Why You Should Never Sleep With Your Makeup On
Ladies, let’s have a real talk about something that we’ve all been guilty of at some point in our lives: sleeping with our makeup on.
We live busy lives, and sometimes the last thing we want to do before hitting the hay is spend 15 minutes in front of the mirror scrubbing off our mascara and foundation, after having spent upwards of 1 hour putting it all on in the first place!
I get it. Removing makeup is a chore, and sometimes we just want to collapse into bed without any extra steps.
But here’s the thing: sleeping with your makeup on is a big no-no. It’s not just a beauty faux-pas, it can actually harm your skin.
Let’s take a deeper look at all the negative effects of this common practice.
9 reasons why you shouldn’t sleep with your makeup on
1. Clogged pores
When you don’t remove your makeup before going to bed, it can clog your pores and prevent them from breathing properly. This can lead to acne breakouts, blackheads and other skin irritations.
Makeup particles mixed with sebum (oil) creates a sticky residue that traps bacteria on the surface of the skin leading to pore-clogging and acne.
2. Accelerated aging
Leaving makeup on overnight causes oxidative stress in the skin. Oxidative stress is a state where the skin’s natural repair process is hindered, leading to increased damage from environmental factors like UV radiation and pollution. This can lead to premature aging of the skin, including fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Dead skin is unable to shed
Our skin naturally sheds dead skin cells, and when we leave makeup on overnight, it can prevent this process from happening. This can cause a buildup of dead skin cells that make the complexion look dull and tired.
4. Eye irritation
Sleeping with eye makeup on increases the risk of eye infections or irritations such as conjunctivitis (pink eye). Mascara residue or eyeliner particles falling into your eyes while sleeping causes inflammation leading to dryness, itching and soreness.
5. Dehydration
Leaving makeup on overnight can cause dehydration of the skin. This is because some makeup products contain ingredients such as alcohol or other drying agents that can strip the skin of its natural oils and moisture.
6. Skin inflammation
Makeup contains chemicals that may be irritating to your skin, especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin types. Leaving it on overnight exposes your pores to these irritants for several hours, leading to inflammation and breakouts.
7. Your pillow will be a mess
There’s virtually no way, no matter how expensive your makeup is , that it won’t rub off on your pillowcase if you sleep with it on. Lots of makeup will stain, too, leaving your bedding looking dirty and grubby, possibly beyond repair.
8. It’s uncomfortable
Let’s face it: sleeping with a full face of makeup on is just plain uncomfortable. Your skin needs to breathe and rejuvenate overnight, but the weight of your makeup can make you feel hot, sticky and downright uncomfortable.
9. Will your partner ever know the real you?
There’s no denying that makeup can turn up the volume on your natural features and make you look a million bucks (even when you’re more like fifty bucks!). But beneath that veneer and all those layers of muck is the real you, and your partner deserves to see that beautiful, natural side of you.
If you’re constantly going to bed with your makeup on, you’re essentially hiding the real you and preventing your loved one from seeing the true beauty that lies beneath.
This is problematic for a number of reasons, including that it can make you feel like you need to hide behind makeup all the time, even when you’re not going out. You’re also setting an unrealistic standard that you feel like you need to maintain in order to be attractive.
Final thought
Makeup’s terrific, I think we can all agree. This article is by no means intended to discourage you from wearing it. However, the importance of taking it off at night can’t be overstated. By skipping this crucial step, you’re putting yourself at risk for a host of skin issues that could have been easily avoided.
I know, I know, it can take forever to remove every last bit, but your skin will be eternally grateful for the effort. There are also plenty of gentle, effective makeup removers available that can make the process quick and painless.
