Happy Sleep, Happy Skin.

Understanding the Link Between Sleep and Skin Health

Sleep is essential for your skin’s renewal and repair. During deep sleep, your body produces growth hormones that help repair damaged cells, boost collagen production, and maintain your skin barrier.

A lack of quality sleep disrupts this process, leading to dullness, dryness, and premature ageing. It can also increase cortisol levels, which can trigger inflammation, breakouts, and impaired skin healing.

When you prioritise restful sleep, your skin benefits with a natural glow, reduced puffiness, and better resilience to environmental stressors.

How This Can Present on the Skin

Signs of sleep deprivation on the skin include:

Dark circles or puffiness: Resulting from fluid retention or poor circulation.

Dull complexion: Due to reduced skin cell turnover.

Fine lines and wrinkles: A lack of sleep impairs collagen production.

Breakouts: High cortisol levels can increase oil production.

Weakened skin barrier: Making skin more prone to irritation and dryness.

Tips for Skin-Friendly Sleep

Establish a bedtime routine: Consistency helps regulate your body’s internal clock.

Optimise your sleep environment: Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and free from screens.

Practice relaxation techniques: Meditation or deep breathing before bed can improve sleep quality.

Stay active: Regular exercise promotes better sleep and circulation, which benefits skin health.

Avoid stimulants: Limit caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime.

Hydrate wisely: Sip water throughout the day but ease off before bedtime.

Need Extra Support?

If you’re struggling with sleep, consider speaking to your GP or exploring resources from sleep specialists to improve your sleep routine. A qualified skin therapist, such as a corneotherapist - trained in skin barrier care, can provide tailored skincare advice to support your skin barrier and promote long term resilience.

Trusted UK Sources:

NHS – Sleep and Tiredness
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/
Clear advice on why sleep matters for your overall health, including how it supports skin repair and renewal.

The Sleep Council (now part of The Sleep Charity)
https://sleepcouncil.org.uk/
Offers practical tips for improving sleep quality, helping to lower stress levels that can impact your skin.

British Association of Dermatologists (BAD)
https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/
Highlights how restorative sleep helps maintain healthy skin by supporting the barrier and reducing flare-ups.

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the information in this leaflet is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional advice.

Version: [March / 2025]

© 2025 Jacqui de Jager | The Skin Well™ & The Happy Skin Clinic®
All rights reserved. This leaflet is for personal use and education only. It may not be reproduced, distributed, or adapted without written permission.