If you’re waking up tired, you’re not alone. About one in three adults in the U.S. are not getting the recommended seven hours of sleep every night.

Unfortunately, lack of adequate sleep doesn’t only result in grogginess and poor concentration. It can also wreck havoc on your skin. In this article, we will explore different ways in which your lack of sleep is affecting your skin and discuss tips on how to protect your skin.

1. Dark Circles

One of the most evident and common effects of lack of sleep on your skin is dark circles under the eyes. The blood vessel dilation and darkening of skin under the eyes is a result of your body’s response to sleep deprivation.

The accumulation of fluid under the eyes can make you look tired and older than you actually are. Sleeping for a minimum of seven hours every night can go a long way in reducing the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

2. Dull Skin

Lack of sleep can cause your skin to appear lackluster and dull. People who do not get enough sleep often have reduced blood flow that leads to a dull complexion and uneven skin texture.

When you sleep, your body goes into repair mode, boosting cellular turnover and collagen production, which leads to a brighter, tighter, healthier-looking skin. To improve your skin’s radiance, make sure to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night and try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

3. Increased Acne

Acne doesn’t only affect teenagers; it can also happen in adults.

Sleep-deprived individuals tend to have more flare-ups of acne because sleep deprivation causes stress, which promotes inflammation, leading to sporadic acne breakouts and longer-lasting blemishes. As we mentioned earlier, sleep is when your skin repairs itself, including balancing out oil production. Adults should aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night to keep skin issues like acne under control.

4. Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Not getting enough sleep can lead to premature aging, which could result in fine lines and wrinkles. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces excess cortisol, a stress hormone that helps regulate inflammation.

Overproduction of cortisol can lead to collagen breakdown and a slow-down in new collagen production. Collagen is a protein that gives our skin its strength and elasticity. To keep wrinkles at bay, get enough sleep, and apply skin care products that contain retinoids, antioxidants, and peptides.

5. Puffiness

Have you ever noticed that your face looks a bit more swollen than usual when you’re sleep-deprived? Sleep deprivation can lead to fluid retention and inflammation, which can result in under-eye puffiness and facial swelling.

Proper hydration and getting enough sleep can help reduce any facial swelling and eliminate puffiness. Avoid consuming too much salt, as this can cause fluid retention and swelling.

6. Uneven Skin Tone

Lack of sleep can cause skin damage and hinder the skin’s healing process, leading to uneven skin tone. Your body releases a hormone called melatonin while you sleep.

Melatonin protects your skin from UV radiation damage and has anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it is commonly found in skin care products. Disrupting this hormone production can lead to uneven skin tone, sunburn, and even skin cancer. Invest in a good sunscreen and aim to sleep for at least seven hours every night to promote healthy melatonin production.

7. Increased Sensitivity

Lack of sleep can cause your skin to become more sensitive. This sensitivity can cause skin redness, itching, and irritation. When you sleep, your body goes into repair mode and heals any toxins in your body.

A lack of proper sleep deprives your body of this chance to heal and repair skin cells, making your skin more sensitive to stress, pollutants, and external irritants. To avoid skin sensitivity, ensure you get enough sleep, hydrate and use skin care products that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile.

8. Poor Wound Healing Ability

Sleep deprivation reduces your skin’s ability to heal from injuries or wounds. As we mentioned earlier, sleep is when your body goes into repair mode.

When you don’t get enough sleep, the skin’s collagen production is disrupted, making it difficult for new skin cells to form, leading to poor wound healing. Poor wound healing can lead to scars and other skin discolorations. To promote wound healing, use skin care products that contain hyaluronic acid and colloidal oatmeal, and ensure you get enough sleep.

9. Increased Inflammation

Sleep deprivation can cause stress, which can lead to skin inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s response to stress, infection, pollution, and other irritants. Lack of sleep can cause higher inflammation levels in the body and skin.

Inflammation can be seen in the appearance of redness, swelling, and puffiness in the skin. To combat inflammation in your skin, ensure you get enough sleep, reduce stress, and use skin care products that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients like green tea, niacinamide, and Vitamin E.

10. Increased Sensitivity to UV Rays

Lack of sleep can increase the sensitivity of your skin to UV rays, leading to sunburns and skin cancer. When you sleep, your skin produces more melanin, which protects your skin from the sun’s UV rays.

Lack of sleep disrupts this melanin production, leaving your skin more susceptible to sun damage. Ensure you get enough sleep, apply sunscreen, and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun to protect your skin from sun damage.

Final Thoughts

It’s no secret that people who consistently get enough sleep have better skin appearance and a healthier glow. When we deprive ourselves of enough sleep, our bodies and skin suffer.

By not getting enough sleep, we increase our cortisol levels, and this can lead to stress, inflammation, and other adverse effects on our skin health.

To keep your skin healthy, ensure you get enough sleep, maintain a consistent sleep schedule, and take care of your skin by using effective skincare products containing the right ingredients.