Catching enough Zzz’s is a beauty tip in and of itself, but there’s plenty more you can do to ensure healthy, youthful skin while you snooze. If you want to wake up to firm, glowing skin (honestly, who doesn’t?), follow along below: You see, pollutants and daily grime build up on your skin as the day goes on, which can contribute to oxidative stress, dull, crepey skin, and fine lines if you don’t cleanse before bed. “Pollution can subject the skin to free radicals, which can contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin and lead to aging of the skin, so it’s important to cleanse the skin to avoid these effects,” adds board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D. And if you wear makeup, that makes it even more important to give your skin a good scrub. Frequently sleeping in your makeup can not only cause clogged pores but even lead to premature skin aging. “We know that skin hydration levels tend to decline in the afternoon into the evening, which is why heavier night creams are useful,” agrees board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. Look for ingredients like ceramides, peptides, and omega-3 fatty acids in your moisturizer, as these feed the skin barrier and keep it strong. You may even opt for a slugging routine, which involves slathering on a heavy-duty occlusive balm as the last step of your nighttime routine. And if you really want to go the extra mile, you can even snag a hyaluronic acid supplement to encourage inside-out hydration. Find our favorites here. Sleep wrinkles don’t exactly have a tried-and-true solution. “If you are one of those rare specimens who can control your sleep position while sleeping, then more power to you!” board-certified dermatologist Shereene Idriss, M.D., once told us about avoiding chest wrinkles. She recommends sleeping on your back to avoid that pressure—which can be pretty difficult for most people. You can also invest in a silk or satin pillowcase so your skin will glide across the surface without any friction or tugging. Or you can simply lean on other skin care methods to restore collagen and delay fine lines for as long as possible. Sleep is so important for skin health, so you shouldn’t sacrifice a good snooze for fear of pillow lines.
