Snooze your way to younger, more beautiful skin with these tips

Did you know that beauty sleep is a real thing?

We all know that getting a good sleep is important for health and well-being. And as it turns out, sleep is just as important for skin health and radiance! While we sleep, skin cells repair and regenerate, collagen production and blood flow to the skin increase, and moisture levels balance out. Getting enough sleep also helps avoid those pesky dark circles, while keeping stress (which can wreak havoc on your skin) at bay.  

4 sleep tips for healthier skin

Make the most of your zzz’s and sleep your way to younger-looking, more radiant skin with these 4 tips to get healthier skin while you sleep:

Tip #1: Change your pillowcase regularly

Your hair holds more dirt than any other part of your body. This means your pillowcase can be full of dirt, oil, bacteria, and even dust mites after just a few nights. Yuck! This bacteria can throw off your skin’s microbiome (which is the good bacteria that helps protect skin) resulting in:

• Larger-looking pores
• Skin irritation & inflammation
• Less elasticity in your skin
• Sagging skin
• Wrinkles appearing deeper

Is it really that bad? Yes! An Amerisleep study* found that after just one week of not washing your pillowcases, they harbour 3 million bacteria per square inch. That’s 17,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat! 

Luckily, the solution is easy: change your pillowcase more often! That doesn’t mean you have to change your sheets daily, just aim to swap your pillowcases every two days. And for added protection against bacteria, use a pillow protector. 

Tip #2: Apply skincare early

Timing is everything!

If you use a night cream like our NightTime Moisturizer to replenish and renew skin while you sleep, ensure you’re receiving the full benefits by applying it early. Apply any skincare at least 30 minutes before bed to reduce product transfer on your pillow.

Tip #3: Use a silk or bamboo pillowcase

Bamboo and especially silk pillowcases have gained popularity in recent days for their beauty benefits to hair and skin. These fabrics have numerous advantages over traditional cotton or polyester pillowcases, including:

• They create less friction, reducing “sleep wrinkles” and diminishing the look of fine lines
• They’re less absorbent, meaning they won’t dehydrate skin as much as other fabrics and are less likely to absorb skincare products
• They’re hypoallergenic, reducing allergies, irritation and inflammation

Invest in silk or bamboo pillowcases– your skin and hair will thank you!

Tip #4: Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets

Fabric softeners and dryer sheets are not friendly to skin.  

These products contain waxes and chemicals that can cause harmful buildup and skin irritation. They can also aggravate allergies and sensitivities. 

Skip the dryer sheets and softeners and opt for laundry alternatives like dryer balls instead!

Takeaway

The takeaway? Beauty sleep is real (and crucial)! Your skin uses that time to repair, regenerate, produce collagen, and balance moisture levels. With a few small changes, you can make the most of your zzz’s and help your skin look its best.

Snooze on!

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Eileen Fauster of Essential Balance is a Registered Acupuncturist and Registered Holistic Nutritionist who specializes in skin care. Eileen helps clients by using the Vienna Mei Ren non-surgical acupuncture facelift, which combines the best acupuncture needles and techniques with a beautifying skin rejuvenation regime.