How To Improve Beauty Sleep

After a long day of work, school or taking care of the kids, all women have one desired luxury in common— a daily dose of beauty sleep. A time to rest your body, mind and skin. But in order for a good night’s rest to work wonders on your skin, it must be done right. New York City and New Jersey-based Dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Baxt provides tips to improve your skin when hitting the sack for a night of blissful sleep. 

Hot vs. Cold

Some love to snuggle under a warm blanket in the cold, while others prefer to sleep in the heat. What is better for your skin? “It is always better to sleep in an environment with cooler temperatures,” clarifies Dr. Baxt. “Overheated rooms dry out the skin. Heat may also cause sweating at night, which may cause or worsen acne breakouts or eczema, in the case of dry heat.” 

Sheet Wars

Ever wonder if your sheets are skin-approved? What sheets work best with your skin? “Cotton sheets and pillowcases with a high thread count are smooth and healthy for most skin types,” explains Dr. Baxt. “People with very sensitive skin might prefer silk/satin sheets which are even softer.” Silk and satin are both smooth and tend to prevent crease marks that may appear on your skin with other types of fabric. Silk, in particular, does not retain moisture and will not remove any face creams applied prior to sleep.   

Skin Matters

Always take your skin type into account when purchasing nighttime products. The idea that everyone needs a night cream is a myth.  “If your skin is very oily, you don't need a night cream on top of your natural oils,” says Dr. Baxt.  “If you have dry skin, then the heaviest moisturizer you can tolerate will help your skin appear glowing instead of dry in the morning.” Work at improving your skin’s overall look. “If you have acne, apply acne treatment/creams at night to help your skin. Want your skin to reverse signs of aging?  Use products with retinol/retina, glycolic acid or vitamin C to help.”

Flaky Visitors

Healthy, glowing skin deserves a healthy scalp. Waking up to flake-filled sheets in the morning leads many to less showers and use of more conditioner. “This condition is seborrheic dermatitis, otherwise known as dandruff,” states Dr. Baxt. “It is important to note that dandruff gets worse from reduced washing and over-conditioning. The best solution is over-the-counter shampoos like Head & Shoulders, Selsun Blue and Nizoral. Be sure to shampoo every day, rotating the shampoo brand, and only use conditioner on your ends. If severe, prescriptions may be required.” Avoid using oils in your hair at night if you have dandruff or acne. If you are prone to acne, scalp oil will drip onto your skin and worsen your acne. It can even cause acne denovo. For individuals who are prone to acne, I recommend keeping the hair off the face/back when sleeping by tying your hair back loosely. Tightly tying the hair constantly may cause problems like traction alopecia, which is a scarring hair loss caused by constant pulling of hair. 

Information courtesy of Dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Baxt. For more information, please visit www.cosmedical.com.