The secret to starting your day with glowing skin? It actually depends on the previous night’s sleep. “Get your beauty rest” isn’t just an expression – studies show that getting less than 7 hours of snooze time per night can lead to less collagen production and fading radiance, and more wrinkles, sagging, hyperpigmentation, and eye-bags. Lack of sleep is also super-drying to your skin, since your body’s natural nighttime perspiration plays a role in re-balancing pH levels. On the flip side, a good night’s rest boosts blood circulation, hydration, collagen production, and even melatonin, a hormone rich in free radical-fighting antioxidants – everything your skin needs for a more youthful, luminous complexion.
Setting a bedtime routine before you hit the hay can help you achieve a longer, more restful sleep, and also healthier, better-looking skin! So, with this in mind, here’s our favorite sleep routine for younger-looking skin.
- Set the mood. Dim the lights, light a candle, play soothing music, and put any stimulants like your television, phone, or computer on “do-not-disturb.”
- Wash the day away by double-cleansing: Using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser is twice as nice: it deep-cleans your skin while providing the relaxation of a self-caring ritual. Look for cleansers without moisture-stripping ingredients, which will only dry out your skin. Our own double-cleansing duo includes NOURISH Oil Cleanser, featuring Apricot Kernel Oil, Olive Oil, Argan Oil, Grapeseed Oil, and four other emollient oils to purify pores; and REFRESH Jade Purifying Cleanser, formulated with Jade+ Water, Ceramides, Green Tea, and Propolis, plus a balancing pH of 5.4 (+/- 0.5), to help balance and maintain moisture, even overnight.
- Unwind with a sheet mask. Sheet masks are another great way to wind down while prepping your skin for bed. Applied 1-3 times a week post-double-cleanse, it allows you 15-20 minutes of extra downtime while the mask’s serum deeply penetrates your skin. From the signs of aging to blemishes to soothing irritated skin, there’s a pre-bedtime mask to treat any skin concern.
- Moisturize: Applying a nightly moisturizer aids in sealing-in your skin’s natural moisture and also strengthens your natural skin barrier, which are both key to keeping wrinkles, spots, and other signs of aging at bay. 11pm is the magic hour, when our bodies are in a restorative state and skin cells are at maximum regeneration, so incorporating a moisturizer into your pre-sleep ritual ensures you’re soaking up the maximum benefits. You can even amp it up by smoothing it on with a Gua Sha or Facial Roller to relax your facial muscles. These beauty tools also help increase blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, and even de-puff under-eye bags for an added beauty bonus.
- Get cozy. Now that your skin and soul are fully prepped for bed, you can put on your favorite PJ’s, get under the covers, and snuggle-in knowing you’ll be able to start the next day well-rested and fresh-faced!
For more skin care tips and conversations, follow us on social @aloisiabeauty.
-The Aloisia Beauty Team
