When people talk about their 'beauty sleep,' they usually mean getting those essential 7-8 hours of solid rest in bed — and they'd be mostly correct. However, there are specific approaches you can adopt during the night to help slow visible signs of aging. First things first: can sleeping actually contribute to wrinkle formation?
New York-based dermatologist Debra Jaliman, who penned the bestselling Skin Rules, explains that beyond sleep duration and restfulness, the position in which you sleep can actually lead to wrinkle development.
While the majority of creases come from facial movements made while awake, certain fine lines across the face and chest trace back to sleeping on your stomach or side. When you rest in these positions, your skin presses against the pillow, and over time this repeated contact can carve out deeper sleep creases on the forehead and cheeks (such as when your face is buried in the pillow), eventually resulting in noticeable wrinkles.
Here's the encouraging part: 'sleep wrinkles' aren't inevitable. The key lies in understanding proper sleep posture to keep wrinkles away. Below are five wonderfully straightforward guidelines to shield yourself from early aging signs during your nightly rest.
Rest on Your Back
It sounds obvious, yet it genuinely delivers results. Model Magdalena Frakowiak, who'll be celebrating her 36th birthday this year, frequently credits her mother on Instagram for instilling back-sleeping habits from an early age. The outcome speaks for itself — Magdalena could easily pass for 25, proving her mother's wisdom works.
Jaliman notes in her book that back-sleeping genuinely helps extend youthful skin, since no ongoing pressure is applied to the face. She also acknowledges that anyone accustomed to stomach-sleeping will struggle to make the switch. Since you can't govern your unconscious movements during sleep, immediate change shouldn't be expected. Aim to drift off while lying on your back at minimum; eventually, this posture will feel second nature.
Establish a 'Sleep Environment'
Your bedroom needs regular airflow, ideally just before you turn in for the night. Keep the room temperature cool (18–20°C) to help you drift off quicker, and humidify the air so it doesn't dehydrate your complexion. Without a humidifier (which we'd strongly suggest investing in), simply place a bowl of water near your bed.
Invest in Quality Pillowcases
For those unable to train themselves to back-sleep, Dr. Jaliman suggests upgrading your pillowcase. Transition from cotton to silk or satin. 'A silk pillowcase lets your skin glide across the surface,' Jaliman explains in her book. Essentially, reduced friction and pressure on your face against the pillow help maintain a youthful look while also benefiting hair health.
Silk offers another advantage: it's naturally hypoallergenic with antibacterial qualities. This means you may finally wave goodbye to breakouts triggered by bacteria rather than clogged pores.
If swapping cotton for silk feels like too big a leap, commit to changing your linens more frequently. Jaliman suggests washing pillowcases every three days and full bedding once weekly.
Cleanse Properly Before Bed
This tip might feel repetitive, yet it genuinely delivers results. Nighttime is when your skin undergoes repair and renewal. Leaving yesterday's makeup on will damage your skin in a single night. Not keen on following a full cleansing routine with cleanser and toner? At minimum, sweep your face with micellar water or makeup remover wipes — these lift away makeup, grime, and excess oil. Kim Kardashian has openly admitted she often skips a proper cleanse, but she never fails to swipe her face with makeup wipes before hitting the pillow.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jun 13, 2019 at 8:42am PDT
Apply Night Products Well Before Sleep
Most people recognize this tip yet seldom follow it. Night skincare formulations should go on roughly one hour before bed, giving them adequate time to absorb into the skin. Otherwise, some product will inevitably transfer onto your pillowcase — silk included.
Above all else: aim to unwind completely. Sufficient sleep plays a vital role in whole-body recovery, not just skin rejuvenation. 'To maintain beauty and youth, aim for 7-8 hours of sleep daily,' Dr. Jaliman advises. 'That's precisely why we call it beauty sleep!'
