Maximize your beauty sleep with products that work while you snooze

They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing.

Our bodies repair and regenerate themselves while we sleep. It’s also at least six to eight hours of uninterrupted time in which we’re not touching our face, facing the elements or staring at a screen, so our skin care products can actually get to work.

Here are a few things you can do to revitalize your skin while you sleep.

Mask the night away

Sleeping masks are skin care’s greatest invention. These products work with your body’s regeneration system while you sleep to deliver results. On nights when masking, make it the last step in your routine and avoid using oil to allow the mask to penetrate.
There’s also a mask for every concern. For those with oily or acne-prone skin, Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask is made with hydrating hyaluronic acid, gently resurfacing alpha hydroxy acids and soothing watermelon extract. Those with dry skin would benefit from Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, a Korean beauty knockout made with moisture-maximizing ingredients. Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask, made with black tea, blackberry leaf extract and lychee seed extract, is best for those with concerns about lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
And don’t forget your lips — Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask locks in moisture to keep lips soft and supple.

Soften your feet

Dry, rough feet don’t have to be your reality. After exfoliating (remember: to actually moisturize, you have to get the dry, dead skin out of the way) slather your feet in a thick cream. (I like CeraVe Renewing Salicylic Acid Foot Cream, made with beta hydroxy acid to help loosen dead skin) While many might reach for Vaseline, that’s an occlusive, which doesn’t add hydration. Though, you’re welcome to use Vaseline over the cream to lock it in place. Next, slip on silicone gel heel protectors (try Ballotte Heel Pain Relief Protectors) and put on a pair of socks. Don’t skip the silicone: it will keep your product on the skin; socks will absorb it and negate your hard work.

Banish breakouts

After battling acne for more than half my life, I can’t believe I didn’t try acne patches sooner. My favorite are COSRx Acne Pimple Master Patch. I went to sleep with a red mountain on my face and I woke up to a completely flat, pink dot.
These waterproof patches protect pimples from infection; keep the skin hydrated, so there are no more crusties while it’s healing; and, my favorite part, extract impurities. Yes, you might remove the patch in the morning and pull out the entire plug. The patches also reduce redness and inflammation and keep the blemish from scarring.
Just apply the patch (they come in an array of sizes) to your the blemish after cleansing (don’t moisturize or the patch won’t stick as well) and go to bed. Picking is always a no-no, but, if you do, slap on a patch to help it heal.

Apply self-tanner

My favorite two favorite activities are applying self-tanner and sleeping. While there are a few rules to abide by, before bed is the best time for putting on a tan. Do your typical self-tan prep — shower, exfoliate, shave (if desired) and moisturize with a light cream such as Dove Cream Oil, and wait for the body lotion to absorb. Apply self-tan of choice and wait at least 20 minutes before getting dressed. To avoid getting color on your sheets, throw on a long-sleeved shirt and tuck it into pants. Hit the sack and wake up with a glow.

Get a deeper sleep

Sleep is important, but a restful sleep is the key. While a balanced diet, moderate exercise and limiting screen time before bed can help with getting to dreamland, sometimes we need some help. itSpray Dream is a sublingual spray made with a blend of 5HTP and valerian root, both of which have been known to relieve stress and anxiety. Ten minutes before bed, spray it under your tongue, where it will immediately be absorbed into the bloodstream and spread to the rest of the body within minutes.

 

DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY SLEEP TIPS? LET ME KNOW AT GMAZUR@TIMESSHAMROCK.COM, @GMAZURTT ON TWITTER OR @MISS.GIA.M ON INSTAGRAM.