It’s no secret that you feel better after a good night’s sleep. But, do you actually look better too? As it turns out, the adage “get your beauty sleep” isn’t just a cheeky phrase. Researchers have actually studied the concept of “beauty rest” to see if it has any scientific merit. Read along to learn more about the relationship between sleep and beauty as we answer questions such as:

• What is beauty sleep?
• Why do I look better after a good night’s sleep?
• How can I get a better night’s sleep?
• What overnight products can I use to enhance beauty sleep?

The Meaning of Beauty Sleep

According to Merriam-Webster, beauty sleep’s definition is “sleep before midnight.” The concept of beauty sleep is that you’ll look better in the morning after getting a full night of rest, and it’s actually a phenomenon that researchers have studied.

When study participants were asked to look at photos of both well-rested and sleep-deprived people, they reported that the sleep-deprived ones looked less healthy and less attractive while the well-rested ones appeared healthier and more attractive.

Why You Look Better After a Good Night’s Sleep

Now that you know the meaning of beauty sleep, are you curious why a full night’s rest can help you look better? “While you’re sleeping, many restorative processes are happening beneath the surface of your skin,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO, Dr. Joel Schlessinger.

Environmental factors such as pollution and sun exposure can break down collagen in the skin during the day, and your skin actually replenishes collagen while you sleep. Collagen gives skin a youthful, firm look and plays a role in its elasticity. Blood flow to the skin also increases while you’re sleeping, helping your skin look rosier and brighter. A good night’s sleep also helps keep hair looking healthy, too. “Sleep deprivation can cause hormone disruptions that affect hair growth,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

How to Get a Better Night’s Sleep

The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep for adults. If you’re not quite there yet, there are a few lifestyle changes you can make to meet your beauty sleep goals.

Because blue light can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle, the ever-popular ritual of scrolling social media or watching TV before bed isn’t the best sleep-promoting practice. Consider stowing your phone an hour before bedtime and picking up a book instead.

For better sleep, the CDC recommends avoiding alcohol, caffeine and big meals before bedtime. Also, they recommend making sure you get some exercise during the day to fall asleep more easily come nighttime.

8 Overnight Skin Care Products to Make the Most of Beauty Sleep

Make the most of your beauty sleep by adding restorative products into your daily routine that work to help leave your face, body and hair looking and feeling refreshed. Here are eight of our favorites:

1. ClarityRX Sleep It Off Retinol Alternative Anti-Aging Mask

This two-phase facial treatment starts as a warming mask and then transitions into a nourishing all-night moisturizer. A combination of B vitamins, amino acids and blue green algae extract helps smooth fine lines, draw out toxins and soften the skin while you rest.

It was formulated as an alternative to retinol, so if you’ve had issues tolerating retinol products in the past, this could be a fantastic anti-aging option to add to your beauty sleep routine.

2. Eminence Organics Monoi Age Corrective Night Body Cream

This rich body cream is formulated to help nourish and soften your skin as you sleep. The namesake ingredient is monoi, a Tahitian beauty elixir made from steeping tiare flower petals in coconut oil.

Because monoi is known for its hydrating and moisturizing qualities, it teams up well with moisturizing shea butter and argan oil as well as super hydrating hyaluronic acid to leave your skin feeling smooth and soft after a full night of sleep.

3. Elemis Peptide4 Plumping Pillow Facial

How about a peptide-packed mask that will help leave your skin looking younger while you snooze? This lightweight overnight facial mask provides a cooling sensation and helps hydrate skin using a combination of glycerin and a peptide complex called Peptide4. A botanically powered fragrance of jasmine, sweet orange peel, ylang ylang and stock helps add to the relaxing, spa-inspired experience.

4. Alterna Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-in Overnight Serum

To repair damaged hair overnight, apply this leave-in serum before you go to bed, and then, shampoo and condition per usual during your morning shower. Omega fatty acids are featured to help restore the lipid layer of damaged cuticles, while Alterna’s bond-enforcing technology helps correct the cracks and splits that can contribute to dull and frizzy strands. This overnight hair treatment also contains keratin, a protein that helps smooth and strengthen hair.

5. SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight

Want to wake up glowing? Encourage cell turnover while you sleep with help from this overnight treatment containing 10% glycolic acid (a powerful exfoliator) and phytic acid (a skin brightener). In an 8-week-long study, users reported an improvement in skin tone, texture and radiance after using this treatment nightly.

6. Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon

As the name suggests, this all-night facial treatment is designed to wrap your skin in revitalizing moisture with Persian silk tree extract to help plump tired-looking skin, tamarind seed polysaccharide to help soften and vitamin C from Australian plum extract to help brighten skin tone and reduce discoloration. It also contains fragrant lavender oil to help you calm down and relax for a full night’s sleep.

7. Mizani Strength Fusion Intense Night-Time Treatment

Is your hair craving some much-needed moisture? This overnight hair mask is packed with ceramides, shea butter and silicone to help smooth and strengthen dry, brittle hair of all textures. For best results, apply it to the ends of dry hair before securing it in a silk hair wrap or bonnet for the night and wake up to less frizz and stronger strands!

8. Dr. Jeannette Graf, M.D. Skin Deep Wrinkle Treatment Gel

If you have aging skin that tends toward the dry side, try applying an anti-aging facial treatment before you head to bed like this one! This wrinkle treatment features a lightweight gel formula that contains glycerin to help draw water into the skin’s cells while you sleep, along with a blend of silicones to help seal that valuable moisture into the skin, so you’re met with smoother, more plump-looking skin in the morning.

Looking for some ways to unwind before bedtime? Read up on some of our favorite products to promote rest and relaxation.