Beauty Sleep: Sleeping Aids from This Works, Neals Yard, Bach

When your tiredness is national news, you know you must take action! Sick of sleepless nights, I’ve amassed this lovely little arsenal of products, in a bid to get a little more than forty winks. 


A firm favourite is the pillow spray, €19.50 from This Works. With lavender, vetivert and camomile oils, it’s deeply soothing and relaxing and, when spritzed liberally on my pillows, feels comforting and helps switch off my mind.  And the deep sleep less stress roller ball means I can carry this calming fragrance on the go. 

The ear-plugs? Mr Fluff's a snorer - 'nuff said! 

I also rate the Beauty Sleep Concentrate and Body Butter from Neal’s Yard, both formulated with a calming blend of essential oils to encourage restful sleep. The Concentrate is pricey at €41.20 for a small 30ml tube but you only need a teeny bit to have a great big impact. 

With clary sage, cypress, orange, patchouli and ylang ylang, it smells soothing and sublime but, leaving that aside, works wonders on my face: it’s softer, smoother and more plumped up by morning. Because my skin is blemish prone I’m wary of the shea butter in the mix, and don’t use it every night – but oh, how I miss it when it’s not around. 

As for the Body Butter, €29.50, it’s a rich, luxe cream with shea butter, cocoa butter and sunflower oil that I rub between my hands before massaging in.  Despite the thick consistency it’s not remotely greasy and it absorbs much quicker than expected. I’m not normally one for body butters but this makes me feel pampered and relaxed and has become part of my bedtime ritual. Plus, my skin feels gorgeous. 

Bach’s Rescue Remedy Night, €8.99 for 10 ml, has also taken up permanent residence on my night stand. I’m not yet convinced by this botanical blend, which contains glycerine, water and a combination of flower essences -  including White Chestnut, to calm the mind. Still it’s worth a try, I figure, and I’m rather partial to its sweetness on my tongue. 

None of these products have fully fixed the problem but they do help me to relax, which is sometimes half the battle. I’m also fond of sleep meditations, and hear valerian tea is good for sleeping; if you have any other other suggestions, please leave ‘em in the comments!  

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