But sleep is only as helpful as you allow it to be, which is why it’s important to implement best practices, from beneficial skin care products and simple nighttime rituals to supportive sleep aids so you can wake up with a glow from head to toe. So as you’re putting together your evening lineup, let’s assume you’ve washed your face thoroughly. Then apply your serum or treatment of choice. Most skin care experts recommend retinol or bakuchiol. “It’s the gold standard for anyone with blemishes or over the age of 30. Overall, retinol helps brighten dull skin by exfoliating at a cellular level, which results in glowing and smoother new skin. Not only does it help combat new wrinkles, but it also smooths out existing fine lines and wrinkles,” says aesthetic nurse practitioner Jennifer Izzarelli, MSN, CANS, N.P. “It also helps regulate oily skin and minimize breakouts. And, if that isn’t enough, retinol is proven to fade dark age spots, sun spots and hyperpigmentation and even out complexion over time.” Bakuchiol is the natural alternative that has been shown to have the same effects on the skin, sans irritation. Naturopathic doctor Tess Marshall, N.D., also recommends antioxidants. “Green tea, vitamin C, carrot, and astaxanthin are some of my favorite ingredients.” While it’s important to apply antioxidants during the day to protect your skin from free radicals, at night these ingredients can actually help repair the skin after a long day. Finally, top it off with an occlusive oil or cream to seal in the moisture. “You can go with a heavier oil at night, compared to lighter products in the morning that go better under makeup,” says Marshall. Not only that, but a heavier oil or cream will help your skin deal with trans-epidermal water loss3, or what happens when moisture evaporates from your epidermis. But if you’re stressed or changing up your sleep schedules all of the time, staying in a deep sleep can be hard to come by. According to Marshall, this results in less time for skin regeneration. “We also have the highest cellular activity in the skin while we sleep, which means all of the collagen production and repair and antioxidant activity we crave happens when we are sleeping.” In other words, the better you prepare yourself for sleep, like creating a bedtime routine and sticking to the same sleep schedule, the better your chances of achieving that gorgeous glow. Aromatherapist and herbalist Trevor Ellestad notes the importance of putting down the phone. Of course the phone’s blue light has been extensively studied, and research shows that it can disrupt our circadian rhythm. “Unlike our smartphones, our mind and body can’t switch on and off so easily—they need time to transition slowly into sleep,” Ellestad says. “Put your phone away earlier than you normally do, open up a book, cue up your favorite meditation app, brew a relaxing cup of tea, and diffuse some calming essential oils to help you wind down and catch some zzz’s.” Humidifiers (some of which can diffuse scent as well) add water back into the air. If you live in a dry climate, this can be very beneficial for your overall skin hydration. The ideal indoor humidity range is 40 to 50%, but this number can easily fall below 30% depending on the season or area. Humidifiers can help bring levels up to their ideal range—saving you itchy skin, dry lips, and thirsty hands in the process.
