Latest news with #RituGupta
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
We all know the dangers of poor sleep. Here's what it does to your skin
This story is part of the June 1 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories. It's well known that an unsettled night's sleep can lead to lacklustre skin. When you sleep, skin goes into repair mode, so if your sleep patterns are erratic it will show on your face the next day. Bad sleep affects collagen production, which is essential for maintaining skin hydration and elasticity, and a lack of sleep can cause inflammation and a compromised skin barrier. Face-planting into your pillow can also leave creases on your skin. 'Bad sleep is often due to stress, which has a significant impact on skin, and chronic sleep restriction is much worse than a short-term sleep issue,' says Sydney dermatologist Dr Ritu Gupta. She says poor sleep leads to collagen breaking down and decreased skin-barrier function, which means increased susceptibility to eczema, irritation and infection. 'Collagen breakdown accelerates the ageing process, and a lack of sleep also decreases the lipids in the skin, which leads to it sagging.' So how much sleep is enough? The general rule of thumb is eight hours. Here are a few tips to help your skin get a good night's sleep. Elevate your head by sleeping on two pillows, ideally in silk pillowcases such as those from Slip ($115). Elevation decreases facial swelling and improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage, says Gupta. 'Some extension of the neck means that finally our 'tech necks' can have a much-needed rest. Having your neck constantly flexed by looking at a phone screen creates horizontal lines. Sleeping slightly elevated means a reprieve from that position.' Loading If you're able to sleep on your back, this helps reduce the chest and face wrinkles that can occur if you are a side or tummy sleeper. Try an Orthopaedic cervical pillow ($80, from Ergonomist) that cradles your neck, keeping it properly aligned with your head and shoulders. This helps reduce pressure on the neck muscles. Night creams, with their rich, hydrating ingredients to plump, firm and brighten, are bedtime essentials. An oldie but goodie is Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair ($199) with tripeptide-32, hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid. Peptides serve as messengers between skin cells to encourage them to produce more collagen, accelerating wound healing and protecting the skin barrier. For more nighttime magic, we like Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ Night Cream ($33). And for eyes, try Medik8 Advanced Night Eye ($96), which has great de-puffing powers, boosts radiance and targets dark circles. (As an added bonus, this cream also works like a charm under make-up.) For lips, we love Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($25).
The Age
6 days ago
- Health
- The Age
We all know the dangers of poor sleep. Here's what it does to your skin
This story is part of the June 1 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories. It's well known that an unsettled night's sleep can lead to lacklustre skin. When you sleep, skin goes into repair mode, so if your sleep patterns are erratic it will show on your face the next day. Bad sleep affects collagen production, which is essential for maintaining skin hydration and elasticity, and a lack of sleep can cause inflammation and a compromised skin barrier. Face-planting into your pillow can also leave creases on your skin. 'Bad sleep is often due to stress, which has a significant impact on skin, and chronic sleep restriction is much worse than a short-term sleep issue,' says Sydney dermatologist Dr Ritu Gupta. She says poor sleep leads to collagen breaking down and decreased skin-barrier function, which means increased susceptibility to eczema, irritation and infection. 'Collagen breakdown accelerates the ageing process, and a lack of sleep also decreases the lipids in the skin, which leads to it sagging.' So how much sleep is enough? The general rule of thumb is eight hours. Here are a few tips to help your skin get a good night's sleep. Elevate your head by sleeping on two pillows, ideally in silk pillowcases such as those from Slip ($115). Elevation decreases facial swelling and improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage, says Gupta. 'Some extension of the neck means that finally our 'tech necks' can have a much-needed rest. Having your neck constantly flexed by looking at a phone screen creates horizontal lines. Sleeping slightly elevated means a reprieve from that position.' Loading If you're able to sleep on your back, this helps reduce the chest and face wrinkles that can occur if you are a side or tummy sleeper. Try an Orthopaedic cervical pillow ($80, from Ergonomist) that cradles your neck, keeping it properly aligned with your head and shoulders. This helps reduce pressure on the neck muscles. Night creams, with their rich, hydrating ingredients to plump, firm and brighten, are bedtime essentials. An oldie but goodie is Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair ($199) with tripeptide-32, hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid. Peptides serve as messengers between skin cells to encourage them to produce more collagen, accelerating wound healing and protecting the skin barrier. For more nighttime magic, we like Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ Night Cream ($33). And for eyes, try Medik8 Advanced Night Eye ($96), which has great de-puffing powers, boosts radiance and targets dark circles. (As an added bonus, this cream also works like a charm under make-up.) For lips, we love Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($25).
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hindustan Times
This summer beat the heat and elevate your interior with khus curtains
As temperatures soar, turning your home into a cool sanctuary becomes a necessity. While air conditioners and coolers offer relief, more and more people are turning towards eco-friendly, stylish ways to keep their spaces cool. One such traditional yet trendy solution is khus (vetiver grass) curtains — an age-old Indian summer staple currently making rounds on social media with almost 11 million views on posts and videos, being labelled as 'natural AC'. Khus curtains, crafted from dried vetiver grass, harness their aromatic and cooling properties to filter air and regulate temperature when moistened naturally. Traditionally used in coolers in Indian households, they're now innovatively designed as eco-friendly 'natural AC' curtains for homes. 'When moistened, they facilitate evaporative cooling, reducing indoor temperature while adding a subtle, earthy fragrance. Perfect for verandas, balconies, or semi-open spaces, they can be integrated into tropical or rustic schemes, offering a tactile element that enhances the sensory and thermal comfort of summer interiors. Choose frames or hooks that let you easily remove and soak them in water during peak heat hours,' says interior architect Ritu Gupta, founder of Nadora. While these curtains offer a cooling sensation, there is no harm in styling and pairing them with different elements to make them look visually appealing and enhance the look of your space. 'To style khus curtains aesthetically, layer them with sheer linen drapes or soft cotton panels for contrast and dimension. Add warm fairy lights to create a soft, ambient glow during evenings, or frame them with wooden rods for a polished look. Incorporating faux vines, dried foliage, or macramé hangings elevates their visual appeal while maintaining a natural theme,' suggests Ritu. Other textures and materials that pair well with khus curtains are cotton sheers, rattan shades, or jute textures. 'These materials merge function and beauty, improving airflow while preserving a natural, grounded appearance perfect for hot, tropical seasons,' says Rohit Khemka, founder of RR Decor. Besides khus curtains, there are other stylish add-ons to make your home a summer haven, including clay water pots, indoor water fountains, bamboo blinds, chik mats, and indoor plants. Scent is also an essential but often overlooked element in summer styling. 'Using natural fragrances like vetiver, lemongrass, or sandalwood brings a fresh, grounding energy into the home. Opt for ceramic oil diffusers, incense trays, or hand-poured candles in simple, earthy holders to align with a minimal aesthetic. Slip a few drops of essential oils into fabric drawers, linen closets, or even on napkin edges to allow the scent to unfold gradually,' adds Shuchita.
