What Happens When You’re Asleep?
Wondering how sleep and beauty go hand in hand? To understand how to improve your sleep, we first need to understand how sleep works. Did you know that you cycle through four different sleep stages during the night? And, each one plays an important role to make sure you get your beauty sleep:
Stage 1 Sleep
If you fall asleep, stage 1 takes place 5 to 10 minutes later. During stage one, it’s easy to be woken up. This is when your muscles begin to relax.
Stage 2 Sleep
If Stage 2 takes up about half of the entire cycle, and the cycle lasts around 45 to 50 minutes, then Stage 2 must last around 22 to 25 minutes. During stage 2, your body temperature begins to drop and your breathing becomes more relaxed, which signals that you are preparing for the next phase.
Stage 3 Sleep
Stage 3 is when you’re sleeping your deepest. During this stage, the release of growth hormone helps with the repair and rebuilding process of tissue. This hormone also helps to produce elastin and collagen. This is why sleep can improve the skin and lead to fewer wrinkles.
deepen sleep, the body’s cells rapidly produce new proteins and break down old proteins slowly. Your muscles and tissues are repaired and the waste management systems in your brain become active, flushing out the waste that interferes with cognitive function. This allows you to think more clearly and improves your mood. It is very difficult to wake someone up when they are in a deep sleep.
Stage 4 Sleep, or REM
The final stage of sleep is known as REM (Rapid Eye Movement). REM generally lasts about 20 minutes. The brain is active and the eyes are moving rapidly during REM, even though the eyes are closed. Most dreaming takes place during the REM phase.
Why Is Sleeping Such a Good Thing for Your Skin, Body, & Overall Health?
While you sleep, your skin is able to repair itself because there is an increase of blood flow to the dermis. The regeneration of skin cells begins when blood flow increases. An increase in blood flow provides many benefits for your appearance, such as a younger look, fewer wrinkles, and less puffiness around the eyes.
You may have noticed that when you don’t get enough sleep, your face looks different. If you don’t get enough sleep, you might notice a change in your skin tone, more wrinkles, puffy eyelids, dark circles, and an overall tired-looking complexion. This is because sleep deprivation reduces blood flow. No matter what you do, you still look tired. Other people may find you less attractive if you have a lot of Cats, according to research from 2010.
The Importance of Collagen Production
One of the ways the skin regenerates is through collagen production. Collagen is a protein that your body produces naturally. It is essential for your body. It helps to remove dead skin cells and makes the skin firmer and more elastic. When you’re young, your body produces a lot of collagen — that’s why children and teenagers have such bouncy, uplifted skin. Your body produces less as you get older. There is a decrease in the levels of collagen in your body by 1 to 2% every year starting from when you are in your twenties. A study found that not getting enough sleep can damage your skin, including reducing collagen production. If you want your body to make collagen, you need to get enough sleep. Collagen helps repair the body, so getting a good amount of sleep is necessary for keeping your body healthy.
Melatonin & Human Growth Hormone
Skin produces the hormones melatonin and human growth hormone (hGH) while you sleep. Melatonin is a signal that tells the body it’s time to sleep. In turn, your body also produces melatonin to help repair any damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells. Studies show that melatonin is an effective compound for reducing skin aging caused by free radicals. If you get enough sleep, it will help the important hormones do their jobs.
Sebum & the Circadian Rhythm
One not-so-great thing your skin does while you sleep? It loses moisture. Your skin produces an oil called sebum. Too much sebum, and you get acne. Too little, and your face becomes dry and wrinkly. Sebum production is at its lowest during the night, according to research. One reason it is important to use a good moisturizer before going to sleep is that it helps to keep your skin hydrated.
One more reason your skin is dryer at night is because it is more acidic and hotter at night, according to a report in The Dermatologist. This makes it more susceptible to moisture loss. If you have dry skin, it means your skin is old. To get young, dewy skin, you need to moisturize your skin before bed.
Everyone needs a break, right? That goes for skin too! While you sleep, your skin is resting from complexion-ruining agents such as sunlight and stress. Ultra-violet radiation is one of the worst skin agers. The study found that people who experience psychological stress are more likely to have visible signs of aging on their skin, such as wrinkles and age spots. Your skin does not have to protect you from the outside world when you are asleep.
Rest & Attractiveness
A lack of restful sleep can not only affect how you look now, but experts believe that it can also have an effect on how you and others perceive yourself in the long run. A lack of sleep has been linked to increased signs of aging and a slower skin recovery time when exposed to UV rays, pollution and other stress factors.
The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. When it functions properly, it helps the skin to retain more moisture and protects the dermis. When it’s damaged, the dermis experiences more water loss. Sleep deprivation can cause your skin to look dull and dry, as well as contributing to decreased barrier function and increased water loss. This can also cause your eyes to look tired.
The Effects of Shut-Eye on the Immune System
If you’re tired, it can take a toll on your immune system and skin. Lack of sleep not only causes dark circles, it also results in the release of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol breaks down collagen, causing skin to sag. Chronic stress harms the integrity of the skin’s collagen.
A Clinically-Studied Fact…
The benefits of a good night’s sleep on a person’s appearance has been shown in a clinical trial commissioned by Estee Lauder. The clinical trial showed that people who don’t get enough sleep have skin that ages more quickly. The study involved 60 pre-menopausal women between the ages of 30 and 49. Half of the women in the study had poor quality sleep. The study found that there were significant differences between people who slept well and those who slept poorly.
The women who participated in the study and got fewer hours of sleep showed more signs of premature skin aging, including fine lines and wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, reduced skin elasticity, and more sagging skin. These people also had a decreased ability to recover from sun exposure, with a more sluggish response to sunburns. Subjects who reported getting poor sleep were less satisfied with their appearance, according to a questionnaire they filled out evaluating their perception of attractiveness.
What You Can Do to Boost Skin Cell Regeneration at Night While You Snooze
There are things you can do to improve your sleep and prevent premature aging. Our face and body go into repair mode while we’re resting, which is why using high-quality skin care products like a moisturizer, face cream or serum can help repair and rejuvenate the skin. When you wake up, your skin will look full and hydrated. Your skin also needs hydration at night so that it does not become too dehydrated.
Unlike day creams, your night moisturizer probably doesn’t contain ingredients that offer sun protection. Night creams are beneficial for the skin as they contain moisturizers and anti-aging ingredients. These ingredients help the skin to recover and look its best. Because night creams are meant to be used during the night, they are thicker and richer than day creams. Serums are light, rapidly absorbed liquids that can be used as an alternative or complement to creams. Serums contain a potent dose of anti-aging ingredients.
What Are Overnight Beauty Treatments?
Overnight beauty treatments are applications you make to your skin before going to bed, so that the product has time to work while you sleep, resulting in better results. They’re not only convenient, but they also have some benefits that are worth taking note of. They can help improve the skin’s texture for a firmer complexion. In addition, serums can help to restore any moisture that is lost during the night so that your skin looks radiant when you wake up in the morning.
Can I leave a hair mask or face mask on overnight? The answer is yes, as long as you do so thoughtfully. For example, you might not want to put vaseline on your face for hours if you are prone to breakouts. Be careful with the overnight hair masks you use. Although drenching your strands in coconut oil may hydrate them, it could cause acne if the oil gets all over your pillowcase. There are many products that are designed to be left on overnight.
If you don’t want the product from your hair mask to get on your face or body, tie your hair up before you go to bed. If the idea of wearing an overnight face mask worry you because you think it might cause you to get pimples, look for face masks that won’t clog your pores.
Our Favorite Overnight Beauty Treatments
Do you want your beauty sleep to be even more effective?
Living Proof Night Cap
This formula contains amino acids which smooth the hair cuticles and help to keep the hair soft and shiny. The best part? This product will make your hair look great for up to five washes, so you can enjoy your beautiful hair all week.
Bumble and Bumble While You Sleep Damage Repair Masque
This overnight hair mask, infused with nourishing evening primrose, promises to repair damaged, brittle hair and deliver silky-smooth locks by the morning. In addition to being rated highly online, this hair mask was also shown to reduce hair breakage by nearly 80 percent in a clinical trial.
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
If you have been watching hair videos on the app TikTok, you have probably seen this product mentioned before. The product has become popular because social media users have posted pictures of their dramatic results after using it. This technology repairs hair that has been damaged from activities such as coloring, using chemicals, and heat styling. This product promises to revitalize your hair, making it stronger, softer, smoother, and more bouncy.
Briogeo Strength + Moisture Leave-In Mask
Looking for an overnight mask that’s easy to use? This spray-on treatment is scientifically proven to reduce hair breakage after two uses. This product contains argan oil that is enclosed along with a mix of B vitamins, algae, and biotin that can help repair dry and damaged hair overnight.
Laniege Water Sleeping Mask
There are many reasons why this product is so highly regarded by influencers and editors. This face mask contains a blend of probiotics and squalane to help increase your skin’s moisture overnight. All of the participants in a four-week study said that their skin felt softer and more hydrated after just one use.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask
This mask exfoliates to help support the skin cell renewal process. It will help get rid of dead skin cells, which can make your skin look dull and pores clogged. The sleep mask by Glow Recipe contains exfoliating AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), hydrating hyaluronic acid, and soothing watermelon extract (which contains amino acids). The best part? It’s pillow-proof, so it won’t make a mess.
Dr. Dennis Gross’ Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Texture Renewal Peel is a powerful overnight peel that contains retinol, ferulic acid, and lactic acid to smooth and brighten skin. It also contains a patented ingredient that helps to renew the skin’s surface overnight.
Retinol is the key ingredient to use for youthful, glowing skin. It can be irritating if you are in the sun, so it is best to let it work its magic overnight. This overnight beauty treatment will help improve your skin by stimulating collagen production and increasing moisture retention. You will wake up in the morning to skin that looks younger and more refreshed.
HUM Nutrition Mighty Night
This supplement contains valerian root, passionflower, and hops to help you sleep deeper and more restfully (which is critical for our skin’s overall health). But it takes beauty sleep one step further. It contains ceramides which help the skin to keep moisture and have an even texture. This powerful antioxidant scavenges free radicals, which are known to accelerate aging and cause dullness. The last key ingredient in this product is ferulic acid, which has been shown, through experimental studies, to protect skin from environmental stress factors.
HUM Nutrition Beauty ZZZZ
If you are using overnight face and hair masks, you can improve your sleep by also taking this supplement. This sleep-aid contains melatonin to help you fall asleep, vitamin B6 to regulate your sleep cycle, and calcium to improve the quality of your sleep. Take one before bed and wake up feeling—and looking—refreshed.
Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask
One of the reasons TikTok users favor this lip mask is because it leaves their lips feeling hydrated and soft. This lip balm is ultra-hydrating, containing shea and murumuru butter as well as vitamin C to nourish your lips deeply. The thick, slow-melting consistency gives you super-soft lips overnight.
