Beauty sleep - you’ve probably heard about it before but don’t know if it is fact or fiction. Does it really do wonders or is it just an overused expression?

We all know that taking care of your body is essential. Exercise and good diet are among the most important things that you should do. But sleep is definitely the most important of all.

Sleep is incredibly important for your health. It does more than just refuel your energy, it also makes you look healthier and younger. This is why the term “beauty sleep” was coined.

What is beauty sleep?

It is called beauty sleep because it is believed to make you look more youthful and beautiful.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7-9 hours of good sleep every night. When you sleep, the body goes into repair mode. It restores cells, decreases your stress hormones and repairs the damage that happens in daytime.

Beauty sleep can literally make you look more beautiful!

Have an important event coming up like a wedding or birthday party, you may need to catch up on your beauty sleep to feel and look refreshed.

Here are some of the benefits of beauty sleep:

1. No more puffy eyes.

Ever notice that when you don’t get enough sleep, your eyes look super puffy?

If your body is not getting enough sleep, your fluid and blood retention gets worse. This is why you get puffy eyes in the morning. With quality sleep, your body is able to regulate fluid better and you won’t be as puffy when you wake up anymore.

2. No more dark under-eye circles.

Here’s another beauty issue that a lot of us deal with — dark under-eyes circles. You can try to cover them with concealers as much as you want but they still won’t go away without getting enough beauty sleep.

3. Less wrinkles.

Wrinkles appear on the face as you age. The first signs of wrinkles can start to appear in your 30s in areas like the forehead and around the eyes. However, if you are constantly not sleeping well, your skin might suffer from premature aging. Wrinkles can start appearing as early as your 20s!

4. Less breakouts.

Two of the most common causes of breakouts is stress and hormonal imbalance. When your body is having a hard time regulating hormones, it reflects on your skin too. You will notice more pimples popping up, your skin can become oilier and you can also have a full-on acne breakout.

When you get good quality sleep, stress hormones go down. You won’t just feel lighter and less stressed, your skin will also look clearer. Aside from good quality sleep, you can also prevent breakouts by using a gentle anti-acne cleansing bar before going to bed.

Akoyn Beauty Golden Mud Papaya and Turmeric Facial Bar

5. Healthier, younger-looking skin.

Overall, beauty sleep gives you younger-looking skin. You will wake up in the mornings refreshed and glowing.

During sleep, the body repairs damaged cells and also produces new collagen. This component is responsible for making the skin look plump and healthy. When you lack proper sleep, your skin suffers and will look tired.

How to Get More Beauty Sleep

Having a hard time getting that quality beauty sleep? Here are some simple tips to help you out:

• Develop a relaxing night routine. Create a night routine that will help signal your brain and body to relax and slow down.
• Try to go to sleep at the same time each night. A consistent sleep schedule will give you quality sleep that’s good for your body.
• Take your makeup off, wash up and lather on a cream with a soothing scent like lavender.
• Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol during the nighttime.
• Eat healthy foods throughout the day and stay away from too much sweets, which can mess with your sleep.
• Switch off your laptop and stop browsing on your phone. The blue light emitted from computers and smartphones can negatively affect your sleep pattern.

Never take sleep for granted! It does more than just make your skin look more fresh and youthful, it also improves your overall health. If you want that healthy skin glow, make sure to get quality beauty sleep every night.