Everyone has heard about the phrase “beauty sleep” but few perhaps have questioned its practical value and implications.
There are certain nights that I have spent much of my time following a particular program or browsing through the social platform.
And let’s be real here, due to late working hours and lack of time most of us end up going to bed with our makeup on, no washing or cleansing of the face.
But here’s the thing: It is also good to note that while you are asleep, other parts of your body such as your skin and nails are still working.
In fact, sleep is the time that your body works hard and carries out numerous activities especially in the repair and nourishment of skin and nails.
Well, in this article, I thought I’d go deeper into how your nightly skincare routine, or the lack of it, impacts your skin and nails and how you can get the most of your beauty sleep.
Why Sleep is the Ultimate Beauty Treatment
When it comes to a common knowledge of increase in health, we do know that to obtain good health one has to sleep for 7-8 hours a day.
However that does not necessarily mean that people wake up in the morning refreshed.
It is at such times that the body organ functions in its full capacity and gears up to repair itself.
This is somewhat similar to having some beauty experts working on your skin and nails without you even realizing that as you are asleep.
When a person is asleep, the blood circulation to the skin region is increased thus supplying it with oxygen and nutrients that are vital in the process of cell production.
This natural repair work helps replenish damages caused by such things as pollution, ultraviolet light and even stress.
And you’ll be surprised to know that, even our nails are getting healthy with this process.
So if your nails become brittle or your skin tone seems dull, it is high time to get some more sleep.
The Skin and Nail Connection
I believe that it’s still very important to remember the connection between our nails and our skin.
Well, it’s a fact that nails are just as much a part of our body as hairs are since they are both manufactured out of keratin – the protein your body creates on its own.
Thus, when the skin is healthy, the nails are going to be in good condition as well.
On the contrary, if you have some skin troubles, such as dryness, first wrinkles, acne, rough skin, and the like, your nails may be getting damaged and brittle, and will crack easily.
Honestly, for the longest time I believed that skincare only dealt with the topical application of products for the face as well as nails.
Well, they received whatever was remaining of the hand cream that was applied into my hand.
However, as I’ve learned, there is more to skin and nail care than creams and serums.
It is more about the routines you build before sleeping.
Your Nighttime Routine: The Basics
I would like to discuss a few tips on how to set the best stage for getting a good night beauty sleep. For those who tried to establish a skin care routine as well as for those who have just started this process, there are certain tips that might be useful for evening skin care.
1. Cleanse Your Skin
This one to many might sound as an easy one but believe me, many are usually very lazy to do it especially when they are very busy.
Believe me, I know, I’ve gone through it.
However sleeping with your face uncovered is a strict no no if you are determined to wake up with a glowing face and strong nails.
During the course of a day, the skin accumulates various types of deposits on it including dirt and oil as well as other pollutants.
If you wear those overnight, you are essentially giving breakouts, clogged skin, and lack of brightness carte blanche.
Also, whenever your skin is cleaner, your moisturizers as well as serums are more easily absorbed on the skin than when your skin is blemished.
Bonus Tip: A double cleansing, meaning that you begin with an oilier cleanser and then follow with a foaming one works best especially if you use makeup or sunscreen every day.
2. Moisturize and Nourish
A good moisturizer is the secret to waking up with perfectly smooth skin that is highly likely to be full and well-nourished.
If you’re sleeping, it is at this time that your body and especially your skin loses more water in the air which is less humid than the room.
Rubbing a good night cream or an overnight mask helps form a layer on the skin which does not allow the skin to dry and turn sore.
But don’t stop at your face.
A proper hand cream and cuticle oil before going to bed can change drastically how your nails look.
Since I started massaging my nails with a cuticle oil every single night a couple of months back, my nails only got better.
If you have the problem of having dry, brittle cuticles that crack or nails that split this step will be an absolute lifesaver.
3. Stay Hydrated
Let’s face it we all know that water is very important for our health but it also has a major influence on skin and nails.
If you do not drink enough fluids in a day your face lacks luster and your nail may also become weak and crispy.
I always have a bottle of water by my bedside, and for the last few weeks I have taken to drinking at least a glass of water before going to bed, and upon waking up.
Your body also burns up water while you are asleep, and if you do not have enough water, you will wake up with ‘dry’ skin and mouth.
So, drink up, friends!
4. Silk Pillowcases for the Win
This may sound like a luxury, but changing to a silk pillowcase is one of the best things I have done to my skin and nails.
One of the main advantages of silk is that it does not produce friction; thus getting wrinkled hair, split wires or having an itchy skin.
Not only does your face slide over silk as if it is a water slide but it also manages to retain the skin’s natural oils on the skin instead of having it absorbed into the fabric.
And for your nails it means that they are not snagged and this is a major way of weakening and breaking of the same.
Nighttime Skincare Must-Haves
Yes, yes: skincare this, skincare that—there are so many products out there that it’s hard to know which ones are worth your time.
Believe it or not, picking out the products that should be a permanent fixture in your bath and bedtime regimen, can be a difficult task.
1. Retinol
It’s no secret that if you’re getting serious about the battle against aging, your new BFF will be retinol.
This great ingredient is effective in boosting collagen synthesis and diminishing fine lines as well as enhancing skin’s texture.
But here’s the good news—retinol makes the skin sensitive to the sun so its application is better at night.
If you are a beginner to using retinol, then it is advisable to use it just twice a week and then gradually step up the usage.
2. Hyaluronic Acid
This ingredient can go by many names but one might even coin it the hydration hero!
What it does is that it absorbs moisture into the skin and retains it.
By doing so you will realize that your skin requires moisture most especially during the night when you are asleep.
A serum containing hyaluronic acid is good for volumizing skin and thus making you glow.
3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C cream is often used during the day but applying it during the night has its own advantages as well.
It also has the property of lightening the skin and further assisting in eradicating the marks on the skin that are commonly referred to as black spots.
Moreover, since your skin tries to renew itself while you are asleep, the vitamin C compound is what the skin needs to perform its renewal function.
4. A Good Hand Cream
I would like to mention it again since I’ve mentioned it earlier.
Like the face, the hands also require occasional moisturizing and this also applies to the nails.
Ensure you have a hand cream on your bedside table then ensure you apply it before going to bed.
Find one that has shea butter, glycerin and almond oil as some of the ingredients for the best results.
Don’t Forget About Your Nails!
While skincare often gets all the attention, your nails deserve some love too.
If you want to boost the nail strength, then you should do that at night time as a part of your night regimen.
1. Apply Cuticle Oil
As I mentioned earlier, cuticle oil is a game changer.
It hydrates and nourishes your cuticles, but also strengthens your nails, making them less prone to breaking.
I massage each nail with a drop of cuticle oil before bed.
It’s an easy step that makes a world of difference.
2. Give Your Nails a Break
We all love the feel of fresh manicure, however give your nails a break every now and then.
Letting them breathe for a few days or a week between manicures will help prevent them from becoming brittle.
I used to wear gel polish nonstop, but taking a break every few weeks has helped my nails recover and grow stronger.
3. Stay Consistent
Just like with skincare – consistency is key when it comes to nail care.
Establishing a nighttime routine for your nails—whether it’s applying cuticle oil or using a strengthening treatment—can help prevent damage and promote healthier growth over time.
Beauty Sleep = Better Skin and Nails
In fact, the routine that you follow before going to bed plays the biggest role in how your skin and nails will look and feel.
As earlier stated, a good sleep at night along with adequate sleep greatly enhances the skin shine, and strengthens the nails.
So, the next time you’re tempted to skip your skincare or stay up late, remember this: your body goes forth and does some of its best beauty work while you are snoring away in your bed.
Well, let me tell you this, the minute you begin to take your night preparation as some sort of serious business then your complexion, your nails will reward you for that!
