Sleep and skin

Cutaneous chronobiology 

Just like us, the skin lives according to the rhythm of day and night. Depending on the time of day, the skin functions differently; this phenomenon is called cutaneous chronobiology. 

In the morning, the skin goes into defense mode to fight against external aggressions (pollution, sun, dust). Skin cells shrink and tighten to form a kind of shield.

At night, the skin abandons its protective role to begin a major cleansing and regeneration process. 

What does the skin do at night? 

At night, the skin enters a "rest" mode, but it remains active. Skin regeneration then occurs through a process of cell division. 

Blood flow in the small vessels of the skin is also greater at night, particularly between 11:00 PM and 4:00 AM. Cell renewal requires energy, so it's normal for microcirculation to be activated.

The benefits of sleep 

After a good night's sleep of about 8 hours, the skin has had time to regenerate and produce collagen and elastin. Cell renewal and accelerated microcirculation in the skin ensure: 

☁️ a fresh complexion,
☁️ less pronounced dark circles

Conversely, lack of sleep is easily visible on the skin and can also accelerate skin aging. 

Our tips for sleeping better

📱 Avoid screens before bed : the blue light from screens will slow down the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep.

🥗 Eat early and light : when the body digests a heavy, large meal, its temperature rises. However, to sleep well, your body requires a relatively low internal temperature.

☕️ Avoid coffee, tea, chocolate and caffeinated drinks after 3pm (time may vary from person to person): caffeine blocks the action of a chemical in your brain called adenosine which helps you become drowsy and fall asleep.

🤸‍♀️ Do some physical activity (4 to 8 hours before bedtime): doing sports generates physical and mental relaxation thanks to the endorphins secreted, also called "pleasure hormones".

🧘‍♀️ Relax: sleep is often linked to stress. Several methods can help you relax before sleeping: meditation, reading, music, ASMR, etc.

⏰ Adopt a regular rhythm: To optimize sleep quality, it's essential to have a regular lifestyle: go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time, and maintain three meals a day. Our advice: expose yourself to natural morning light. It helps synchronize your biological clock and structure your sleep patterns.