WHEN we think of anti-ageing, most of us think about lathering retinols on our faces at night and SPF in the morning.
But arguably the most important factor of all is the oldest trick in the book: getting plenty of beauty sleep.
Beauty sleep means getting such a good night’s kip that you wake up feeling rested and energised the next day - and it shows on your face.
During a good night sleep and as our body recharges, the skin undergoes significant repair and regeneration that can make it appear more youthful.
So, while having an enviable cabinet of lotions and potions works at surface-level, you can promote anti-ageing benefits from the inside-out by sleeping deeper.
That’s a sentiment echoed by Laura Dowling, a pharmacist and the founder of fabÜ, who swears by a certain herb to shave years off your face while you catch Zs.
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In fact, she thinks “there is no better anti-ageing remedy”.
"Ashwagandha is a revered adaptogenic herb that has been used for thousands of years in traditional Indian ayurvedic medicine to promote calm and relaxation,” she tells Fabulous.
“Ashwagandha gives a deeper, more restorative sleep.
“This nootropic is non-sedating and non-addictive and can be used at night to help people to switch off their busy minds so they can fall asleep quicker and stay asleep for longer.
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“If you have had a great night’s sleep, you will wake up looking and feeling refreshed.
“We all know how a poor night’s sleep shows on our face!
“There is no better anti-ageing remedy than a good night’s sleep.”
Laura also loves magnesium as an ingredient to aid beauty sleep.
As well as being necessary for healthy bones, teeth and muscle function, it reduces tiredness and fatigue during the day.
It also tackles restlessness to give you a deeper, more restorative sleep.
How Does Beauty Sleep Work?
WE'VE all heard of beauty sleep, but what's actually going on while we catch good quality Zs that's actually making us more beautiful?
- Enhanced Blood Flow
During sleep, blood flow to the skin increases. It delivers essential nutrients and oxygen that help repair damage from UV exposure and pollution. The result? A healthy glow - Cell Regeneration
Skin cells regenerate more quickly while we sleep. The rate of cell turnover is higher during the night, allowing the skin to shed dead cells and replace them with new, healthy ones. This improves skin texture and tone - Reduced Cortisol Levels
Cortisol, a stress hormone, can break down collagen and contribute to the formation of wrinkles. Good quality sleep helps regulate cortisol levels, thereby reducing its negative impact on the skin - Hydration Station
The skin loses more water during the day compared to night because sleep helps the skin retain moisture. Well-hydrated skin appears plumper and less prone to wrinkles - Growth Hormones
During deep sleep, the body releases growth hormones, which play a key role in tissue growth and repair. These hormones help the skin recover from the damage it has sustained and support the formation of new cells
“The two combined ensure that you wake up feeling and looking like you have had your beauty sleep,” Laura adds.
“Hence why both of these ingredients are in my R&R RELAX, along with other botanicals and vitamins."
The fabÜ R&R RELAX tablets works out at just 83p a night, and can be used as little or often as you want.
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During deep sleep, the body releases growth hormones that play a key role in tissue growth and repair.
These hormones help the skin recover from the damage it has sustained, including free radical damage, and support the formation of new cells for a more youthful appearance.