The Spa Edit – The Role of Sleep in Achieving Radiant Skin

It’s More Than Just Beauty Rest

We’ve all heard the term “beauty sleep” tossed around, but what if I told you, it’s more than an old wives’ tale? Sleep isn’t just a passive state where our minds drift — it’s an essential, active period of recovery for your entire body, especially your skin. If you’re chasing that fresh, luminous, healthy glow, it’s time to add more beyond serums and masks and prioritize those precious hours of rest.
What happens to your skin while you sleep? When you tuck in for the night, your skin goes into repair mode. Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes while you dream:

• Cellular renewal peaks during the nighttime hours. Old, damaged skin cells are shed and replaced with new, healthy ones.
• Collagen production increases, helping to keep skin firm, smooth, and resilient. Less sleep means less collagen, which can lead to fine lines and sagging over time.
• Blood flow to the skin rises, delivering vital nutrients and oxygen to help maintain a natural, healthy glow.
• Cortisol levels drop, reducing inflammation and giving the skin a chance to recover from daily stress and environmental damage.

What happens to your skin if you lose sleep? When you miss out on quality rest, your skin is often the first to show it. Common signs of sleep deprivation on the skin include:

• Dull, uneven skin tone
• Puffiness around the eyes
• Dark circles
• Increased breakouts and sensitivity
• Fine lines appearing more pronounced

That morning-after “tired look” isn’t just in your head — it’s your skin’s way of asking for a little extra care.
How much sleep does your skin really need? Most adults thrive with 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night. But it’s not just about quantity — it’s about the quality of your rest. Deep, uninterrupted sleep allows your skin’s repair processes to work efficiently, setting you up for a radiant complexion come morning.
Here are some tips for better beauty sleep. If your nights have been restless or cut short, here are a few ways to improve your sleep and give your skin the overnight care it craves:

• Establish a calming bedtime routine — dim the lights, sip herbal tea, or take a warm bath.
• Power down electronics at least 30 minutes before bed to limit blue light exposure.
• Invest in skin-friendly sleep essentials like a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and help your skin retain moisture. We carry many of these essentials in our Haven shop or online.
• Incorporate nighttime skincare products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, or antioxidants to support your skin’s natural overnight repair. We can help you choose what products would be best suited for your skin type.
• Practice mindfulness or light stretching to calm the nervous system and ease into restful sleep.

It’s Self-Care, not Self-Indulgence! Repeat this to yourself.  Prioritizing sleep isn’t lazy or indulgent — it’s a fundamental part of self-care and skin health. The next time you’re tempted to stay up scrolling or squeezing in one more episode, remember that those hours of sleep are doing vital work for your skin’s clarity, firmness, and radiance. Your best glow might just be waiting on the other side of a good night’s sleep.

Angela