Why is it important to look good while sleeping?
Looking beautiful while you sleep may seem trivial, but it can actually be important for several reasons:
- It can boost your confidence – Waking up looking refreshed and radiant can put you in a positive mindset to start the day.
- It improves your skin – Giving your skin a break from makeup and getting enough beauty rest allows your skin to rejuvenate overnight.
- It’s good for relationships – No one wants to wake up next to a partner looking disheveled and unkempt.
- You never know when you’ll be seen – You could get a surprise visitor in the morning, or have a sleepover with friends. It’s best to look your best.
While inner beauty is more important, outer beauty can impact how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you. Making some simple efforts to look good while sleeping can help you face the day looking and feeling your best.
How to prepare for beauty sleep
Getting beauty sleep starts long before you actually go to bed. Your nighttime routine plays a key role in how refreshed and radiant you look in the morning:
1. Remove makeup properly
It’s critical to remove all traces of makeup before bedtime. Leaving makeup on can clog pores, cause breakouts, and lead to premature aging. Use a gentle makeup remover or cleansing oil to dissolve makeup, then wash with a mild cleanser. Double cleanse if wearing heavy eye makeup.
Be sure to remove all makeup – don’t forget eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick. Use makeup remover wipes for a quick cleanse if you’re very tired. But try to wash properly as often as possible.
2. Wash and moisturize your face
Washing your face before bed removes dirt, oil, and impurities that built up during the day. Use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type.
After cleansing, apply a moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and shea butter. Lock in moisture with a night cream to keep your skin supple overnight.
3. Exfoliate 2-3 times a week
Gently exfoliating a few nights per week sloughs off dead skin cells, revealing fresher skin underneath. Use a chemical exfoliant containing AHAs like lactic acid or BHAs like salicylic acid. Or try a physical scrub with soft particles like jojoba beads.
Don’t exfoliate every night, as this can irritate your skin. 2-3 times per week is sufficient for most skin types.
4. Apply overnight masks 1-2 times per week
Give your skin an extra dose of nourishment by applying an overnight mask before bed a few nights per week. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, various peptides, ceramides, plant oils, and antioxidants.
Wash off the mask in the morning after letting it work its magic overnight. Just don’t use too many masking products at once, as this risks irritating sensitive skin.
5. Drink enough water during the day
Hydration levels impact your skin’s appearance and texture. Be sure to drink enough water during the day for supple, glowing skin at bedtime. The general guideline is eight 8-ounce glasses per day. Drink even more if you live somewhere hot, exercise heavily, or are prone to dehydration.
Bedtime skin care tips for beauty sleep
In addition to your regular nightly skin care routine, try these extra tips right before bed for an added beauty boost:
1. Apply an overnight lip mask
Your lips need TLC at bedtime too. Smooth on a hydrating overnight lip mask to moisturize dry, chapped lips. Look for nourishing oils and butters like coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru butter. Wake up to pillowy soft lips.
2. Use under eye masks
The delicate skin under your eyes needs special care. Use overnight under eye masks or patches infused with hydrating and depuffing ingredients. Try collagen, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, aloe vera, and caffeine. Make dark circles and puffiness a thing of the past.
3. Apply night serums
Serums deliver powerful skin care actives directly to your skin due to their lightweight texture. Look for night serums containing retinol to improve skin tone and texture while you sleep. Or try vitamin C and antioxidant serums to brighten dull, uneven complexions overnight.
4. Switch your pillowcase
Your pillowcase collects dirt, oil, and bacteria that can transfer back to your skin and hair while you sleep. For cleaner skin, switch your pillowcase at least twice a week, more if you have acne-prone skin. Use protective silk or satin pillowcases if possible.
5. Apply moisturizer to feet
Don’t forget your feet! Smooth on a rich foot cream or overnight foot mask to hydrate dry, cracked soles. Exfoliate feet 2-3 times per week to reveal smoother feet. Try wearing moisturizing socks overnight too.
How to protect hair overnight
Getting beauty sleep isn’t just about your skin – you need to protect your hair too:
1. Always tie up hair
Keep hair off your face and protected by tying it up before bed. Braids, buns, and loose ponytails prevent tangles and breakage from tossing and turning. Use soft scrunchies and hair ties to prevent dents.
2. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase
Silk and satin pillowcases provide a smooth surface that causes less friction and pulls moisture from hair. This protects hair from damage and knots. If you can’t replace all your pillowcases, just use a silk/satin pillowcase for your head.
3. Apply overnight hair masks
Give your hair an added dose of moisture and nourishment before bedtime. Apply a hair mask to the ends only or all over, depending on your hair’s needs. Rinse out thoroughly in the morning before styling as usual.
4. Always use a bonnet or cap for curly hair
Those with curly hair need extra protection at night. Wear a bonnet or hair cap over your curls to prevent rubbing against the pillow. This minimizes frizz and helps keep curls defined.
5. Sleep on a satin hair wrap
For additional protection, wrap hair in a satin scarf or hair wrap before sleep. Wrap hair gently to avoid pulling or damage. The smooth satin minimizes friction and absorbs less moisture than cotton.
How to get comfortable for beauty sleep
You’ll get better quality sleep if you’re comfortable at night. Follow these tips for maximum comfort:
1. Invest in comfortable pajamas
Ditch restrictive, uncomfortable pajamas for soft, breathable fabrics like cotton, jersey, or rayon from bamboo. Aim for loose, flowy styles. You may also prefer sleep shorts and tanks or cami tops in warm weather.
2. Use breathable, soft bed sheets
Splurge on high thread count sheets made from soft fabrics like cotton, microfiber, flannel, or rayon from bamboo. Avoid scratchy fabrics like burlap. Wash sheets regularly to maximize comfort and hygiene.
3. Find the right room temperature
Aim for a room temperature around 65°F (18°C) for optimal sleep. This feels cool without getting chilly under blankets. Adjust the thermostat down until you find your ideal temperature.
4. Invest in pillows for your sleep position
Get the right pillows for your preferred sleep position – side, back or stomach. Side sleepers need a thicker pillow to fill the space between head/neck and mattress. Back sleepers need thinner, flatter pillows.
5. Use an eye mask and earplugs
Block out light and noise for better sleep with a contoured eye mask and earplugs. Look for an eye mask with a comfortable fabric like microfiber. Try different earplug materials like moldable silicone, foam, or wax.
Lifestyle habits for waking up gorgeous
Adopt these daily habits to look refreshed each morning:
1. Change your pillowcases frequently
Dirty pillowcases lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Change them at least twice a week, or alternate between two pillowcases. Wash with hot water and unscented detergent.
2. Wash your face after waking up
Cleanse your skin after waking up to wash away “sleep dirt” like oil, dead skin cells, and drool crusted on your face. Use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser.
3. Sweep your hair back before bed
Pull your hair back into a loose ponytail or braid before bed. Let your hair fall off your face, away from your skincare products. This prevents oil and products from getting on your hair.
4. Shower at night instead of morning
At least a few nights a week, shower at night so you wake up feeling refreshed. This removes oil and dirt from the day. Just avoid super hot showers that strip your skin.
5. Change your bed sheets weekly
Your sheets collect dead skin cells, body oil, and germs while you sleep. Wash bed sheets weekly, or twice a week in summer when you sweat more. Use hot water and unscented detergent.
Bedtime habits to avoid
Some common bedtime routines actually disturb your beauty sleep. Avoid these traps:
1. No eating before bed
Eating too close to bed can disrupt sleep and cause indigestion, bloating, and acne. Finish eating 2-3 hours before bedtime. However, a light snack like berries with yogurt is ok.
2. No late-night screen time
Smartphones, TVs, tablets, and computers emit blue light that suppresses melatonin and keeps you awake. Power down screens 1-2 hours before bedtime.
3. No heavy moisturizers
Thick, greasy night creams can clog pores and cause breakouts. Opt for light, non-comedogenic lotions and gels instead that absorb quickly. You can apply a thin layer of richer cream on top if needed for dry skin.
4. Avoid harsh scrubs
Steer clear of abrasive physical exfoliants with particles that can irritate delicate facial skin. Stick to gentle scrubs like jojoba beads or chemical exfoliants like lactic acid.
5. Don’t wear restrictive hair ties
Tight ponytails, braids, and buns lead to breakage and hair loss over time. Secure hair gently with soft scrunchies, fabric ties, and flexible bands. Avoid tight hairstyles for sleeping.
How to have a comfortable and relaxing bedtime routine
Having a consistent, relaxing bedtime routine signals your brain it’s time for quality beauty rest. Try:
1. Take a warm bath or shower
A warm (not hot!) bath or shower can relax your body for quality sleep. Add Epsom or Himalayan bath salts for muscle relaxation. Shower at least 1 hour before bed so you’re not overheated.
2. Unplug and power down electronics
Shut off smartphones, TVs, computers and other electronics. Their artificial blue light is stimulating. Read a paper book or magazine instead.
3. Stretch gently
Do a few gentle stretches to release muscle tension without getting yourself pumped up. Try basic yoga poses like child’s pose and happy baby pose.
4. Sip herbal tea
Sip a cup of caffeine-free herbal tea to unwind before bed. Chamomile, lavender, passionflower, and mint teas encourage relaxation. Avoid caffeinated true teas.
5. Use essential oils
Inhale relaxing scents like lavender oil to prepare for sleep. You can diffuse oils in your room, apply diluted oil to wrists, or sprinkle on pillows. Just avoid getting oils on your face.
Foods and supplements to take for beauty sleep
Certain foods and supplements support beauty rest when consumed during the day or before bed:
1. Foods with melatonin
Melatonin is the sleep hormone. Eat melatonin-rich foods like cherries, grapes, salmon, and yogurt. Enjoy a small bowl of cherries or grapes as a bedtime snack.
2. Magnesium supplements
Many people are deficient in magnesium, which promotes muscle relaxation and sleep. Take 200-400 mg magnesium supplements each day with food to avoid deficiency.
3. Calming teas
Sip caffeine-free tea with relaxing herbs like chamomile, passionflower, valerian root, and lemon balm. They ease anxiety, relax muscles, and encourage sleepiness.
4. Fatty fish
Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are rich in vitamin D, which regulates your sleep and wake cycles when gotten from sun exposure. Eat more fatty fish or take vitamin D.
5. Bananas
Bananas contain magnesium and potassium, two minerals that relax muscles and nerves for better sleep quality. Enjoy a banana with nut butter before bed.
Conclusion
Getting your beauty rest has so many benefits, from glowing skin to improved cognition and mood. Prepare for sleep by taking off makeup, cleansing and moisturizing skin, wearing pajamas and sheets from breathable fabrics, and making your bedroom comfortable. Establish a relaxing pre-bed routine and avoid sleep disrupters like screen time. Adopt lifestyle habits that support beauty sleep, like changing pillowcases regularly and keeping cool at night. With these tips, you’ll wake up looking refreshed and radiant every morning.