Up Your Shuteye For More Beautiful Skin

A good night's rest is synonymous with healthy, glowing and even-looking skin. When we suffer from sleep deprivation and fatigue our body produces more of the stress hormone called cortisol. Increased cortisone levels can lead to increased levels of stress and inflammation in the body that affect the quality of our skin. Poor quality of sleep is now known as a factor that can increase the severity of inflammatory skin diseases. This leads to increased itching, which affects sleep. Conversely, catching enough z's can help the body cleanse the skin, which in turn improves sleep and the health of the skin.

Here are 6 good reasons to get enough shuteye:

1. Lack of sleep worsens existing skin problems.
   Inflammatory reactions increase, which could lead to a rise in acne flareup's, skin sensitivity and increased allergic contact dermatitis.
2. Insufficient sleep affects the natural beauty of the skin.
   Increased levels of inflammation in the body lead to increased degradation of collagen and hyaluronic acid levels, i.e. the key substances that preserve the elasticity and natural radiance of the skin.
3. Insufficient sleep aggravates immune-related skin problems.
   Increased inflammatory levels in the body affect the body's ability to regulate the immune system.
4. Sufficient sleep regulates the fluid balance of the body.
   As we sleep, the body harmonises its fluid balance. The skin is able to regain moisture that was lost during the day. Excess water, on the other hand, is removed. Insufficient sleep can lead to a poor water balance resulting in bags under the eyes and dark circles as well as dry skin and visible wrinkles.
5. Insufficient sleep accelerates the aging process.
   The concentration of growth hormones that repair damaged cells increases while we sleep. Insufficient sleep leads to these cells not being repaired resulting in signs of skin aging becoming more apparent.
6. Insufficient sleep contributes to weight gain.
   Good sleep helps with weight control, which is good for our skin. Good sleep curbs hunger. As a result, one is able to curb snacking or nibbling on sweets.

Tips for a good night's sleep

Here are some tips for you on how to sleep well at night and how to do something good for your skin.

• Do not eat too big a meal in the evening.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day, but not late at night.
• Sleep with a warm blanket in a very dark, cool room.
• Remove all electronic devices from the bedroom (except, perhaps, the alarm clock).
• Use breathable cotton sheets and wash them regularly so that mites and bacteria cannot accumulate on them.
• Do not use detergents that are highly perfumed, as these fragrances can irritate the skin.

Beauty sleep is not an old cliché, but a must if you want beautiful, radiant skin. So get in some must needed shuteye, your skin with thank you.