What Is Beauty Sleep & Why Is It Important?

Written By Filip

Sleep Advisor

3 April 2024 7 min read

Is beauty sleep a myth or is it actually something we should strive towards? What is beauty sleep and why is it important? Does it even exist? Let's find out!

We all know that sleep is one of the most important aspects of our lives, and yet we often do not get enough of it. Unfortunately, sleep deficiency can lead to all sorts of health problems, not even counting the effects it might have on our physical appearance.

Today, we're going to focus on beauty sleep and how getting enough of it is essential for looking and feeling your best. We'll also discuss some healthy practices that can help you get the most out of your slumber, and we'll outline some benefits so you know what to expect.
Let's begin!

What is beauty sleep?

Most people know that sleep is important for overall health and well-being, but what you may not know is that there’s such a thing as “beauty sleep.” So what is beauty sleep? In short, it’s an expression given to the hours we should all be aiming to get each night in order to look and feel our best.

While the phrase might make you think it’s all about looking good, it’s actually about more than just appearances. After all, beauty comes from the inside, too.

Why should we all do our best to get behind this practice?

Getting enough sleep can help improve your skin complexion, reduce stress levels, and even prevent certain health conditions from developing. One of the most noticeable effects of sleep is clearer skin. When you don’t get enough sleep, it shows on your face in the form of dark circles, puffiness, and an overall tired-looking complexion.

On the other hand, when you get enough sleep, your skin has a chance to regenerate and heal overnight, resulting in a clearer, more radiant complexion come morning. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. First, let's take a look at how long we should sleep to see the results.

How much beauty sleep is enough?

Sleeping for between 7 and 9 hours each night is essential for keeping our minds and bodies healthy. Sleep is incredibly important for our overall health and wellbeing. When we don’t get enough sleep, not only do we feel tired and run down, but it can also lead to health conditions like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and so on.

Some of the benefits of getting a full night of sleep include clearer skin, better concentration, improved mood, reduced stress levels and a stronger immune system. So if you’ve been feeling run down lately, or your skin is looking a little worse for wear, it might be time to focus on getting more shut-eye.

Can poor sleep quality affect beauty sleep?

We've fairly familiar with the benefits of healthy, good night's sleep, but do we really know what comes out of poor sleep quality and sleep deprivation? How does that reflect on our looks, temperament, and overall health?

Ageing

We need to sleep seven to nine hours each night if we want to retain our youthful looks and have fewer wrinkles. While it is true that we can't combat ageing in the long run, some healthy practices like beauty sleep, eating healthy and avoiding stress certainly prove to be beneficial.

Avoiding just one of these, in this case, beauty sleep can cause our skin to get all wrinkly and old. So, if you already have a solid workout routine and eat healthy food, don't let your sleep schedule ruin your results!

Lower self-esteem

For most people, their self-esteem heavily relies on their looks, so noticing your skin ageing because you're not sleeping well is certainly going to affect your self-esteem. Naturally, it's not going to affect it in the right way.

On top of that, research shows that people generally feel more confident after a full night of sleep, so there's that. And this makes a lot of sense, even without the science. After all, when you can feel bags under your eyes and have bed hair, you probably don't feel like you're at 100%.

Skin problems

If you're not getting enough sleep, your skin will pay the price. Generally speaking, when people don't get enough sleep, their body begins to produce too much of the stress hormone cortisol.

Cortisol triggers a cascade of effects that can lead to acne breakouts or dryness and wrinkles in some cases. If you are dealing with these skin problems now, it's time to make sleep a priority!

Also, lack of sleep can impair collagen quality, leading to even more breakouts, uneven skin tone, eye circles and other skin problems.

Feeling less attractive

When you don't get enough sleep, you can start to feel less attractive. In fact, you probably will start to feel less attractive. This is because when you're tired, your skin starts to look tired and greyish, and your eyes start to look puffy.

So, if you want to get rid of dark circles, uneven skin tone, acne and get glowing skin, you will need to sleep a bit more.

What are the benefits of beauty sleep?

Now that we've gone over some of the basic drawbacks of not getting enough sleep, let's turn the page and look at all the good things that can come out of sleeping healthily.

Beauty boost

It is no secret that lack of sleep can affect your appearance. In fact, it is the number one cause of why people look so tired and worn out these days.

Sleeping eight hours a night not only helps you to feel more rested but also keeps your skin looking healthy and glowing.

It's even been shown that those who get a good night's sleep tend to have fewer wrinkles – which leads us to our next point.

Less wrinkles

As we get older, our skin becomes less elastic and more susceptible to damage.
Not getting enough sleep speeds up the ageing process and can cause premature ageing, including the formation of wrinkles.

While speaking of wrinkles, you can change your pillow if it is old. Older pillows can lead to wrinkles as well. So if you're looking to keep your skin looking young and fresh, make sure you're getting enough sleep!

Treatment of eye bags

One of the best ways to prevent puffy eyes and dark circles is to get a great night's sleep. During sleep, the body repairs and rejuvenates cells. This helps keep the skin looking young and healthy.

Getting adequate sleep also helps reduce stress levels, and as we all know, stress is not only keeping you awake and causing puffy eyes and dark circles – it's also ruining you in many other ways.

Weight loss

Lack of sleep can inhibit fat loss and make it harder for you to lose weight. When you’re well-rested, your body functions better. You have more energy and are better able to resist cravings because your “hunger hormone levels are lower”.

Sleep is an important regulator of your metabolism and body weight, so make sure you’re getting enough shut-eye if you’re trying to slim down.

Improved skin condition

Sleep encourages healthy blood flow to your skin! When you don’t get enough sleep, your skin shows it. You may have noticed dark circles under your eyes after a sleepless night. That’s because the skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of your face. Poor sleep can also cause your skin to look dull, dry, and patchy.

But catching enough ZZZs can do wonders for your skin. A decent night’s sleep gives your skin time to repair and heal itself from the daily stressors so you can wake up with healthier skin.

A better mood

We’ve all heard that we should get at least eight hours of sleep per night. But did you know that there are actually a lot of benefits to getting a good night’s sleep? One of the most important is that it can improve your mood.

When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces more cortisol, a stress hormone. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and irritability. But when you get enough sleep, your body produces more serotonin – a “happy” hormone – that helps regulate mood. So if you’re looking to improve your mood, make sure you get enough sleep!

More self-esteem

When you're well-rested, you feel good about yourself and your abilities. You're more likely to feel confident and optimistic, which can lead to better performance in all areas of your life.

As we've seen, getting enough sleep also helps you look your best. Studies have shown that people who are sleep-deprived have lower levels of skin moisture, and are more likely to develop fine lines and wrinkles. They also tend to have poorer complexion overall. So if you want to look your best and feel confident about yourself – make sure you're getting enough beauty sleep!

How to increase the amount of beauty sleep?

Most people know that getting a good night’s sleep is important, but many don’t realise just how to do it or whether it even works. But, let us assure you Beauty sleep is not a myth; it really does exist!
And if you want to look your best, you need to make sure you get enough of it. So how can you increase it? Here's how.

Constant bedtime routine

A bedtime routine can be really helpful for people who have trouble sleeping. It can help you relax and feel more comfortable in bed, which can make it easier to fall asleep.

If you're having trouble sleeping, try establishing a bedtime routine and sticking to it as much as possible. Go to bed at the same time every night, turn off electronics, read a book, and apply any of the following tips.

Face washing before sleeping

Washing your face before you hit the snooze is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine.

Sleeping with a clean face allows your skin to repair itself overnight, getting rid of the dirt and impurities that have built up during the day. It also helps to prevent breakouts and keep your skin looking its best.

Changing sheets once a week

Don't sleep on dirty sheets! Keep them clean and wash them regularly.

Change them once a week, at the very least. Your skin will thank you, and you'll feel more refreshed overall. Plus, it's just good hygiene. So make it a habit to wash your weighted blankets, your sheets, pillowcases, and every other piece of bedding at least once every week!

Avoid salty & unhealthy snacks

Salty snacks are not good for your health. They can increase your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and lead to other health problems – without even thinking about trouble sleeping.
Instead of unhealthy snacks or carbs before sleep, choose healthy snacks that are low in salt and fat, and can possibly induce sleep. Fresh fruits and vegetables like bananas and cherries, whole-grain crackers, almonds, and yoghurt are all good choices. Although, eat at least three hours before you go to bed.

Nourish your skin

Your skin is your body's largest organ, and it's constantly exposed to harsh elements. That means it needs nourishment to stay healthy. There are a lot of different ways to nourish your skin. You can use moisturisers, serums, and oils to keep it hydrated. You can also use scrubs and masks to exfoliate and cleanse them.

But the best way to nourish your skin is from the inside out. The right foods can help your skin stay hydrated, fight inflammation, and even reduce wrinkles. That means eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water.

Optimise sleep environment

It's important to have a dark, quiet, and cool environment when you sleep. Make sure to block out any light sources and create as little noise as possible. Consider using black-out curtains or an eye mask, and earplugs or a white noise machine to help you drift off into a deep slumber. In addition, using anti allergy duvets and plush beds can improve overall sleep environment and therefore ensure you a good night's sleep.

Do keep in mind that the environment you sleep in dictates your sleep quality. Therefore, ensuring relaxing and calming bedroom design will improve your sleep. Also, lower the thermostat. You want your body temperature to go down – not up.

Eat healthy food

Healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean meat can help you sleep better. When you're tired, your body is working hard to restore energy, and eating healthy foods can help make that process easier. Eating healthy before bed can also help you sleep better by keeping your blood sugar levels steady overnight.

On top of that, a healthy diet generally aids us in looking our best. A healthy diet helps us keep the pounds off, prevents some nasty pimple outbreaks, and leads to having more energy. So, it's important not to underestimate how much your diet influences your beauty!

Stay hydrated

When you sleep, your body needs water to stay hydrated. Drinking water before bed will help you stay hydrated during the night and sleep better.

On that same note, avoid alcohol before bedtime. Despite making you sleepy, a nightcap will actually dehydrate you and mess with your sleep patterns.

Apply face cleanser

You need to wash your face before you go to sleep. Mild cleansers are better because they don't irritate your skin. However, not everyone needs to go with a mild one.

Choose a cleanser that suits your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, choose a mild cleanser. You can also use an oil-free cleanser if you have oily skin. And so on.

Use lukewarm water to wash your face. Apply the cleanser to your face and neck in circular motions. Rinse it off, hug your pillow, and wake up as pretty as ever!

Use anti-ageing creams

The more wrinkles you have, the more important it is to use an anti-ageing cream. These creams can help to repair the damage that has been done to your skin and help to prevent further wrinkles from forming.

There are a variety of different formulas available, so be sure to choose one that is right for your skin type. If you are not sure which one to choose, ask your dermatologist for a recommendation.

Use organic bedding

Organic beddings are not only good for the environment but they are also good for your health. They are free of harmful chemicals and pesticides that can cause health problems. Organic beddings are also more comfortable to sleep on and they tend to last longer.

Bamboo bedding, for instance, is a great option for organic bedding. It is made from bamboo fibres that are naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic. In other words – they are good for your skin and make your sleep easier if you suffer from allergies.

Bamboo bedding is also more absorbent than cotton and it wicks away moisture to keep you cool and comfortable while you sleep, providing you with a full night of sound sleep and beauty rest – free of any disturbances.

In addition, you can use silk sheets as well – as there are a couple of advantages why you should use silk sheets.

Conclusion

Overall, beauty sleep isn't just a made-up thing magazines came up with! So, make sure that you're getting enough sleep in order to look your best. And if you have any other tips for creating the best beauty sleep routine, feel free to tell us in the comments.

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Recommended reading:

• Are Bamboo Bed Sheets Really Cooling And Why?
• Calming Bedroom Ideas To Find Your Inner Peace
• How To Sleep on Your Back and Sleep Well Every Time?

About the author

Filip

Since I'm a light sleeper, I know the importance of creating the perfect sleep sanctuary. Every little disturbance means a poor night's sleep for me. Armed with earplugs and a sleep mask, I navigate the nocturnal world, ensuring every corner is dark and silent.