Taking care of your skin during the day and using moisturizer and sunscreen is important, but your skincare routine at night is also not to be underestimated. When you sleep, your skin recovers and how you prepare it for this stage is very important. If you want to have youthful and beautiful skin for longer, you should avoid these 10 bad habits:
Not cleaning your face well
One of the major mistakes that most people make is cleaning their face at night. Even if you are not wearing makeup, it is important to wash your face nicely. Your skin goes through a recovery phase at night and residues like dust, makeup and skin care products can clog your pores.
Not getting enough sleep
There really is such a thing as beauty sleep – and when it’s less than six hours a night, your skin has less time to recover. Not getting enough sleep can lead to more wrinkles, an ashen complexion, and dark circles under your eyes. Also, not getting enough sleep can increase inflammation and stress hormones, and this can worsen skin conditions like acne.
Sleeping on your stomach also damages your facial skin, making it more prone to wrinkles due to friction from the pillowcase. A softer pillowcase can help, but unless you can’t for a health reason, it’s best for your skin if you get used to sleeping on your back.
Eating too salty things before bed
Extra salt from your favorite foods before bed can cause excess fluid to build up – especially around the eyes. And that means puffiness in the morning. Avoid fattier and saltier foods in the evening and emphasise salads.
Using the wrong moisturiser
The majority of anti-aging creams are still based on moisturizers like mineral oil. Wrinkles look worse when they’re dry, so any type of moisturizer helps, but many of them only improve things temporarily and don’t address the root cause of wrinkles, such as collagen loss, free radical damage, sun damage, and environmental factors. Unless there is an actual “active ingredient” like retinol, the benefit is just moisture and nothing else.
Not changing your pillowcases regularly
Sleeping on the same pillowcase night after night can expose your skin to some pretty nasty things, like bacteria and sweat. It’s recommended that you change your pillowcases at least once a week, and if you suffer from acne do it even more often. Changing your pillowcase often is one way to have beautiful skin. Choose a silk or satin pillowcase for better results. They are also breathable, hypoallergenic and less irritating
Not cleaning your makeup well
Although many dermatologists stress that washing your face before bed is a must, some are equally adamant about clearing every trace of makeup. You should never sleep with makeup on your skin to avoid causing acne breakouts.
But you shouldn’t over-cleanse, lest you disrupt the natural moisture and microbiome of the skin’s natural protective layer. When the beneficial natural bacteria are cleared out, we are more susceptible to infections, rashes and dry skin.
You take a long hot shower
Keeping the shower water too hot can dehydrate the skin. Instead, keep the shower temperature from more normal (to cool) and be sure to slather on lotion afterwards.
Don’t use moisturiser
Moisturizer helps every skin type – not just people with dry or aging skin. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for a formula that’s made for you – some formulas contain ingredients that can help fight acne and keep your skin looking fresh.
Skip moisturizing your lips
Although slathering on a night cream may be part of your evening routine, you’re probably skipping your lips, which have thin, delicate skin that’s especially prone to dryness and chapping. Apply a generous coating of a lip salve/balm that contains shea butter, glycerin or just a little coconut oil.
Sleep on too warm
Dry air – whether in arid desert climates or the heat in the house during the colder months – can cause problems for your skin. Some dermatologists recommend putting a humidifier in your bedroom so your skin can maintain normal moisture levels and not dry out. Overly warm rooms also interfere with quality sleep. It has been proven that the body rests better at lower temperatures.
