How beauty products affect your sleep – The Irish News

Your nightly routine might consist of a quick cleansing and application of moisturizer—or perhaps it includes lighting a scented candle. No matter how you prepare for bed, this nightly ritual has a decisive impact on the quality of your sleep.

“The products we use in our evening skincare routine can impact not only the condition of our skin, but also our ability to relax and unwind,” explains organic beauty expert and Green People founder Charlotte Woetz.

“Strong products with synthetic fragrances or active ingredients such as exfoliating acids can be overly stimulating or irritating, which can make it difficult to relax before bed.”

Board-certified dermatologists and beauty experts will create the perfect beauty routine for a restful night’s sleep.

What can help you sleep

When you think of nighttime scents, lavender or chamomile come to mind. There is a good reason for this, as both of these flowers are nervines (herbs that help support the nervous system). Both lavender and chamomile are considered aromatic relaxants and contain essential oils that help relieve stress and support sleep.

“Valerian, vetiver, clary clary, sandalwood and ylang-ylang also have relaxing effects,” says skin expert and Ultrasun founder Abi Cleave.

“Aromatherapy—whether it’s bath salts, pillow sprays, or even candles—can go a long way toward helping you relax,” says Lucy Gofffounder of LYMA, a skincare brand coveted by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Meghan Markle.

Although what we inhale is an important factor in falling asleep, the quality of this process also depends on what we ingest.

“Supplements can improve sleep quality,” says Goff. Minerals such as magnesium glycinate are particularly relaxing to the nervous system and muscles.

“A clinical study found that magnesium can also reduce anxiety by 31%,” says the dermatologist. Dr. Sonya Koranafrom Hero cosmetics. “Vitamin D, valerian, melatonin and ashwagandha are also ingredients to look out for to improve sleep quality.”

Having experienced sleep deprivation herself, Goff developed her own supplement. “It contains key patented ingredients that improve aspects of brain function and improve sleep quality,” she says. day function.”

Alexandra Kay Time to Restore Magnesium Lotion – 200ml, £40, Green People

Neal’s Yard Remedies Lavender Essential Oil – 10ml, £9 (was £12)

LYMA Supplement Refill – 120 capsules, £165, Healf

Products to Avoid: From Eye Creams to Exfoliators

We know that caffeine and blue light (emitted from phone and TV screens) can trick our brains into thinking it’s daytime by blocking the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. But caffeine is not only found in coffee.

“Some beauty products, such as eye creams or serums, contain caffeine, which can reduce puffiness and dark circles,” says Woetz. “These products may prevent you from falling asleep if used too late in the evening.”

It’s not just eye cream that can affect your sleep; Chemical exfoliators can also disrupt your rest. “Exfoliators containing AHAs or BHAs can make your skin more sensitive or irritated, especially at night,” says Woetz. “If your skin is inflamed or sensitive, it may prevent you from feeling comfortable and may not be ideal for bedtime.”

Besides harsh ingredients, scent is an important aspect of your products that can interfere with your natural sleep cycle. “You should avoid uplifting scents like citrus and jasmine,” says Cleave, “though they’re great for sleepy mornings!”

Woetz notes that synthetic ingredients can also overstimulate your senses: “Synthetic fragrances in skin care products can cause sensitivity or headaches in some people, further interfering with your ability to relax.”

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye – 15ml, £33, looks fantastic

Beauty routine from an expert for good sleep

While this may have you checking the labels on your night creams, there is a simple solution to getting back into your beauty routine and getting a better night’s sleep.

“Your skin enters a repair phase while you sleep, so an effective skin care regimen is critical,” explains Khorana, who advises blocking blue light at least two hours before bed.

“I have a rule: no technology after 8 p.m.,” says Goff, “otherwise I’d be answering emails all night. “Instead, I use this time to unwind: I double-cleanse with the LYMA laser to drain the day away so my skin is replenished and can begin to repair itself when I go to bed.”

When it comes to products, experts recommend double cleansing to give your face a draining massage and remove all impurities. “I recommend starting with a cleansing oil or balm and then applying a gel to leave your skin feeling soft and clean,” says Khorana.

“Next, use a retinoid serum, also known as vitamin A, as retinoid promotes faster cell turnover and has anti-aging properties that improve fine lines, wrinkles and improve collagen stimulation in the skin.” (Collagen is what makes our skin firm).

“If you have dry skin, use a rich night cream with humectants like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which lock in moisture,” says Khorana.

At the end of a long day, a painstaking skincare routine may be the last thing you want to do, but spending time on relaxing rituals can improve your energy in the long run. As Wötz says: “A beautiful dream is more than just a dream.” saying.

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm with Professional Cleansing Cloth – 100g, £52, Look Fantastic

Facetheory Firming Night Cream with Peptides and Lavender – 50ml, £24

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane – 30ml, £12.24 (was £15.90)