Ladies, how many times have we stayed up late working or studying or come home late from partying, knowing that we should remove our makeup before bed, but we’re just too tired and lazy to do so.

During the day, skin is also exposed to pollution, dirt and grime. So at night, “it’s not just make up you want to wash off”, says Dr. Charles Zugerman, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Northwestern University.

Your skin needs to breathe when you go to sleep, but if it is covered in a thick layer of makeup, it can’t, right?? Our body temperature rises as we sleep, hence opening the pores. “So when makeup is left on, it could seep deep down into the pores making them clogged and then breakout”, says Dr. Dennis Gross, Board Certified Dermatologist and Dermatological Surgeon in New York City. He also says that once your collagen levels decline (due to the aging process), the pores do not snap back as easily once it has been enlarged. And leaving makeup can only lead to more inflammation that can generate free radicals and collagen breakdown.

During nighttime, the skin needs oxygen to repair itself. And sleeping with your makeup on deprives it of this vital nutrient. “When makeup stays on too long, it also blocks the natural exfoliating process, which can leave your skin looking dull”, says Dr. Robins Ashinoff, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Hackensack Medical Center in New Jersey.

“Eyes are the most sensitive yet most neglected in terms of make up removal” says Dr. Vesna Petronic Rosic, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Chicago. And advises that “mascara makes eyelashes firm and inflexible. So, if you rub your eyes when asleep, you can break them easily.” So, don’t forget to wash off your eye makeup!

Dr. Ellen Marmur, Chief of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City recommends to remove makeup with a lotion based remover as it cleanses, massages and hence boosts circulation to give you a clean slate to apply night moisturizer.

Some good, affordable makeup removers are made by brands like Purpose, L’Oreal, Clinique, Cetaphil (for oily skin), Basis (for dry skin), Aveeno (for sensitive skin).

If you’re exhausted and just want to crash, the Neutrogena facial wipes, Dove Clean Sweep Cloths or MAC wipes are fast, easy yet effective options.

If you want to maintain healthy skin; then you should never ever go to bed without removing your makeup. It causes all sorts of skin problems, not to mention soiling your pillows. Make it a nightly habit just as you brush your teeth. This could be one New Years resolution that you might actually stick to.

And don’t forget to check out our dermatologist interview that explains How To Properly Wash Your Face.

– cosmetic chemist, Upasana Sahu

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