Bedtime Beauty Habits That Work

Looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed isn’t just about what you do when you roll out of bed in the morning. It begins the night before, with your evening routine.

Those bedtime rituals can help set you up for a glowy complexion, a good hair day and other improvements to your appearance and overall well-being. To find out exactly which habits tend to do the trick, we asked dermatologists and a celebrity makeup artist for their recommendations. Here’s what we learned:

Tempting as it may be to forgo washing your face when you’re exhausted after a long day, don’t skip it. Both of our dermatologist experts underscored the power of a good cleanse.

“A good cleanse is essential!” Washington board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park told HuffPost. “Washing your face at night removes sunscreen, makeup and daily buildup that can drive inflammation and dullness if left on overnight. I tell patients all the time that clean skin going to bed usually means calmer, clearer skin in the morning. Gentle and consistent is far more effective than aggressive cleansing.”

Not only that, a gentle but thorough nighttime cleanse also supports skin barrier repair overnight “and results in less redness, smoother texture and more visible glow by morning,” New Jersey board-certified dermatologist Dr. Aanand Geria of Geria Dermatology said.

For the record, there’s no need to overcomplicate matters with an elaborate 12-step nighttime skin care regimen. Park recommends the following: “A good cleanse, followed by any treatments (this is where tretinoin would go), an optional hydrating serum and a good moisturizer are all great basic steps in a solid p.m. skin care routine.”

Celebrity makeup artist Cat Mignano of CAM Artistry said she struggles with bloating and stomach issues like many folks do. Having a cup of hot peppermint tea in the evening “really helps soothe my stomach, hydrates me and helps to unwind and feel calm before bed,” she told HuffPost.

According to VeryWell Health, while research specifically on peppermint tea is limited, the beverage may offer digestive benefits, can promote relaxation and is naturally caffeine-free, making it a good choice for a simple, soothing nighttime ritual.

A pre-bed shower is a relaxing way to wash away the day and set yourself up for a restful night’s sleep. But if you’re planning to wash your hair, consider also allotting time to blow dry or air dry it before hitting the hay.

“Going to bed with wet or damp hair increases friction and breakage, so I recommend making sure hair is fully dry before sleep whenever possible,” Park said.

As Jonathan Palmer, the founder and lead scientist at the hair testing and analysis company HairKnowHow, previously told HuffPost, “Sleeping with dry hair is always better for our hair from a hair health perspective.”

Swapping your cotton pillowcase for a silk one can have noticeable benefits for your hair come morning — like less frizziness, for one.

“People really underestimate the power of silk for your hair health,” Mignano said. “It helps prevent breakage, reduce split ends and helps your styled hair last longer.”

Many folks who swear by silk pillowcases have also observed improvements to their skin: namely a reduction in the appearance of sleep creases and more well-hydrated skin. But be sure to wash (or change) your pillowcases every week to help prevent breakouts and flare-ups, especially if you have acne-prone skin or a condition like eczema.

Similarly, sleeping in a silk bonnet or head wrap (a long-standing hair care ritual in the Black community) can also minimize friction for smoother hair, protect hairstyles and prevent loss of moisture.

“My little sister has very curly hair and sleeping with a silk bonnet on has completely changed her hair health,” Mignano added.

If you want to wake up with radiant, well-nourished skin, try applying an overnight face mask before bed. Then let the product work its magic while you’re catching Zzzs.

“I’m a big multitasker and habit stacker and doing this makes me feel like I’m being productive while I sleep,” Mignano said. “Whenever I feel like my skin needs a pick-me-up, I throw one on before bed and then I wake up with glass skin. I love the Medicube and COSRX ones.”

Your sleeping position can affect your next-day appearance, too. If it’s smooth skin you seek, then sleeping on your back is the way to go. Sleeping on your stomach (or side) can leave you with pesky skin creases in the a.m.

Back sleeping decreases compression, “which helps prevent sleep lines and morning creasing, not only in the face but also the décolletage,” Geria explained. “It also allows for better lymphatic drainage, leading to less puffiness and under-eye swelling.”

That said, if sleeping on your back just isn’t comfortable for you, don’t try to force it. The quality of your sleep is more important than the sleep position, said Geria.

When you want to wake up looking — and feeling — your best, the importance of clocking the recommended seven to nine hours of shuteye can’t be overstated

“Sleep is essential for beauty,” Geria said. “Getting seven to eight hours allows peak skin repair, collagen production and growth hormone release. Going to bed earlier aligns with circadian rhythms, boosting hydration, reducing undereye darkness and enhancing facial fullness.”

On the flip side, sleep deprivation is associated with less desirable facial traits like heavy, red eyes, dark undereye circles, a pale complexion and droopy corners of the mouth, according to a 2013 Swedish study published in the journal Sleep.

“Chronic late or short sleep causes dullness and puffiness,” Geria added. “Even [going to bed] 30 to 60 minutes earlier can show visible benefits.”

Mignano also sang the praises of beauty sleep.

“The real beauty hack is getting sleep!” she said. “Don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s rest.”

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