Good Sleep = Better Skin
As we age, it's natural to start thinking about ways to keep our skin looking youthful and healthy. But did you know that one of the most effective healthy-aging skin care techniques is actually getting a good night's sleep?
True, science has shown that poor sleep quality can:
lead to accelerated skin aging
diminished skin barrier function
lower satisfaction with facial appearance.
A study published in 2015 found that (1):
"good sleepers had significantly lower natural skin aging"
"chronic poor sleep quality increased signs of natural aging."
So if you want to keep your skin looking young and healthy, it's important to prioritize getting enough high-quality sleep each night.
If sleep can improve my skin, can skin care improve my sleep?
Yes, and here’s how. The key is to focus on plant-based, nature-inspired skin care products that promote both healthy skin and restful sleep. This approach, based on “biophilia,” the biological term for the human need and desire to be with nature, uses plant-based ingredients to raise parasympathetic (rest and digest) activity. Essential oils used in skin care are known to enhance relaxation, reduce stress and soothe an active mind, which improves sleep. These effects of the essential oils and other plant extracts simultaneously work while still conditioning and protecting your skin.
Just knowing you are using plant-based, from nature, ingredients will:
ease and calm your nervous system
promote the “rest” function, bringing balance to the autonomic nervous system
Your deep sleep intention
One simple way to enhance the skin-care-sleep-connection, is to repeat an intention for better sleep while applying your plant-based skin care products. For example, you might say to yourself:
"I fall asleep easily. I sleep deep and completely for a full night's rest."
This can help to relax your mind and promote restful sleep. All while doing what you usually do morning and evening - applying skin care.
Essential oils for deeper sleep
You can also customize your sleep-inspiring lifestyle routine with essential oils known to promote sleep and skin health. These oils calm the nervous system, raise "rest and digest" function, and soothe a busy mind:
Cape Chamomile
Frankincense
Helichrysum
Lavender
Rose
Ylang Ylang
To the skin’s benefit, these oils are:
antioxidant
anti-inflammatory
cell-regenerative
Diffuse, inhale or topical ways to get better sleep
Using the above listed or other relaxing and balancing essential oils or blends in a diffuser, inhaling from a bottle, or used in a topical massage or lotion throughout the day will promote a good night’s sleep. Selecting a blend made for better sleep, reducing “fight or flight” and calming anxiety, is ideally a great way to get a holistic or personalized formula that fits your fragrance preferences.
Make a sleep-enhancing hydrating toner
Use a prepared sleep blend, such as Deeper Sleeper, Vagus Tune or Calm & Easy to create your own sleep-enhancing hydrating toner.
Simply add to a 2-ounce spray bottle:
15 to 20 drops of your preferred essential oil blend
one tablespoon of aloe gel
two teaspoons of alcohol (vodka, Everclear, or another not-so-strong-smelling alcohol)
fill to the top with distilled water
Shake and mist for a refreshing boost of skin care and sleep support.
Customize your skin care for sleep
Add 1 to 2 drops of essential oil, or a blend, per teaspoon , to a non-fragranced cream base, like our Natural Scent Face Cream (the “natural” scent comes from the quality plant-based extracts. There are no essential oils or fragrances added).
What keeps you awake?
Of course, it’s best if you are aware of the many factors that can affect your sleep quality, such as:
lighting and noise in your bedroom
eating habits
stress levels
media (including exposure to blue light)
Check out this course to evaluate your sleep and get solutions to a better night’s sleep (and better youthful skin).
Better Sleep with Essential Oil Lifestyle Methods
Get better sleep!
By incorporating plant-based skin care products and essential oils into your routine, you give yourself a better chance of getting the restful, restorative sleep your body and skin need to stay healthy and vibrant. So why not give it a try and see how it can work for you?
References
P. Oyetakin‐White, A. Suggs, B. Koo, M. S. Matsui, D. Yarosh, K. D. Cooper, E. D. Baron, Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing? Arrow Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, Volume 40, Issue 1, 1 January 2015, Pages 17–22