Sleep: Skincare’s Secret Weapon
7 Steps to Better Sleep
Written by: Sheila Olson
You religiously moisturize, cleanse, and nourish your skin using organic skincare products like Bee Veda balms and face masks. However, no amount of balm or cleansers can counter the skin-wrecking effects of poor sleep.
It's true: Clocking fewer than seven hours of sleep per night limits the time your skin has to repair and restore itself. The result is a duller, drier complexion, more wrinkles, and reduced elasticity (not to mention the dreaded dark circles). If that weren't bad enough, sleep deprivation also makes people look sadder and rate themselves as less attractive.
7 Steps to Better Sleep
Sleep deprivation is easy enough to solve if you're staying up late out of bedtime procrastination. But what if you're struggling to get your beauty rest? If you know you need seven to nine hours of sleep a night but can't seem to get it, try these steps.
1. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier
Don't expect to erase dysfunctional sleep habits overnight. Shift your sleep gradually by going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night until you've reached your ideal bedtime.
2. Skip the nightcap
Alcohol may be sedating, but that doesn't necessarily translate to better sleep. Avoiding alcohol three hours before bedtime improves REM sleep. While we're on the topic of liquids, it may be time to cut out that afternoon coffee as well.
Drop the temperature
Body temperature plays a central role in your circadian rhythm. Kick off your socks and dial the thermostat down to 65 degrees before going to bed. If night sweats wake you up, avoid memory foam and try a temperature-regulating mattress pad for help sleeping through the night.
Keep it dark
If you've developed the bad habit of using your smartphone or watching TV before bed, you're not alone. However, late-night entertainment habits may be wrecking your sleep. While blue light glasses get a lot of hype, Gunnar.com states that you'll reap the best results if you turn your devices off and wear a sleep mask at night.
Try a sleepcast
You've heard of podcasts. But what about sleepcasts? Sleepcasts include music, meditations, guided visualizations, and other soothing sounds to help you doze off. You won't want to wear headphones to bed so get yourself a smart bedroom speaker with a built-in sleep timer like the Apple HomePod or Amazon Echo.
Understand your sleep
If you're sleeping through the night but still waking up with your mind foggy and skin sallow, wear a fitness tracker to see what's happening while you snooze. While a sleep tracker won't solve your sleep problems, it will help you identify patterns and decide if it's time to talk to a doctor.
7. Get into a routine
Now that you know the basics of better sleep, it's time to put them together into a soothing sleep routine. Your bedtime routine is also a chance to give your skin an extra boost. For the dewiest complexion, remove dirt, oil, and makeup and wash your face with a gentle cleanser before applying your favorite moisturizers and body balms from Bee Veda.
More Ways to Boost Your Skin and Your Sleep
Now you know why sleep is important for your complexion, but giving your skin time to rest and repair isn't the only way that better sleep benefits skincare. Here are five more things you can do to improve both your sleep and your skin.
Quit smoking.
Stay hydrated.
Exercise regularly.
Eat a balanced diet.
Sleep on your back.
The secret to better skin is simpler than you think: take care of yourself! When you sleep well, treat your body right, and nourish your skin with natural skincare from Bee Veda, you let the glowing, vibrant human underneath shine through. As you start your self-care journey, make sure you're taking care of all of YOU— because health is more than skin deep!