What Is Beauty Sleep?
The Science-Backed Benefits

Getting your “beauty sleep” may feel like an old cliché, but there is actually some truth behind it. Beauty sleep is very real and it refers to how our skin and body begins to heal itself from the day.
 
When we enter deep sleep, our body enters recovery mode and produces growth hormones. These growth hormones create new cells that help heal our skin from any damage done during the day.
 
However, the benefits of beauty sleep go beyond your epidermis. Read on to learn more about what beauty sleep is, the cost of a bad night’s sleep, and the many benefits that come with catching up on your zzz’s.

So, how many hours of beauty sleep do you need to see its effects? According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults should be getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night. If you’re getting less than six, you will likely notice the impact on more than just your mood.

Lack of sleep has become a worldwide problem. While the effects of sleep deprivation on weight, mental health, and immune deficiency are well-known, the effects of insufficient sleep on skin and beauty are less understood.
 
Have you ever woken up from a bad night’s sleep and noticed your skin may be looking blotchy or pale? Our skin uses sleep to heal itself and when we don’t get enough of it, you’ll see the effects. Below are some ways a bad night’s sleep can affect your appearance.
 

 
Attractiveness: One study found that sleep deprivation related to decreased attractiveness and health. Participants rated photographs of people who were sleep deprived. The results found that participants were less likely to want to socialize with those that looked tired as they were perceived as less attractive and less healthy.
 
Aging: Another study looked at the effects of sleep quality on skin aging. It found that poor sleep quality accelerated intrinsic aging. This includes fine lines, reduced elasticity of the skin, and uneven pigmentation. A lack of sleep also hinders the skin’s ability to recover from sun exposure — resulting in more wrinkles.
 
Self-Esteem: The same Case Western Reserve University study found that those who suffered from poor sleep on a regular basis were more dissatisfied with their physical appearance than good sleepers. When you wake up from a full night’s rest, you are more likely to feel better about yourself than someone who slept for only two hours.
 
Skin: Sleep deprivation can cause stress, which can impair collagen quality and lead to breakouts. When you have a poor night’s sleep, you’re more likely to wake up with a dull, uneven skin tone and more breakouts.

Now that you know the impact of a bad night’s sleep, let’s go over some of the positives of getting your beauty rest. Here are seven benefits of catching up on your zzz’s.

1. Fewer Wrinkles

 

 
If your seven-step skincare routine isn’t quite doing the trick, more sleep could be the answer. When you sleep, blood flow to the epidermis increases. This is when your skin begins to rebuild and produce new collagen. This is a part of the repair process that prevents sagging, aging, and wrinkles. The more collagen your skin produces during sleep, the less likely you are to wrinkle.
 
Beauty Boost: Consider purchasing a memory foam pillow. The flexibility of the foam contours to your face and won’t compress your skin as much.

2. De-Puffed Eyes

 

 
Dark circles and puffy under eyes can feel impossible to get rid of. If you’ve exhausted all the creams on the market without any results, take a closer look at your sleep habits. Are you getting the recommended amount of sleep each night? Those who suffer from insufficient sleep often wake up with swollen eyes and dark circles. Getting your beauty sleep can prevent this, resulting in you waking up with bright and glowing eyes.
 
Beauty Boost: Try to sleep on your back with a few pillows under your head. This elevation will improve blood flow and help prevent blood from pooling under your eyes.

3. Easier Weight Loss

 

 
One study found that when sleep was restricted from participants, they reported having higher levels of ghrelin. Ghrelin — also known as the “hunger hormone” — is a hormone that stimulates appetite, promotes fat storage, and can cause you to eat more. Sleep is an important regulator of your metabolism and body weight and poor sleep can inhibit fat loss, making it harder for you to lose weight. If you’ve been hitting the gym and not seeing the desired results, check in with your sleep first. Your lack of sleep could be sabotaging your weight loss journey.
 
Beauty Boost: Eat light and healthy before bed. Eating heavy meals before bed can encourage weight gain. Stick to healthy foods that help you sleep, such as bananas and almonds.

4. Healthier Skin

 

 
Poor sleep is directly correlated with reduced skin health. Your skin uses the time during sleep to heal itself from the environmental stressors it was exposed to during the day. Not enough sleep can prevent your skin from fully healing from sun damage and can increase the severity of existing skin conditions. However, the good news is your skin can bounce back pretty quickly with a few consecutive nights of good sleep. Proper sleep also encourages healthy blood flow to the skin, resulting in a more even skin tone when you wake up.
 
Beauty Boost: Try to drink eight ounces of water eight times a day (plus get eight hours of sleep!). This will help offset the hydration you lose during sleep and promote healthier skin.

5. Fewer Breakouts

 

 
From hormonal acne to stress pimples, it can be hard to feel comfortable in your own skin. Stress and lack of sleep go hand in hand. Poor sleep can lead to increased stress hormones and a poor hormonal balance, which can lead to breakouts. Getting the seven to nine hours of beauty sleep your body needs can result in you waking up stress-free with fewer breakouts.
 
Beauty Boost: Clean your pillowcase at least once a week to rid it of any bacteria and lingering makeup.

6. Happier Mood

 

 
Lack of sleep changes your mood from waking up happy and energized, to tired and groggy. Your day all of a sudden seems harder and the tasks on your plate can feel impossible to complete. Loss of sleep can also affect your social interactions and insomnia makes you 10 times more likely to have clinical depression. It’s safe to say that the better you sleep, the happier you’ll be.
 
Beauty Boost: Practice yoga before bed to relax and wind down after a long day.

7. Increased Self-Esteem

 

 
Studies have shown that chronic poor sleep quality is associated with lower satisfaction of appearance. Good sleepers reported having a significantly better perception of their appearance and physical attractiveness compared to those who slept poorly. How you feel about yourself correlates with your appearance and confidence. When you sleep well, you feel good about yourself and are likely to take better care of yourself.
 
Beauty Boost: Try getting at least 20–30 minutes of physical activity every day. This will not only decrease the number of times you wake up during the night, but it will also help boost your self-esteem in the long run.