What’s scarier than ghouls, goblins, and ghosts this October? How about the gradual build-up of impurities on your skin that leads to clogged pores, breakouts, blemishes, and wrinkles? Yeah, we think that’s scarier, too.
Don’t worry, though. There’s a way to keep the frightening world of clogged pores at bay. Keep reading to learn what you need to do (here’s a hint - it has to do with your makeup and your skincare routine).
When should you be cleansing your skin?
Even if you’re not wearing makeup daily (embrace the bare, beautiful-faced you!), you should be washing your face regularly to keep it shiny and fresh, and luckily, you have some options:
Washing in the Morning
Sleeping isn’t always clean. If you don’t wash your bedding regularly, cleanse your face at night, or exfoliate, you could be sleeping in a lot of possible debris, dead skin, and excess oils [9, 5].
If you opt for cleansing in the morning, use a gentle cleanser that hydrates your skin for the day ahead. You won’t need harsh cleansers or chemicals in the AM, especially if you will be exposed to sunlight throughout the day.
Always remember to apply your sunscreen before you apply any makeup or head out of the house. We also recommend a gentle moisturizer for added hydration during your busy day.
Washing at Night
When you sleep, your skin is working to rebuild. Your cleansing process at night is imperative because of this. You want to give your skin the chance to breathe!
Remove your makeup with a remover of your choice (keep reading to learn more about your options), and then use your favorite cleanser to get into the nitty gritty bits of your skin. We recommend double cleansing to make sure all the impurities are removed.
While your skin is still damp, use a favorite moisturizer to lock in moisture for hydration all night long and to wake up with refreshed skin in the morning.
What are the benefits of regular skin cleansing?
- It prevents your skin from building up irritants and pollutants like dead skin that can lead to clogged pores, blemishes, and premature aging [5].
- It helps to keep your skin moisturized by managing the pH levels of the skin [5].
- It helps your skin soak up all the ingredients of your skincare regimen [5].
- It promotes a natural shine and glow [5].
- Cleansing at night ensures that your skin can repair itself: blood flow increases and collagen is rebuilt (often resulting in a refreshed, bright, and plump appearance) [3].
- It can help in the process of minimizing large pores [5].
Why is it important to remove your makeup before you go to sleep?
Trust us - we know what it’s like to get home and be so exhausted that the thought of standing in front of your mirror to wash your face before bed is just too much. But, if you knew the side effects of leaving your makeup on, you’d probably stay up to make sure your skin is squeaky clean every night.
Go ahead. Check it out - if you dare. It’s still scarier than ghouls, goblins, and ghosts [1, 2, 3, 5]:
Skin Dullness
Your skin needs its beauty rest, too. When you sleep, your skin uses this time to do some epidermal recovery. If you leave your makeup on overnight, your skin will struggle to complete this important process. Instead of waking up refreshed, your skin will most likely look duller and even older.
Clogged Pores
Makeup tends to hold onto things, and some of those things include free radicals. Sleeping in your makeup can increase exposure to these free radical contaminants, clogging your pores and producing a lot of grimy buildups. Plus, makeup can mix with the natural oils on your face, leading to breakouts and even enlarged pores.
Skin Dryness
Some makeup products have harsh, dehydrating ingredients that, if sitting on your skin for far too long, can suck out all the moisture your skin so desperately needs to function. It all ties back into letting your skin breathe at night - you could wake up with dull, dry skin in the morning if the makeup you left on overnight is blocking your skin’s ability to repair itself.
Eye Irritation
Leaving your eye makeup on overnight is a big no-no. Products like mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow could cause eye irritation, and possibly even lead to infection if left on for too long. We’re talking about things like itchiness, dryness, eyelid cysts, and brittle eyelashes.
Premature Aging
Remember how we mentioned free radicals? Those same free radicals can cause the breakdown of healthy collagen in your skin, resulting in fine lines and sped-up aging. Because your skin can’t do what it needs to, your clogged pores cause long-lasting damage.
Infections & Rashes
Going to bed with a dirty face can harm your skin over time. Your skin’s natural protective barrier is very important, but leaving your makeup on could damage this barrier, making your skin more susceptible to infections, rashes, and inflammation.
How should you be removing your makeup every night before bed?
We know it all sounds scary, but it’s easy to avoid the side effects of letting your makeup sit overnight. All you have to do is cleanse your face before you go to bed - especially if you decided to go as a character this Halloween that requires an extensive amount of makeup to complete the look (Pennywise’s, looking at you).
Remember, you always want to remove your makeup before you use a cleanser or double cleanse.
You have a few options (and non-options) for this part, too [4, 5]:
Makeup removers
These bad boys are made for dissolving eye makeup, foundation, blush, contouring, and other products from your skin’s surface.
- Micellar water (yay!)
If you love all things makeup, odds are you’ve probably used micellar water at least once in your life. This is a classic choice - tiny oil molecules suspended in water that lift makeup from your skin.
- Makeup wipes (nay.)
Makeup wipes may be simple and easy, but we don’t recommend them. Most brands do not mindfully source their wipes, and most wipes are not biodegradable and contain harmful ingredients. Plus, when wiping your makeup, the rubbing action may be too harsh for your skin, leaving it irritated and even inflamed.
Cleansers
Cleansers can remove sebum, sweat, grime, and makeup from the skin to prevent pore clogging and other skin problems. We recommend double cleansing for optimum results.
- Cleansing oil (yay!)
Cleansing oil is a popular option in the skincare world today. It can remove thick layers of makeup, while also being gentle on the skin.
Moisturizers
You should always be adding back moisture to your skin to rejuvenate it, especially if you accidentally forget to clean your face before bed. Your skin loves a good beverage. We’re talking about hydration! You’ll want a thick moisturizer so your skin can drink a hearty cup of extra moisture before bed.
- Aloe-Infused Creams (yay!)
Aloe vera is a versatile plant, and perfect for your thirsty skin. Formulas made with aloe vera should be mindfully formulated to be both soothing and hydrating, reducing the effects of dry, itchy, and damaged skin.
Look no further than the Aloe Infusion Face and Body Cream. This cream uses aloe vera as the main ingredient, combined with ultra-hydrating 10+ other all-natural ingredients (like Shea Butter or organic Manuka Honey) that soothe, rejuvenate, and protect the skin. This cream can be used as a day or night moisturizer with its non-greasy, non-toxic, and quick-absorbing formula.
- Big Brand Creams (nay.)
Are you checking the ingredients in your moisturizers? Big brand names love to use fillers and additives in their formulations that are common irritants, like fragrances or harsh chemicals. You’ll want to look for the following in your daily moisturizer:
- Premium “No Fillers” Formula for Powerful Results & Value
- No Harsh Chemicals or Skin Irritating Fragrances
- Quickly Absorbing, Non-Greasy Formula
- Not Tested on Animals & Made in the USA
Essential Nutrients
Just like with hydration, your skin has a need for essential nutrients that calm and rejuvenate its natural barrier. If you have a bad habit of leaving your makeup on for too long, your skin will be extra hungry for these necessary nutrients.
- Vitamin C Serum (yay!)
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin for many bodily functions, but there’s no certainty your skin is reaping the benefits of the vitamin C you’re consuming. That’s where topical vitamin C serums come in. Vitamin C serum can help combat sun damage from UV rays, smooth out skin pigmentation, boost collagen production, help with an overall brighter complexion, retain hydration and moisture, and fight inflammation caused by free radicals [6, 7, 8].
We recommend serums that use a stable, active form of vitamin C that is gentle on the skin. Look for vitamin C serums with water-free formulations, opaque bottles that are airtight, and about 10% to 20% vitamin C for optimum results. If you’d like to know more about the beauty benefits of vitamin C, check out our blog on all things vitamin C serum and how to use it properly in your daily routine.
Ready to try clogged-pore fighting products to keep your clean face happy and healthy? Click here!
What are some ways you like to make sure to cleanse before bed? Let us know! The Aloe Infusion community always loves hearing from you.
We’ve gone ahead and enclosed a 20% off Coupon below for you to use in the store - remember, you DESERVE to have naturally flawless skin! Click here to start shopping!
Resources:
- Linares-Martin, I., Linares-Martin, I., 4, L. A. H. D., 4, M. A. D. D., 4, T. F. D., & 4, X. Z. D. (2015, December 4). SIOWFA15: Science in our world: certainty and controversy. SiOWfa15 Science in Our World Certainty and Controversy. Retrieved from https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa15/2015/12/04/is-sleeping-with-makeup-that-bad/
- Kitchens, S. (2012, December 19). 5 things you should know before falling asleep in your makeup. HuffPost. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sleep-in-makeup_n_2289084
- Aswell, S. (2020, August 28). Science shows you can sleep your skin younger - here's how. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/beauty-sleep
- Messaraa, C., Robertson, N., Walsh, M., Hurley, S., Doyle, L., Mansfield, A., Daly, L., Tansey, C., & Mavon, A. (2020). Clinical evidence of benefits from an advanced skincare routine in comparison with a simple routine. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 19(8), 1993–1999. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13252
- A dermatologist explains the right way to wash your face for Healthy Skin. Healthshots. (2021, May 8). Retrieved from https://www.healthshots.com/beauty/skin-care/benefits-of-face-washing/
- Pullar, J., Carr, A., & Vissers, M. (2017). The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080866
- Neera Nathan, M. D., & Payal Patel, M. D. (2021, November 10). Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Harvard Health. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-is-topical-vitamin-c-important-for-skin-health-202111102635
- Doyle, A. (2021, November 15). 11 reasons to use a vitamin C serum. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/vitamin-c-serum-benefits#benefits
- How often should you wash your sheets? Sleep Foundation. (2022, March 11). Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/how-often-should-you-wash-your-sheets#:~:text=Most%20people%20should%20wash%20their,often%20than%20once%20a%20week.
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