12 Ways to Prevent Sleep Lines, According to Derms

Focus on Prevention

According to our experts, there are behavioral changes you can make starting right now. "Sleep wrinkles are creases that form on the face due to skin positioning and pressure," explains dermatologist Rachel Nazarian. "They typically form as people move around in their sleep, sleeping with their face down or pressed up against their pillows, and primarily when fabrics have higher friction forces and the skin cannot glide along the fabric." Needless to say, you have a say in the matter and can make some sleep swaps for better skin.

Swap Out Your Pillowcase

A common mistake is using pillowcases with fabrics that grip skin rather than allowing it to slide across it, notes Nazarian. While flannel and jersey sheets are cozy, they tend to hold on to your skin more than other fabrics do.

"Minimizing friction forces on the skin, so the fabric on your pillow and sheets dont pull and drag on the skin, can be quite useful," Nazarian says. "Instead, smoother 'silkier' sheets like satin and silk are less likely to grip skin and fold it, instead encouraging less pressure and more 'flow' of skin across its surface."

The less your skin grips onto your pillowcase, the less likely it is you'll wind up with permanent fine lines from your sleeping position. We like this set of two from Mommesilk—it's 22 momme (meaning, it's made with a high amount of silk) and comes in five gorgeous hues.

Sleep On Your Back

"Sleeping face down and pushing skin into the sheets or pillowcases causes the skin to fold and crease and eventually stay [that way] permanently, over time," says Nazarian. While it may be difficult to change your sleeping position, sleeping on your back allows for a fresh face come morning. Need more encouragement? J.Lo sleeps on her back surrounded by pillows to prop her up, and if the way she looks is a signifier, it certainly works. Nurse Jamie's Beauty Bear Age Defy Memory Foam Pillow is made of silky-smooth satin and has a U-shaped design to conform to the contours of your face and neck. The result is crease-, wrinkle-, and worry-free sleep.

Avoid Sleeping on Your Hands

"Another common mistake is sleeping with your hands pressed against your face," says Nazarian. "Much like flannel or thicker cotton sheets, our skin grips rougher surfaces and wrinkles with lateral pressure. It's best for facial skin to avoid contact with other surfaces during sleep, keeping your face and head elevated with a pillow and using a silky cover that minimizes the pulling and rubbing on the skin."

If you're someone who often sleeps with their hands tucked under their face, try keeping your hands under your pillow rather than directly on your skin. This can help reduce friction while hopefully keeping you comfortable.

Use an Elevated Pillow

"Try to sleep with your head elevated on a pillow," Nazarian reiterates. If this is a challenge for you, opt for an adjustable pillow like Sleepgram's Sleeping Loft Soft Pillow. It comes with inserts that you can add or remove to reach the perfect elevation.

Wear a Sleep Mask

If you don't want to commit to a silk pillowcase, try a silk sleep mask instead. "Nighttime masks do a good job of keeping skin in place while you sleep, so even if there is a lot of pressure, the skin does not fold on itself," says Nazarian.

We're fans of Slip's Silk Sleepmask because it's gentle, doesn't tug on the delicate eye area, and feels plush on the skin. It's also easy to travel with, ensuring that you have restful, wrinkle-free sleep even on-the-go.

Try a Firm Pillow

"For a side sleeper, make sure to sleep with an extra-firm pillow and strategically position your head so the lower half of your face is literally off the pillow. Therefore, the face doesn't flatten out like a pancake," Rouleau suggests. Makes sense- it's harder to get wrinkles when your face isn't on the pillow at all.

Stimulate Collagen Production to Minimize Creases

"Stimulating more collagen can help minimize these creases," suggests Nazarian. "This can be done with microneedling, various lasers (including Fraxel), and products." If you're unfamiliar, microneedling works to boost collagen production by creating tiny punctures in your skin. These spots serve as entry points for any products you put on your skin after. Plus, the small holes signal to your body that it needs to boost collagen production to heal them, filling in fine lines.

Use a Chemical Peel to Reduce Wrinkles

If you're having trouble getting used to sleeping differently, chemical peels can act as a buffer to ward off wrinkles. "Chemical peels do a wonderful job of resurfacing skin and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles while you get into the habit of changing some of your sleep patterns," says Nazarian. "It's never too late to improve your sleeping behavior, especially if it'll benefit your skin." The Dr. Dennis Gross Extra Strength Alpha Beta Peel is formulated with a blend of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid to not only stimulate collagen production, but boost cell turnover, improve the look of dark spots, and smooth out uneven texture.

Slow Down Aging With SPF

If you're not already in the habit of wearing SPF daily, let this be your (final) reminder. "The best way to prevent wrinkles is wearing an SPF every day," Rouleau notes. "Hands down, daily use of sunscreen is the number one most effective way to slow down the skin aging process. A generous application each morning will dramatically reduce the formation of lines, wrinkles, and brown spots." Go for a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30. Ghost Democracy's Lightweight Daily Face Sunscreen is SPF 33 and 100 percent mineral, but doesn't leave behind a greasy residue, white-cast, or chalky finish.

Choose Your Nighttime Products Mindfully

When you sleep, your skin is in repair mode, fixing all of the day's damage (think: pollution and sun exposure). The products you use pre-bedtime can make a real difference in the health of your overall complexion. "From a topical standpoint, look for an overnight serum formulated with the best ingredients your skin needs to repair while you sleep," Rouleau suggests. She says to look for microalgae, superfruits, and peptides, which improve firmness and help combat the daily effects of stress and pollution. Ranavat's Brightening Saffron Serum has been dubbed the "miracle elixir" in Ayurveda for its rich blend of superfoods, including saffron threads, which promote a bright, radiant complexion.

Use Silicone Pads

"Silicone pads are a good non-invasive option for getting rid of sleep lines resulting from facial expressions or from folding of the skin during sleep – Wrinkles Schminkles makes a great silicone pad," notes King. "These pads reduce transepidermal water loss and lock in moisture so the skin is better hydrated in order to repair and produce collagen. These are also great for the nighttime because they keep the skin flat during sleep, preventing skin creases."

Nazarian conurs, saying: "Whether they’re used on chest wrinkles or facial lines, they offer resistance against the folding of skin on itself and can improve and prevent lines with continued use."