Is Beauty Sleep Real? Here's the Answer...

Sleep is clearly vital for our physical and mental wellbeing. But what about the concept that it can affect our appearance? Is the phrase “beauty sleep” anything more than an advertising gimmick?

 

We can all probably agree that late nights don't make for a great look the next morning. Bags big enough to pack under your eyes, dark circles, sallow skin... We’re simply not our most radiant selves without a decent amount of rest. But, does this mean that beauty sleep is an actual thing? 

The idea of beauty sleep has been around for a long time (over a century, actually!) but we now know that science actually backs up the link between snoozing and our appearance. While our health and wellbeing are obviously of paramount importance, research shows that our skin, hair, and weight can all be impacted by how much shut eye we're getting.  

What does this all mean for you? Well, if you’re waking up more Cruella De Vil than Sleeping Beauty, then it might be time to consider how your slumber could be making the difference…

 

The idea of beauty sleep has been around for a long time (over a century, actually!) but we now know that science actually backs up the link between snoozing and our appearance.

 

The Benefits of Beauty Sleep

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder… But we now know it’s a fact that a lack of sleep can affect your looks. Here’s how.

 

1. Tired, puffy eyes

It's easy to spot someone who's not getting enough sleep. No, it’s not the bucket of coffee they're desperately clutching. It's the shadows under puffy eyes that are the real giveaway. When you sleep poorly, the area around your eyes can take on some swelling. The reason for this is more complex than you may think... A lack of rest causes our body to release cortisol, your body’s main stress hormone. One of the side effects of this is salt and water retention, which builds up at night. The result? You wake looking like you’ve faced a couple of rounds in the ring, instead of bright eyed and bushy tailed.

 

2. Wrinkles

When your age-defying moisturizer isn't enough, it may be that you need more of your all-natural age-defying mechanism - that's right, we’re talking about sleep! Your body produces collagen while you snooze, which is an essential structural protein for our skin. So if you're not getting enough hours in bed at night, you are missing out on the plumping effects of collagen that leave you glowing.

 

3. Unhealthy skin

It's not all about wrinkles. From acne to dry skin, a lack of sleep can cause a whole host of challenges for your complexion. Alongside the work collagen does, you also sweat while you snooze (don’t worry — the right sheets can make a big difference!). Before you start to feel icky, this actually works wonders for your skin, as it has a natural cleansing and moisturizing effect. Weird maybe, but certainly way cheaper than expensive overnight lotions and potions. 

 

4. Thinning hair

Bedhead takes on a whole new meaning when those sleepless nights start damaging your luscious locks! Collagen isn't just about your skin. Along with important B vitamins, it's also a crucial element for the strength and vitality of your hair. If your body isn’t producing enough collagen, it’s quick to shut down any new growth to preserve essential proteins, resulting in poor condition and even hair loss over time. 

 

 

5. Weight fluctuations

We've talked about how diet affects your sleep. But your sleep affects your diet too. Not getting enough zzz’s messes with your metabolism and increases cortisol, which in turn causes your appetite to inflate like a balloon. Hello family-sized pizza for one! So long, waistline, and thanks for all the fish! It also leaves you feeling lethargic and less motivated for that big workout. 

 

How to get more beauty sleep

OK, the really bad news is that a lot of late nights can leave you looking and feeling a bit of a hot mess, as well as affecting your physical and emotional wellbeing. 

So, what about the great news? Well, when you do get enough sleep, it can directly impact how great you look! Plus, sleep also makes everything else we do to stay healthy — like keeping active and eating properly — that much easier and more effective.

You’re probably wondering, “How can you make sure that great sleep happens?”

Luckily, there are many things that will set you up for snoozing, including these eight tips to prime your body and mind for a peaceful night. 

 

When you do get enough sleep, it can directly impact how great you look! Plus, sleep also makes everything else we do to stay healthy — like keeping active and eating properly — that much easier and more effective.

 

Beauty sleep is also a whole lot easier with the right mattress from SLEEP365®.  An organic mattress has many benefits to help you get good sleep. Unlike sticky synthetics, natural mattresses are breathable so you stay comfortable all night long. There are no nasty toxins to worry about.

Our luxury organic mattresses are supremely snuggly, making bedtime an irresistible prospect. Pair with an organic pillow and bedding and your beauty sleep just got seriously upgraded. 

The bottom line? It’s no fairytale. Making sure that you get the right amount of shut eye is a priority for so many reasons. Trust us, you'll like the way better sleep looks on you — and others may start to notice, too.