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GOOD SKIN Blog

How to Look Less Tired in the Morning (No Matter How Much Sleep You Got)

No matter how many times we’re told about the importance of getting a good night's sleepsometimes it just doesn’t happen. Stress, alcohol, caffeine, Instagram scrolling, your inconsiderate (and loud) roommate... There are a myriad of factors that keep us from getting our solid eight hours. Besides feeling groggy and just plain cranky, a lack of shut-eye can have detrimental effects on our skin, too (not limited to just dark circles and undereye bags).

Turns out beauty sleep is a real thing. Learn how a lack of sleep impacts your skin below and, because sometimes a good night's rest isn't always on the agenda, ways to look well-rested even when you're not.

HOW A LACK OF SLEEP AFFECTS SKIN

SPIKE IN CORTISOL

A lack of sleep triggers the release of cortisol (the stress hormone), which ramps up oil production and weakens our immune system, compromising skin's ability to fend off bacteria, pollution, and other intruders. This is why we often see an increase in breakouts during times of stress.  

Because of this, a good night's rest is important for acne-control. This includes post-breakout marks too; skin goes into repair mode at night, healing wounds, so missing out on that time doesn’t give your skin the chance to clear up its acne and the discoloration it leaves behind.

If you know you're not going to get ample sleep, pat on 2-3 drops of the 
Just Breathe Clarifying Serum to help control sebum overproduction, fight bacteria, and reduce inflammation.

DILATED BLOOD VESSELS

A spike in cortisol also causes your blood vessels dilate, leading to excess fluid being stored in the undereye area. Since the skin around your eyes is thin, this causes dark circles to appear and eyes to become puffy. To help prevent puffiness, apply the Smooth Landing Advanced Retinoid Eye Balm during your PM routine. Its granactive retinoid and nourishing oils help firm skin and soften fine lines, too.

LOWER SKIN PH

Losing sleep lowers skin's pH, which can compromise the moisture barrier and cause inflammation, redness, and flakiness. To help restore it, cleanse skin with Gentle Cycle Milky Cleanser. which uses probiotics to reduce irritation and strengthen skin.

MOISTURE LOSS

Speaking of a compromised moisture barrier, this is also why skin tends to feel dry after a bad night's sleep. The moisture barrier works extra hard at night to protect against fluid loss, given that skin loses lots of water while we're far away in dreamland. To help protect against dehydration, apply the Antioxidant Oil-Serum for an extra dose of moisture, or the Moisture Maker Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum for a quick-absorbing hydrating serum that’s lightweight and never sticky.


PREMATURE BREAKDOWN OF COLLAGEN 

As we sleep, our skin releases growth hormones that produce proteins such as collagen. A lack of sleep, of course, affects this, causing a spike in sagging skin, crepey texture, and premature fine lines. Use a night cream that incorporates microalgae, such as Recovery Mode; microalgae has a similar amino acid profile to collagen, firming and smoothing skin.


SLOWER CELLULAR TURNOVER RATE

That repair mode we mentioned earlier includes cellular turnover, a process that naturally sheds off old, damaged skin cells and helps replenish fresh ones. A lack of sleep can slow that process down, contributing to premature aging skin, dullness, and dark spots. To speed things up, apply the Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum, which helps speed up cellular turnover rate and restore a more youthful-looking complexion.

HOW TO PERK UP A TIRED COMPLEXION

If you're waking up feeling (and looking) tired, here are some remedies to try in the morning to perk up your complexion. 

REMEDY DARK CIRCLES AND BAGS

After cleansing skin and applying any toner or serums, dab on our Vacation Eyes Brightening Eye GelIts caffeine helps improve circulation and flush out that excess liquid that contributes to dark circles and bags. Pro tip: Tap on gently starting at the inner corners and moving all the way up to the brow bone to help facilitate that drainage. 

HYDRATE AND REFRESH SKIN

Instantly cool and refresh a parched complexion by smoothing on our Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream. It hydrates skin, yes, but its aloe leaf juice and green tea extract also calms inflammation and redness, too.

BRIGHTEN UP TONE

First things first: Give skin some extra help at removing dull skin cells by using the Photos, Please Brightening Tightening Mask. Its clay gently exfoliates skin while turmeric helps even out tone.

If you're looking pale, gray, or just blah, add a natural glow to your skin by applying our Luminizing Glow Drops after moisturizing. And if your undereyes could use some extra brightening, reach for the Zero-G Smoothing Eye Cream before any concealer. Its ethically-sourced mica instantly illuminates the undereyes and brightens up shadows.

Now that you've been inspired to get more zzz's, learn how to build a PM routine based on your skin type and concerns.