What Is Beauty Sleep? How To Improve Your Skin Overnight

Have you ever gotten out of bed with itchy or irritated skin? Maybe the day before a special occasion you wake up with a face full of acne. Taking care of your skin can sometimes seem like a full-time job. However, there are a few simple steps you can add to your nighttime routine to help you feel refreshed and restored without expensive products or procedures.

What Might Be Stunting Your Skin’s Restorative Process

As you go through the day, there are certain environmental and personal factors that can inhibit your skin’s health and rejuvenation. Daily exposure to toxins and extreme sunlight may leave your skin dry and in need of serious nourishment. These factors may also prevent you from getting true beauty sleep.

Sun exposure

While you might have loved spending time outdoors when you were young, it’s possible that all that fun in the sun caused long-term damage to your skin. Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet light can lead to redness, blisters, sunspots, wrinkles and retina impairment. The full effects of sunburns appear about four to five hours after sun exposure, so to protect your skin, make sure to slather on the sunscreen.

Pollution

Though we don’t always see it, pollution is omnipresent. Car exhaust, lingering smoke and other pollutants in the air tend to stick to your skin and seep into pores throughout the day. Pollution can also lead to skin sensitivity, premature aging, dullness and roughness, making a cleanser and exfoliator that much more important.

Lack of sleep and hydration

If you only drink one glass of water per day and consider five hours of sleep sufficient, you might want to rethink those habits. It is vital to stay hydrated throughout the day in order for your skin and body to maintain proper function. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces every day and get at least eight hours of sleep each night.

Improper skin routine

You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on skin treatments, facials and chemical peels to get beautiful skin. If you tend to reach for a makeup wipe at bedtime, consider investing in an organic cleanser and moisturizer that works for your skin type. Your body doesn’t usually generate much sebum or natural oils at night so a refreshing wash before you go to sleep can work wonders.

Get Your Skin Back On Track While You Sleep

Once you address the issues that might be hindering a natural, healthy glow, try implementing additional techniques to improve your skin overnight. It is not impossible to wake up with that buttery soft skin you’ve always wanted, so dive into a new nighttime routine to help you undo the day’s damage.

Invest in quality bedsheets and pillowcases

Pillowcases and sheets that go more than a week without a spin through the washing machine may make you more prone to breakouts. Unwashed linens can accumulate bacteria, sweat and leftover makeup over time. Cotton can soak up to 27 times its weight in water, so choose a smooth and breathable fabric such as bamboo to help retain your skin’s moisture.

Upgrade your skincare products — and actually use them

Your skin has probably changed since high school. At night, use the right cleansers and moisturizers to target certain areas of the face. Consider products that serve multiple purposes to boost your skin’s health and appearance. Make sure you remove any makeup, as leftover residue can contribute to wrinkles and discoloration.

Know your body

You know your skin best. If the sudsy, strawberry-infused face wash just isn’t cutting it, don’t be afraid to change. Watch how your skin reacts to certain ingredients and switch products until you find the right one. If you’re still not sure, see a dermatologist for a professional opinion.

A one-size-fits-all approach might have worked in the past, but to get healthy and clear skin, it might be time to try a new regimen. Choosing the right  cleansers, sunscreen and moisturizers can take some trial and error, but once you land on the perfect combination, your skin will thank you.

Looking for 100% chemical-free, all-natural nourishing face and body oils? Check out Earth & Elm Nourishing Face Oil and Earth & Elm Nourishing Body Oil. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Kat Dey is Co-Founder and President of ettitude, a provider of home essentials — such as bedding, sleepwear and towels — made from 100% organic bamboo. Falling in love with ettitude’s sustainable mission and products, she joined the team in 2018 to help expand the company globally. Dey, who has more than 10 years of experience scaling mission-driven brands, is passionate about wellness and a sustainable lifestyle.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

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