Getting enough sleep is just as important as a balanced diet and regular exercise. However, sad as it may seem, many people think that sleep is a luxury.

They see it as something that’s left undone if they have too much to do, whether it’s working or socializing. People who have this sense of pride when they say they have only slept for a few hours may seem impressive, but the truth is, lack of sleep puts you and your skin in peril.

The Science behind How Sleep Improves Skin Health

Sleep is a time for the body to repair itself, and the skin is no exception. It’s a crucial moment when the body rids itself of stress built up during the day. This stress relief is known to affect the body in different ways:.

Affects of Stress on Skin

Stress has a direct effect on the skin. From causing rashes and pimples to triggering inflammation, stress can have a wide-ranging impact on the overall skin health.

When there’s stress, the body produces cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, in large amounts. This hormone can cause increased oil production, hence resulting in acne. It can also weaken the natural skin barrier, causing it to feel dry and itchy.

The Benefits of Getting Enough Sleep on Skin Health

Adequate sleep can do wonders for your skin. A good night’s sleep helps the body repair itself, and therefore reduces the negative impact of stress on the skin. Here are the benefits of getting enough sleep:.

It Reduces Puffiness and Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

Lack of sleep can cause fluid buildup under your eyes, resulting in swollen and puffy eyes. It also causes dark circles under your eyes, making you look exhausted and unwell.

Getting enough sleep at night helps reduce puffy eyes and diminishes the appearance of dark circles.

It Reduces Inflammation in Your Skin

Sleeping for 7-9 hours helps reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is linked to suppress the skin’s natural UV defenses, which may lead to sunburns, rashes and skin cancer.

Getting enough sleep can reduce the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, therefore reducing inflammation in the body.

It Helps Improve Skin Elasticity

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and makes up most of the connective tissue in the skin. Lack of sleep has been linked to decreased collagen production leading to a loss of skin elasticity.

Getting enough sleep at night can improve collagen production, which helps improve skin elasticity and firmness.

It Promotes a Healthy Glow

People who have had a full night’s sleep tend to have better-looking skin. This is because during sleep, the skin is supplied with blood, oxygen and nutrients required for collagen synthesis.

Getting enough sleep can also help improve complexion and skin clarity because the body repairs itself through the breakdown of damaged cells.

It Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Lack of sleep increases stress hormones, which accelerates the aging process, causing wrinkles and fine lines to appear. Getting enough sleep at night helps reduce the levels of stress hormone cortisol, therefore reducing the signs of aging.

Collagen production also helps support healthy skin and keeps fine lines and wrinkles at bay.

Conclusion

Getting enough sleep has a profound impact on the skin. While the benefits of sleep on skin health are numerous, the risks and harms of lack of sleep are also many.

If you want healthier skin, make sure to catch enough sleep each night, and you will notice significant changes in your complexion, tone and texture of your skin. If you’re finding it hard to fall asleep, make adjustments to your environment, such as keeping it relaxing, limiting screen time and sticking to an unvarying sleep schedule.