BLOG 185: MY 2 TOP TIPS TO REDUCE SLEEP WRINKLES NATURALLY

As we reach our 40s and our collagen and elastin levels start to decline, we may notice more small vertical lines appearing on your face. One of the main causes of these lines is your sleep position. 

If you prefer to sleep on your side or your front, you’re especially likely to see those fine vertical lines appearing. This is because spending all night with your cheek pressed against your pillow causes your skin to crease – and as your elastin and collagen levels drop, those lines can start to etch into your skin. 

In this blog post, I’m sharing my two top tips to naturally reduce these sleep wrinkles. One is a product that I love, and the other is a short facial massage routine that is specifically designed to target the areas of your face most likely to be affected by sleep wrinkles. 

1. CHANGE YOUR PILLOW 

One of my all-time favourite products is the Omnia pillow from Sleep & Glow. It’s perfect for anyone looking to reduce fine lines and wrinkles caused by their sleep position. I was gifted one of these around four years ago, and I’ve used it ever since. 

Although this was originally a gifted product (and I’ve worked with the brand since), I would never recommend something that I haven’t personally used and loved. This pillow really does do wonders for your skin. 

I’m a side sleeper, like many people. What I love about the Omnia pillow is that it has a unique shape that is designed to cradle your head while you sleep on your side (or back). When you use a conventional pillow and sleep on your side, you’ll find that it smushes up your cheek and causes creases. In contrast, the Omnia’s design means your skin has less contact with the pillow, so you don’t experience those sleep wrinkles. 

The pillow isn’t just wonderful for your skin either. When I used a conventional pillow, I’d often get a lot of tension in my neck and shoulders. Since switching to the Omnia, I don’t get those issues anymore. 

I highly recommend this pillow! And you can get one with $10 off if you use code faceyoga10 at checkout. You can find out more about the Omnia pillow and Sleep & Glow’s other products on their website. 

If you get one, don’t forget to get a silk pillowcase to go with it. Sleeping on silk instead of cotton helps to smooth both your skin and your hair – and it feels lovely too. 

2. FACIAL MASSAGE 

My other top tip for reducing sleep wrinkles is to do facial massage daily. This helps to smooth the skin, encourage good circulation, and boost lymphatic drainage. 

You can do facial massage at any time of day, but I’m going to share a few techniques that are especially good for reducing sleep wrinkles when you first wake up in the morning. 

I suggest doing each of these for around a minute. The whole massage sequence should only take about five minutes, so it’s hopefully something you can easily fit into your existing routine. 

Make sure you have clean hands and a clean face before you start. Apply a few drops of serum – I use my Fusion by Danielle Collins Pro Lift Facial Moisturising Serum. 

1. MARIONETTE LINES & NASOLABIAL FOLDS 

Start by placing the index and middle fingers of one hand on your jawline, just to one side of your chin. Use the index finger of the other hand to smooth up from those fingers to the corner of your nostril. 

Repeat the move for around a minute and then do the other side. This is great for reducing marionette lines and nasolabial folds, which can often be made worse by sleeping with your face pushed against a pillow. 

2. CHEEKS 

Next, place your index and middle fingers back on your jawline, using both hands this time. Smooth up over your cheeks, opening your fingers up into a V shape as you go. 

When you reach the top of your cheeks, lift your fingers off and replace them at your jaw to repeat the move. 

We’re targeting those fine vertical lines that can appear on your cheeks and under your eyes due to poor sleep position. 

3. FOREHEAD 

Using your index fingers, draw an arch shape from the inner corners of your eyebrows to the outer corners, coming just above the eyebrow itself. 

Repeat the action, coming a little higher. Then do it again, coming up to the top of your forehead. Return to the first small arch and work through the sequence again, continuing for around a minute. 

The forehead is another area that is prone to developing vertical lines from sleeping on your side or front. This massage technique brings fresh blood, oxygen, and nutrients to this area, nourishing your skin and helping to boost collagen and elastin production. 

4. EYES 

As well as sleep wrinkles, many of us find we experience puffiness or dark circles around our eyes in the mornings. This is usually caused by fluid retention due to sluggish lymphatic drainage, so we want to boost drainage in this area. 

Use the tips of your index fingers to tap around your eyes. This is a great massage technique for encouraging lymphatic drainage and reducing puffiness. 

5. CHIN 

Bring your hands under your chin. Using the tops of your fingers, flick up against your skin repeatedly, moving your hands around to cover the whole area. 

This massage helps to tighten the skin under the chin. 

6. FINISH 

Finish by tapping your fingertips rapidly all over the skin on your neck, jaw, cheeks, around your mouth, under your eyes, and over your forehead. 

Then, take a deep breath to end the massage sequence. 

Ideally, do this massage daily to reduce sleep wrinkles and smooth your skin. Not only are the techniques effective, but they also feel good. 

We always want to embrace and nurture our skin. Even when we’re trying to reduce lines and wrinkles, we should come from a place of self-love, not judgement. Using your loving touch to care for your skin is a wonderful way to reaffirm your self-worth. 

For more face yoga techniques and facial massage sequences, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel – you can also find a video version of this routine there.