“Beauty sleep” isn’t just a phrase. We all know a good night’s rest leaves us feeling rested and energised, but it’s also when the skin repairs and regenerates.
What happens to the skin at night?
A review published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that our skin operates on a circadian rhythm and it carries out much of its repair work during the night. While we sleep, blood flow increases, helping to deliver nutrients that repair damage. Collagen production ramps up to maintain elasticity and cell turnover clears away old cells. At the same time, skin also loses more moisture overnight and the barrier becomes more permeable, so skincare products can absorb more effectively.
This is why night time is an important window for hydration and targeted skincare, as the skin is at its most responsive. When you skimp on sleep, these important processes can be disrupted, leading to dull skin, inflammation and signs of ageing.
In fact, one study found that women with poor sleep quality showed higher signs of ageing, slower skin barrier recovery and a weaker response to UV exposure. They also reported feeling less satisfied with their appearance compared with good sleepers.
How to support the skin at night
Throughout the day, the face acts as a magnet for pollution and dirt. If these are not removed, they can clog the pores and trigger inflammation. Cleansing strips away this daily grime. As the skin loses moisture overnight, pick a nourishing cleanser that won’t strip the skin. Try our Dr Somji Nourishing Cream Cleanser, which has a hydrating formula that lifts dirt and make-up, leaving the skin prepped so skincare can do its job.
A good night cream can maximise the benefits of your beauty sleep. I often get asked if a night cream is necessary, and the answer is yes. Since skin loses moisture while we sleep, a nourishing night cream can support its overnight repair process. Our innovative Dr Somji Night Recovery Cream puts the skin into repair mode while you sleep. It features green microalgae, rich in amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants which helps support the skin’s circadian rhythm. By reducing the stress signals that build up throughout the day, it creates the optimal conditions for nighttime repair. The formula also combines hyaluronic acid to drench the skin with moisture, plus ceramides, rosehip seed oil and shea butter to repair the barrier. We also included slow-release encapsulated retinol, to improve firmness and soften the look of wrinkles, without irritation.
Night time is also a good opportunity to treat specific skin concerns like redness and breakouts. Focused skincare such as our Dr Somji Concentrates can be used to target wrinkles, redness and blemishes.
As well as using a good skincare regime before bedtime, be sure to get enough sleep. A study found that late sleepers had lower hydration, reduced elasticity, more wrinkles and disrupted skin bacteria compared with early sleepers.
The night isn’t just for resting the mind and body. A simple routine of cleansing and nourishing before bed, combined with quality sleep, ensures that while you recharge, your skin does too.
