Yes, Lack of Sleep Is Ruining Your Skin

Just ask any dermatologist: if you're not getting enough quality sleep, it can take a serious toll on your skin health. You could be doing everything else right — wearing (and reapplying) sunscreen, removing your makeup every night, and eating a nutrient-rich diet that nourishes from within. But without proper R&R, it won't matter; your skin health can still take a hit.

"Sleep is not always seen as an important part of a beauty regimen, but it plays such a crucial role in overall skin health," says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and New Jersey. "During sleep, the skin goes through a period of rest and repair, helping to nourish the skin and leave it looking healthy." On the flip side, when you aren't sleeping enough, your skin goes into flight-or-fight mode, making it impossible to look and feel its best.

In a perfect world, getting enough sleep would be simple. But let's be real — we're living in an age that doesn't make it easy and many of us struggle to stick to a consistent sleep routine. The good news is brands like Samsung understand this and have developed solutions to help. Enter Galaxy Watch8 ($350) and Galaxy Ring ($400), both of which are powerful tools that offer meaningful data on your sleep quality and habits, along with guidance on how to improve them.

With all this said, keep reading for the complete lowdown on how sleep benefits your skin, what lack of ZZZs can do to your complexion, and why a Samsung Galaxy wearable might just be exactly what you need to take control of your sleep and skin health.

Why Is Sleep So Vital to Skin Health?

As Dr. Garshick puts it, if glowing skin is your goal, sleep needs to be a top priority. "While skin-care products are important, they can only do so much if your skin isn't getting the rest it needs to repair and regenerate," she explains. "Sleep is essential for promoting cell turnover and maintaining a healthy complexion."

Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, a board-certified physician and certified clinical sleep specialist, offers her two cents on the subject: "Sleep is one of the best things you can do for your skin," she says. "While you sleep, your body boosts blood flow to the skin and ramps up cell turnover, helping repair damage and keep your complexion fresh and healthy." But the benefits don't stop there. Collagen production also kicks in when we're sleeping, she adds, which helps to maintain skin elasticity and reduce fine lines and wrinkles over time. As if that wasn't enough, quality shut-eye can also help keep inflammation in check so skin is less reactive and prone to redness, breakouts, and irritation.

Not sure if you're getting enough sleep? Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Ring can help, not only by tracking how many hours you're getting, but also by providing you with a Sleep Score* that gives you insight on the actual quality of your ZZZs based on how long you spent in various sleep stages — including light, deep, and REM (rapid eye movement). Just knowing this information can help empower you to prioritize sleep and build better bedtime habits. However, if you're still struggling with forming a healthy and consistent sleep routine, you can rely on either device for tips and gentle reminders about when it's time to hit the hay (and quit the doomscrolling).

How Can Poor Sleep Impact My Complexion?

If you've ever had a bad night's sleep and woke up to dull, puffy skin and dark circles, then you already know firsthand how lack of ZZZs can affect your complexion. "Not getting enough sleep tends to cause a lack of radiance or a dull, tired appearance of the skin," says Dr. Garshick. "It may also contribute to puffiness around the eyes, particularly under-eye bags or dark circles, and skin may look a bit more saggy or less firm than usual."

Of course, that's not all. According to Dr. Garshick, lack of sleep can also exacerbate inflammatory skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema. "When you're sleep-deprived, your body produces more cortisol, which increases oil production in your skin, potentially leading to clogged pores and breakouts," she explains. "Additionally, it can trigger inflammatory responses that worsen skin conditions and may lead to uneven tone or texture due to the skin's inability to repair itself overnight."

As Dr. Holliday-Bell explains, a single rough night's sleep won't cause lasting damage if you get back to a regular sleep routine soon. But chronic sleep deprivation? That's what leads to long-term issues like premature aging and overall poorer skin health. The bottom line: sleep and skin health go hand in hand, so if you want a healthy, glowing complexion, rest has to be a main priority in your daily life.

How Can I Boost My Beauty Sleep?

Yes, beauty sleep is real — and if you're struggling with it, you're not alone. Thankfully, both experts offered up some helpful tips on how to form better sleep habits so you can set your skin up for success. "When I have trouble falling asleep, I go back to basics, starting with deep, slow breathing to calm my nervous system and shift my focus away from racing thoughts," says Dr. Holliday-Bell. Both Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Ring can assist with this sleep-inducing technique, as they both feature soothing breathing exercises to help lull you to sleep. Additionally, they can give you insight on how stress could be impacting your ability to fall (and stay) asleep at night so you can better understand the mind-body connection. She adds that the key is to not force it and to keep your environment and mindset calm. "If I still can't sleep after about 20 minutes, I get out of bed and do something quiet and relaxing, like reading a book in dim light until I feel sleepy again."

Dr. Garshick suggests committing to a consistent sleep schedule that works for you and getting a smart device like Galaxy Watch8 or Galaxy Ring to help hold you accountable. "They can be great tools for tracking sleep patterns and ensuring you're getting enough quality rest as they have features that monitor your sleep cycles and even the quality of your REM sleep," she explains. "By using this data, you can adjust your habits to ensure you're getting the restorative sleep your skin needs."

In addition to tracking the quality of your rest, both devices can help you sleep smarter with Advanced Sleep Coaching, a feature that counsels you on how to improve your bedtime habits. Galaxy Watch8 can even measure the level of age-fighting antioxidants* in your body, which — you guessed it — can also affect your sleep.

Whether you need a full sleep routine overhaul or simply want insight on how your habits are impacting your sleep, Samsung Galaxy wearables can help you achieve your goals. And remember: with better sleep comes happier, healthier skin that glows from within.

*Sleep Score: Galaxy AI features track data and require compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, Samsung Health app and Samsung account.
Antioxidant Index: Not intended for medical use.