Deeper Beauty: Sleep Routines

Black and white portrait of a woman wearing a polka dot dress against a black background

Written by Eurídice Castañeda Senior Manager of Translational Science

On average, we all spend about 10 days each year on our beauty routine. That’s almost a whole fortnight just preening, plucking, cleansing, combing, shaving, styling and exfoliating. Whether you consider that figure crazy or conservative (we’ve already had the argument in the Aurelia offices), it’s a number that tends to evoke some sort of reaction.

But what if we told you everyone in the UK also banks an extra 100 beauty days each year without even necessarily knowing? Without even really trying?

That’s why this edition of the Aurelia blog is dedicated entirely to the skincare secret everyone has in common – sleep. Because beauty sleep is no fairytale. And what you do before your head hits the pillow matters much more than you might realise.

Sleep may be life’s most beautiful mystery. We can’t live without it, and yet even the world’s best scientists are still piecing together why.One theory is that we sleep to conserve energy, however studies show we burn almost as many calories when asleep as when awake. Another theory is that sleep is required for brain function – from managing emotions and clarifying core memories to improving problem-solving and decision-making.

At Aurelia, we love the theory that sleep is when the body begins its deepest act of self-care: a time for renewal, repair and cellular restoration. As we drift, our skin and cells quietly go to work — boosting resilience, rebuilding collagen, and protecting from within.

So why, in 2025, is the fundamental purpose of something as familiar as sleep still such a mystery?

Because sleep does all these things and much more besides. It feeds, supports and protects almost every type of tissue and system in the body—from the brain, heart and lungs to your skin, hair and nails. So, with endless options to choose from, scientists can’t say with any certainty which of them is the real reason we’ve all evolved to spend so much of our lives unconscious.

However, what they do all agree on, is that that something as risky as sleep must come with a remarkable array of health benefits to make it worth it.

Bedtime health benefits

We’ve already mentioned how sleep boosts brain function, but it also plays a crucial role in everything from enhancing physical performance and recovery to boosting your immune system, maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk of chronic conditions, like heart disease, strokes and diabetes.

Quality sleep is every bit as essential as food and water (both given the Aurelia blog treatment over recent months) – so it stands to reason, the list of beauty benefits would be just as impressive.

How sleep affects your skin

Sleep is the only time when the skin can truly repair itself:

It gets a well-earned break from environmental stressors, like the sun and pollution – resulting in a healthy, glowing complexion
Blood flow increases – repairing damaged cells, releasing powerful hormones and reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Cortisol levels are lowered – the harmful stress hormone that builds throughout the day and can cause premature ageing
Moisture balance is restored – strengthening the skin’s protective barrier, preventing dryness and keeping your skin hydrated
Low light also encourages the release of melatonin – a potent antioxidant that irons out skin damage
Nighttime is also primetime for collagen and elastin production – the key proteins that maintain your skin’s core structure, firmness and elasticity

And it doesn’t stop there. A regular sleep routine can make your skin clearer, eyes brighter, nails stronger and hair thicker and shinier. Basically, while you rest, your body never stops working – providing everything your cells need to recover and replenish your skin while you sleep.

How much sleep is enough?

7 to 9 hours of quality sleep is what we’re all aiming for. Of course, the amount of sleep we need differs from person to person, and the amount of sleep we actually get can differ from day to day (hello, responsibilities). But 7 to 9 hours is definitely the gold standard.

Developing a successful sleep routine

In the simplest terms, a sleep routine is a set of activities you perform in the same order, each night, in the 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed. And it’s every bit as important as your nightly beauty rituals. Your brain starts switching off a few hours before bedtime as part of our natural sleep-wake cycle: lean into this as much as possible – the trick is to indulge and encourage your body’s natural rhythms however you can.

Set a bedtime (and stick to it)
You’re trying to find that sweet spot between reasonable and achievable. If you can regulate your internal body clock, you’ll soon find that sacred 7 to 9 hours of beauty sleep comes quite naturally. So, go to bed – and wake up – at the same time every day. Yes, even on weekends.

Develop a relaxing routine
You could listen to music, meditate or write tomorrow’s To-Do List. You might read a book, run a bath or run through some stretches before bed. But scrolling, swiping or watching TV isn’t part of the deal. Do anything that tells your body it’s time to wind down and switch off.

Location, location, location
Your bedroom should feel like a sanctuary — a calm, restorative space that your body associates with rest. Keep it dark, quiet and cool, free from screens and distractions. Think soft scents, gentle lighting and crisp linens. Once you step into bed, it should be the final, most tranquil act of your day.

In summary

While the science may not be settled, the beauty of good sleep is unmistakable. Poor rest can accelerate visible ageing, disrupt collagen synthesis and heighten inflammation. Creating a soothing, consistent night-time ritual tells your body it’s time to let go — helping you wake with a clearer mind, calmer skin, and that unmistakable Aurelia glow.

And Aurelia offers just the extra nutrient boost your body needs before bed. Our supplements support cellular repair overnight – from resveratrol and Vitamin A providing natural nighttime repair to ETERNACELL™ and VERISOL® maximising collagen synthesis while you sleep.