4 signs of tired skin - and how to fix them
When you're tired, it shows on your skin. Here's how you can change that.
If you've ever tossed and turned, pulled an all-nighter, or set your alarm and wondered, "Did I even sleep?" you've probably seen it too: the unmistakable "too little sleep" look. Most people blame it on dark circles under the eyes, but looking tired is actually a combination of the many ways fatigue affects our bodies - and our skin.
Tired skin is hard to conceal. That's why we suggest treating fatigue instead of concealing it with makeup (makeup can actually exacerbate the problem and prevent your skin from recovering). Whether you're chronically sleep-deprived or just having a restless night, there are ways to combat the four telltale signs of tired skin and help you look a little more like yourself until you can get a good night's sleep again:
Dark circles
Contrary to what you've heard, the dark pigmentation under your eyes doesn't get darker when you're tired. It just looks darker because the skin above it is dehydrated and allows dark "circles" to show through. Resist the urge to just cover them up. Instead, drink plenty of water and apply a brightening skincare product like Stress Positive Eye Lift, which is specially formulated to restore luminosity and hydration to the delicate skin under your eyes.
Puffy eyes
Tired skin stores water near the eyes to maintain fluid balance, which is another indication that you're sleep-deprived: Puffy eyes. Not only do they scream "I'm tired," but they also cast shadows on the eye area that can make dark circles look even darker. A cool compress can help; you can also use Stress Positive Eye Lift to brighten and decongest your eyes.
Fine lines
Like dark circles, fine lines are caused by dehydration of the skin when pH levels are out of balance due to lack of sleep. On tired days, use a high-quality moisturizer on your face and body after you drag yourself out of bed. Use a special night cream like Sound Sleep Cocoon before you head back to bed. The extra moisture will make fine lines less noticeable, and the essential oils activated by movement will help you get some much-needed rest.
Dull, dull skin
Buildup from dead skin cells and products becomes a bigger problem when your body hasn't had enough time to regenerate overnight. The silver lining: exfoliating can give your skin back some of its missing glow. Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant® powder is suitable for all skin conditions and will keep your face smooth and glowing. If you know you'll be lacking sleep in the near future (maybe you're traveling, preparing for an exam, or expecting a new baby), prep your skin beforehand by double cleansing with PreCleanse Balm. It removes makeup and impurities in the days leading up to and during sleep loss, so your body has one less thing to do when it's tired.Sound Sleep Cocoon is a revitalizing gel-cream that transforms skin overnight by optimizing skin regeneration during the night.