No matter how many times we hear about the benefits of getting enough rest, sometimes it’s still hard to do. Life’s stresses, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, swiping through social media, a noisy pet or partner who isn’t considerate enough – all sorts of elements can stand in the way of us getting our ideal eight hours of sleep. Not only can this leave us feeling light-headed and hot-tempered, but it can also negatively impact our skin with ongoing problems like dark circles and puffiness under the eyes.
In fact, so-called beauty sleep is really crucial. Below we explore how senior editor Sarah Eggenberger illustrates the negative effects that a lack of sleep can have on your skin, and how you can look and feel refreshed despite the fact that sometimes it’s not possible to get enough sleep.
Early Morning Skincare Rituals to Eliminate Morning Fatigue
Wash your face with ice water
This is perhaps the most cost-effective way to de-puff – requiring only ice and water – and a morning facial with ice water is an excellent means of relieving eye fatigue and facial puffiness. Hollywood legends such as Joan Collins, Joan Kramer and Elizabeth Taylor have all used ice water facials, which proves its effectiveness.
All you need is a bowl filled with ice cubes to soak your face for 20 to 30 seconds. The ice water causes the blood vessels under the skin to tighten, reducing the flow of blood to these areas, thus relieving redness and puffiness. When the temperature of your face warms up, the blood vessels will re-expand, giving your face a refreshing flush. Cold water not only makes your face look more vibrant and radiant, it also stimulates circulation, waking up your skin and increasing its brightness.
Eye Care
The eyes are the area that shows the most signs of fatigue – when you’re tired, your eyes look smaller, tighter, and you may have dark circles under your eyes. Taking care of your eyes quickly is one way to beat the visible signs of fatigue, so a time-tested eye brightener is essential.
