Putting the Beauty Back in "Beauty Sleep"

Summer may be the most low-key time of the year, but that doesn't mean stress doesn't come to visit every now and again. For that reason, we're still on the lookout for ways to get a restful night's sleep. We recently spoke with Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, a specialist in dermatology and laser surgery in New York City, who reinforced the importance of our professions: 'Beauty sleep' is a real thing and the products you wear to bed affect how well your skin repairs itself.

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Take the time this summer to revamp your sleep schedule. A study published in the British Medical Journal demonstrated that people who had a full night of sleep (8 hours or more) versus sleep-deprived individuals (31 hours of wakefulness after a night of reduced sleep) were rated in blinded evaluations as healthier, more attractive and less tired. Simply put, sleep improves your overall appearance.

"Growth hormones are released both at the beginning and the in late stages of sleep, which are responsible for these beautifying effects," Dr. Macrene told us. "Specifically, this growth hormone aids in the stimulation of skin cell production, collagen synthesis and a decrease in protein breakdown.In other words, it is the surge of growth hormones that stimulates skin repair during the night."

Your nightly skincare regimen plays a big role in your sleeping patterns, because the skin is highly reactant to products and absorbs whatever you apply before bed. You want to apply or use products that aid the repair process when we're getting in our zzzz's. Here are our faves:

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Dr. Jart Water Fuse Water-Max Sleeping Mask

Apply the Dr. Jart Water Fuse Water-Max Sleeping Mask ($48, Sephora.com) to the skin ten minutes before bed. Throughout the night, the product moisturizes the skin while the gel texture forms a protective layer. Like other Dr. Jart formulas, the mask doesn't have any preservatives, alcohol, fragrances or colorants.

"Sleeping Beauty" Silk Satin Sleep Mask

The "Sleeping Beauty" Silk Satin Sleep Mask ($24.25, Marygreen.com) is made out of a silk that stops lines from forming on the face.

Clarins Multi-Active Night Youth Recovery Cream For Normal To Combination Skin

Working as the perfect antiaging hydrator, Clarins Multi-Active Night Youth Recovery Cream For Normal To Combination Skin ($59, Sephora.com) encourages cellular renewal, diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

What products do you use before hitting the sack?

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