Guest Blog by Zoe Devine of Skinstitut Australia
What does a lack of sleep do to your skin & how can you defy the effects of premature ageing?
There's a reason we refer to it as 'beauty sleep'! It is well known that lack of sleep can have a profound effect on total health and wellness; the same can also be said for our skin. Constant poor quality sleep can actually accelerate the appearance of premature ageing as the skin’s ability to heal and repair becomes impaired.
So how much sleep is sufficient you ask? Experts will say for optimal skin and body health we should be aiming for 7 – 8 hours per night.
If you're not getting sufficient sleep (eg. less than 6 hours per night) your body releases more cortisol (a stress hormone) – in larger amounts cortisol can break down collagen, meaning the skin will not feel as smooth and elastic. Couple this with another hormone (Human Growth Hormone) being reduced – which affects overall skin health, healing and repairing, resulting in a more frail skin tone.
Long term lack of sleep can create a duller looking, lacklustre skin tone, dark under eye circles and accelerate the appearance of fine lines. This can also have a resounding effect on your skin renewal too. What this means is that your skin will taking longer to renew itself, instead of 4 weeks, this process could take up to 5 or 6 weeks (or for some, even longer).
In today's fast paced, world many of us would struggle to achieve 7 – 8 hours of restful sleep per night, does that mean we are all destined to age faster? Alas, there is hope for us all, believe it not, specific lifestyle choices and homecare regimes can assist with skin renewal, healing and repairing (to help counter that sleepless night).
Lifestyle tips to counteract lack of sleep:
- Power down electronic devices a couple of hours prior to sleep time, this will help your body. with its circadian rhythm and the release of melatonin (a sleep promoting hormone).
- During the day – wear SPF 50+ (this will assist with skin renewal).
- Try avoiding caffeine or other stimulants after midday.
Photo Credit: Rosy Disposition
Assisting Skin Renewal at Home:
1) Invest in a 'treatment cleanser' – try Skinstitut L-Lactic Cleanser. Using 4% L-Lactic acid this hydrating cleanser also assists with cell turnover to create a brighter more luminous complexion. With a wide a range of vitamins and minerals, L-Lactic Cleanser helps to strengthen skin integrity, smooths the skin tone via gentle exfoliation and provides antioxidant support.
2) Consider using a treatment mask to address surface texture – Use Skinstitut Hydrating Mask as an intensive treatment mask to deliver hydration improving skin luminosity and radiance. By wearing 2 – 3 times per week, this invigorating mask combats dull, lack lustre or rough skin. Renowned for its ability to refresh the complexion via a skin plumping action and reducing the appearance of fine lines, Hydrating Mask is sure to become a staple in your weekly routine.
3) Use an advanced anti-ageing moisturiser – Skinstitut Moisture Defence Ultra Dry delivers intense hydration and nourishment but is much loved for its anti-ageing benefits. Using the latest in ingredient technology, biomimetic peptides facilitate skin firmness and elasticity, even providing a jaw-line lifting property. Wear just a pea sized amount each night as your anti-ageing night cream
Following these 3 simple lifestyle tweaks and 3 additions to your skincare regime we can help to negate the effects of those restless nights (let's not lose sleep over losing sleep).
