Sleep is one of the best weapons in your arsenal when it comes to beauty, and it’s free which is always a win!
There is plenty of evidence supporting the statement that sufficient and good-quality sleep can enhance our physical appearance, overall well-being, and skin health. Let’s dive into why you should prioritise snoozing tonight:
Hormone balance
Hormones can be our best friends and our worst enemies, they can wreak havoc when they go haywire so it’s important to keep them in check.
- Elevated cortisol levels can lead to skin issues, such as inflammation and collagen breakdown, but luckily Cortisol levels decrease during deep sleep.
- Our sleep hormone, called Melatonin, increases during the night, contributing to a more restful sleep. Melatonin also has the power to protect the skin from damage that may be caused by free radicals as it acts as an antioxidant.
Dark circles and puffy eyes
We’re all victims to the puffy eyes on a cold winter morning or after a late night or two.
- Insufficient sleep can lead to the pooling of blood under the eyes, leading to dark circles and puffiness.
- Sleep can support efficient circulation which can reduce the appearance of dark circles and prevent fluid retention.
Collagen production
You’ve probably seen this stuff for sale everywhere these days, it’s become a little bit of a health trend. Although it has some pretty good evidence behind it as a supplement, did you know that you can also make it yourself?
- Collagen is the protein responsible for skin elasticity and firmness, and guess what, it’s produced in larger amounts during sleep. It has the power to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Cortisol levels (stress hormone) can increase in the body with insufficient sleep, which breaks down collagen and could potentially accelerate the ageing process.
If you ever needed an excuse to go to sleep or stay in and catch up on some much-needed rest, you’ve now got it! Remember that many things related to our skin and beauty come from within. Simple practices like sleep can play a huge role in your health, so take advantage and keep that skin looking youthful!
