TIPS TO WAKE UP TO GLOWING SKIN
Tips to wake up to glowing skin.
Hey Sleeping Beauties…
Are you tired of waking up to tired, dark circles under your eyes and dull, puffy skin? A consistent bedtime beauty routine is all you need to turn things around so you wake up gorgeous, healthy skin. Glowing skin secrets ahead!
Tips to wake up flawless in the morning
During the day is when your skin is in a protective state. Your skin is constantly fighting off external aggressors, such as pollutants and sun damage. Before you head out for the day, you likely apply protective serums, moisturizers and a sunblock for ultimate skin protection.
It is equally critical to care for your skin in the evening. At night is when your skin is repairing itself and when skin renewal and cell division is at its maximum. It is essential to deliver potent ingredients when your skin needs it most.
Waking up to youthful skin is easier than you might expect. Here are some bedtime beauty ritual tips to help you achieve morning radiance.
Bedtime Tips to wake up to Glowing Skin
Sleep on your back
Your sleeping position could be ruining your skin! If you aren’t sleeping on your back, you are risking breakouts and wrinkled skin. Sleeping on your back is the best way to prevent premature wrinkles. This is because skin remains smooth and isn’t rubbing against your pillow. Sleeping on your back puts you in a relaxed state which reduces body inflammation, in turn encouraging superior cell turnover.
When you sleep on your side or your stomach, you are causing friction to your skin. Did you know that stomach sleepers develop deeper forehead wrinkles than someone who doesn’t? And side sleepers will likely notice more crease lines on the side they sleep on, especially around the eyes, mouth, and cheek area. Squishing your face into the pillow tugs at the skin throughout the night and causes constant tension.
Don’t let your hair down
Letting your hair down while you snooze could mean waking up to acne or irritated skin. Your hair holds onto a lot of dirt and dust which can pollute skin. Hair’s natural oils, including hair products, can also seep into your skin as you sleep.
Try to sleep with your hair up in a loose bun or braid to keep your hair away from your skin to avoid breakouts or inflammation.
Invest in a pillowcase
Using a silk or satin pillowcase can make you feel like a princess! In addition to feeling like royalty, it provides a smooth surface for skin to easily glide across. This is a great way to wake up to glowing skin! A satin or silk pillowcase cuts the facial imprints, creases and lines that you get from other materials.
Cotton pillowcases tend to pull moisture and oils from skin, which can make you wake up to dry, dull skin. It can also draw bacteria to your skin, causing breakouts and skin damage.
Time to wash the sheets
Dirty sheets harbor a lot of built-up bacteria, sweat, and dirt. “Exhibit A: dead skin cells. Humans shed between 30,000 and 40,000 skin cells every day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)” (1)
Um… yuck! So, as you repeatedly sleep on the same sheets every night, each day’s residue is festering and accumulating more and more bacteria and dirt.
Washing your sheets once a week will help minimize waking up to breakouts. Clean sheets = clean skin!
Prop the Pillows
There are many health benefits to sleeping with your head elevated, such as improvements with acid reflux, snoring and nasal drips. Sleeping with an extra pillow can also help with blood flow and prevent fluid build-up in skin, which can help you look more bright-eyed in the morning. It reduces the chance of waking up to eye bags and under-eye circles. Sleeping flat can cause fluid to pool around the delicate areas, causing puffiness and swelling in your face and eyes. No thanks!
Wash that makeup OFF
It’s very important to protect your skin. Skin is picking up grime, pollutants and other damaging aggressors that you encounter throughout the day. Washing your face before bed will help rid of all the debris. Clean skin will prep your skin for better absorption of your night time skincare and encourage gentle cell turnover and skin cell regeneration. If your skin can’t breathe, it is not going to allow the natural skin repair process to occur. If your skin barrier is compromised, you are also putting yourself at risk for infection and rash.
Don’t skip the skincare routine before bed
Our skin takes a beating during the day. Skin repairs itself as we sleep so it is important to nourish it with high-performing ingredients to encourage optimal cell repair.
Establishing a beauty night routine and using high quality, organic skincare is crucial. After cleansing and exfoliating, treat skin with a highly-concentrated serum. Serums are important for night repair because they penetrate the skin better and provide channels for better penetration of other products.
Boost and hydrate skin with an emollient moisturizer. Skin naturally becomes more acidic as we snooze so dermatologists suggest using a heavier moisturizer at night to aid with extra dryness.
Don’t forget a quality eye cream! Look for an eye cream that contains ingredients like Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid or peptides.
Looking for the best skin care rituals? ELLA i SKiN’s fave glowing skincare for bedtime: Night Repair Beauty Bundle
DO skip the Cheese
Try to pass on the cheese and dairy products before bed if you are trying to clear up skin. Research shows that dairy has a direct impact on skin health and too much of it can cause breakouts. Removing dairy can improve acne and eczema. Late night snacking in general can be harmful to skin but if you need to nibble, try to have a small handful of berries. ^
Drink plenty of water
Days can be very busy and your body can feel depleted by bedtime. Drinking water before bed will hydrate you and help release toxins from your body as you sleep.
It’s good to develop the habit of keeping a glass of water beside your bed. You can sip on it if you wake up thirsty and it will be there to drink first thing in the morning.
Get your Beauty Sleep!
Sleeeeeeep. An anti-aging remedy like no other!
Sleep has profound effects on your physical appearance. Nothing will make your skin feel or look healthier and younger than getting a good night’s sleep. Sleep deprivation harms the integrity of your skin, causing dull, grey, dehydrated skin with more pronounced wrinkles, fine lines, drooping skin, hanging eyelids and puffy eyes.
Collagen production occurs during sleep, helping skin rebalance itself and repair. Aiming for 8 solid hours of uninterrupted sleep boosts blood flow to the skin. The visible signs of being well rested are plump, youthful and glowing skin.
Did you know your skin can tell time?
A 2014 study showed that skin repair and function is directly impacted by our circadian rhythms. (2) Researchers found that optimal cell repair happens during 11 pm – midnight. So, if you are getting some shut eye during this time, your skin will make the most of its repair.
Bedtime Beauty Ritual
Waking up to radiant, glowing skin can be achieved by consistently having a healthy bedtime beauty ritual. By investing in bedtime self care, you are investing in your skin and overall health. Waking up rested will make you feel better and function better. And the bonus? Your skin will also look better! Not just better but amazing!
Tips to wake up to glowing skin.
^ For more information about foods for glowing skin see other blog posts:
PRACTICING ULTIMATE SELF CARE WITH FRUITS & VEGGIES
Resources
(1) How Often to Wash the Sheets
(2) Therapeutic Implications of the Circadian Clock on Skin Function