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Sleep Your Way to Healthier Skin

5 Tips to Get the Ultimate Beauty Sleep

We all know if you want to feel your best, it’s important to get a good night’s rest. But did you know that sleep is equally as important if you want to look your best? Sleep gives your skin a chance to recover from a whole day’s worth of damage – skin cells regenerate, and your body expels toxins and increases blood flow to your skin. This translates to outward benefits such as fewer wrinkles, less puffiness around the eyes, and a glowing, more youthful complexion.

The first step toward healthier skin is making sure you get enough shut-eye – ideally seven to nine hours every night. Beyond that, there are a few things you can do to maximize your evening hours for the complexion of your dreams. Here are five tips to help you get the ultimate beauty sleep.

Refine your skincare routine.

Cleansing and moisturizing before bed is so important for nourished skin. Start with a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and bacteria – you don’t want these irritants settling in and doing damage to your skin overnight. Then, apply a thick topical moisturizer to ensure hydrated, better-looking skin the next day.

Turn on the humidifier.

Going eight or more hours without drinking water naturally causes your skin to get a little dehydrated throughout the night. Installing a humidifier in your bedroom is a great way to combat dryness and keep your skin feeling soft. You’ll definitely want to run your humidifier during winter, when dry, cold air more easily sucks the moisture from your skin.

Spring for silk - especially if you have sensitive skin.

Many dermatologists tout silk sheets and pillowcases because they’re breathable, lightweight, and less irritating to your skin. Plus, silk keeps your skin more hydrated than cotton and other fabrics. If you aren’t able to invest in a full set, start with the pillowcase, which can help prevent creasing and wrinkles on your face. 

Sleep on your back.

Bad news for side and stomach sleepers – you may not be doing your skin any favors. These positions cause friction on your skin when your face rubs up against your pillow, which can eventually lead to wrinkles. To slow premature aging, switch to sleeping on your back with your head slightly elevated. 

Change your sheets weekly.

Is there a better feeling than crawling into a bed made with fresh sheets? To rid your bed of acne-causing bacteria and other unpleasantness, wash your sheets at least once a week. If this seems like a tall order, at least try to shower before hitting the sack, which will slough off any debris and dead skin cells from the day.

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