Sleep Your Way To Better Skin

Skincare magic happens in the bedroom. Avoid sleepless nights and endless days with these 12 tips to wake up as fresh as a daisy

- Virginie Dolata

We spend more than a third of our lives in bed. Sleep is fundamental to our physiological functions, and essential to our physical, mental, psychological health, and perhaps most importantly, to our beauty. It doesn't bear repeating that the consequences of a lack of sleep are manifold, ranging from cardiovascular diseases and cancers to W dull complexions and a terrible mood.

Sleeping allows us to regulate our emotions, metabolism (particularly our blood sugar levels) and appetite while improving memory and aiding physical recovery at the cellular level. A good night's sleep also helps to preserve cognitive abilities - it's why we are more efficient at work and in a better mood around our friends and family.

This is also why the phrase "beauty sleep" is real. While we sleep, our skin enters a stage of active cell regeneration and epidermal repair, renewing the skin and giving it a healthy glow that's difficult to recreate with makeup. Ahead, 12 beauty tips for better sleep and better skin.

ADOPT BASIC LIFESTYLE HABITS

According to the National French Institute of Sleep and Vigilance, eat a light dinner at least two to three hours before bed for proper digestion, and avoid stimulants like coffee, tea or cola from 4pm onwards. These delay sleep and increase the number of night-time awakenings. For mealtimes, choose proteins, white meat and fish to boost melatonin production the hormone that makes you sleepy. If you're craving something sweet, pop one or two squares of dark chocolate to help you fall asleep.

EVALUATE SLEEP PATTERNS