The Secret to Maximising Your Beauty Sleep

When it comes to our beauty routines, one of the most underrated yet crucial activities to revitalise and rejuvenate our skin is sleep. Approximately 40% of us are sleep deprived, which not only affects our attention, memory and driving, it is also costing us our beauty!

Sleep deprivation can have several beauty robbing impacts on our skin health.

Skimping on sleep means the body is not provided with the opportunity to do all the “anti-ageing maintenance” that it needs to in order to keep the skin plump and youthful. A good night’s sleep allows your body to work to remove dead blood cells and heal and regenerate the skin. It also removes toxins that may clog skin cells if left to linger!  Reduced sleep can also slow down blood flow and circulation to the skin which surrounds your face, reducing radiance and also skin cell turnover.

Most importantly, a consistent lack of sleep may increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol which can lead to inflammation as well as increasing levels of the hormone insulin which is associated with increased sebum production, in other words, more acne and breakouts!

Skin can also become more dehydrated when are depriving ourselves of sleep. In general, there is less sebum (oil) being produced by skin cells at night - if we are awake during this time, we lose even more hydration. We are also likely not to have a protective layer of moisture from our night cream which prevents moisture loss that contributes to ageing.

If we understand the behaviour of our skin cells when we sleep and also appreciate the effects of missing out on shut-eye we can create a highly effective beauty routine which maximises the impact of sleep along with upping the ante on our skin repair and rejuvenation.

1. Get to sleep before 11 pm

Interestingly studies show that the process of skin cell division and replication which works to rejuvenate the skin occurs between 11 pm and midnight which is when cells need nutrients the most. This means that when it comes to the quality of sleep and the effectiveness of skin repair, an hour’s sleep before midnight is worth two after midnight. Getting eight hours of sleep from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. does not equate to the skin healing benefits received when working from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., particularly when it comes to skin health. It is best to get to sleep before 11 pm to ensure our skin is given the opportunity for maximum skin cell renewal.

2. Apply a collagen booster. Given that the body is using nutrients to repair and rejuvenate the skin at 11 pm it makes sense to give it a helping hand by providing it with all the active ingredients that it needs to do it. Applying an antioxidant-rich serum by 10 pm every night is an effective way to get maximum impact from your anti-ageing ingredients. No.3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum provides a blend of antioxidant-rich botanicals and Australian natives such as Kakadu Plum (the highest plant-based source of Vitamin C), white tea extract and Edelweiss extract. Tip: An inner collagen boost before is also a wonder-worker when it comes to awaking with a youthful glow. Try a teaspoon of our Native Plant-Base Collagen Powder!

3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! 

To address the loss of oil production overnight, it is best to add a protective layer of natural oils on your skin to prevent the loss of water overnight and to keep the skin plump and firm. Use this after applying your serum. Our & Coco Bliss Intensive Repair cream is designed to provide intense nourishment without clogging the skin. It contains a blend of Shea and Cocoa Butter which work to intensely nourish and enhance the skin's natural collagen production. B vitamins also work to reduce redness and irritation, providing benefit to skin conditions such as Rosacea, broken capillaries and inflamed skin. Vitamin E oil enhances the skin's natural healing ability and promotes youthful glowing skin. 

4. Sleep position.

By sleeping on your back you ensure that you do not wake up with crease lines of your face. If you are a side sleeper, however, you may want to find ways to avoid creases and fine lines on the side of your face. One of the best ways is to look for organic bamboo, sateen (silk-like cotton) or high thread-count (800 or more) pillowcases. Sleeping with your head elevated also ensures that excess fluid has a chance to drain, and you avoid waking up looking puffy.

5. Purify whilst you sleep. Using a sleep mask is the perfect way to provide it with a helping hand in purifying, hydrating and repairing the skin for a radiant and rested complexion the next morning. & Sleeping Beauty Purifying Mousse contains Australian Pink Clay and Zeolite, two unique purifying ingredients. Australian Pink Clay detoxifies the skin by gently removing and trapping free radicals. Its hydrating properties help to refine delicate lines, moisturise, and improve the overall texture of the skin. Zeolite is unique in its micro-porous cellular structure which enables it to attract positively charged contaminants, drawing and removing impurities. It also helps to strengthen and firm the skin due to its unique volcanic mineral composition and high levels of natural silica.

6. Insomnia fix. If you are having trouble falling asleep, try having a bath with beautiful essential oils to allow you to relax and rewind. A few drops of Roman Chamomile, French Lavender and Geranium Rose oils make for a luxurious bath soaking experience along with some Epsom salts which will help you release the stress of the day and soothe your tense muscles. If bathing is not your preferred relaxation option, take a few minutes when you climb into bed to massage a few drops of these essential oils into the soles of your feet, your skin, and your hands. Or better still, place a handkerchief or tissue under your bed with a drop of each oil and place it under your pillow. Do not place the oils directly on your sheets or pillowcases as they will stain!

7. Herbal sleep aids.

When it comes to ensuring you have a restful and rejuvenating beauty sleep I have three powerful herbs which I always recommend to reduce stress and promote sleep. They are found in our No.3 Sleeping Beauty Tea and include:

Chamomile - is another wonderful herbal antidote for stress and anxiety. Chamomile flowers have been used for centuries for their medicinal and beauty properties. Chamomile acts as a relaxant, promoting sleep and calming the body. It also has a number of anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, including the ability to accelerate wound healing and calm irritated skin.

Passionflower - a beautiful herb for relaxing and calming, passionflower has been shown in studies to promote GABA (a calming neurotransmitter), reduce anxiety and calm the nervous system. I find it works particularly well where people are waking up frequently throughout the night as it promotes an unbroken sleep.

Skullcap - as the name suggests, focuses on reducing anxiety associated with many thoughts and mental stress.  It is a comforting herb which has traditionally been used to alleviate nervous tension and exhaustion and works to promote emotional well-being and relaxation during times of stress.

Sweet dreams!