When you’re tired, it shows on your skin. Here’s how to change that.
If you’ve ever tossed and turned, pulled an all-nighter, or woken up wondering, “Did I even sleep?” you’ve probably worn that unmistakable too-little-sleep look. Most people chalk it up to dark under-eye circles, but looking tired is actually a combination of the many ways fatigue and stress impact our bodies – and our skin.

Tired skin is tough to cover up. That’s why we suggest treating the problem instead of simply piling on concealer (in fact, makeup can actually prolong the problem)! Whether you’re suffering from chronic sleep loss or just one restless night, there are ways to combat the telltale signs of tired, stressed skin, helping you look a little more like yourself until you can get a full night’s sleep.

dark circles

Despite what you’ve heard, the darker pigmentation below your eyes doesn’t get darker when you’re tired; it just looks darker because the skin above it is dehydrated, letting dark “circles” show through. Resist the urge to just cover them up; instead, drink plenty of water and apply a brightening treatment like BioLumin-C Vitamin C Eye Serum, which is specially formulated to restore luminosity and hydration to that delicate under-eye skin.

puffy eyes

Tired skin retains water near the eyes in efforts to stay hydrated, leading to puffy eyes. Not only do they scream “I’m zonked;” they also cast shadows on the under-eye area that can make dark circles look even darker. A cool compress can take the edge off; you can also use Awaken Peptide Depuffing Eye Gel to brighten and de-puff.

fine lines

Like dark circles, fine lines stem from the dehydration your skin endures due to lack of sleep and stress. On tired days, use a de-stressing moisturizer like MultiVitamin Power Recovery Cream after dragging yourself out of bed. Use a dedicated night cream like Sound Sleep Cocoon before falling back into bed; the added moisture will make fine lines less obvious, and motion-activated essential oils will help you get some much-needed rest.

dull, lackluster skin

Buildup from dead skin cells and products becomes a bigger problem when your body hasn’t had enough time overnight to regenerate. The silver lining: Exfoliating your skin can restore some of its glow. Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant powder exfoliant works well with all skin conditions, keeping your face smooth and bright. For deeper support, MultiVitamin Power Recovery Cream is specifically formulated to rescue dull, stressed skin by infusing it with essential vitamins that enhance radiance, hydration, and resilience.