Will lack of sleep affect your skin?
Simply put, yes. There’s a reason it’s called beauty sleep. When you’re not sleeping properly, your cortisol (stress hormone) level increases. High levels of cortisol cause inflammation in the body, which translates to dry skin, a dull complexion, and even premature hair loss. Studies also suggest that cortisol decreases the production of collagen, which is the most abundant protein in our bodies and gives our skin its elasticity (1).
When collagen breaks down and isn’t replenished as frequently, our skin starts to sag and loses its suppleness. This happens gradually as we age, and isn’t really something that can be completely avoided. That said, there are a few things that will speed up this process, and bad quality sleep is one of them.
The cellular regeneration cycle takes on average 28 days, and peaks each night at 2am."
Why do we look older in the morning?
Our bodies have a surge of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) while we are sleeping (2). HGH helps rebuild and repair body tissue, and increases cell production. The cellular regeneration cycle takes on average 28 days, and peaks each night at 2am (3).
New cells will always look more radiant, smooth and plump. Old cells tend to be rough and dehydrated, causing skin to feel dry and look more aged. You must allow your body the sleep it needs to produce HGH, or you will look tired and, dare I say it, older than you really are. Nobody wants to look older than their biological age!
New cells will always look more radiant, smooth and plump."
How to look after your skin
First, get a good nights’ sleep! Regular, good quality sleep will support your cellular regeneration cycle, and will help regulate your cortisol levels. Second, if you aren’t in your 20’s anymore, you really need to exfoliate and hydrate your skin properly.
Hydrated skin vs. dehydrated skin
Hydrated skin always looks healthier, plumper and, by default, more youthful. If you can’t rest, and have to fake a good nights’ sleep, you’ll need to hydrate your skin more frequently with emollients that are naturally high in fatty acids. This is especially important overnight, starting in your mid-thirties. This will help boost lost moisture. (Read How to Get Glowing Skin in Your 40’s)
How to hydrate your skin
Look for products that contain ingredients that support the body’s natural sleep functions. For example, products containing Carrot Seed Oil give skin a firmer, fresher appearance by helping the body expel toxins and water build-up in the dermal tissue. We designed a two-step system specifically for dull, stressed-out skin. It contains a rich, hydrating blend of Babassu Kernel, Hemp, Rosehip and Sea Buckthorn oils, along with a proprietary blend of Carrot Seed, Frankincense and other essential oils that support skin health. If you are in your late 30’s, 40’s +, we recommend layering. Apply an overnight serum first, and then lock-in the nutrients with a hydrating face cream.
How to exfoliate your skin
Also, don’t forget to detoxify and exfoliate your skin. If you are hanging onto congested, dead surface cells, your skin will look rough and dry. The best products for exfoliating your skin are gentle, and formulated with natural ingredients like clays and natural glycol acid (found in raw honey). These ingredients do a great job of sloughing away dead cells without over-drying your skin, and they are gentle enough to use a bit more frequently. Our Green Tea Detox Mask is a potent blend that does the trick every time. It also contains Carrot Seed Oil, Frankincense, and Bentonite to purify your pores and promote healthy skin. (Read Best Essential Oils for Dewy Skin in Your 40’s)
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References
As always, we are here to provide information and resources. Awake Organics is not affiliated with any of the third parties mentioned in this post. The content in this post is not sponsored, and is not intended as medical advice. Please read our General Health & Wellbeing Disclaimer for details.
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