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Creams, serums, beauty treatments, and rejuvenation procedures are playing an increasingly important role in the routines of those seeking to maintain a youthful appearance. However, there is one part of the day that doesn’t always receive the same attention: the hours we spend sleeping.

Sleep is an essential time for the entire body to recover, and the skin is no exception. The quality of sleep is linked to the skin barrier’s ability to recover and to visible signs of aging.

For several hours, our face remains in contact with the pillow. The position in which we sleep, the pressure exerted on certain areas of the face, and the comfort provided by the pillow can all influence how we sleep at night.

So, when we think about skin care, does it make sense to also consider how we sleep?

Sleep and Skin Aging: What's the Connection?

Skin aging is a natural and complex process. Genetics, sun exposure, smoking, diet, stress, and other factors contribute to how the skin changes over time

When we sleep, the body keeps various recovery processes active. In the case of the skin, a good night’s sleep helps create conditions that support the maintenance of its barrier function and recovery from daily stressors.

In the study by Oyetakin-White et al. (2015), participants classified as good sleepers showed less intrinsic skin aging and a 30% greater recovery of the skin barrier following an experimental procedure, compared with participants who had poorer sleep quality. The results do not mean that sleeping well is an anti-aging treatment, but they reinforce the link between sleep quality and skin health.

That’s why a skincare routine doesn’t have to end when you apply your night cream. Creating the right conditions for uninterrupted, restorative sleep is also part of a more comprehensive approach to well-being.

Why the Position You Sleep In Matters

When we talk about wrinkles, we mainly think of expression lines associated with repeated facial movements. So-called "sleep wrinkles" have a different explanation: they are related to mechanical deformation of the skin when the face remains pressed against the pillow for several hours.

A review published in the *Aesthetic Surgery Journal* describes how the lateral and prone positions can subject the face to compressive, tensile, and shear forces that differ from the forces associated with facial expressions (Anson et al., 2016).

People who sleep on their side may wake up, for example, with temporary marks on their face. As the years go by and the skin’s elasticity naturally decreases, these marks may take longer to fade.

In other words, sleeping position may be one of the factors involved, but it does not, on its own, cause skin aging. The most important thing is still to sleep comfortably and ensure that your body can recover overnight.

The pillow is also an important part of getting a good night's sleep

The pillow supports the head and neck for several hours and directly influences the position of the neck. When it is too high, too low, or does not adapt to the way you sleep, it can cause discomfort and lead to constant changes in position throughout the night.

When it comes to sleep lines, it’s also important to consider the prolonged contact between your face and the pillow. Rather than looking for a so-called “anti-wrinkle pillow,” it makes more sense to prioritize a solution that is comfortable, breathable, and made of materials that feel pleasant against the skin.

The Comforel Nature Microfiber Pillow is an option that combines several of these features. Its filling consists of fibers that offer exceptional comfort and are hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and antifungal, helping to create a more hygienic sleeping environment. The 100% cotton pillowcase provides a soft, breathable feel, contributing to a sense of freshness and comfort throughout the night.

Therefore, we are not presenting the pillow as a solution for preventing wrinkles—which would be a difficult claim to back up—but the characteristics of cotton—breathability, softness, and hygiene—align much better with skin care than the Visco Cervical pillow does.

What does a mattress have to do with skin aging?

The mattress does not directly affect facial wrinkles. Its importance in this regard stems from another factor: overall sleep quality.

An uncomfortable sleeping surface—one that creates pressure points or fails to provide adequate support—can lead to more movement during the night and less restful sleep. Since sleep quality is linked to the skin’s ability to regenerate, creating conditions for better sleep is part of a holistic approach to well-being.

A good mattress should conform to the body, distribute pressure evenly, and allow you to find a comfortable position effortlessly. Materials such as memory foam conform to the body’s contours, while breathable solutions help regulate thermal comfort throughout the night.

The Nature Cloud Visco Mattress is an example of this approach: it combines memory foam, which conforms to the body’s contours, with breathable TENCEL™ Lyocell fabric. The goal is to promote proper alignment, reduce pressure points, and create a comfortable and cool sleeping surface throughout the night.

Should getting a good night's sleep be part of a skincare routine?

At a time when skincare has become increasingly sophisticated, it’s important not to forget the basics. Sun protection, moisturizing, a balanced diet, and regular visits to a dermatologist continue to play a key role. A good sleep routine can also be added to these practices.

Getting enough sleep, maintaining a relatively regular schedule, and creating a comfortable, quiet bedroom with a suitable temperature are simple steps that promote more consistent rest.

Sleep is not a substitute for dermatological treatments, and no mattress or pillow should be marketed as a solution for preventing or eliminating wrinkles. What the evidence does show is that poor sleep quality is associated with more signs of skin aging and less effective recovery of the skin barrier (Oyetakin-White et al., 2015).

Taking care of your sleep is also taking care of yourself

The pursuit of a more youthful appearance has changed profoundly in recent years. Skincare routines have become more comprehensive, cosmetic treatments have evolved, and prevention has taken center stage. But not everything that helps us age more comfortably comes in a bottle.

We spend many hours of our lives sleeping. During that time, our body position, the support provided by the pillow, the comfort of the mattress, and, above all, the quality of our sleep are all part of the body’s recovery process.

At Leafsleep, we believe that sleeping well is a way to take care of the body as a whole. A proper sleep system doesn’t eliminate wrinkles, but it helps create what no beauty routine can replace: the conditions for a truly restful night’s sleep.

References

Anson, G., Kane, M. A. C., & Lambros, V. (2016). Sleep wrinkles: Facial aging and facial distortion during sleep. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 36(8), 931–940. https://academic.oup.com/asj/article-abstract/36/8/931/2613967

Kotlus, B. S. (2013). Effect of sleep position on perceived facial aging. Dermatologic Surgery, 39(9), 1360–1362. https://www.ovid.com/jnls/dermatologicsurgery/abstract/10.1111/dsu.12266~effect-of-sleep-position-on-perceived-facial-aging

Oyetakin-White, P., Suggs, A., Koo, B., Matsui, M. S., Yarosh, D., Cooper, K. D., & Baron, E. D. (2015). Does poor sleep quality affect skin aging? Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 40(1), 17–22. https://academic.oup.com/ced/article-abstract/40/1/17/6621145