How Glycine Does It All: The Quiet Overachiever Behind Better Sleep & Healthier Skin
Sometimes, the most interesting person at the party isn't the loudest one in the room. Glycine operates on this same principle – an amino acid so fundamental to how the body functions that it predates every wellness trend by several billion years.
While adaptogens and nootropics compete for attention on our social feeds, Glycine has been quietly doing the heavy lifting: supporting connective tissue, regulating neurotransmitters and playing a foundational role in how we sleep, recover and maintain healthy-looking skin. Naturally produced by the body and found in collagen-rich foods, it's the kind of ingredient that reveals more the deeper you dig.
As the brand behind the UK’s original and bestselling longevity supplement, we know that Glycine supports some of the body's most essential overnight processes – from sleep and skin to recovery and cognitive function – which is why we’ve chosen to include it in our clinically proven, award-winning Morning & Night formula. With a proprietary blend of 28 biologist-selected Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids, Adaptogens and Omega 3s, Morning & Night supports whole body health unlike anything else on the market.
A Look Under the Microscope
Lumity was built differently from the start. Founded a decade ago by Cambridge-educated PhD biologist Sarah Palmer-Hussey, scientific rigour wasn't just part of the brand's ethos – it was the reason for it. As we continue our science-led approach to supplementation, we believe that the way forward is empowering intelligent consumers like you with the most information. Take a look at Glyine, under the microscope…
Glycine is the smallest amino acid in the body, but its impact is surprisingly broad. It contributes to the production of collagen, glutathione and creatine, while also acting as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. In practical terms, that means it supports both structural health and neurological calm.
As our Morning & Night supplement taps into the body’s natural circadian rhythm with a dual dose approach, we’ve chosen to include Glycine in our Night formula – supporting the body physically while also helping prepare the nervous system for restorative sleep.
Glycine & Sleep Quality
Have you ever woken from an 8-hour sleep, looking and feeling better than you did the night before? Sleep is where repair happens – for the brain, the skin and the body more broadly. Glycine’s most studied benefit is its ability to support sleep quality without acting as a sedative.
Research suggests Glycine may help promote sleep by supporting thermoregulation – specifically, by helping lower core body temperature, one of the body’s natural signals for sleep onset. Studies have shown that taking Glycine before bed may help people fall asleep more easily, improve perceived sleep quality and reduce next-day fatigue.
A 2024 systematic review published in GeroScience evaluated human studies on Glycine supplementation and found consistent associations with improvements in sleep quality, cognition and daytime alertness.
More recently, a 2024 study published in the European Journal of Nutrition examined collagen peptide supplementation before bedtime and observed reductions in sleep fragmentation alongside improvements in cognitive performance in adults with sleep complaints. Given Glycine is one of collagen’s primary amino acids, these findings add to growing interest in Glycine-rich formulations for overnight recovery.
While Glycine cannot be marketed as a treatment for insomnia or sleep disorders under EU nutrition and health claim regulations, emerging research continues to explore its role in supporting relaxation and sleep quality as part of a balanced lifestyle.
Glycine & Skin Health
Whether you only reach for organic skincare or you’re a frequent flyer at your local injectables clinic, healthy skin begins long before topical skincare enters the equation. Collagen – the structural protein responsible for skin firmness and elasticity – is composed largely of Glycine.
Glycine accounts for roughly one-third of collagen’s amino acid structure, making it fundamental to the maintenance of connective tissue throughout the body. As collagen production naturally declines with age, supporting the body with collagen-building amino acids becomes increasingly important. While Glycine alone is not a substitute for collagen, it provides one of the core building blocks required for collagen synthesis.
Emerging research also suggests Glycine-containing collagen peptides may support skin appearance by helping reduce the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) – compounds associated with visible skin ageing and loss of elasticity. A 2023 placebo-controlled study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry found that specific collagen peptides rich in hydroxyprolyl-glycine reduced AGE levels in skin and blood vessel tissue.
This inside-out approach to skin health reflects a broader shift in modern beauty nutrition: supporting the skin not only topically, but nutritionally and systemically.
Beyond Sleep & Skin
Although sleep and skin tend to dominate the conversation, Glycine’s role in the body extends further.
Antioxidant Support
Glycine is required for the production of glutathione – one of the body’s most important endogenous antioxidants. Glutathione helps protect cells from oxidative stress, which is associated with ageing and environmental damage.
Recovery & Connective Tissue
Because glycine is heavily concentrated in collagen, it also contributes to the maintenance of connective tissues including joints, tendons and ligaments. Recent sports nutrition research has explored how Glycine availability may support recovery and tissue repair following exercise.
Cognitive Function
Some early research has linked Glycine supplementation with improved cognitive performance following poor sleep, particularly around attention and fatigue. While research remains ongoing, the connection between sleep quality and cognitive resilience makes this an area of increasing scientific interest.
Why We’ve Included Glycine in Our Night Formula
The best nighttime supplements do not force the body into sleep like a sleeping pill – instead, they support the biological conditions required for recovery: nervous system calm, overnight repair and high-quality sleep architecture.
That is precisely where Glycine excels. It works subtly – supporting the body’s own restorative systems rather than overriding them. Combined with 28 complementary nutrients in our proprietary Morning & Night formula, Glycine becomes part of a more intelligent approach to overnight wellbeing: one that recognizes sleep as the foundation of skin health, recovery and long-term resilience.
We know that no standalone Glycine supplement can stand up to a carefully calibrated, synergistic, foundational supplement.
With Glycine and 28 biologist-selected Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids and Omega 3s, Morning & Night supports whole body health on a cellular level – noticeably improving skin, hair, nails, sleep, energy, immunity, mood and more after just a few weeks of use.
Author: Rachel Chalmers
I really feel like the Morning & Night for Men supplements have had a positive impact on me... especially on energy levels, recovery after exercise and hair strength. All things that I want to improve the older I get.
I have taken Morning & Night for nearly ten years now, beginning at age 50. I noticed first improvement in my sleep, followed by improved hair growth, hydration, skin clarity, and nail strength after a few months. As a result, my immune system seemed to improve. I also had the energy to up my exercise routine and have continued consistently with weekly strength and cardio training for ten years.
It is never easy getting older, but I've found that taking Morning & Night has definitely given me more energy, my skin is starting to have a glow and most importantly, I am now having an undisturbed sleep at night.
Everything You Need To Know About Lumity
Why choose Lumity?
Choosing Lumity means choosing results, simplicity, and long-term support. Our clinically backed Morning & Night formula delivers essential nutrients in sync with your body’s natural rhythm — helping you feel your best through every stage of life, including menopause. When you subscribe, you’ll save 20% instantly, receive a FREE luxury Starter Kit with refillable glass bottles (worth £25), and enjoy free UK delivery on all orders. Our zero-hassle subscription keeps you consistent — and consistency is key. Commit to 12 weeks and experience real, lasting benefits: improved energy, sleep, skin, immunity, and overall wellness.
Lumity supports you at a cellular level, every day, without the guesswork
Does the Morning & Night Supplement support hair growth/loss?
Morning & Night contains three key amino acids related to healthy hair growth and condition; Cysteine, Arginine and Lysine; as well as Selenium, Biotin and Zinc, which also support strong and healthy hair. In our Clinical Trial, 92% of participants noticed improved hair quality after 12 weeks of consistent use.
How long will I need to take Lumity Morning & Night before experiencing benefits?
Everyone's chemical composition is entirely unique, so while some people may notice benefits in the first few weeks of use, others may need to wait longer before seeing results. Our supplement is designed to work at a cellular level, and as with any other supplement, it takes around 12 weeks of consistent use to experience the full range of benefits. You can learn more about the science behind Morning & Night here.
Why softgel capsules?
Softgel capsules offer optimum protection and bioavailability of the active ingredients in Morning and Night and stop the nutrients degrading. Softgels are comfortable to swallow and melt in the stomach within 3 to 4 minutes, freeing the active ingredients and delivering fast absorption of the formula.
Why is there a Morning & Night routine?
Morning & Night is designed to work in harmony with the body's circadian rhythm, which means the Morning and Night softgels work on different processes in the body and in conjunction with each other to deliver the best results. You need to take both halves of the formula for it to work optimally and for you to experience the full range of benefits.
