You’re Doing It Wrong: How Sleep Can Help Your Skin

“The term beauty sleep is so much more than an expression.”

Sure, the importance of getting a full eight hours of sleep is ingrained in your brain (thanks, parents), but what you probably didn’t know is you can actually sleep to save your skin. Want to avoid wrinkles? Sleep on your back. Have sensitive skin? Use white sheets. All of this and so much more comes to you from celebrity dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer.

So, what’s the best thing you can do for your skin (other than layering your skincare correctly)? Keep reading.

Ultimate Skin Health: “The best thing you can do for your skin is to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. As you age, even a night of insufficient sleep shows. Sleep is a dynamic time when your body repairs and rebalances, and this maintenance keeps you in tip-top shape both mentally and physically. Without adequate sleep, repairs can’t be made and the wear and tear of internal aging processes takeover.” Have you heard a more terrifying sentence? Probably not.

Sleep Tips for Beautiful Skin:
1. “Learn to sleep on your back if you don’t want wrinkles. Sleeping on your stomach presses your face into the pillow, creating fine lines and creases when you wake up. It also makes for a more restful, energy-reduced effort when getting to sleep.”
2. “Use a soft pillowcase. A high thread count is gentler for your skin.”
3. “Use white sheets. Fabric dyes can irritate sensitive skin.”
4. “Avoid fabric softeners. Using a detergent for infants is better for the skin.”

Moral of the Story, You Need to Sleep: “All of the skin care in the world will not make a lasting difference if you do not maintain your emotional and physical health. So, regardless of what happened during the day, you want to calm yourself down and be able to fall asleep naturally. Of course everyone looks better after a good night’s sleep, but this observation is backed by science. Quality deep sleep is essential if you want to wake up refreshed.”

Oh, and No Eating Before Bed: “It’s best not to eat at least three hours prior to going to bed. This will prevent insulin surges prior to falling asleep.”

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