The tale of Sleeping Beauty may be just a fairytale but the concept of a beauty sleep is very real. The positive impact of a good night's sleep on our health is well documented. The condition of our skin is also influenced by our sleep pattern. In other words, getting enough sleep certainly contributes to an eternally young skin . So don't be afraid to sleep in over the weekend, your skin will thank you for it!
hard to believe? Then keep reading because this blog explains the impact of sleep on our skin.
What happens to the skin when we sleep?
When we sleep, our body and mind recharge. Physiological changes occur: our body temperature and blood pressure drop, our breathing slows down and our body produces hormones. Each in their own way stimulates the recovery and regeneration of the skin.
All these changes have a beneficial effect on our stem cells, also known as mother cells. Stem cells are the cells responsible for the cell production and cell renewal of our skin; new cells are created in the subcutaneous layer and then migrate to the skin surface where they peel off. The cell renewal process lasts a total of 28 days and mainly takes place while we are sleeping so getting enough and good quality sleep is crucial to cell renewal. This is because our brain produces growth hormone at night. This hormone is mainly produced during our childhood years because we are not fully grown yet but adults also need it. Growth hormone is responsible for repairing and growing the cells in our skin. Around 70% of this hormone is produced during sleep. Production takes place in peaks. Most of the hormone is produced at night, specifically about 2 to 3 hours after falling asleep.
Skin renewal
So while we are enjoying our well-deserved rest our body is hard at work. And it's necessary! Every day our skin is exposed to stress factors, UV rays, radiation, pollution , etc. During the day our body works hard to protect itself against these influences by producing antioxidants . At night these harmful factors are no longer present and the body no longer has to focus on defending itself against stress factors. This is the time when our body recovers and that includes our skin.
Permeability of the skin at night
'Our internal clock also regulates the barrier function of the skin. Our skin is more permeable at night . On the one hand this means that absorption by the skin of active substances improves while on the other hand this implies the skin loses more moisture at night. This opens perspectives for the dermal absorption of active substances. It is important to find the right balance between a product that not only contains active substances but also hydrates the skin. In short, all the more reason to invest in a night cream with high-quality ingredients. So which products should you use for an effective evening routine? Below we've listed the 3 most important tips:
Step 1: Cleansing is key!
To offset the pollutants encountered during the day it is essential to cleanse the skin thoroughly in the evening . This neutralizes the damage your skin has sustained in the course of the day and promotes the absorption of the active substances in your cream or serum. It is best to implement a mild two-step program : start by applying a mild oil or milky cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser .
Step 2: Active action: stimulating the cell renewal process
Ideally, these are products with anti-ageing ingredients that act on collagen and cell renewal (such as peptides, retinol, ...). Attention: with high quality and rich ingredients we do not mean that a thick cream is better. A thick cream lays a layer over your skin, as it were, so that the moisture cannot escape. But this can cause your skin to become 'lazy'. So instead of stimulating the skin to stimulate the biological processes that are so important at night, you make the skin just dependent on an external product. So it is better to choose a light texture , so that the active ingredients are well absorbed by the skin.
Step 3: Passive action: offsetting moisture loss
To offset the pollutants encountered during the day it is essential to cleanse the skin thoroughly in the evening . This neutralizes the damage your skin has sustained in the course of the day and promotes the absorption of the active substances in your cream or serum. It is best to implement a mild two-step program : start by applying a mild oil or milky cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser .
