Sleeping with makeup on is one little secret that we are all guilty of. But what really happens when I sleep with makeup? I’m too tired, I would clean my makeup but I come back from work late and always tired. If you’ve ever zonked out on a couch after a night out with friend with a face full with makeup, you’d have noticed your face feeling sticky and greasy.
READ MORE: Sensitive Facial Skin| What Causes It and How Can I Protect It
According to dermatologist, sleeping with makeup is BAD NEWS and in a long run can have cumulative harmful effect on your skin. While we’ve been told countless times without any explanation why, we decided to find out what really happens when you sleep with makeup. The results? More alarming than you could ever imagine
You Get Acne Breakouts
Sleeping with makeup does two things to your skin. One is that it interferes with the skin’s natural ability to repair and exfoliate. Another, is that it clogs the skin pores leading to increase sebum build up which in turn causes more flare ups.
Sebum is the oily secretion of the sebaceous glands. It helps lubricate and protect your skin, acts like a waterproof. If sebum buildup is increased and the skin lacks the ability to exfoliate clogged pores the end result is an increased acne breakout due to the formation of microcomedone.
Although one night of sleeping with makeup doesn’t cause breakouts or long-lasting damage on the skin. However, if it becomes a habit your pores become clogged.
Your skin becomes dry
Long term sleeping with makeup decreases the skins ability to absorb skin care products that are beneficial for the skin’s nourishment. Meaning moisturizers that enable the skin to repair and replenish itself at night won’t work properly. This causes unevenness, flakiness and dryness.
This causes unevenness, flakiness and dryness.
Sleeping with makeup causes the skin to accumulate free radicals. Free radicals are present in the environment as pollution. Makeup traps this free radicals and environmental pollutants during the day leading to collagen degradation – if not properly cleaned. Consequently, premature ageing and development of fine line occurs.
Inflamed Eye and Infection
Eye makeup [mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliners] do not cause fine lines nor acne breakouts. But neglecting to remove before bed time causes eye inflammation, redness, dryness and may lead to an infection.
How does this happen? When you sleep, mascara or eyeshadow may end in your eye when rubbed into your eyes with your hands and delicate skin. Also, when makeup comes in contact with your sleeping pillow.
Dr. Eric Schweiger [Founder of the Clear Clinic] in an interview with Huffington Post says “sleeping in eye makeup repeatedly may result in the clogging of the tiny hair follicles and oil glands on your eyelids”.
Clogged pores lead to a bacteria build up causing small bumps called styles. Generally, these bumps go by themselves but many require treatment.
Broken Eyelash
Another con of sleeping with eye makeup [like mascara and eyeliner] is that your eyelash can break off. These products can rub into your eyelash causing them to become brittle and break off easily.
Eyelashes are important for protecting the eyes from dust and debris They also keep moisture away from the eyes. A broken eyelash may end up getting to your eye causing irritation and tearing.
Eyelid Eczema
Eczema is a condition that causes dry patches on the skin characterized by itchiness and inflammation. It can occur on different part of the including the eyelids. Left over makeup residue from liners, mascara and eyeshadow can cause irritant dermatitis (a type of eczema)
Chapped lips
Sleeping with lipstick [depending on the type] causes the lips to become chapped and dry. Chapped lips are normally cracked, rough or sore.
Unlike ultra-matte lipstick and lip stain which tend to dry out the lips – other lipstick act as emollient forming a protective barrier against dry heat. It’s better to apply a moisturizing lip balm instead.
Dull complexion and Uneven Skin tone
Sleeping with face makeup/foundation makes the skin have a dull complexion the next day. To an already uneven skin tone, skipping the proper skincare routine makes matters worst.
Why? The skin regenerates (shed and exfoliate) properly at night – this allows skin pore to release sebum and protect the skin from free radicals. Failure to remove makeup disrupts this process – leading to clogged pores, red bumps and dull skin.
