Effect of an evening cosmetic routine with self-massage on sleep quality: a preliminary study

Nonpharmacological approaches show promising impact on sleep; however, the benefits of a relaxing bedtime routine remain poorly explored. This preliminary study investigated the effects on sleep quality of an evening cosmetic routine combined with self-massage. Sixty healthy women aged 25-45 reporting sleep problems, were assigned to either a test group (TG, N = 31) or a control group (CG, N = 29). TG participants were instructed to apply cosmetic products with specific massage gestures every evening for 4 weeks. CG participants with usual routine were monitored during the same period as the TG. Duration and quality of sleep of TG participants were assessed with a connected ring. All participants filled out specific questionnaires to assess sleep quality (PSQI) and anxiety (STAI). After 1 month, PSQI and STAI-State global scores significantly decreased over time in the TG compared to CG (P = 0.037 and P = 0.008, respectively). The TG total sleep time increased by 22.5 min (P = 0.045) and the total deep sleep time increased by 11.15 min (P = 0.018) on rest days. The CG did not report significant improvements in sleep quality and anxiety compared to those observed in the TG. These preliminary findings suggest that an evening cosmetic routine combined with self-massage may represent a feasible behavioral practice to be further explored as part of standard sleep hygiene education to improve sleep in healthy women.