How Your Skin Recovers During The Night

THE ART OF BEAUTY SLEEP

These days, life moves faster than ever. We juggle stressful jobs and fast-paced social lives... And sometimes, our skin gives away how tired we really are. Sleep is crucial to skin repair, and with a few tricks you can make the most of all your zzz’s.

The Culprits

SKIN'S MAIN AGRESSORS

A long list of environmental stressors assaults skin all day long – including pollutions, blue light from screens, or just plain fatigue. Studies have shown environmental factors can aggravate visible signs of aging and even affect your genes. This modification of gene function is studied through what is called epigenetics.

What Tired Skin Looks Like

PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON YOUR FACE

You’ve seen it in the mirror: dark circles under your eyes, skin that’s dull or dry, fine lines creeping up, reduced elasticity, stress lines... Your skin keeps no secrets when it’s tired. But did you know that poor sleepers also have a slower recovery from environmental stressors? That’s because a good’s night sleep is vital to the growth and renewal of the body's immune and physiological systems. There’s a reason they call it beauty sleep.

Night Time is the Right Time

WHAT HAPPENS TO SKIN AT NIGHT?

There are two important phases for recovery. The evening phase (9-11 pm) is when skin’s epidermal barrier function is less optimal. That means skin can be penetrated more easily, making it more receptive to treatments. This is the best time to use any nutrient-rich creams, serums or oils. The night phase (11 pm-6 am) is when skin renews itself – new cells replace dead or aged cells. It’s the time for the highest cell proliferation and DNA repair.

Optimize your Sleep

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR ZZZ'S

Applying treatments to your skin before you go to bed gives you a chance to reverse some of the negative effects your skin’s suffered during the day. One of our newest products helps prep your skin even further to absorb all the benefits of your L’OCCITANE favorites. The Immortelle Reset gets your skin to a more receptive state, so it’s ready to welcome all the benefits of your skincare when your skin is working its hardest to renew itself.

A New Fave

OUR EXPERT RITUAL

1. Start by opening your third eye: use your middle and ring fingers in an anti-clockwise circular motion.
2 & 3. Apply three pumps of Immortelle Reset to gently massage your cheeks upwards with your palms, and your forehead from the center of your face to the outside.
4 & 5. Complete your sensorial experience by using Lavender Essential Oil. Breathe deeply, letting the scent whisk you away, and massage it into pressure points around your face (ears, hairline).
6. Finish off by closing your energy point in a clockwise circular motion.

Nightly Goodies

BETTER THAN A LULLABY

Transform your bedroom into a peaceful oasis, where dreams are always sweet and your mind and body can relax. It’s easy! First, spritz some Relaxing Pillow Mist on and around your bed. It contains essential oils of lavender, bergamot, mandarin, sweet orange and geranium for instant relaxation. Take it one step further with our Lavender Essential Oil, straight from Provence. Dilute 15 drops in your bedtime bath, or add 5 drops to a neutral oil and rub it all over your body.