Imagine waking up every morning, feeling tired and unrested. As you move to the bathroom, you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror with a new pimple that seemingly sprouted overnight. Frustrating, right? Well, it turns out that poor sleep may be a contributing factor to acne breakouts.
Your complexion reflects the overall state of your well-being. If you’re tossing and turning in bed or going to sleep stressed, that can manifest on your skin. How does lack of sleep cause acne? Well, it can trigger an inflammatory response and oxidative stress that damages our skin barrier [1].
However, with some simple changes to your daily routine, you can achieve better sleep and clearer skin. Let’s take a look at the connection between insufficient sleep and acne, with four useful tips to improve your sleep quality and skin.
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The Link Between Sleep And Skin Health
Getting a good night's sleep is essential for your overall health, not just your skin. The peak time for skin cell renewal and repair occurs during your sleep as your body rests. But what happens to our body when we can’t get enough sleep?
Studies show that poor sleep quality can impair the skin's ability to defend itself, causing excessive moisture loss and an increased sensitivity to outside contaminants [2]. Also, not getting enough rest can result in elevated cortisol levels, a stress hormone which can trigger inflammation and exacerbate skin issues such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis [3]. This all has a compound effect on our skin’s health that can lead to other concerns like fine lines and wrinkles.
The list of issues caused by lack of sleep include:
- Impaired skin barrier function
- Dehydrated and inflamed skin
- Increased cortisol levels
- Accelerated skin aging [4]
- Dark circles and puffiness around the eyes
Without enough sleep, the body cannot repair and regenerate properly, resulting in skin that is dull and prone to acne breakouts. Fortunately, we can take certain steps to address this common skin issue and get our skin back on track.
4 Tips for Better Sleep And Healthier Skin
If melatonin supplements haven’t been working, there’s other approaches to wind down and enter dreamland. Incorporate these tips into your daily routine, and pair it with a personalized skincare set to get better sleep and clear skin.
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule – Create a routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. This can enhance the body’s natural repair process and promote better quality sleep.
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine – Unwind with calm activities like journaling or meditation before bed that signals to your body that it's time to prepare for rest.
- Avoid electronic devices before bed – Our electronic devices emit blue light that can disrupt our body's natural melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep and impairing skin repair processes.
- Routinely change your bedding – There’s nothing like jumping into a clean bed after a stressful day. Change your pillowcases every night to reduce the risk of acne-causing bacteria spreading on your face as you sleep.
Improving your sleep quality through lifestyle changes can help keep your skin healthy and clear. But if you’re experiencing severe acne breakouts, it may be worth seeing a board-certified dermatologist to explore other treatment solutions.
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PROVEN Skincare is a unique solution because we know that everyone’s skin is different. With the aid of advanced AI technology, our customized formulations are designed with powerful ingredients to combat acne. Let us simplify your skincare routine and help you score radiant, youthful skin today.
