World Sleep Day *might* give us an excuse to celebrate sleep (duvet day, anyone?), but we think sleep should be special every single night. For its skin-restoring qualities, for re-energising our souls, or simply for switching off the noise - sleep is the word, sleep is always the moment. And we’re here to help you experience your best sleep yet with these beauty sleep essentials.
Beauty sleep is the idea that getting enough sleep each night can positively affect your mind, body and soul. Effectively, sleep is a beauty product in itself. But beauty sleep isn't just about looking like our most beautiful selves; it's also about feeling like it from the inside out. When we talk about what's the best beauty sleep, we mean a sleep that's uninterrupted and restful. During this process, cells in our bodies regenerate and repair overnight, giving rise to healthier skin and a vibrant complexion as you open your morning eyes.
While often spoken about casually, there's a scientific concept behind beauty sleep. As we sleep, the body produces growth hormones needed for skin elasticity and rejuvenation. This aids the production of collagen and repairs damaged cells. Thank you, body! Lack of sleep? Then we experience all kinds of negative skin effects - increased signs of ageing, dark under-eye circles and a dull complexion, to name a few.
If you're prioritising your rest and getting between 7-9 hours of sleep per night, you're well on your way to supporting your skin - as well as overall health and wellbeing. Your cognitive function, immune function and mood can be impacted by your sleep schedule. Now we know this, do not disturb - we're catching up on our beauty sleep.
While many of us struggle to sleep well (insomniacs, we’re looking at you), there are some ways we can improve the quality of our sleep. If you're wondering how to sleep better at night, alongside eating well and exercising, all of us have tricks we can rely on to relax our minds and bodies - even in the places we might not expect.
Some healthy sleep habits to adopt are sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, which helps to regulate your body's internal clock. Wind down with relaxing, pre-sleep rituals like taking a warm bath or reading a book, and create a comfortable sleep environment. It's time to dim the lights with a cool, quiet, and dark bedroom. We're big fans of playing calming sounds for sleep on YouTube like gentle rain or soft ocean waves. Our favourite ritual? You can't beat fresh bedding and a really good read.
Before bedtime, try to avoid blue light from screens (at least an hour before shut-eye), large meals, liquids, and stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine - all of which can disrupt sleep. Exercise can promote sleep, but aim to finish working out a few hours before hitting the hay.
Sleep is the best meditation, but to help calm the mind even further, try practising techniques to reduce stress, including deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation. For any daytime nappers (us included), limit naps to 20-30 minutes and make the most of your day in natural sunlight. While this may be hard for our night owls, exposure to natural light helps to regulate your body's circadian rhythm, potentially improving sleep at night. Sign us up.
We love a bedtime skincare routine - a chance to unwind, relax, and enjoy some me time at the end of each day. The products you use may depend on your specific skin type and concerns, but we have the skincare staples that will fit all nighttime routines - especially for our sleeping beauties.
First up, a cleanser. Cleaning your face with a gentle cleanser removes every sign of dirt, makeup and oil, leaving you with a clean canvas to start layering your skincare. An optional step that we love to include is using a toner, which helps to balance the skin's pH levels and add extra plump. Then apply any treatment products after cleansing, such as serums or spot treatments containing common ingredients - Retinol for youth-boosting benefits, Vitamin C for brightening complexions, or Hyaluronic Acid for hydration.
Go one step further for your skin's hydration levels by applying a moisturiser. For those of us with oily skin, opt for a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser to help maintain skin health. Want to enhance your beauty sleep? Glow up your dark circles, fine lines, or puffiness under the eyes using an eye cream. And for luscious lips? Always reach for your most nourishing lip balm. Remember everyone's skin is unique, so introduce new products into your nighttime routine gradually. See how your skin reacts, find what works for you and your beauty sleep results will show in good time.
By Sephora UK Wellbeing Editorial Team
Writers and experts
Updated: 20 November 2023
Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask
Those new to nighttime routines might be asking: won’t night cream transfer onto my pillow? Enter Fresh’s overnight mask, a nighttime beauty essential designed to sink in while you sleep and leave you with a plump, refreshed complexion come morning. But the best part isn’t only the skincare benefits; taking time to treat your skin before bed can help you relax - especially when paired with a DIY facial massage. Use at night as the last step in your face care ritual and wake up with skin that feels reborn.
Tried and tested:
“Absolutely adore this product. This makes my skin feel so plump and firm overnight just like it's supposed to. A lot of overnight masks tend to clog my pores because they are so thick and gloopy. This does not give me that problem. It truly feels like I'm feeding my skin without feeling so thick that my skin can't breathe. I have slightly obvious lines across my forehead and this reduces their appearance with one use. An absolute gem.” - Lauren, Customer Review
Advanced Night Repair Serum
Skincare veterans rarely go a night without this cult-favourite serum - which boasts thousands of 5* reviews for good reason. Alongside prepping your skin for sleep, skin benefits far outweigh that of your usual nighttime serum. Packed with Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides, Vitamin E and Caffeine, its potent formula penetrates into the skin for the ultimate overnight repair - and we love. To use, massage a few drops of the serum into clean, dry skin every morning and evening. Trace a small heart shape from the centre of your face towards your ears and down the sides to your chin. Do the same with a larger heart from the middle of your forehead out to the temples, then back down the sides of your chin, applying any remaining serum to your neck. And there you have our very warming 'little heart, big heart' ritual.
Tried and tested:
“I have received compliments on my skin since starting using this product in conjunction with other night repair products. This product is not greasy, leaves skin soft and refreshed in the morning. I use it as part of my nightly skincare routine and I am very happy with the results.” - Winnie, Customer Review
Himalayan Salt & Rosewater Classic Candle
NEST never fails to bring us scents we can fall in love with, and this classic candle is no exception. While Rosewater works to relax your senses, Himalayan Salt cleanses the air around you to create a truly reparative space. Light up while in your pre-bed bath or by your bedside to experience the spa-like sensations before you fall asleep.
Tried and tested:
“I love the soothing, comfortable scent of Himalayan Salt and Rosewater. The distribution of scent is more extensive than most other candles I’ve used. I use this scent in the bedroom. It's mysterious and transporting.” - Michelle, Customer Review
Pure Silk Pillowcase Queen Size
The first advice experts give when it comes to sleeping well is making sure you’re sleeping in a comfortable environment. Although this silk pillowcase does *that* job, those wondering whether we should apply anything on our face before we sleep can also rest easy. Causing minimal friction on the skin, your carefully curated skincare routine will be hard at work without any interruptions. And it’s not just our skin the silk helps with, but our hair. Imparting shine and minimising split ends, we use alongside their matching silk hair scrunchies for added benefits.
Tried and tested:
“This pillowcase is lovely and has really helped with hair breakage. I would definitely recommend investing in silk wash, as this has kept my pillow in great condition.” - Lauren, Customer Review
Cotton Flower Bubble Bath & Shower Gel
High up on our list of bath products that create sky-high bubbles is our very own Sephora Collection bubble bath. With a soothing Cotton Flower scent (and planet-friendly refill pouches), it reminds us of the joy we felt at bath times as a child. What else can we expect? Experts say improved circulation, soothed muscles and a better night’s sleep are only a handful of the benefits we might experience. As if we needed any more excuse to take a bath.
Tried and tested:
“This bubble bath soap is very nice. The scent is very pleasant and not too strong at all. Once you get out of the bath your skin feels super soft. Your skin doesn’t come out dry and it’s very moisturising.” - Jennifer, Customer Review
Deep Sleep Pillow Spray
Search for ways to sleep better, and you’ll be hit with countless results of pillow mists that promise your best night’s sleep. At the top of these is the top sleep pillow spray in the UK - this cult favourite from this works. Pulling through with a relaxing blend of Lavender, Vetiver and Wild Chamomile, it sends our minds to sleep the moment our head hits the pillow. Our top tip? Mist onto pyjamas and hair to surround yourself with scent.
Tried and tested:
“Bought as a present for my adult daughter, who has difficulty sleeping, and a mini spray for myself. Spray on the pillow and the relaxing effect is instant. I’m sleeping through the night again instead of waking at 4am and staying awake for a couple of hours. Bliss!” - Hilary, Customer Review
Luna Sleeping Night Oil
The clue is in the name with this ultra-soothing oil blend from Sunday Riley. From the midnight blue packaging to the matching formula, it’s one of the beauty sleep products we can’t live without - and not just for the calming Chamomile scent. With Blue Tansy for calming redness, clearing pores and brightening, expect your skin but better in a matter of weeks. Transforming from blue to clear when massaged into the skin, apply to a clean, dry face at night to reveal luminous skin tone and texture the next day. Beauty sleep at its finest.
Tried and tested:
“This product is magnificent. It softens my skin and makes it radiant. Its divine smell is the perfect aromatherapy for sleep. My skin's appearance has improved a lot since I added Luna to my skincare routine.” - Steph, Customer Review
Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Anti-fatigue Body Cream
Rarely do we call a REN product a dark horse, but this one. Filled with all the goodness of Sea Kelp and Magnesium, it’s our answer to feeling more refreshed in the morning. And as one of the only minerals that works best when applied topically, Magnesium makes its impact with this sea-scented body cream - and we love it. To lock in all the benefits, apply after a shower or bath under an unscented body oil. Massage a small amount over skin with long strokes from your legs upwards until fully absorbed and watch your sleep take off.
Tried and tested:
“I’ve been using this moisturiser everyday and a little definitely goes a long way! It’s a really nice texture and you only need a small amount, so although I was worried because of the size it wouldn’t last me long, it’s actually lasting really well. I really like the smell and my skin feels so soft afterwards.” - Nathalie, Customer Review
Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil
Award-winning and universally loved, we turn to this bath and shower oil whenever we need an extra treat before bed. Featuring all the essential oils for sleep we could possibly need, imagine Lavender, Vetiver and Sandalwood coming together to send you into the soundest sleep. Just slather on post-lotion or pour a small capful into your bath to double the moisture.
Tried and tested:
“Smells amazing! Also really does what it says on the tin. Deeply relaxing and makes for a wonderful night’s sleep.” - Claire, Customer Review
Wellbeing Pod
Our recipe for the perfect night’s sleep doesn’t just involve making our bed a safe space - but our whole home. And with this bestselling essential oil diffuser from scent experts NEOM, we can do just that. Simply flip the switch and add their De-Stress blend when you come back from work, switching to their award-winning Perfect Night’s Sleep blend to see you through the night.
Tried and tested:
“Love this diffuser. Have been after one for a while and after seeing the pictures I just had to get one. I've had it on during the day when working and at night whilst relaxing.” - Shantelle, Customer Review
Jo By Jo Loves A Home Candle
When it comes to memories, Jo Loves pulls through in ways no other scent house does. Introducing Grapefruit, Guaiac Wood, Cedarwood and Black Pepper to a deep red, hand-blown glass, we promise it’s not just the fragrance that’ll soothe your senses. Light up when the sun goes down to keep the glow going well into the night.
Tried and tested:
“A refreshing and uplifting scent that fills the whole room without being overwhelming! Excellent quality and well worth the money as Jo Loves candles burn for many hours. Beautiful packaging, too.” - Monica, Customer Review
Self-Heating Eye Mask - 5 pack
Soothing Lavender scent? Tick. Warming sensation? Tick. One of our must-haves in our sleep kit, these eye masks send us off to sleep in as little as 3, 2… Top tip: if you’re hoping to uplift someone you love, add these space masks to a special beauty sleep gift set along with a few of their favourite products.
Tried and tested:
“I suffer with anxiety and this can affect my sleep quite drastically. Pop this eye mask on at bed time for 15 mins and it helps to soothe and calm me with its heating sensation. On my second box and will continue to buy.” - Jennifer, Customer Review