The Right Way to Get Your Beauty Sleep

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed)
Mar 28th 2010 at 10:01AM

Beauty sleep is very real. It's during sleep that skin damage from daily stress and pollution is repaired, dermal layers are rejuvenated, and even facial muscles are relaxed and gravity is shifted so wrinkles become less pronounced. Without enough sleep skin can look sallow and dry with uneven skin tone and more defined wrinkles. Wake up looking your best with these basic tips.

Get a head start Make a habit of washing your face and getting the rest of your nighttime beauty routine out of the way well before you're actually ready to go to bed, like a couple of hours ahead of time, so when you're really tired later you won't be tempted to blow it off.
Sleep on your back because laying on your side or stomach can literally press wrinkles into your face as you sleep.

Consider elevating your head, either on a couple of pillows or by raising the head of the bed by 2-3 inches. This will help prevent fluid from accumulating in the face and encourage lymphatic drainage.
Slather on the moisturizer Since there's no makeup to smear or products to block the absorption of key ingredients overnight is the perfect time to apply rich, thick eye and skin moisturizers. You can also moisturize your hair overnight by applying a moisturizing treatment, sleeping with a cap on, and rinsing it out in the AM.
Avoid carbs in the evening and wake up with less puffiness and more defined cheekbones. According to one dermatologist foods high on the glycemic index (rice, pasta, potatoes) can leave you waking up with a "soft, doughy appearance."
Sleep on a satin pillowcase to reduce frizz and have shinier healthier hair. Satin is smoother than cotton so there's less friction and rubbing on the hair shaft. (It can work for your skin too, but sleeping on your back is better.)

Tags: beauty sleep, beauty-pedia, BeautySleep, skin care, SkinCare, sleep

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Marie-Helene Mar 28th 2010 7:26PM

I have real bad insomnia, I do most of those things, nightly rituals and all sorts. would there be anything else you would recommend? I try to not take a sleeping pill to often since then can get addictive and loose their affects after a while.
Thank you

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byndthfld Apr 5th 2010 7:51PM

I get insomnia from time to time and an acupuncturist gave me some pills to take called Plum flower an mien pian. I actually slept through the night after two days and the insomnia didn't come back for nearly six months. I took the pills again and once again, I could sleep. I'd highly recommend finding some!

Pam Apr 2nd 2010 8:59AM

Marie-Helene,

For the insomnia, I would try taking a good-quality multivitamin with minerals, since it's amazing how a deficiency in any vitamin or mineral can throw things off. Get the health food store kind, all natural, because more chemicals will just add to the problem, and cheap vitamins are not absorbed well in the body; they're mostly filler.

I would also take a walk several hours before bedtime to relax, and--contrary to the article--I would have carbs at bedtime, because they'll relax you. A piece of toast and a glass of milk an hour before bedtime will take the edge off.

I recommend drinking kefir every day. It's a natural yogurt-like drink that is alkaline in the body and soothing. I like mine plain because all the flavored varieties are loaded with sugar, but you could add some stevia for sweetening and even put it in the blender with frozen fruit to make "ice cream" or a milkshake.

I'm sure you already avoid action movies and other stimulating things at bedtime. Start winding down at least an hour before bedtime so that when it's time to go to sleep, you're fully relaxed and not anxious or excited about anything.

Finally, say your prayers at bedtime. Whatever your religion, this will bring a sense of peace that erases little fears. I would even ask for a good night's sleep and complete protection in the prayers.

If all of these things do not help, I would visit the doctor and ask for a battery of blood tests to be run to see if there is annything out of kilter that needs to be adjusted a smidge in your diet or supplements.