On the most hectic days, sleep pulls rank over just about everything, including — but not limited to — food, laundry, literally anything on your to-do list, and certainly proper skincare. Because when you’re super tired, it’s damn near impossible to conjure up the energy to wash your face before bed. What’s the worst that can happen, right? Weeell, your skin will be in for a pretty rough night.
“Dirt, oil, makeup, particles from the polluted environment, and dead cells accumulate on the skin during the day,” explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. “If you don’t wash your face in the evening, they remain on the skin’s surface, causing issues like dullness, dryness, or even more serious issues.”
These seven skin problems caused by sleeping in your make will ensure you never skip the face wash again.
1. Dryness
“Your skin’s natural hydration decreases in the evening as part of normal circadian rhythms,” says Zeichner. “If you have dirt, oil, and makeup interfering with the skin, it can’t maintain hydration properly.” That’s a recipe for a dry, flaky face that’s hard to plump back up with a simple pump of morning moisturizer.
