to snap photos for our Instagram and website. Feel free to say hi and offer to pose for a picture!