I’m a pharmacist – my 83p herb is a sure way to age backwards in your sleep
WHEN we think of anti-aging, most of us think of slathering retinol on our faces in the evening and SPF in the morning.
But perhaps the most important trick of all is the oldest: get enough sleep.
Beauty sleep means sleeping so well at night that you feel rested and energetic the next day. And you can see that in your face.
During a good night’s sleep and as our body recharges, the skin undergoes significant repairs and regeneration, allowing it to appear more youthful.
So, while an enviable cabinet of lotions and potions may work on a superficial level, you can boost the anti-aging benefits from the inside out by getting deeper sleep.
That’s an opinion shared by Laura Dowling, pharmacist and founder of fabÜ, who swears by a certain herb that takes years off your face while you sleep.
She even thinks that ‘there is no better anti-aging product’.
“Ashwagandha is a revered adaptogenic herb that has been used for thousands of years in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine to promote calmness and relaxation,” she tells Fabulous.
“Ashwagandha provides deeper, more restorative sleep.
“This nootropic is non-sedating and non-addictive and can be used at night to help people switch off their racing thoughts so they can fall asleep faster and sleep longer.
“If you have slept well, you will wake up feeling rested and refreshed.
“We all know how a bad night’s sleep shows on our faces!
“There is no better anti-aging remedy than a good night’s sleep.”
Laura also loves magnesium because it promotes a good night’s sleep.
Not only is it necessary for healthy bones, teeth and muscle function, but it also reduces tiredness and fatigue throughout the day.
It also tackles restlessness, helping you sleep deeper and better.
How does beauty sleep work?
We’ve all heard of beauty sleep, but what actually happens when we get a good night’s sleep that makes us look more beautiful?
- Improved blood flow
During sleep, blood flow to the skin increases, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen that help repair damage from UV rays and pollution. The result? A healthy glow - Cell regeneration
Skin cells regenerate faster while we sleep. The rate of cell turnover is higher during the night, allowing the skin to shed dead cells and replace them with new, healthy cells. This improves skin texture and tone - Reduced cortisol levels
Cortisol, a stress hormone, can break down collagen and contribute to wrinkle formation. Good quality sleep helps regulate cortisol levels, reducing its negative impact on the skin - Hydration station
The skin loses more water during the day than at night, because sleep helps the skin retain moisture. Well-hydrated skin looks plumper and is less prone to wrinkles. - Growth hormones
During deep sleep, the body produces growth hormones, which play an important role in tissue growth and repair. These hormones help the skin recover from damage it has suffered and support the formation of new cells.
“The combination of these two ensures that you wake up feeling and looking like you’ve had your beauty sleep,” adds Laura.
“That’s why both ingredients are in my R&R RELAX, along with other botanicals and vitamins.”
The fabÜ R&R RELAX tablets cost just 83p per night and can be used as often or as little as you like.
During deep sleep, the body produces growth hormones that play an important role in tissue growth and repair.
These hormones help the skin repair damage it has sustained, including free radical damage, and support the formation of new cells for a more youthful appearance.