“If you absolutely can’t avoid sleeping on your face, make sure you are moisturizing morning and night with products that contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides,” says Dr. Spearman.
Before you go to bed, “apply your retinol, and don’t forget to spread it down on your neck and chest,” Dr. Mraz advises. “This will help keep the skin cells rejuvenated, soften fine lines and encourage collagen production.”Dr. Maiman recommends applying a thick cream after your chosen serum because it will “will sink into the spongy top layer of skin and fight the compression impact of folded skin.”
If you want to go the extra mile while sleeping, Dr. Mraz suggests using a silicone pad on areas of concern. “They make these shaped for your neck, chest, and even face,” she says. “They work by keeping skin hydrated and prevent skin from folding and creasing when you move throughout the night.” She’s a fan of the treatment pads by Sio Beauty.
Come morning, Dr. Mraz is a proponent of drinking a big glass of water to help depuff and rehydrate. “You can replenish fine lines and lost volume with a hyaluronic acid serum”—her current favorite is the Alastin HA Immerse Serum—”and gently pat a brightening eye cream around your orbital bone. Seek out a product with caffeine to reduce puffiness.” We gave BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector an Allure Best of Beauty Award for exactly those abilities.
You can also get a little physical with your AM routine. “A facial massage or using a gua sha in the morning can help smooth out sleep wrinkles and boost circulation,” Dr. Garshick says.
Dr. Maiman takes it to the next level by using a high-tech tool that can combat multiple concerns related to side sleeping’s effect on skin. “In the morning, an LED-based at-home device can be a huge help in combating everything from fine lines and wrinkles to inflammatory reactions like acne and heat rash,” she says, recommending 20 minutes a day with the MMSphere 2GO. “Add your best serums or masks, and never, ever, ever forget to finish off your treatment—and any morning routine—with sun protection.”
In the grand scheme of things, this is something you most definitely don’t want to lose sleep over. After all, wrinkles are caused by lots of factors, so just flipping on to your back at night doesn’t mean your skin will stay smooth forever—especially if it means you’re not comfortable enough to get a good night’s sleep. “Sleep is one of the most important factors in your overall health, including how your skin ages,” says Dr. Mraz. “So, if avoiding compromising positions is cutting into your Zzzs, prioritize the sleep over the position.”