Is Beauty Sleep Real?


Posted on March 2nd, by The Skiny in Acne, Expert Tips, Skincare. Comments Off on Is Beauty Sleep Real?

Is Beauty Sleep Real?

Beauty sleep is real. Is your skin getting enough shut-eye?

The concept of “Beauty Sleep” may seem like a tired (haha) cliché, but what if there was actually scientific truth behind it?

Written by Carlyn

Obviously, sleep is an essential part of life. Sleep allows our bodies to rest, recuperate and heal from our busy daily lives. Specifically, deep sleep is where all the fun stuff happens—our bodies enter recovery mode and produce growth hormones. Growth hormones work hard to generate new cells that help heal our skin from damage done during the day.

Have you ever woken up from a bad night’s sleep and noticed pale, even blotchy-looking skin? Skin requires sleep in order to heal and when we lack it, the evidence is *literally* written all over our faces.

There are two areas that are highly affected by the quality of our slumbers: Aging and Acne.

Studies have shown that poor sleep quality accelerated intrinsic aging. Uneven skin tone, reduced elasticity of the skin and wrinkles all developed quicker when z’s were limited. The same study also showed that a deficiency in sleep delayed the skin’s ability to recover from UV exposure, which resulted in more wrinkles and fine lines. The epidermis receives an increased amount of blood flow during sleep, which helps the skin rebuild and produce new collagen. So, the more collagen produced by the skin during sleep, the less likely you are to wrinkle.

When it comes to acne, sleep deprivation is known to add fuel to the fire. Poor sleep habits can lead to an increase in stress hormones, specifically cortisol, which can lead to breakouts. Lacking sleep leads to an increased secretion of cortisol, and in turn, stress boosts the secretion of the neuropeptide Substance P. Both have been studied to play a significant role in the development of acne. Further, greater amounts of cortisol can exacerbate inflammation, and can cause the skin to create more oil and sebum than usual, resulting in clogged pores. Anddd we all know what that means. Sad face.

It’s important to add that high quality sleep is more than youthful and glowing skin. It’s about maintaining your health in mind, body, and skin for many years ahead. Getting a good night’s sleep is probably the best investment you can make in yourself.

Psst. The global beauty industry market was estimated to be valued at $511 billion in 2021. This includes fillers, serums, creams, and treatments. We spend SO much time, energy and money on procedures and products, but often overlook a crucial beauty tool: Sleep. Plus, it’s free and requires zero effort. What’s your excuse?!

Sleep well and happy skincaring <3





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