Skin damage has been linked to bad diet, bad habits, and too much sunlight, but a recent study on Science Daily shows that staying up late at night and losing sleep may also contribute to skin aging.

In a study sponsored by skin care and makeup line Estée Lauder, researchers at University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center, led by primary investigator Elma Baron, MD, asked 60 pre-menopausal women between 30 and 49 years old to undergo skin evaluation tests and record their sleep length and quality for a week.

Using a special scoring system to measure skin aging, researchers found that those who slept poorly manifested more signs of skin aging such as fine lines, elasticity loss, and uneven pigmentation. Interestingly, poor sleepers also had a higher body mass index (BMI), which may lead to poor self-perception and feelings of insecurity. On the other hand, good sleepers had better skin and a lower BMI, making them more satisfied and appreciative about how they looked

Want to protect your skin from aging too quickly? Shun bad habits and unhealthy diets, drink lots of water, and as the study highlights, get enough sleep. The latter is probably one of the easiest and best ways to keep your skin young and beautiful.

(Photo by Kai Chan Vong via Flickr Creative Commons)