DREAM OF BEAUTY. WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT IT?
Including benefits and best remedies to use before bed.
INNA CODRU , SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
Good rest and good sleep is essential to restore energy and vitality in the body, but in addition to all this, will you also wake up and even more beautiful? There are many benefits to allowing yourself enough good sleep, which is the reason why some call it "beauty sleep": "Sleep is very important for skin repair," Debra Jaliman, MD, New York City Dermatologist and author of "Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist".
"While some might think it's just a catchphrase, 'beauty sleep' really works," confirms Whitney Bowe , MD, New York City dermatologist and author of Dirty Looks: The Secret to Beautiful Skin. “When we sleep, our stress hormone (cortisol) goes down and our sleep hormone (melatonin) goes up. Our body and our skin are in recovery mode." In other words, night time gives our skin a chance to recover from any daytime stress.
If you want your skin and hair to look younger and healthier before you start your daily routine, then here's everything you need to know about getting a good night's sleep and what it does:
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEAUTY SLEEP?
1. Beautiful and expressive eyes
“A lack of repair during sleep can cause your eyes to look puffy in the morning. Why? Because when you're under stress, your cortisol levels go up and that changes the salt balance in your body. In turn, this can lead to water retention, which means puffiness,” says Dr. Bowe.
For less puffy eyes, try the famous extra pillow trick. An extra pillow helps keep your head up when you sleep. "When you're lying flat, fluid can build up around your eyes, and the extra pillow helps keep that fluid from building up in that area," explains Elizabeth Tanzi , MD, a dermatologist in Washington, DC.
2. Young, radiant skin
When we sleep, our skin is busy healing itself from the damage we receive during the day from UV rays or pollution. "In fact, research shows that new skin cells grow faster when you sleep," says Dr. Bowe.
"Take advantage of this skin renewal and recovery period by cleansing your skin before bed and choosing products that optimize this recovery period so you wake up with healthier skin."
3. Less wrinkles and less signs of aging
Time moves forward when we are fast asleep, but our skin's clock may just be running backward during this entire time. “If nothing else convinces you to go to bed on time, then let this be your motive - restoring youthful skin,” urges Dr. Bowe.
To make sure you wake up wrinkle-free, Dr. Bowe and Jeslyn Ahluwalia , MD, suggest you sleep on your back. “Repeated pressure on the skin causing wrinkles can eventually lead to wrinkles,” says Dr. Ahluwalia.
4. Get more out of your skin care products
“The deeper layers of your skin also work most intensively at night to repair damage from the environmental stressors they face throughout the day. Your skin is also working to restore collagen levels, which keeps your skin firm and smooth,” explains Dr. Bowe. "That's why it's really important to choose the right nighttime skin care products to optimize skin recovery during these quiet hours!"
5. Healthy, strong and long hair
Good sleep really contributes to beautiful and stronger hair. “Sleep is essential for proper protein synthesis in your hair and can affect your hormones, which will also affect the growth and appearance of your hair,” says Dr. Bowe.
HOW MANY HOURS DO YOU NEED FOR BEAUTY SLEEP?
When it comes to sleep, the optimal number of hours of sleep in most cases ranges between seven and eight hours of rest per night, but Dr. Bowe reminds us that not only sleep is important, but also the quality of our rest. "Not all sleep is equally restorative," explains Dr. Bowe. REM sleep occurs at some point in the middle of the night, so instead of staying up late on weekends, Dr. Bowe suggests going to bed earlier and waking up at the same time each morning.
WHAT LACK OF SLEEP DOES TO YOUR FACE?
"You look tired". For example, we easily catch our friends and colleagues in the fact that they had a lack of sleep due to dark circles under the eyes and dull skin. “Our body perceives sleep loss or lack of sleep quality as stress,” says Dr. Bowe. "These stress signals not only cause paleness, but also make the skin less able to retain moisture and slow down the process of skin cell replacement."
WHAT SHOULD YOU APPLY ON THE FACE BEFORE SLEEP?
Facial cleanser
Failure to remove makeup at the end of the day can lead to clogged pores, which can lead to acne on the face. Dr. Bowe recommends "a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser that won't strip your skin of its beneficial oils and maintains a slightly acidic environment in which the skin barrier needs to remain intact and healthy."
Anti-aging night cream
Never skip your night cream or serum. These products work best during the "skin repair cycle" that occurs at night, says Dr. Jaliman. A night cream, anti-aging cream, or serum with vitamin A or retinol before bed can help counter the appearance of new wrinkles, says David Leffel , MD, professor of dermatology and surgery at Yale University School of Medicine.
These ingredients are "often added to modern skin care products to promote skin renewal, brighten skin tone, reduce acne, and increase your skin's collagen In addition, hyaluronic acid retains moisture in the skin, which helps smooth wrinkles, confirms Francesca Fusco , MD, a dermatologist in New York. Don't forget lip balm and eyelash conditioner too!
Silk pillowcase and silk hair accessories
Opt for a silk pillowcase over the negative effects of cotton: "Silk works better on hair - it helps to avoid tangles and breakage," says Dr. Ahluwalia. "It's also better for the skin because the material glides on easily and prevents creasing and wrinkles." Wrap your hair in a silk scarf when you sleep, says Chicago-based makeup artist Alle Connell .