We’ve all heard about the power of beauty sleep. And many of us have heard about the popular supplement melatonin.
But did you know that melatonin can impact your sleep and skin?
Yes, you read that correctly. Melatonin, most commonly known for its use as a supplement to support healthy sleep, also plays a crucial role in maintaining your body’s circadian rhythm and on your skin.
This popular hormone supplement might be one of the next big things in skincare for its rich antioxidant properties. But how does a sleep hormone help your skin? And is it safe?
Let’s uncover how melatonin supports your body’s and your skin’s health from the inside out.
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a natural hormone primarily produced by the pineal gland in the brain. Read more about how melatonin may be the new anti-aging secret.
Ongoing research continues to uncover the impacts of melatonin on the body, but most research indicates that melatonin helps the body synchronize various circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are the physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a standard 24-hour cycle. The most well-known and vital circadian rhythm is our sleep-wake cycle.
The synthesis of melatonin is not limited to the pineal gland. Other areas of the body, such as the bile fluid, bone marrow, cerebrospinal fluid, ovaries, eyes, and skin, all contain high concentrations of melatonin.
Melatonin and the Circadian Rhythm
Melatonin plays a vital role in our natural circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle, so understanding how it works and why it’s important is critical.
Our circadian rhythms primarily respond to light and dark. The pineal gland, part of the more extensive endocrine system, follows a similar rhythm, secreting more melatonin into the bloodstream at night and less during the day. As a result, melatonin helps regulate the circadian rhythm and aligns the sleep-wake cycle with night and day.
Melatonin has two effects on our sleep-wake cycle.
- It aids in the body’s transition to sleep.
- Promotes consistent, quality sleep.
Because consistent and quality sleep is essential for countless bodily functions, people with sleep problems such as jet lag or shift workers may benefit from taking a synthetic melatonin supplement. However, melatonin isn’t the only factor that can contribute to good sleep. So, before starting a melatonin supplement, talk with your physician to ensure it’s right for you.
Other Ways Melatonin Affects the Body
Scientists still have much to uncover about melatonin and its effects on the body. So, even though we know it helps regulate our circadian rhythm and is a sleep-promoting hormone, there is so much more it can do, including
Hormone regulation. Melatonin interacts with both male and female sex hormones. More research is required regarding its impact on male hormones, research has indicated that melatonin can help regulate menstrual cycles and influence reproduction.
Modulates immune responses. It’s believed that melatonin can help stimulate the immune system as well as bring the immune system under control during an acute inflammatory response.
Prevents neurodegeneration. Melatonin can help protect against the progressive loss of function of the neurons in the brain present in conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Delay aging. Melatonin acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting our DNA against age-related decline.
Reduces cancer risk. Research has demonstrated that melatonin might help prevent, control tumor growth, and treat several cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Energy metabolism. Melatonin assists in turning fat into energy, helping the body establish an adequate energy balance.
Melatonin For Skin
Our skin spends the entire day protecting us from potentially harmful free radicals that can damage the cells and tissues in the body. But at night, while getting quality sleep, our skin can work to repair itself thanks to its natural regeneration mode.
While sleeping, the skin repairs itself by producing antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. And melatonin participates in producing these antioxidant enzymes, which help protect the skin layers, collagen fibers, and other cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Even though your skin actively produces melatonin, it also has melatonin receptors that regulate your skin’s stability, which means that your skin depends on melatonin to maintain its overall health.
And this is the exact reason that melatonin-based skincare products are becoming so popular.
Topical Melatonin
Melatonin supplements are usually taken orally, but melatonin is best used topically for skin care. This is because orally consumed melatonin appears at low levels in the blood and has limited access to the skin. Topical melatonin, on the other hand, can reach the various layers of the skin immediately.
Melatonin is becoming popular in anti-aging serums, night repair creams, and even some sunscreens.
Benefits of Melatonin for the Skin
Studies on melatonin and its impact on the skin have identified numerous benefits, including
Protecting skin from damage. Melatonin’s antioxidant properties can help protect your skin from damage and reduce the harmful effects of sun exposure and pollution.
Helps maintain skin’s elasticity. Melatonin protects the collagen found in the deepest layers of the skin from disintegration and can protect the skin from signs of aging.
Fights inflammation. Melatonin is a natural anti-inflammatory and can help fight inflammation while reducing red and puffy skin.
Maintains skin balance. Melatonin works well with vitamins C and E to remove free radicals while also helping to support the health and balance of the skin’s dermal layer.
Side Effects of Melatonin on the Skin
Unlike oral melatonin, topical melatonin does not interfere with the body’s circadian rhythm. And limited potential side effects have been identified.
Some studies have shown that the topical application of melatonin is safe even in high doses. Additionally, research suggests that topical melatonin does not affect human skin color.
How to Incorporate Melatonin Into Your Skincare Routine
There are numerous ways to incorporate melatonin into your skincare routine. Depending on your concerns and desired outcomes, here are a few ways to incorporate melatonin into your routine.
- Use melatonin products as a part of your nighttime skincare routine to boost your skin’s healing process.
- Serums containing melatonin are generally more concentrated and great for helping improve skin elasticity.
- Melatonin products may be more effective when combined with vitamins C and E.
- Melatonin-infused moisturizers are an easy way to complete your nighttime routine.
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