Why You Shouldn't Sleep With Makeup On
At Gameela Skin, I am solidly on the team, that no matter what happens throughout the night, I will (always) end the night by removing my makeup before my head hits the pillow. Taking that extra five minutes will always be worth it - and I’m breaking down exactly why sleeping with makeup on will never be the best move.
Sleeping with Makeup Ages Skin
I’m sure we all know the importance of sleep - sleeping gives your body time to go through the cell turnover process, allowing new skin cells to push to the surface while old cells are shed. But many don’t know how makeup can disrupt these processes.
While your skin works hard to shed old, dull cells, makeup works harder on top of the skin to trap these dead skin cells, leaving a dull complexion and ultimately aging your skin prematurely.
Makeup disrupts the cell turnover process, will cause the skin barrier to break down and can cause fine lines and wrinkles.
Radiant and youthful skin must be allowed time to breathe, the most important of which happens at night. So, by removing your makeup before bed, your skin has the opportunity to renew itself and disperse healthy collagen!
Makeup Residue Causes Breakouts
Breakouts
Part of the cell turnover process that happens while you sleep involves your body lubricating the hair follicles and sending oils to the surface of the skin. If you have left makeup or makeup residue on your skin, these oils can become trapped, causing clogged pores and breakouts. Throughout the day, makeup will also mix with pollutants and toxins in the air, trapping them on your skin. If you sleep with this makeup on, it could cause these pollutants to get trapped on the surface of your skin, causing breakouts and irritation.
Dry Skin & Irritation
I mentioned that dead skin cells can become trapped beneath the surface of your makeup, causing premature aging of the skin when makeup is slept in.
These dead skin cells not being properly shed from your face can also result in dry skin and irritation. Without the ability to regenerate cells and shed old skin cells, you will likely have a dryer, duller complexion that may be coarse in texture. Makeup is not meant to be worn for extremely long periods of time, so the interaction of makeup with your skin overnight could cause irritation, which may cause redness, inflammation or breakouts on the skin.
Potential for inflamed eyes or styes
The area around the eyes is particularly sensitive to toxins and can be easily irritated or inflamed. Eye makeup, especially mascara, can also contain harmful pathogens that may cause infections when left on the eyes for a prolonged period of time.
The FDA does not subject makeup to the same scrutiny as it does other topical creams and medications, so these harmful pathogens could potentially cause infections, inflammation, or styes when left on the eyes for a long period of time. Yikes!
Dirty Pillowcase
If you are falling asleep with your makeup on, chances are you’re contaminating your pillowcase for the next use, even if your face is freshly cleaned the next time you fall asleep. You should consistently wash your pillowcase, especially if you know there may be makeup residue on the pillow. Residual makeup on your pillow causes oils, powders, chemicals, and bacteria to build up, so even with a clean face, you may experience similar effects as leaving your makeup on if you end up sleeping on a dirty pillowcase.
I always recommend that my clients wash their pillowcases 1-2 times per week to avoid any buildup of bacteria!
Stick To Your Skincare Routine
Getting into a routine that you love and know you’ll stick to - one that starts with removing makeup - is one way to always remember to take makeup off before bed.
I’ve been loving the double cleanse method, where an oil-based cleanser is used to remove makeup before washing with a cream cleanser. My favorite cleanser combo is the Luxe Cleansing Balm by Rhonda Allison and the Jane Iredale Cleanser. My skin is left feeling like a fresh, clean base that’s ready to absorb all our other skincare products after cleansing with these.
If you’re unsure where to start with a skincare routine, Gameela Skin can help! Read more about how to select products that are best for your skin type. For further questions, contact me directly for a free consultation and a customized regime for all your beauty needs info@gameelaskin.com.
