Your Skin Longevity Care Routine Will Mean Nothing Without This

Too often we view skin care as a category consistent with one thing: products. Whether it's rich creams or powerful retinol serums, the "anti-aging" bucket is chock-full of irresistible items promising youthful-looking skin by morning.

The truth is, one of the most crucial aging factors is completely free, but unfortunately, we often cast it aside.

While you sleep, your skin kicks into repair mode, thanks to a little hormone called melatonin (often referred to as the "sleepy-time" hormone). 

"Melatonin is critically important for your skin and plays a significant role in skin repair from environmental exposure, UV light, stressors, pollution, and so on," says board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr, M.D., on an episode of Clean Beauty School. "If you're not resting, you're not generating that melatonin, and your skin isn't repairing itself." 

Also, during shut-eye, your skin experiences a surge in HGH, also known as human growth hormone. The release of HGH helps rebuild body tissues1 and spurs increased cell production to invigorate and rejuvenate the dermis. When you lose sleep, your skin misses out on this important process, which is why your complexion might appear sallow and dull after a night of poor rest.

Sleep is one oft-overlooked yet critical step in any "anti-aging" skin care routine. During rest, your body produces melatonin, which contributes to skin repair. The release of HGH helps reinvigorate the mid-layer of your skin as well. Too many nights of subpar sleep can also contribute to cortisol spikes, which break down collagen.