Attention Night Owls! How Late Nights Can Affect Your Skin

Are you putting time to catch up on your zzzz’s on the backburner, staying up late to study for an exam, or binge-watching your favorite show into the wee hours of the night? You may want to reconsider. Below, board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com expert, Dr. Dendy Engelman walks us through the consequences of too few hours of shut-eye. It’s safe to say our days of pulling all-nighters are far, far behind us now. 

DULL, TIRED-LOOKING SKIN

Have you ever had someone come up to you and say, ‘You look so tired today’? It’s another way of saying your complexion looks atypically drab and dreary. It makes sense: If you feel tired, you’ll look tired! “During the hours of sleep, the skin cells are working on reparation and regeneration—in another words, increased mitosis,” says Engelman. “Take that time away and you’re left with tired, dull-looking skin.”

Need help getting your skin to glow again? Get more sleep and follow these tips!

DRY SKIN 

“While you're sleeping, the body's hydration rebalances. Skin is able to recover moisture, while excess water in the body is processed for removal. Not getting enough sleep can result in poor water balance, which can lead to under-eye bags and circles, as well as dryness and more visible wrinkles.”

WEIGHT GAIN 

“Not enough sleep contributes to weight gain. Sleep makes you feel less hungry. Studies have linked sleep deprivation to excess snacking on salty or sweet foods and calorie consumption.”

ACCELERATED SKIN AGING 

“During deep sleep, the rise in growth hormones allows damaged cells to become repaired. Without the deeper phases of sleep, this won't occur, allowing daily small breakdowns to accumulate instead of being reversed overnight. This results in more noticeable signs of skin aging.”