As children, drifting off to sleep seemed like the easiest thing in the world, but now, trying to doze off requires the increasingly impossible task of turning off our brains for the rest of the night. A racing mind can keep both true insomniacs and mildly restless sleepers awake for hours, and pretty much everyone agrees that there's nothing worse than tossing and turning all night after an exhausting day.

The inability to catch zzz's as soon as the lights go out is a more common than you may realize. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 35 percent of Americans claim that their level of sleep quality is "poor" or "only fair." But unsatisfactory sleep isn't just something that adds bags under your eyes, it can also affect your focus, metabolism, mood and even your complexion.

Sure, counting sheep, breathing exercises or those white noise machines may help, but if uninterrupted sleep still escapes you, it's not uncommon for people to head into their doctor's office for prescription medication. However, before you pull out the the big guns, consider trying a few ultra-effective beauty products. From science-backed sleep enhancing scents, to relaxation balms, we found the best sleep remedies to help you snooze -- no imaginary sheep required.

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Slip Silk Sleep Mask, $45

If you're so sensitive to light that even the soft glow of street lights from outside makes it difficult to take your nightly trip to Slumbertown, it's time to change how you sleep. For some people, even subtle flashes of light are enough to disrupt sleep in some people. The reason? Light can send a signal through the retina of your eyes to tell the brain it's daytime, causing your internal clock to reset.

Sound like you? Then, investing in a sleep mask is an obvious choice for enhancing your sleep quality. This one is 100 percent pure silk, it has sleep-inducing benefits, as well as anti-aging perks, since you won't have a cotton pillow case creasing your skin or tugging at your delicate eye area overnight.

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This Works Sleep Plus Pillow Spray, $46

You might think your sense of hearing or touch might be the biggest players in your ability to catch some zzz's, but scent may have an even bigger effect on whether or not you're able to settle into a sound sleep. Studies have shown that 71 percent of Americans feel they were able to get a more comfortable night's sleep on sheets that had a fresh scent. What does that mean for those of us whose sheets smell like, well, nothing? It might be time to add a sweet-smelling fragrance to our pillowcases.

This mist is clinically proven to restore your natural sleep pattern, which the brand claims makes it an effective alternative to sleep medication. If that sounds like an overpromise, think again. The lavender oil found within the formula helps stimulate alpha waves in the part of your brain that induces relaxation, which is pretty much the only section of your brain you want fired up before bed.

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Badger Balm Sleep Balm, $9.79

Massaging your temples before going to sleep may relieve tension headaches and improve circulation; however, massaging your temples with this lavender scented sleep balm brings the nighttime ritual to another level. The product, which is touted for its ability to "stop the mind chatter," contains soporific lavender, along with mind-clearing rosemary oil, refreshing balsam fir oil and uplifting bergamot.

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Tata Harper Aromatic Bedtime Treatment, $60

As if you need another reason to surround yourself with sweet-smelling products before bed, here it is. One study recently found that being around positive smells while you sleep could influence whether you have a pleasurable dream or a nightmare. Pleasant odors evoked positive dreams, while the opposite was true for unpalatable scents. So, in addition to acting as a natural sedative, the scent of essential oils in this formula may also induce positive dreams. Talk about a win-win.

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