Sleep is as important as a healthy diet and exercise. It is the time when our body and mind rejuvenate.

It is an essential part of our daily routine, and we spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping. Good sleep is crucial for overall health, including our skin’s health. Your skin’s appearance is a sign of the quality of your sleep. Poor sleep habits can lead to several skin-related problems that can make you look older. Here are four sleep habits that age your appearance that you need to avoid:.

1. Sleeping on Your Stomach

Many people find sleeping on their stomach comfortable, but it can be harmful to your skin’s health. When you sleep on your stomach, your face is squished against the pillow, causing wrinkles and lines to appear on your face and neck.

Sleeping on your stomach can also cause acne and breakouts. The pressure on your face and neck can cause your sebaceous glands to produce more oil, leading to clogged pores and, ultimately, acne.

The Solution: Try to sleep on your back. If you find it uncomfortable, try using a silk pillowcase and elevate your head with a wedge pillow to avoid back pain. A silk pillowcase is gentle on your skin and reduces the friction that leads to wrinkles.

2. Not Removing Your Makeup Before Bedtime

After a long day, we all tend to feel lazy and tired, and removing makeup before bedtime can be a chore. But sleeping with your makeup on can lead to severe damage to your skin.

Makeup left on your skin overnight clogs your pores, leading to breakouts and inflammation. It can also cause dryness and accelerate the signs of aging.

The Solution: Make sure to remove all makeup, including mascara and eyeliner, before going to bed. Use a makeup remover of your choice and wash your face with a gentle cleanser.

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3. Lack of Sleep

Many people believe that they can survive on a few hours of sleep. While it might be possible to function temporarily, chronic sleep deprivation has severe consequences on our health and appearance.

Lack of sleep causes dark circles and bags under the eyes, dull skin, and fine lines and wrinkles.

The Solution: Experts recommend that adults get at least seven hours of sleep every night. Establishing and sticking to a sleep schedule can help ensure you get the rest you need.

4. Sleeping on a Dirty Pillowcase

Bed sheets and pillowcases accumulate sweat, oil, and dirt that can cause breakouts and acne. When you sleep on a dirty pillowcase, you transfer the bacteria to your skin, causing skin irritation and inflammation.

The Solution: Change your pillowcase every few days. Using a clean pillowcase reduces the bacteria that transfer to your skin while sleeping.

Conclusion

The quality of your sleep has a direct effect on your appearance. Poor sleep habits can result in wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles, breakouts, and acne.

Making a few changes to your sleep habits can significantly improve your skin’s health and help you wake up with a rejuvenated and fresher-looking face.