May 21, 2019
2 minute read

Sleeping Beauty: What Science Says About Beauty Rest

You’ve probably heard it since you were a child: “Make sure to get your beauty rest.” But the team at HealthMarkets wondered just how much of the hype is legitimate. Can sleep really make you more attractive? Let’s examine the evidence.

In short, the answer is a resounding yes. Getting plenty of rest will help you look your best, as long as you don’t fall asleep in your makeup. But not all sleep is created equal, so let’s take a look at why beauty rest works and what you should know to maximize the advantages.

Why Beauty Rest Is Effective

Sleepless nights just don’t have the same impact in your 20s as they do later in life. As we get older, failing to get enough sleep becomes more and more apparent. It can show up as under eye circles, fine wrinkles, or a sallow complexion.

A good night’s sleep also has skin-centric advantages. Getting plenty of rest helps your skin stay plump with water, and cortisol and insulin production work to speed up the creation of collagen while you rest. Both water and collagen are necessary for resilient, moisturized skin. Deep sleep is also prime time for your body to make human growth hormone, which helps trigger the repair of damaged cells.

When you don’t get the sleep you need, your immune system also takes a hit. That puts you at increased risk for skin rashes and other maladies, such as eczema, acne, rosacea, and psoriasis.

Your horizontal position during sleep also helps beautify you. Gravity isn’t pulling at your face while you rest, so time snoozing won’t increase skin sagging or wrinkles. Blood flow to your face increases, making your skin radiant and boosting the health of your hair.

All this isn’t to say that there’s no point in trying creams or potions developed to improve your skin—but they’ll work better if you’re in the habit of getting a good night’s rest. Adults 18 to 64 should shoot for seven to nine hours a night, while those over 65 usually thrive with seven to eight hours of shuteye.

Get the Most From Your Beauty Rest

  • Avoid meals before bedtime that will disrupt your sleep with difficult digestion, such as salty or heavy foods.
  • Wash your face before going to bed. Despite what movies or TV may tell you, no one wakes up with a full face of makeup without paying the price.
  • Don’t slack on your nighttime skin-care regimen. Getting plenty of rest will help those products work even better.
  • See a doctor to handle health problems that disrupt restful nights, such as sleep apnea, ragged breathing, or loud snoring.
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© 2023 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

* Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Part D options can be explored.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and DC. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency offers the opportunity to enroll in either QHPs or off-Marketplace coverage. Please visit HealthCare.gov for information on the benefits of enrolling in a QHP. Off-Marketplace coverage is not eligible for the cost savings offered for coverage through the Marketplaces.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

49075-HM-1022

© 2023 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

* Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Part D options can be explored.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and DC. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency offers the opportunity to enroll in either QHPs or off-Marketplace coverage. Please visit HealthCare.gov for information on the benefits of enrolling in a QHP. Off-Marketplace coverage is not eligible for the cost savings offered for coverage through the Marketplaces.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

49075-HM-1022

© 2023 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

* Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Part D options can be explored.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and DC. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency offers the opportunity to enroll in either QHPs or off-Marketplace coverage. Please visit HealthCare.gov for information on the benefits of enrolling in a QHP. Off-Marketplace coverage is not eligible for the cost savings offered for coverage through the Marketplaces.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

49075-HM-1022