Wake up beautiful: 10 WAKE UP steps to becoming a real sleeping beauty

A good night’s sleep goes a long way to rejuvenate your body. Damaged cells, including skin cells, are repaired, the immune system is revitalised and your energy and brainpower are recharged as you sleep. There are, however, a few simple habits that you can adopt to beautify yourself as you sleep, especially after battles with sun damage, air pollution, stress and aging. Here are a few tips to waking up with a morning glow.

1. Get enough sleep

Sleeping too little not only inhibits your productivity and ability to remember and consolidate information, but also leads to serious health consequences. These health consequences more often than not show on your skin. The presence of puffy eyes or under-eye circles is a telltale sign of this and not a good look on anyone. Studies suggest that healthy adults have a basal sleep need of seven to eight hours every night. Strive to maintain these to get optimum rest. Also ensure that you get quality sleep by avoiding and minimising stress factors as much as you can.

2. Get a quality pillow

Your pillow should be comfortable enough to conform to the shape of your head and neck for customised support. Get a pillow that supports your sleeping habits, is big enough and has a good filling. Fluff your pillow each time you make your bed and place it in an area where there is fresh air to increase its lifespan. Also buy a cover for your pillow to go on before the pillowcase to protect you from allergens and dust mites. This way you can get the most comfort out of it and wake up feeling rested.

3. Sleep on your back

Wrinkles usually form on the side of the face that you sleep on. Getting into the habit of sleeping flat on your back is the best sleep position to reduce wrinkles.

4. Cleanse, tone and moisturize

Do this twice a day, in the morning before you put on makeup, and at night before you go to bed to give your skin a chance to heal and breath overnight without being clogged by dirt or make up. Get a reputable brand of products for this. This process will only take about 20 minutes of your day, 10 in the morning and 10 in the evening but will leave your skin looking radiant all the time.

5. Don’t sleep with make-up on

This one has been repeated time and time again. Left-on make-up damages your skin in the long run by clogging the pores that emit sebum, which may cause acne. It may also cause irritations and infections. Avoid sleeping in any make-up no matter how tired you feel. Use a gentle facial cleanser, make-up remover or cotton ball dipped in warm water to remove the make-up. Also, always wash your face before you sleep, whether or not you had make-up on, to rid yourself of dirt that collects on your face and tends to clog your pores.

6. Deal with acne

Treat pimples at bedtime with a product containing an antibacterial ingredient like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid that can dry them up while you sleep. If these are not available to you, a dab of toothpaste also works in the same way. Resist the urge to pop pimples.

7. Treat your lips

Avoid peeling, chapped lips in the morning by gently scrubbing them with a soft-bristle toothbrush and applying some petroleum jelly or moisturising lip balm after brushing your teeth and before getting under the covers.

8. Treat your hands and feet

Prevent chipped nails and cuticles on your hands by rubbing them with some olive oil before bedtime. To soften rough hands or feet, use petroleum jelly, cocoa butter or shea butter on them. If you can, you could also sleep in light gloves and socks.

9. Protect your hair

Comb your hair before you sleep and have it in an appropriate hairstyle for sleep. Tying a loose ponytail or wrapping it around works for most people. Sleep in a headscarf to keep your hair in place, make your hairstyle last longer and prevent it from tangling up, getting knotty or picking pieces of fluff from your beddings. It will also protect your beddings from oil and dirt. Tie it tight enough to stay in place as you sleep but not too tight as to be constricting.

10. Eat a healthy diet

Maintain a healthy diet that includes fruit, vegetables, protein, and enough water – at least six to eight glasses of water to keep your skin supple. Avoid eating at least an hour before you sleep.