I’ve often toddled off to bed a little early claiming that I had to get my ‘beauty sleep’. Turns out that this is not just a saying but new findings released last month by the Australian Society of cosmetic science suggests that I actually am!

We have all heard of circadian rhythms also called a 'biological clock' in relation to sleep but invivo research has shown that this also applies to the skin so that the skin has different functions at different times of the day or night.

During the day our skin is exposed to a lot of stress, environmental and internal that can cause it to become dull, unhealthy and age. During the day our skin is in defensive mode with sebum production peaking at noon.

During the evening our skin truns to barrier repair and cell rejuvenation with the barrier function peaking early evening, and transdermal water loss peaking late evening.

Traditionally day creams and night creams contained the same active ingredients only in lighter or heavier bases. These findings advance that tradition to suggest that Day Creams should be water emulsion based serums, cleansers should enhance serum control, and day creams should focus on protection from pigmentation, sun and UV damage whilst Night Creams should focus on barrier repair (with ingredients that mimic and supplement the barrier) and encourage collagen and cellular renewal (including protein peptides and plant collagen).

There is still more research to be done, particularly around individual actives, but this research should help provide further clarity and efficiacy for all and give us all a good reason to make sleep a priority!