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Three quarters of women feel they are not getting enough beauty sleep, according to research.
A poll of 2,000 females found a poor night’s sleep can impact the way a woman feels about her appearance for a whole day.
Seven in 10 said can see a noticeable difference in their looks when they’ve not had a good night’s sleep.
Experts suggest seven to eight hours sleep each night is optimum, yet the study by skincare brand YourGoodSkin shows the average woman gets just six and a half.
One fifth will get just five hours or less, with this lack of sleep having a detrimental effect on the quality of women’s skin.
Fifty-six per cent believe poor sleep leaves them looking ‘pale or washed out’, and a fifth say that is makes them more prone to spots and breakouts.
Dr Eleanor Bradley, skincare scientific advisor for YourGoodSkin, which carried out the study to launch the Cica Repair Sleep Paste, said: “Our research shows that lack of sleep affects women’s skin and can leave them feeling less able to face their day.
"The average person should be getting nearer eight hours sleep a night, and yet the average woman is functioning on much less.
"As well as having a detrimental effect on mood, outlook and ability to carry out normal tasks, it can also affect the quality of your skin.
"The phrase ‘beauty sleep’ really is just that – and while nothing can make you feel as bright and calm as a good night sleep, there are some ways women can work towards combatting the effects of sleep deprivation.”
The study also found the average woman believes if they had another couple of hours’ beauty sleep a night, the quality of their skin would be better.
Unfortunately, the findings show many women will go to great lengths to hide the effects of a bad night’s sleep, with 36 per cent applying more make up to hide it.
A further three in 10 drink more caffeine to keep themselves awake, and a tenth even cancelling social plans so they don’t have to be seen.
A bad night’s sleep leaves 30 per cent of women with puffy looking and feeling skin, with a tenth also reporting their skin feels more sensitive.
Dr Guy Meadows from The Sleep School added: “The idea of getting your so called ‘beauty sleep’ has been around for centuries, but it’s only recently that we’ve begun to understand why.
"Sleep is when our skin cells actively grow and repair themselves in response to the wear and tear of the day.
"Scientific research now confirms that a lack of sleep accelerates the aging process by reducing the time available for essential skin repair.
"This research highlights a worrying trend among society at large, whereby most of us are regularly getting less than the required seven to eight hours of sleep per night, despite knowing it's benefits.''
''Making sleep a priority in our lives is essential for maintaining our mental, emotional and physical health, which includes keeping our skin healthy and balanced.
"The good news is that this can be achieved by adopting simple habits such as going to bed and getting up at the same time everyday and having a good evening wind down routine to help prepare the mind and body for a good night's sleep."
Despite worries about their skin health, just over half of those polled via OnePoll don’t have any sort of night-time skincare routine.
Women in Yorkshire and The Humber are the most likely to have a night time skincare routine, with those in the south west the least likely.
And ladies in Yorkshire also believe they need more beauty sleep than anywhere else in the country.
However, women in the West Midlands are least likely to have their confidence knocked when they’re struggling after a poor night’s sleep.
THE BAD BEAUTY EFFECTS OF A POOR NIGHT’S SLEEP
Looking tired
Having dark circles under eyes
Looking pale and washed out
Looking older
Skin looking dry
Face looking and feels puffy
Getting more spots/breakouts
Skin feeling more sensitive
ENDS