Weโve all heard it beforeโฆโฆyou shouldnโt sleep with your makeup on. But does it really matter?
Look, I know youโre tired. To be totally honest, Iโm tired too. Sometimes SOOOOO tired. We work hard and we all have busy lives. Jobs, spouses, volunteer commitments, kids, pets, working out, weโre constantly on the go. It makes sense, then, that weโre tired. By the time the day is over, the kitchen is cleaned up, the laundry is folded, and everything else on the list is done, it seems like such an effort to start dealing with your skin, right? I get it. I swear I do. We all feel like that sometimes. You donโt need to feel bad or beat yourself up about a lack of nighttime face washing. For starters, you donโt even think it matters, right? Well my friend, it does.
Hereโs the thing, while we sleep our skin is regenerating. Skin actually performs its most impressive renewal during deep REM sleep. When we sleep, stress hormones decrease and cell renewal and the fight against free radical damage increases. Sleep actually increases the efficiency of naturally produced growth hormones that help regenerate collagen producing cells. Remember collagen? It helps keep your skin plump and youthful looking. Collagen is your friend. Sleep also increases melatonin levels in the body and melatonin acts like an antioxidant for skin, fighting fine lines and age spots.
So where does our makeup come into all of this? When you sleep with makeup on, all of the amazing processes that our skin performs are slightly suffocated. Sleeping in makeup reduces moisture levels in your skin, increasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. We donโt want that! Not washing off your makeup before bed inhibits the natural cell renewal process, and that process helps keep your skin looking bright and fresh. Sleeping in makeup also means that all of the beneficial ingredients in your skincare arenโt on your skin during the time they could do their best work. If youโre sleeping in makeup, youโre helping the aging process along. Not the goal, right?
So whatโs the bottom line? Beauty sleep is real. Sleep is like a magic antiaging potion, so let it work for you! I know, I know, youโre TIRED. So hereโs my genius suggestion. Donโt wait until bedtime to wash off that makeup! Finished with dinner and in for the night? Time to whip out your facewash! What rulebook says we have to โget ready for bedโ when weโre going to bed? I say, as soon as you know youโre in for the night, off comes the makeup. All of it. And you want to know something? Itโs kind of liberating. Thereโs a beautifully relaxed feeling when youโre in your pajamas with a fresh clean face. Try it. Your face will thank you.
Questions? Comments? Let me know!
