5 Skin Benefits Of Getting Enough Sleep

by Sharyln Neo March 17, 2022

Are you always busy dealing with the demands of life? Do you sacrifice sleep to get everything done? Singapore is ranked second out of 43 cities on a list of the most sleep-deprived cities according to a poll from 2018. Even though the recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult is 7 to 9 hours every night, according to a study by SingHealth Polyclinics, 44% of Singaporeans aren’t getting enough sleep during the week, and 26% don’t get enough sleep on the weekends.

Even if you don’t realize it, your skin may be suffering from your lack of sleep because you’re not getting its natural benefits and your skin doesn't have the chance to finish repairing itself.

Not getting enough sleep can cause several skin issues, including;

Droopy eyelids
Dark circles under your eyes
Swollen, puffy eyes
Dry, pale skin
Fine lines and wrinkles
Drooping corners of the mouth

All of these signs of a lack of sleep can make you look older, unhappy, and less attractive – which will only get worse the more sleep you miss out on. Luckily, you can counteract these effects by getting a good night’s sleep every day. In this article, we discuss how getting enough sleep can improve your appearance.

Fewer Wrinkles

Your skin produces new collagen while you sleep. Collagen makes skin look plump and youthful, and it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When you don’t get at least seven hours of sleep a night, your skin suffers, and it results in twice as many wrinkles on your face. So, be sure to get plenty of rest every day for wrinkle-free skin!

Glowing Complexion

If your skin is dull, a lack of sleep just may be the problem. When you sleep, your body increases blood flow to the skin. Depriving yourself of sleep decreases blood flow to the skin and can make you look dull and lifeless.

Bright Eyes

Dark, puffy eyes are a classic sign of sleep deprivation. When you don’t get enough sleep, your blood doesn’t flow properly. This can cause swelling, which is made worse by lying down. Prop your head up with a pillow and be sure to get enough sleep to avoid these unattractive features.

Happy, Healthy Appearance

Lack of sleep can make you look unhappy. When your body doesn’t see the benefits of getting enough sleep, it can cause the corners of your mouth and eyes to droop, creating the appearance of a frown. Other lack of sleep symptoms, such as eye bags, dull skin, eye wrinkles, and dark circles under your eyes can also contribute to a sadder look. These signs can get worse over time, so be sure to catch consistent restful nights before it’s too late.

Products Work Better

With an improved blood flow from a well-rested night, your products will be able to permit the layers of your skin to function as intended. You can also take this opportunity to use thicker, more viscous products that require a longer period to absorb into your skin, such as sleeping packs, sheet masks or a thick moisturizer. Through the night, your skin will soak up all the ingredients from these products, so that you can wake up to bouncier, hydrated, and nourished skin. This is why you really want to choose your nighttime products strategically to optimize your skin’s recovery during those restful, restorative hours.

Tips for Sleeping Better

Changing your routine to get better sleep isn’t always easy. If you need some help with improving your sleep, here are some effective tips:

Put your phone away at least 2 hours before you plan to sleep. This will reduce blue light exposure from the screen that can interrupt your natural sleep–wake cycle.
Reduce your caffeine and nicotine intake preferably after noon. As stimulants to our body’s nervous system, users are more likely to experience alertness or less tiredness after smoking or drinking coffee.
Create and maintain a routine before bed. This winddown ritual will help your body recognize it’s time to go to sleep.
Avoid taking naps after 3pm. This decreases the amount of sleep your body will need for the next night – which then causes difficulty initiating sleep, sleep deprivation, and insomnia.
Set the right temperature in your bedroom. An environment that is cool, but not cold, can help you settle into and maintain sleep throughout the night.
Expose yourself to sunlight during the day. Similar to regulating your sleep-wake cycle to maintain a fixed bed time, sunlight can also boost serotonin hormones to help you feel calm and focused.
Get some exercise during the day or stretch before bed to promote continuous sleep.
Take a supplement for sleep (E.g., melatonin, magnesium, etc.).
Take a warm, relaxing bath or try meditating before heading to bed.
Check with a professional for signs of a sleep disorder if common methods are fruitless.

Deep, regular sleep helps to recharge, re-energize and detoxify your skin from the day’s environmental stressors – so put down your phone and give your skin a much needed break!