The Science of Beauty Sleep: How Quality Rest Transforms Your Skin

In my European Skin Care Studio, clients ask my advice on how to look their best. Aside from reserving a customized facial treatment and using good organic products at home, I remind them of the true benefits of "beauty sleep" when they ask me "How many hours of sleep do I need?"

So today I would like to remind you about the many benefits of sleep, which will improve your skin's health. Lack of sleep will increase the amount of stress hormone called cortisol. Although we need some cortisol in our bodies, too much can lead to inflammation. When inflammation becomes chronic, our skin is susceptible to conditions like eczema, rosacea, and wrinkles. Not enough sleep and added stress cause acne and blackheads.

Many of my clients are young adults who have issues with breakouts in their mid-thirties. Due to their busy schedules and stressful lives, they do not take care of their skin correctly and often do not get enough rest. I educate them on the importance of maintaining proper skincare and making positive changes in their lifestyles.

Our Clear Skin Bundle is especially beneficial for those dealing with stress-related breakouts. It includes everything needed to maintain clear, healthy skin even during busy times.

An increase in the level of cortisol hormones will also make the thyroid and metabolism sluggish, which means our bodies will burn fat less efficiently. This slowdown in metabolism leads to weight gain, feeling tired, and being more susceptible to illnesses.

The other hormone our body needs to look and feel good is a growth hormone. In this case, we need a significant level of growth hormone because it is responsible for regrowth and regeneration of damaged cells. If that cannot happen due to lack of sleep, our aging process will be accelerated.

Sleep is the time when our immune systems regenerate. During a good night's sleep, the skin recovers moisture and metabolizes water-soluble toxins for detoxification. If this process is disrupted, it will result in poor water balance, which can lead to dark circles, puffy eyes, and dryness of the skin along with fine lines. That's why I recommend using Hydrate: Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Serum before bed to support your skin's natural healing process.

As you can see, sleep is not only a cornerstone of our health but also our looks. In order to have a good night's sleep, there are some simple things we can do before bedtime:

Visit our moisturizers collection to find the perfect night cream for your skin type.

• Go to sleep before 11 pm. The body does most of its recharging between the hours of 11 pm and 1 am.
• Do not change your bedtime hours. Even on weekends, try to go to sleep and get up at the same time.
• Avoid eating grain, refined sugar snacks, and drinking alcohol. Although those foods will make you drowsy, the effect is short, and you will wake up a couple of hours later in the middle of the most relaxing part of sleep—the REM stage. Instead, eat some fruit and high-protein snacks. This will help raise your brain's L-tryptophan level.
• Exercising during the day will improve your sleep at night. However, do not exercise right before bedtime. The best time to have physical activity is in the morning. This practice will improve body fat burning throughout the day.
• Prepare your bedroom for the best night of sleep.
• Keep the temperature in the bedroom below 70 degrees. Studies show that keeping the temperature in the room between 65 to 70 degrees is optimum for a good night's sleep as this mimics your body temperature during the night.
• Make the room as dark as possible by closing the doors and shades on windows. Light in the room can disrupt your internal clock.
• Keep your phones and alarm clocks at least 3 feet from your bed. We are dependent upon electrical devices all day long, so "unplug" for the night. You can check all the messages and news in the morning.
• Write down things you need to do the next day. That way you will not be trying to recall them in the middle of the night.
• Make your bed comfortable by investing in good mattresses, comfortable pillows, and quality sheets. That will make you look forward to "cozying up" in your bed.
• Use a touch of Lavender scented essential oil in your bedroom. Lavender is a perfect sleep-inducing aromatherapy mainstay.
• Try wearing an eye mask to bed. For both my husband and me, that one simple thing has dramatically improved our sleep experience.
• I also like to read something spiritual or uplifting before bedtime. That's why I get a printed copy of "The Eden Magazine" and keep them on my night table. I always find many wonderful stories and photographs that make my dreams so much better!

To complement your nighttime routine, I recommend using Nourish: Peptides Eye Crème to help combat those late-night dark circles and puffiness.

Maximizing Your Beauty Sleep with a Proper Skincare Routine

While getting adequate sleep is crucial, how you prepare your skin for rest is equally important. I always tell my clients that nighttime is when our skin does its most intensive repair work. This is why having a proper evening skincare routine is essential for maximizing the benefits of your beauty sleep.

Start by thoroughly cleansing your face to remove all makeup and environmental pollutants. This allows your skin to breathe and properly absorb the nutrients from your nighttime products. Follow with a nourishing serum and moisturizer that contains ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, or retinol, depending on your skin's needs.

Remember that consistency is key – both in your sleep schedule and skincare routine. Even one night of poor sleep can impact your skin's appearance, leading to increased fine lines, dark circles, and a dull complexion. By maintaining regular sleep patterns and following a proper skincare routine, you're giving your skin the best chance to repair, regenerate, and maintain its youthful glow.

I hope you will find some of my sleep remedies helpful, bringing you a beautiful night of sleep every night.

To your health!

Margaret