Nothing like the nightmare of waking up to a new fine line on your face.
Sleep wrinkles, which develop while we rest our bones, are temporary in the young, dissipating as the day goes on. But, as we age and our skin loses its natural elasticity and extensibility, those slumber creases tend to settle in.
Many factors including inadequate hydration, smoking, sun exposure and repetitive facial expressions (think laugh lines and narrowed brows) cause the skin to wrinkle. Additionally, certain slumber positions lend themselves to accelerated aging.
The Post reports that side sleeping and the excess pressure it puts on the face can expedite the development of fine lines, wrinkles and asymmetry.
So intense is the effect of side sleeping that skin specialists note patients who favor side sleep not only have more sleep lines but have a flatter face on the side they typically sleep on.
According to the Conversation, “When you sleep on your side or stomach, your face skin is squeezed and crushed a lot more than if you sleep on your back. When you sleep on your side or stomach, gravity presses your face against the pillow. Your face skin is distorted as your skin is stretched, compressed and pulled in all directions as you move about in your sleep.”
Your best bet for beating sleep lines before they begin? Nod off on your back, sleep on silk if you can and nourish your skin with appropriate supplements. Read on to learn more.
Silk pillowcases
Silk pillowcases reduce friction and pressure, allowing skin to glide over the fabric rather than tug against it. Additionally, silk absorbs less moisture than other popular materials like cotton, allowing skin to retain moisture while you’re in the land of nod. Silk is also less likely to absorb lotions, oils and serums, ensuring your nighttime skincare routine stays where it’s needed most.
See here for The Post’s picks for best silk pillowcases of 2024.
Hydrate to dominate
Adding appropriate supplements to your skincare routine is crucial to promoting elasticity and reducing the formation of sleep lines and other wrinkles.
“The Conversation,” notes the difference between occlusive skincare products that prevent water loss and humectant substances that hold water in the skin, explaining the importance of hyaluronic acid: “It holds our skin’s collagen and elastin in a proper configuration, stimulates the production of collagen and adds hydration, which can help slow down wrinkle formation. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most common active ingredients in skincare creams, gels and lotions.”
Looking for a quick, comprehenive skin care routine to keep your skin looking baby smooth and eternally young? Check out this 5 step TikTok regimen.
Live well, wrinkle less
Beyond where you lay your head, what position you assume and what pre-sleep products you slather on, comitting to a healthy lifestyle is a true boon for skin. Drinking plenty of water, avoiding cigarette smoke, swearing by sunscreen and maintaining a healthy diet heavy on veggies and fermented foods all contribute to winning the war against wrinkles, day or night.
