We’ve all done it— finally gotten home from a night out and unexpectedly fell asleep with makeup still on our faces. Sleeping with makeup on is uncomfortable for many reasons (mascara smudged in your eye, feeling foundation clog your pores, etc) but it’s also a way to contribute to or accelerate wrinkled skin if done often.
We checked in with a dermatologist and skincare expert who detailed the dangers of sleeping in makeup and explained why she believed this to be such a common (but still avoidable!) mistake that makes the appearance of wrinkles so much worse. Read on for tips from Dr. Debra Jaliman, board-certified NYC dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
How Sleeping In Makeup Can Lead To Accelerated Aging & Wrinkling
While it may not seem like a big deal at the time, sleeping in makeup can be detrimental when it comes to having clean pores, as hitting the sheets with foundation, concealer, contour, blush or other many layers can instantly clog them. This can lead to not only acne, but also wrinkling as the skin won't be clean and ready to repair itself like it normally does as you sleep, Jaliman says.
“Sleeping with makeup on is a big mistake many women make," says Jaliman. "Your cells regenerate themselves while you sleep, and your skin is then most able to absorb topical treatments and DNA repair is boosted," she continues. After coming home and preparing to go to sleep, she stresses that it is crucial to "wash your face thoroughly before bed to remove dirt, bacteria, oil, sweat and pollutants, as well as any makeup."
While washing your face and removing makeup with a cleanser is the optimal way to do it, sometimes coming home exhausted can make this feel like a daunting task. "If there is a night you’re just too tired to wash your face, then at least use a makeup remover wipe," Jaliman says, pointing out that this is better than the alternative— catching z's while clogging your pores and preventing your face from looking healthy in the morning. "I prefer using a makeup remover wipe over falling asleep with a full face of makeup," she says.
Overall, as Jaliman and countless other dermatologists would agree, sleeping in makeup, not fully cleansing your face at the end of the day and failing to keep a consistent, nightly routine with anti-aging products will not promote healthy skin and can lead to accelerated aging and wrinkling.
"Sleeping with makeup on and not washing your face before going to bed or working out at the gym allows bacteria to grow on your skin and clogs pores," Jaliman concludes, adding that visiting your dermatologist for more information can help you create a daily and nightly routine that you can not only find relaxing and comfortable to follow, but importantly one that truly prioritizes your skin's health and a timelessly youthful glow.
