Yesterday, according to WWD, Estée Lauder appointed its first global sleep adviser, Dr. Matthew Walker. A renowned sleep scientist, best-selling author, and professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, Walker will lend his expertise to the beauty giant to deepen its understanding of the connection between sleep and skin health.
In this newly created role, Walker will contribute to educational content, engage in press opportunities, and guide Estée Lauder’s research and innovation in sleep-related skin care. His collaboration aligns with the brand’s long-standing commitment to nighttime beauty, anchored by its iconic Advanced Night Repair Serum, launched in 1982, and its continued research into the skin’s nighttime regeneration process.
“To see a brand that is trying to actually invest in the science of sleep, to me, was very appealing,” Walker said of the partnership. “There’s so much more that we want to know and can be doing, but the second component is education.”
In 2013, the company conducted a study with Case Western Reserve University that linked sleep deprivation to accelerated skin aging, reinforcing the importance of quality rest in maintaining a youthful complexion. Now, with Walker’s insights, the brand is looking to take its research and product innovation to the next level.
To kickstart the collaboration, Estée Lauder will launch a series of educational videos across its platforms featuring Walker discussing key sleep-related topics, such as the impact of sleep on the skin and tips for achieving optimal beauty rest. Additionally, the brand has planned both internal and external events where Walker will share his expertise.
“Sleep is the single most effective thing that you can do each and every day to reset your brain and body health, but skin is the very same thing under that rubric, too, that gets restored,” Walker explained.
While specific product details remain under wraps, Estée Lauder’s leadership has hinted at exciting developments ahead. “Lauder is incredibly committed to night. It’s in our DNA,” said Jennifer Palmer, the brand’s senior vice president of global innovation development and science leadership. “This partnership with Dr. Matt Walker will help guide, inform, and strengthen our research and the next wave of innovations to come.”
