Why your skin needs 8 hours of beauty sleep too

In our 24-7 world, it’s easy to want to stay up just a little bit later. But when you power down and get to bed at a decent hour, it pays off when you look in the mirror.

People who snooze for at least 8 hours actually feel more attractive. Research shows that being well-rested makes others view you as better-looking, too.

“If you’re interested in having your skin look younger and more healthy, then getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night is one of the best things you can do,” says Michael Breus, PhD, author of Beauty Sleep: Look Younger, Lose Weight, and Feel Great Through Better Sleep.

You’ll reap these five beauty benefits from solid nights of shut-eye.

1. You Can Look Younger

Sleep can’t magically erase deep wrinkles, but it can slow down your skin’s aging process.

“The deepest stages of sleep are when your body produces the most growth hormone, which aids in cell and tissue repair,” Breus says.

While you sleep, your body also makes new collagen, the protein that keeps skin strong and elastic.

2. Your Products May Work Better

Do you use an over-the-counter retinol or prescription retinoic acid cream?

“They’re almost always better when used at night,” says Kaleroy Papantoniou, MD, a dermatologist in Commack, NY. “They’re not stable in sunlight, so they won’t work as well during the day.”

Because blood flow to your skin increases late at night, any creams or lotions you use will also be absorbed more quickly, says dermatologist Delphine J. Lee, MD, PhD, of Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.

3. Fewer Fine Lines and Dark Circles

“Your body rehydrates while you sleep,” Breus says. That makes fine lines and wrinkles less visible and gives your skin a healthy glow. Even if under-eye bags may run in your family, “getting enough sleep can make them less noticeable.”

4. Problems Improve

If you have a condition like eczema, acne, or rosacea, plenty of shut-eye may help.

“Many skin disorders also have a mind-body connection,” Lee says. “They can flare when you feel stressed, so sleep is one way to relax and reset.”