Q: Is ‘beauty sleep’ a real thing? 

A: A good night's sleep is well known for its numerous health benefits, but it can also work wonders for your complexion. 

Spending about a third of our lives between the sheets, our nightly skincare routines are important. By incorporating a few simple, but effective habits into your nightly skincare routine, you can experience the transformative effects of beauty sleep and wake up to plump, hydrated, and glowing skin.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EVENING SKINCARE RITUALS

Pampering your skin before bed is important for maintaining its health and overall appearance. During daytime hours, your skin is exposed to numerous environmental pollutants, UV rays, and other stressors. Cleansing your skin before bed helps remove dirt, oil, and makeup from the day that can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. We highly recommend PURA’s Countess Cleansing Nectar as an ideal all-natural cleanser before bed since it effectively removes all traces of make-up without stripping your skin’s moisture barrier. 

In addition to cleansing, other skincare steps such as toning and moisturizing help balance your skin's pH levels and provide hydration. This is especially important at night when your skin's natural healing and repairing processes are at their peak. Look for products that are specifically formulated for nighttime use to achieve optimal results. For example, PURA’s Turmeric Night Cocoon is a bestselling night cream that features a delicate infusion of luxurious pomegranate seed, calming turmeric and uplifting rose geranium oils that help promote overnight skin regeneration and renewal. By following a consistent nighttime skincare routine, you can optimize these processes and wake up to healthier and more radiant skin.

HOW SLEEP AFFECTS YOUR SKIN

During sleeping hours, your body enters a state of repair and regeneration, which is important for maintaining healthy skin. Lack of sleep can disturb this natural process and lead to increased dullness, dryness, and wrinkles. When you get your beauty sleep, your body is able to produce more collagen, repair environmental damage, and is better equipped to regulate inflammation. With quality sleep, your body also produces more human growth hormone which boosts blood flow to your skin, providing it with essential nutrients and oxygen. It’s this combination of increased collagen production and improved blood flow that results in a radiant, youthful complexion.

THE BENEFITS OF YOUR EVENING SKINCARE RITUALS

Consistency is important to achieving cumulative results, so maintaining a routine before bed ensures your skin’s needs are met. One of the main benefits of a nighttime skincare routine is that it allows for better absorption of active ingredients. Your skin is most receptive to skincare products during the evening hours, since it is not exposed to external factors like pollution and sunlight as you sleep. 

A nighttime skincare routine also helps promote relaxation and signals your body that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. We encourage you to take this time of your day to slow down and speak kindly to yourself as you cleanse, tone, and moisturize your skin. The simple acts of massaging your face and applying skincare products can be soothing and help reduce stress and tension. We highly recommend finishing your skincare ritual with PURA’s Radiant Face Drops. These rich and ultra-replenishing drops provide a nightly boost of skin-softening and brightening nourishment. French lavender oil also reduces anxiety, improves mood, and promotes deeper and restorative sleep.

Selecting the right products for your nighttime skincare routine is important to achieving your best skin. Take our online Skincare Quiz for a personalized routine just for you. 

OTHER WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP

In addition to a consistent skincare routine, incorporating relaxing wellness rituals into your evening can further enhance your sleep quality and boost your skin's health. A few additional things to consider:

1. Herbal Teas: Brew a cup of herbal tea like chamomile or valerian root before bed to relax your mind and prepare your body for sleep. These teas have natural sedative effects that can help you fall asleep faster and experience a more restful sleep. At PURA, we love Tease Tea’s Golden Slumber just before bed. 
2. Sleep Hygiene: Create a sleep-friendly environment by keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Invest in organic, all natural bedding for chemical free slumber. We love HauteCoton’s GOTS certified bedding. 
3. Stress-Relief Techniques: Practice stress-relief techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or gentle yoga before bed. These activities can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and improve your sleep quality. Plus, leave screens in another room even if Netflix and Instagram are tempting.

EMBRACING HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS FOR RADIANT SKIN

A consistent skincare ritual before turning in for the evening is an important step in achieving your goals for radiant and healthy skin. By following a consistent and reparative nighttime skincare ritual based on your skin’s unique needs and lifestyle, you can ensure you get your best beauty sleep each night. After all, sleeping can add years to your life and take years off your complexion.