Sleep quality is crucial to skin health as seen above - Here’s what you need to know to make the most of it.
Circadian rhythms are periods of biological activity that occur when you’re awake and asleep, controlled by the way the body’s biological clock responds to light and dark.
During the day skin cells are in defense mode, working to protect themselves from UV exposure and free radical damage. When the sun goes down, your mind and body switch into an active regeneration mode – repairing daytime damage and boosting the production of substances that protect and renew. Here’s what happens:
- The brain clears out waste products like amyloid beta (a substance associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease).
- Production of protective brain cells called oligodendrocytes ramps up.
- Memories are consolidated to enhance problem-solving and creativity.
- Melatonin, known for its antioxidant (a.k.a. anti-aging) properties, is produced at night.
- Levels of the stress hormone cortisol fall during sleep, which helps skin repair daytime damage.
- The body makes more collagen, which minimizes fine lines.
- More human growth hormone is released, increasing muscle mass and strengthening skin.
To recap; early in the nighttime sleep cycle, people typically have a surge in growth hormone. Meaning, skin cells regenerate faster at night than during the day. Cell division happens throughout the day, but peaks around 2 am. This is literally renewal and rejuvenation during sleep.
What does this mean for our Regenerative Face Cream? The ingredients included in the formula were actually inspired by this process and meant to follow your circadian rhythm so your skin cells can regenerate better and faster at night when we are more prone to our lifestyle habits and well protected during the day (natural antioxidant release).