If your skin has been looking dull and lifeless, then you need to look at your sleep pattern. A good night's sleep can actually be good for your skin, which is now backed by scientists. A new study by Nature Cell Biology shed light on how a good night rest can be good for your skin.The study was conducted on mice and their collagen. It was found out that the sleep phase can regulate the extracellular matrix, which provides structural support to cells in the form of connective tissue like bone, skin, cartilage, etc. Half of our body is made of matrix and half of it is collagen.The study discovered that collagen is made of two types of structure. One is a thicker form, which is fully formed by the age of 17. It remains the same for the rest of our lives and is permanent. The second type is the thinner structure, which breaks down under stress. The study found out that these structures can actually repair itself while we rest at night.The thinner fibres protect the permanent structures from the daily wear and tear on the skin cells."If you imagine the bricks in the walls of a room as the permanent part," says lead author Karl Kadler, B.Sc., Ph.D., "the paint on the walls could be seen as the sacrificial part which needs to be replenished every so often."Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It provides the glow and improves skin's elasticity and strength. Beauty sleep is pretty much real, as good rest can now actually help to boost collagen naturally.

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A new study reveals a link between sleep and glowing skin - Times of India