There are plenty of reasons to try to get a good night\u2019s rest. Among them: increased productivity and energy, reduced stress and inflammation, and even, potentially, weight loss.<\/p>\n
One benefit you may not think of, however, is better skin health. \u201cSkin undergoes circadian rhythms where specific activities occur in the morning and others in the evening. So well-rested sleep allows your skin to do what it does best, which is to repair itself and keep the barrier intact so we can function optimally the next morning,\u201d says Joshua Zeichner, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.<\/p>\n
This goes beyond \u201cglowy\u201d or \u201cyouthful\u201d skin (though you may experience those things too). Here\u2019s how sleep can help\u2014or harm\u2014your skin health and why it matters.<\/p>\n
Good sleep = stronger skin<\/h2>\n
\u201cYour skin is designed to hold in moisture and nutrients, and to keep out bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins,\u201d explains Los Angeles dermatologist Jessica Wu, MD, author of Feed Your Face<\/em>. But just as poor sleep can make your muscles feel weaker during the next day\u2019s workout, it can also weaken your skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n Studies link sleep deprivation and inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema. The culprit may be the stress hormone cortisol. \u201cInsomnia has been linked with increased cortisol, which causes inflammation. Increased skin inflammation can worsen redness, swelling, and itching associated with eczema and psoriasis,\u201d Wu says. \u201cThe itching can wake people up from sleep, causing more sleep disturbance, so it becomes a vicious cycle.\u201d<\/p>\n Another skin condition linked to poor sleep is acne. \u201cPoor sleep puts our bodies into a state of physical and emotional stress,\u201d Zeichner says. That triggers the release of cortisol, which can activate the oil glands, contributing to worsening of acne symptoms he explains.<\/p>\n Just one night of sleep deprivation can lead to drier skin, according to a small study of Korean women published in Skin Research and Technology<\/em> in 2020. This not only makes your skin duller and less smooth. \u201cA well-hydrated skin barrier can function optimally to protect our cells from the outside world,\u201d Zeichner\u00a0 says. Dehydrated skin also causes cells to shrink away from each other, leading to cracks and making the skin more susceptible to infection, as well as exposing nerve endings that make skin more itchy and sensitive, Wu adds.<\/p>\n Having difficulty falling or staying asleep? <\/em>Optimize your sleep routine with these tips<\/em>\u2014or consider starting a bedtime meditation practice with <\/em>some of our favorite guided meditations from Fitbit Premium<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tBrittany Risher is a freelance content strategist, editor, and writer. She covers everything health and wellness, with a passion for mental health and women’s health. Her clients include Forward, Sonima, Elemental, ZocDoc, Men’s Health, and Women’s Health.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p><\/div>\nPoor sleep = worse eczema and psoriasis<\/h2>\n
Poor sleep = worse acne<\/h2>\n
Poor sleep = less hydration<\/h2>\n
\n\n\t\t\t\t\tBrittany Risher Englert\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
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