We’ve all heard the phrase, beauty sleep, but have you ever really stopped to think about how much sleep affects your skin? Sleep is not just about recharging your body and mind, it’s a game-changer for your skin’s health too. While you’re off catching those Zs, your skin is working overtime to repair, regenerate, and restore itself. It's like your skin's secret little nightly reset.
A good night’s sleep should be at the top of your skincare list. Combine that with a solid nighttime routine, the right fabrics, and sleep environment, and you’re setting yourself up for success. Your skin has a lot of work to do while you sleep, and with the right support, it’ll thank you in the morning with that dewy, fresh complexion we all crave.
To celebrate Sleep Awareness Week, we caught up with Skin Therapist, Tegan Mac who is here to educate us on the truth behind healthy skin.
Why is sleep so important for your skin?
Ensuring we all have a sufficient amount of sleep is pivotal to the skins ability to regenerate and function at an optimal level. Poor sleep has been linked to faster skin aging, increased inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, eczema and rosacea, and poor skin barrier function. You’ll notice puffiness, dark under eyes, a dull complexion and dryer skin when you’re not getting enough sleep. Ideally we all need a minimum of 8 hours of good quality sleep to maintain overall good health.
If you’ve been struggling with sleep quality for a while, now is the time to start prioritising sleep. You may want to consider seeing a sleep specialist, or even a naturopath. Not only will good quality sleep result in good quality skin, it's shown to support weight management, increase focus, strengthen your immune system and balance mood swings.
How can we prep and nourish our skin during colder months when the air tends to be dry and harsh?
Dry winter air and the use of heaters in the cooler months can take a toll on the skin's barrier by drawing moisture out of the skin. One tip I often recommend to clients is to use a humidifier in their bedroom to keep the moisture levels higher while you sleep. This can be particularly helpful for chronic dry conditions such as eczema.
Another tip is to switch up your skincare routine to include more nourishing products such as a oil and cream cleansers, thicker moisturisers and increased use of oils. Topping up skin’s moisture levels with a hydrating mist is another handy tip I recommend to clients while on the go or at work.
What fabrics should we be choosing for our sleepwear and bedding?
To maintain a comfortable temperature while you sleep, you want to opt for breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen and bamboo, over less breathable fabrics like polyester and flannelette. Check your sheets to see if they’re 100% or blends, ideally you’ll want fabrics that are 100% cotton, linen etc.
The same goes for your pajamas. If you find yourself waking up hot and clammy, this is a sign that your body is struggling to regulate its temperature, and that switching up your sleep fabrics is required. For cold sleepers, flannelette may work well, but for hot sleepers, you’ll definitely be better off in bamboo or cotton pajamas.
Does sleeping on a silk pillowcase really enhance skin health, or is it just a luxury trend?
The benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase extend beyond just looking luxurious. The slippery texture of silk allows for your skin and hair to glide over its surface without tugging or creasing, this helps to reduce fine lines, unruly eyebrows and frizzy hair. Because of this reduced friction, silk is a more gentle option for inflamed skin conditions such as acne and rosacea.
Another benefit of silk is that it’s less absorbent compared to other fabrics, meaning it won’t absorb as much of your beloved skincare, keeping your skin more nourished.
What should our sleep environment look like for healthy skin?
For your best chance of a good night's sleep, and in turn, healthy and happy skin, the temperature of your room should sit around 18 degrees, on the cooler side. This means you can get cosy in bed, and decrease the chances of overheating and causing a restless night's sleep.
Diffusers can help create a sense of calm and relaxation, and depending on the blend of essential oils you use, some can help reduce bacteria in the air, which is ideal for acne prone skins. You want your room to be clean to avoid the build up of dust, dust can impact conditions like eczema.
Pillows should be replaced every 1-2 years, doonas every 5-10 years, and mattresses every 7-10 years. This will help stay on top of the build up of dust, bacteria and other allergens that can irritate the skin.
What’s the first thing we should do when we wake up in the morning to kick-start our skin’s glow and hydration for the day?
I love to start the morning off by splashing my face with water. You can cleanse in the morning if you prefer, but a splash of water is also sufficient. Pat dry with a soft towel, never rub! Follow immediately with your preferred serums. If hydration is your goal, be sure to include a Hyaluronic Acid in your skincare line up.
We lose most of the water from our skin overnight, this is called Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) so replenishing the skin with serums, hydrating mists and moisturises is essential for rebalancing the skin. You also want to rehydrate the skin from the inside by drinking a big glass of room temperature water.
Benefits of drinking water first thing in the morning also include better digestion and the removal of toxins. Less toxins in the gut will means less toxins coming out through the skin.
What is your AM and PM Skin Care Routine For Hydrated, Glowing Skin?
My morning routine starts with a splash of water, followed by 3-4 different serums depending on what my skin needs. Currently I’ve been using a peptide serum and growth factor serum for age management and skin firming, a niacinamide serum to help keep pimples at bay, and a hyaluronic acid serum to maintain skin hydration. I follow this with a mid weight moisturiser, peptide eye gel and a decent amount of sunscreen. Sunscreen is the most effective product you’ll ever use!
My night time routine is pretty much the same, except I double cleanse with an oil cleanser followed by a gel cleanser to remove sunscreen, oil, dirt and makeup. I try to spend at least 1 minute per cleanse to really give the products time to clean my skin. This can help reduce the build up of pesky sebaceous filaments on the nose and chin. I then use the same serums, moisturiser and eye gel!
A couple times a week I’ll use a liquid exfoliant to maintain smooth skin texture and remove any dead skin cells. The key to any skincare routine is consistency, and using good quality products and suit your skin needs, not just what’s trending on TikTok!
