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When it comes to your beauty routine, sleep may be the closest thing there is to a fountain of youth. Your body repairs itself and recovers while you snooze, and that leads to a long list of benefits for your looks. The key is to get enough shut-eye - 7 to 9 quality hours each night.

If you’re getting fewer than 6 hours, it’s likely affecting your appearance. Start getting 1 to 3 more hours of Zzz's, and you could see some improvement in as little as a day. Keep it up, and within 2 to 3 weeks, people will notice that you’re sleeping better by the way you look. Wash your face. Make sure to wash the day away before bed. Residual dirt and makeup can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. Choose the right pillowcase.

Sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase can help prevent wrinkles and damage to your hair. Moisturize. Your skin is renewing itself while you sleep. Give it a boost by providing it with lots of moisture before bed. For added moisture, try using a mask instead of a lotion or cream.

Avoid caffeine. An afternoon cup of coffee or tea can keep some people from falling asleep. Try not to drink any caffeinated beverages after lunchtime. Watch out for hidden sources of caffeine as well. Some medications, particularly diet pills, contain caffeine. Avoid alcohol. Although alcohol might make you drowsy, the effect is short-lived and people will often wake up several hours later, unable to fall back asleep. Alcohol will also keep you from falling into the deeper stages of sleep.

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Manage your weight. Being overweight can increase the risk of sleep apnea, which will prevent a restful night's sleep. Avoid foods that you may be sensitive to. This is particularly true for dairy and wheat products, as they may affect your sleep by causing congestion, gastrointestinal upset, and excessive gas, among other conditions. Exercise regularly. Exercising for at least 30 minutes every day can help you fall asleep when it's time for bed.

Reduce stress. Stress can be very unhealthy for a variety of reasons, and it might keep you from getting a full night's sleep. If you find yourself unable to fall asleep because you are worried about things that are happening in your life, you definitely need to take some steps to reduce your stress.

Enjoy the sunlight during the day. The more exposure you have to natural light during the day, the more likely you are to stay in touch with your body's natural circadian rhythm, which will also help you fall asleep at night. Try not to nap. If you have trouble sleeping at night, napping during the day will probably make the problem worse, so do your best to stay up until bedtime.
Don't change your bedtime. You should go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on the weekends. This will help your body to get into a sleep rhythm and make it easier to fall asleep and get up in the morning.