"During the day, skin actively fights off invaders while defending and neutralizing unstable molecule. At night, it goes from protection mode to repair mode."    Dermatologica director of global education, Annet King.

  Did you know that a good night’s sleep is one of the closest things we have to a fountain of youth? A good night’s sleep boosts your overall health, regulates healthy bodily function and as a result can greatly improve the appearance your skin. Sleep is one of nature’s most powerful beauty treatments. It’s not only essential for maintaining heart health, improving concentration and reducing stress, but also vital for repairing sun damage, preventing acne and maintaining healthy, radiant skin. Have you ever wondered why a well-formulated night cream works so well? It’s because our skin is best prepared to repair and heal while we rest, away from the natural elements. This allows nourishing formulations to get to work without being disturbed. Getting fewer than 6 hours of sleep can drastically affect your appearance. As little as one night of sleep deprivation can show immediate effects. And if this lack of sleep becomes a habit, it can have an incredibly negative effect on the way you feel - and on the way you look. It’s no wonder that we regularly hear stories that Hollywood celebrities are very particular about their sleep routines and making time to rest - their looks and careers may depend on it!   "Sleep is the body's time to send fresh cells to the epidermis, replacing old and damaged cells,"

• Harold Lancer, fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.

      What are the benefits of maintaining a healthy sleep schedule?

• A glowing complexion: As you sleep your body produces human growth hormone, maintaining a healthy blood flow to your skin. When you don’t get enough sleep there is a reduction in this blood flow, which can make our skin look dull and tired. A lack of sleep also decreases the moisture levels in our skin, lowering our complexion's pH levels. When your skin's pH levels drop, they create an imbalance that can cause our skin to look dry, dehydrated and uneven.
• Less stress: Our skin is the window into what's going on within our bodies. So when we’re not sleeping well and our system isn't functioning properly we’re going to notice the aftermath on our face – dry, flaky and dull skin. Furthermore, when we sleep poorly we are more likely to become stressed, which can cause our capillaries to tighten up. This affects the flow of nutrients to the skin and scalp and can cause our skin and hair to look dull.
• Smoother skin: Research has shown that getting 5 hours sleep a night can lead to twice as many fine lines as sleeping 7 hours would. As we’ve already seen, it also leaves our skin drier which can make these lines more visible.
• Brighter and less puffy eyes: Chances are that you’ve had dark circles or bags under your eyes after a poor nights sleep. Bloodshot eyes, bags, dark under-eye circles, and puffiness can all be reduced, if not completely erased, by getting enough sleep. A good night’s sleep allows cells to repair damage, including those harmed from ultraviolet rays and pollution, resulting in having less puffiness under your eyes. Also, to further reduce puffiness and darkness under your eyes, sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated.

“Puffy eyes are one of the first things we see when we don’t sleep,” – Doris Day, MD, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU. Beauty sleep isn’t a myth. Our lifestyle plays a large role in our skin health, and how much stress and sleep we get are two lifestyle factors that are quick to show up on our skin.