We’ve always been told that 8 hours of sleep is the key to flawless complexion. In reality, we rarely get a full night of rest. To find out if we are wreaking havoc on our skin by staying up, we turned to renowned dermatologist, Dr. Rashmi Shetty.
According to Dr. Shetty, the amount of sleep you need varies from person to person. Some may be able to function well on just 4 hours, whilst others may require more shut-eye. The important thing however, is follow your body’s circadian rhythm. What this means is that you should sleep at night rather than in the day. Not doing so can cause a whole lot of hormonal issues, which in turn can affect your skin.
Another bit of good news is that only 1% of dark circles are caused by less sleep. Genetics and habits such as rubbing your eyes often, are more to blame. If you are prone to puffy eyes and wrinkles, lay on your back while you sleep.
To make the most out of your beauty sleep, Dr. Shetty recommends using a nourishing cream every night. Personally, we love applying overnight masks to moisturise our faces. Eye creams and retinols are also great ways to wake up with better skin.
To sum it all up, just listen to your body. Although skincare products can make a difference, getting the right amount and quality of sleep is an absolute necessity.
For more tips, follow Dr. Rashmi Shetty on Facebook and Twitter.