Is it Really That Bad to Sleep in Your Makeup?

 

Too tired to wash your face at night? You’re not alone. We’ve all had those moments of feeling completely unmotivated to remove our makeup and cleanse our face before bed. While skipping this routine on occasion will not permanently damage your skin, making it a healthy habit isn’t a bad idea!


There’s a reason why removing makeup before bed is important, and it goes far beyond keeping pesky mascara stains off your pillowcase. Continuously leaving your makeup on overnight can lead to potential damage.

Here’s how sleeping with makeup on can affect your skin:

Skin Dullness

Our skin repairs and regenerates while we snooze. As tempting as it may be to drift off to sleep with a full face of foundation, leaving your makeup on overnight hinders this revitalization process, leading to skin that can start to look dull and aged.

Eye Irritation

Sleeping with mascara, eyeliner, or shadow can cause eye irritation, itchiness, and in rare cases, infection - which is something we all want to avoid! Makeup tends to rub off on your pillow as you sleep, and the excess can make its way into your eyes.

 

 

Acne

Makeup tends to clog pores. So it’s essential to thoroughly wash off your makeup during your nightly skincare routine to reduce your chance of a breakout. 


Makeup also mixes with your skin’s natural oils and build-up - creating the perfect storm for clogged pores, acne, and blackheads.

Skin Aging

Leaving makeup on while you sleep can age your skin. Every day our skin is exposed to free radicals and other oxidative stressors. These are some of the main culprits of fine lines and wrinkles. When you sleep with your makeup on, these nasty free radicals remain on your skin all night.

Parched Skin

Even if you have oily skin, sleeping in makeup often can dry out your skin. Remember that products like foundation, concealer, blush, and bronzer are often made with ingredients that leach moisture away from the skin (so you don’t look like an oil slick all day). On the other hand, nightly moisturizers and serums are made with skin-rejuvenating ingredients to replenish lost moisture.

Eyelash Damage

Sleeping with mascara can damage your lashes. Going to sleep with mascara on can cause your lashes to become brittle, thin, and even fall out. Always make sure to remove ALL of your eye makeup before you fall asleep.


Tip: If you’ve fallen victim to sleeping your mascara on, consider LiLash Purified Eyelash Serum to help revitalize dry or sparse lashes. 

Boost Your Look While You Slumber!

Removing makeup can dry out the skin, so follow up with a good face moisturizer to keep your skin soft and hydrated. For a full breakdown on our recommended nightly routine, check out this article: Your Skincare Routine: Morning vs Evening.


Finally, give your lashes and brows a little TLC by adding LiLash and LiBrow Purified Serums into your nightly beauty routine for longer-looking lashes and full, beautiful brows.