Is it bad to sleep in makeup?

We have been known to sleep in our makeup once or twice after a late night, but by and large, we make sure the last thing we do every day is brush our teeth and scrub our faces.

But what does makeup do to our skin if we leave it on while we sleep? Huffington Post explains all…

What are the side effects of sleeping in makeup?
Sleeping in your makeup can result in unnecessary exposure to the free radicals in the environment, which the makeup holds on to. Free radicals cause the breakdown of healthy collagen, which results in fine lines on the skin. Additionally, makeup can clog the pores while you sleep, resulting in the development of acne.

But what about just one night? Will it still clog pores or cause breakouts?
One night of sleeping in your makeup is unlikely to cause long-lasting damage to your skin. However, each night you sleep in your makeup, your pores become more clogged. Eventually, this can result in the formation of a microcomedone, which attracts the acne-causing bacteria to your pores.

What about wrinkles? Will it cause skin to age prematurely?
During the day you accumulate a lot of oxidative stress. When you sleep in your makeup you are not giving your skin a chance to recover from those insults, which can lead to premature ageing. Free radicals from the environment (often in the form of pollution) remain on the skin when you do not clean your face properly at night. Free radicals cause collagen breakdown over time, which results in the development of fine lines and prematurely aged skin.

If you just sleep in eye makeup (mascara, eyeliner), is it still as bad?
Sleeping in your eye makeup will not cause fine lines or acne on the skin, but it can still lead to problems. Mascara and eyeliner can be rubbed by your pillow and end up in your eyes, which can lead to significant eye irritation. I recommend keeping makeup remover pads by your bed, to wipe across your face and eyes on those nights when you don’t have time to properly cleanse before getting into bed. Sleeping in eye makeup repeatedly may result in the clogging of the tiny hair follicles and oil glands on your eyelids. When these areas become clogged, bacteria can build up and cause inflammation. As a result, small bumps called styes or hordeolums can form. These bumps may resolve spontaneously, but many require treatment from your doctor.”

Is sleeping in foundation the worst thing you can do, or is there a bigger makeup culprit?
Foundations and thick, oil-based primers are often the worst offenders. They prevent the skin from renewing itself naturally at night, causing blackheads, acne and dullness.

La Biosthetique Clair de Teint Doux – Smooth Cleansing Lotion gently frees the skin of make-up and impurities. The cleansing milk makes the skin feel silky soft and pleasantly fresh. The conditioning cleansing milk Clair de Teint frees the skin not only of dirt, but also removes make-up and surplus sebum in just one step. It glides extremely gently over the skin without dehydrating or irritating it whilst nourishing it with conditioning and moisturising lipo amino acids. The skin’s balance is restored and the complexion has a recuperated and fresh glow. In addition, the skin is perfectly prepared for the subsequent beauty ritual.