While we sleep, the skin works overtime

“Beauty sleep” sounds like an advertising slogan, but it's biology. While we sleep, the skin switches into repair mode: cell division runs up to three times faster at night than during the day, collagen is built, and the day's small damages are repaired.

The growth hormone driving this regeneration is released mainly in deep sleep. If you consistently sleep too little or too restlessly, it literally shows: dull complexion, dark circles, fine lines that become visible sooner.

What helps the skin on its night shift? First the obvious: enough sleep, as regular as possible. Then the environment, a cool, dark bedroom supports the deep sleep in which regeneration runs strongest.

The bed itself plays along too: smooth, high-quality bed linen in cotton sateen or silk reduces friction, the famous morning “pillow creases” really do come from the pillow. And cleansing your face in the evening spares the skin from taking the day shift into the night shift.

The nicest insight: the most expensive night cream can only support what good sleep does anyway. The skin works overtime, let's give it the best working conditions.