How Bad Is It to Go to Sleep in Your Makeup?

Let's just say, being lazy really doesn't pay off.

After a late night, we know how hard it is to remember to run to the bathroom to remove your makeup. But you might want to make the effort. Turns out, not washing it off could cause some

irreversible — we repeat: irreversible — damage to your skin.

"Sleeping in makeup can be detrimental to the skin's health," says Dr. James C. Marotta, Facial Plastic Surgeon & Skincare Expert. "This is especially true because the skin repairs itself at night while you sleep, so makeup can clog your pores and not allow the skin to breathe." Marotta also warns that it can cause uneven skin tone, dryness, redness, acne, and even deepening of wrinkles.

And that's not all. Sleeping in your makeup can increase your exposure to free radicals (which makeup attracts during the day), leading to collagen breakdown and skin that ages faster, says Marotta.

Only wear mascara? You should remove that, too. It can clog the tiny hair follicles in your eyelids, which can cause irritation and inflammation, or even an infection or cysts.

If you're really tired and taking it off feels like a chore, the least you could do is store facial cleansing wipes next to your bed for a quick swipe before your turn the lights out. "While this may not remove every single makeup particle, it is certainly better than forgoing cleansing all together," says Marotta.

That's The Buzz!

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