Sleep is vital for our body to rest and recover. But other than that, it benefits our skin.
Every time you sleep, cortisol (also known as the stress hormone) drops. As such, your skin rejuvenates.
But it is not just the amount of sleep that affects your skin. It is also what you do before going to bed.
That said, we have listed six bedtime habits that may be ruining your skin:
1. Leaving your makeup on
You might have innocently fallen asleep on your couch while Netflix is running, or you were with your friends for a girls’ night out.
But, sleeping with your makeup on clogs the skin’s pores, leading to breakouts and even premature aging. Also, leaving eye makeup like mascara may lead to eye inflammation and irritation.
Thus, taking the time to remove your makeup will save you from getting damaged skin in the future.
2. Not getting enough rest
Have you ever woken up tired after a couple of hours of sleep? If you’re not getting enough shut-eye, then all your skincare efforts might as well go down the drain.
Lack of sleep can eventually lead to hormonal imbalances, turning into nasty outbreaks if you’re not too careful. That’s why getting enough sleep should be a priority.
At Planet Maids Home Cleaning Services NYC, we always advise our clients to clean their bedroom so that it can be a restful sanctuary. Doing so promotes better sleep and relaxation, which your body needs if you’re not getting enough of it.
Do a weekly cleaning, and get rid of all the things that might be distracting you from getting a good night’s sleep.
Another culprit here is electronics. So, have a charging station outside of your bedroom so that you’re not tempted to check it at night.
Poor sleeping habits can also worsen pre-existing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. So, make sure that you get at least seven hours of sleep every night.
3. Late-night snacking
Are you craving that bag of chips before sleeping?
The bad news in taking in all that salt from your favorite bedtime snack is that this can eventually lead to excess fluid pooling. They’re more noticeable around the eye area. This can lead to eye puffiness the morning after.
So if you need to get a snack, dermatologists suggest that you opt for organic and non-processed food. Excellent examples are fruits rich in antioxidants, leafy greens, and whole wheat bread.
4. Using regular cotton pillowcases
Upgrading your pillowcases to materials made of satin or silk can also do wonders for your hair and skin.
Typically, silk pillowcases are less abrasive and irritating. These are also highly breathable and hypoallergenic.
Another added benefit of using silk pillowcases is that they can quickly adapt to room temperature. Meaning, you’ll be kept cool in the summer and cozy and warm during winter!
5. Not washing your beddings regularly
Let’s say that, on average, you’re sleeping around 6-8 hours. Then, we’re spending the remaining hours gathering dirt, oil, grease, or grime.
So, if you’re repeatedly sleeping on the same sheets, those residues will fester and create more bacteria. Moreover, the hair and skin also leave more oil, leading to breakouts, irritation, and inflammation in the long run.
As such, make it a habit to wash your sheets at least every week so that you’ll avoid transferring any dirt, oil, or bacteria on them.
6. Sleeping on your stomach or side
Sleeping on your side or stomach means that you are crushing that delicate skin on your face on your pillow.
Over time, this lets you be prone to wrinkles because of the friction it gets from the pillowcase.
So, as we mentioned earlier, opting for a softer pillowcase is a much better option. This is true, especially if you’re the type of person that sleeps on their back.
Final Thoughts
You might be unaware of these routines that can damage your skin over time.
If you want to achieve a more glowing complexion, then it is high time that you know that there are certain things that you need to change. And you can start by avoiding the lousy bedtime habits listed above.
Doing so can help you have quality sleep and ensure healthy, glowing skin.
