Why Beauty Sleep is a Non-negotiable

By: Zayna Azimi

We all know the drill- take our makeup off before bed and to complete that seemingly never ending skincare routine, but do we know why? Is anything truly special happening at night that will make those extra ten minutes of not being tucked away in bed worth it? Spoiler alert: YES. Your beauty sleep might be the missing ingredient in your skincare routine!

How does our body know we are sleeping?

You may be wondering how our skin can even tell we’re asleep. Well, we can't forget that skin is the largest organ in our body, controlled by our central circadian rhythm (just like every other organ!) The circadian rhythm is an internal clock that signals the rest of the body to carry out certain functions and regulates our sleep cycle. When it is time to sleep, our circadian rhythm signals the body to start winding down and go into repair mode. This central rhythm triggers the rhythms of other organs, like the skin so it can fulfill its nightly duties.

What work is our skin doing at night?

Now, let's get to the magic that happens at night and gain some appreciation for how our skin takes care of itself. At night, our skin is in its safe space- away from the UV light, air pollution, and extreme temperatures. This is it's time to heal and repair the damage from the day.

Higher Skin Permeability: The outermost layer of our skin has increased skin permeability at night making it the perfect time to lock in those active ingredients.
Increased Blood Flow: This increased circulation allows for our body to receive nutrients and oxygen faster, leading to a brighter complexion and helps with cell regeneration.
Homegrown Hyaluronic Acid: Yup! That serum we constantly buy is homegrown right in your skin.
Higher Cell Turnover: Old skin cells are shed and new cells replace them more efficiently when you’re asleep. These new skin cells are what can cause that “glow” on your skin.
Collagen Renewal: Collagen is an important protein that contributes to the structural integrity of your body. In skin, it helps new cells grow, increases skin elasticity, and hydration.