Sleepmaxxing: The Beauty Routine That Works While You Rest

Words by Verity Clark

When was the last time you enjoyed a good night’s sleep? Be honest. If you’re anything like the 74 per cent of adults who report poor sleep quality, then the answer is probably ‘a long time ago’. Waking up rested and rejuvenated has, for many of us, become the stuff of (day) dreams.

In the age of the slumber revolution, our collective obsession with sleep – and getting more of it – has reached an all-time high. In 2022, the global sleep economy (or ‘sleep aids market’) was estimated to be worth $512.8bn, and is expected to grow by 6.3 per cent year on year until 2032. And innovation aimed at achieving night-time nirvana knows no bounds – temperature-sensitive bed, anyone?

Whether you’re considering a full sleep routine overhaul or simply want to elevate your evening beauty ritual, sleepmaxxing offers a new kind of self-care: one that works while you do nothing but rest easy.

1. Scent the Mood

Creating a calm environment is the first step to drifting off – and fragrance can play a powerful role in winding down. A well-timed candle or diffuser doesn’t just set the tone; it can actively help the brain transition into a sleep state. Notes like lavender, sandalwood and neroli are known to support parasympathetic nervous system activity, helping to signal that it’s time to rest.

Sleep physiologist Stephanie Romiszewski, founder of the Sleepyhead Clinic, believes that chasing those elusive eight hours of shut-eye can do more harm than good. “Studies show that quality matters far more than quantity. Some people can function perfectly well on as little as five hours of high-quality sleep, while others need eight or more to feel rested.”

In other words, a soothing scent ritual might be more beneficial than watching the clock. Strike a match with your favourite candle — Commune’s Vetiveria Nox will have you drifting off to sleep in no time.

Commune

Vetiveria Nox Scented Candle with Cover (400g)

£190.00

Diptyque

Tubereuse Candle (190g)

£58.00

Fornasetti

Soli e Lune Candle (235g)

£170.00

AESOP

Ptolemy Aromatique Candle (300g)

£83.00

2. Skincare Devices

The overnight window is when your skin is most receptive to active ingredients – and increasingly, beauty tools. LED masks and microcurrent devices work with the skin’s natural repair cycle to deliver real results while you sleep. Red light therapy, in particular, can boost collagen production and calm inflammation, making it a worthy addition to your wind-down routine. Think of it as taking your nighttime skincare from basic to biohacked.

3. Bedding That Works Overtime

Breathing aside, environmental factors can significantly inhibit how deeply you snooze. Deirdre Nazareth, functional osteopath at wellness clinic The HVN, highlights two main culprits: high night-time temperatures and ambient or screen light near bedtime – both of which disrupt deep sleep phases.

Cue bedroomscaping. Nazareth suggests using soft incandescent bulbs “as their light mimics natural sunlight”, and keeping the bedroom cool and well-ventilated. Consider your bedding choices, too. She believes that natural linens – think bamboo, cotton or silk are preferable to synthetic options. Likewise, she’d pick a mattress using natural fillings, with Vispring her top choice.

4. Overnight Treatments

So, the Wifi is off, the lights are dimmed and your bedding feels breezy and breathable, but a peaceful slumber still eludes you?

Romiszewski says the problem is often more to do with biological factors than creating a sleep hygiene routine that’s just right. “Studies consistently show that environmental factors like light, noise and comfort – while not irrelevant – pale in comparison to the powerhouse regulators of sleep: your circadian rhythm and your sleep drive.”

Essentially, if your biological clock is out of sync, no overnight product will work as well as it should. That said, nighttime skincare still plays a powerful supporting role. Look for masks and creams that sync with the skin’s circadian rhythm – think peptides, ceramides and retinaldehyde. We love Esteé Lauder Advanced Night Repair Overnight Treatment, Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream or Emma Lewisham’s Supernatural Sleeping Face Mask for serious overnight nourishment.

Romiszewski’s top sleep tip is simpler still: “Stop obsessing over it.”

AUGUSTINUS BADER

The Rich Cream (100ml)

£435.00

Tatcha

The Indigo Overnight Repair (50ml)

£86.00

Helena Rubinstein

Re-Plasty Age Recovery Night Cream (100ml)

£595.00

EMMA LEWISHAM

Supernatural Sleeping Face Mask (50ml)

£74.00

Cellcosmet

CellEctive CellLift Cream (50ml)

£490.00

5. Adjust Your Rhythm

Romiszewski explains that “if your biological clock is out of whack, no amount of lavender-scented pillows will fix it.”

How, then, to reset your body clock? Focus on the fundamentals, she advises. “Get up at the same time every day, expose yourself to natural light first thing in the morning and respect your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.”

Supplements can support this rhythm. Magnesium glycinate, reishi, and L-theanine are go-to ingredients in sleep supplements like those from Moosh or Vida Glow. Just as important? Morning light exposure. Step outside first thing – even five minutes helps reset your circadian rhythm for deeper, more restorative sleep later.