While you sleep your body is in overdrive performing crucial regulatory and restorative functions. These processes mean skin repairs and renews as it’s fastest overnight. If we don’t get enough sleep the body’s opportunity to rest is compromised with knock on effects for health and skin. 40% of adults don’t get enough sleep. During this pandemic studies have shown 50% of people reported a negative impact on sleep with women in particular experiencing a greater disturbance than men! No surprise there! 🙄
peri menopausal or menopausal women are more likely to experience poor sleep and insomnia. This connection is partly because of the link between sleep and hormones. There is a specific link between oestrogen, progesterone and sleep! When women begin peri menopause or menopause disrupted sleep and more sleep complaints become an even more common occurrence. Fluctuating and falling levels of oestrogen and progesterone in the body plus a gradual decrease in the production of the sleep hormone melatonin are the reasons behind this!
among other functions sleep has important roles in memory, performance and hormone regulation, helping the body and brain to physically refresh and cleanse. Without adequate sleep the body is unable to fully carry out these functions compromising health. Sleep deprivation can cause increased cortisol production and reduces the production of testosterone. Appetite regulatory hormones can also be impacted and conditions like obesity and diabetes are connected to a lack of sleep.
the reparatory processes that happen during a good nights sleep are the ultimate skin health boosters. Our internal systems work in overdrive and many activities essential for skin health peak while we sleep. Blood flow to the skin increases, delivering essential nutrients which support the regular healthy functions of the skin. The growth hormone which plays a role in making top quality collagen and elastin is produced at its highest rate while we sleep! Cell renewal peaks while we sleep. Several hormones which are only excreted while we sleep stimulate proteins which stimulates collagen and elastin production.
melatonin is the ultimate antioxidant. Melatonin works overnight to heal free radical damage from the previous day. If you are experiencing poor sleep you may need additional support to adequately protect from UV damage. In addition to broad spectrum sunscreen (environs rad spf, rad shield, eminence vanilla or red currant spf, caudalie moisturising spf 30 & 50) supplementary anti oxidants such as vitamin c applied topically (environ mela even c boost, Caudalie’s vinoperfect serum & eminence c & e serum) and introduced into the diet (skin vit c) are vital replenishing protective properties that may be being lost due to lack of sleep. Antioxidant replenishment is a vital priority for skin protection if you are not sleeping as much as you need to.
the connection between sleep and the gut micro biome is another important skin health consideration, those who sleep badly may require support to maintain inner balance. An imbalance of bacteria in the gut can lead to poor digestion, lethargy and poor skin among other concerns. Having a healthy gut means we better absorb the nutrients in our diet, which is beneficial for skin. Therefore maintaining a diverse healthy gut can help maintain skin health. A lack of sleep triggers a stress response in the body that slows gut motility which impacts nutrient absorption. Elevated cortisol levels related to poor sleep triggers cravings for unhealthy foods. Clear skin biome and skin youth biome and adding probiotic foods to the diet can help replenish diversity while multivitamins add additional nutrient support for those struggling with diets and poor absorption.
thanks to sleep integrity to overall well-being the connection to skin are endless and supporting its various roles for the body and skin is vital. Comprised barrier function, inflammation and free radical damage and skin aging can all be connected to a lack of sleep. To combat this and maximise the impacts of sleep on the skin ensure skin is primed with the essential nutrients to nurture skin health and support restorative overnight functions. Vitamin a & c are particularly vital. Vitamin A’s role in skin renewal and vitamin C’s integrity in collagen making, makes them indispensable for overnight processes. Additionally nourishing the skins barrier with omegas, ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Topically BHA, AHA’s and peptides are ingredients that further encourage skin cell turnover. The underlying new cells and new collagen production in the dermal layers expends skin tissues and results in firmer and smoother looking skin.
the well-being benefits of sleep extend far beyond the skin and any skincare will work best when paired with improvements to sleep quality and quantity. Whether you experience insomnia or the skin deficiencies of a busy lifestyle, a carefully synergies skin regime helps replicate and enhance the effect a good nights sleep on the skin.
it’s nothing called beauty sleep for nothing 🛌👸🏼
Get yourself a good nights sleep and wake up with a refresh body and skin!
Stephanie 💋