Back when I was a junior associate, one of the most productive and successful partners at the firm would boast about how he often only got 3 to 4 hours of sleep per night. Awe-inspired, I aimed to figure out the secret to being effective at my job while wasting so few hours on something I believed to be as unproductive as sleep.
BOY, was I WRONG!!
I've since done a total 180 and now I'm very proud of my ability to sleep a solid 7 hours per night. And while there have been so many reported benefits to regularly snoozing for 7 to 8 hours a day, for me, it was more about how a lack of sleep would affect my morning run. I could tell, from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet, when I didn't sleep well the night before. I thus made sleeping a priority in my life and I haven't ever looked back.
I was surprised and delighted to discover that a good night's sleep is also connected to better skin.
YUP!
According to one study, those who slept a consistent 7 to 9 hours a night had 30% better skin-barrier recovery after UV exposure compared to those who only got 5 hours or less.
How?
Skin Cell Repair. Well, while you're catching up with The Sandman, your body increases the production of growth hormone, which, in turn, stimulates cell and tissue repair. This includes repairing your skin, which can sustain all sorts of little owies during the day (i.e., from sun exposure, pollution, and stress).
Natural Collagen Production. Similarly, your body's natural collagen (which KVB's proprietary vegan collagen mimics) is produced more actively while you sleep. That means if you're not sleeping well, you're not maximizing your own body's collagen production. And, as we all know, collagen is key when it comes to keeping our skin nice and elastic.
Less Inflammation. Another big reason sleep is associated with healthier skin? Because while we sleep, the body's cortisol level goes down, which reduces inflammation and stress. Inflammation and stress are associated with acne, eczema, psoriasis, and other distressing skin issues--all of which might be improved with better sleep.
Better Blood Flow. Finally, better sleep equals better blood flow, which equals less dullness in your skin and fewer dark circles.
So how does one get better sleep?
Well, it isn't as easy as it sounds (last night, my husband was like, "just force yourself to sleep!"). But, here are some tips that have worked for me over the years, and they might help you!
Consistent Sleep Time. I do not like to monkey around with my sleep time. I go to bed around 9 pm every night and try to stick with that, barring emergencies.
Skincare Routine. My body now knows that my nightly skincare routine signals "sleepy time!" And so I do it every night, even when I'm tired. Not only is this better for your sleep, it's better for your skin!
No More Social Media. I clock out of social media when I slide into bed. Do I still use my phone? Yes, I use it to play crossword puzzles. That's it. I put that baby in full SLEEP mode and do NOT cross the threshold into TikTok or Instagram.
Crisp Sheets. One thing that has made a big difference is getting comfortable sheets and cleaning them often. My body gets itchy and uncomfortable if I'm sleeping in the wrong sheets, so I've made this part of laundry day!
Keep It Cool. I've read that the ideal temperature for sleep is in the range of 60 to 67° F (15 to 19° C) for most adults. I think this is probably a lot cooler than most people realize. Cooler temperatures support your body's production of melatonin (sleep hormone), which makes it much easier for you to fall and stay asleep.
Next week, I'll share all the details of my nighttime skincare routine. Until then, have a wonderful week and sleep tight!! <3
