Is beauty sleep the key to 'selfie-ready' skin?

Ever wonder why you get more breakouts when you're stressed, run down and have not got enough sleep? A good night's sleep is extremely important. It reduces inflammation in the skin, encourages skin cell rejuvenation and repair, removes toxins and re-balances our skin cells. 

Getting eight hours reduces inflammation

When you're tired the body makes more cortisol, our stress hormone. Elevated levels of cortisol lead to increased inflammation in the body and, among other things, are a very negative influence on the skin.

Increased inflammatory cells lead to the increased breakdown of collagen and hyaluronic acid. These are the molecules that give skin its appearance of plumpness, glow and tightness and without them we begin to look dull and puffy.

More inflammation in the body as a result of a lack of sleep further exacerbates existing skin conditions. This can result in an increase of acne, breakouts and skin sensitivity. 

Sleep is like food for the skin

While sleeping the body’s hydration re-balances. Skin is able to recover moisture, while the body processes excess water (and toxins) for removal from the body. Not enough sleep results in puffy eyes and dark circles under the eyes due to poor water balance. The skin becomes dryer and wrinkles more visible.

When we sleep deeply the body’s production of growth hormones rise allowing damaged cells to repair. This repair phase happens (whilst asleep) to counteract the breakdown phase during awake time.

So it makes sense to cleanse and treat your skin every night to give it the nourishment, hydration, and protection the cells need to give you that inner glow, lift and clarity and reduce the noticeable signs of ageing. You will give your skin access to the building blocks it needs to achieve the best outcomes possible!