Nighttime beauty mistakes you might be guilty of
Do you use the same towel to dry both your body and your face?
Having acne prone skin means that I have to be very careful at keeping my skin in check. Slightest change in my diet (damn you dairy!) or sleep cycle, immediately shows on my skin. Over the last couple of years I discovered that even smallest change in my routine can make a big difference in my skin’s appearance (like using a dye and fragrance-free detergent for instance!). Here are a few nighttime beauty mistakes you might be guilty of..
YOU DON’T TAKE YOUR MAKEUP OFF
Okay, so I never actually went to sleep with my makeup on, and I’m sure you know that you should wash your makeup off before going to bed. But what about those days when you’re too exhausted to even think about it? I personally cannot imagine going to sleep with my makeup on (even back in my college days when I’d go out and get home at 3 am first thing I’d do when I got home was throughly wash my face). Makeup holds onto oil, dirt and dead skin cells- all of which can clog your pores and cause breakouts. Eyeliner and mascara can also cause your eyes to get red and irritated, not to mention that all of that makeup easily transfers to your pillow cases and bed sheets!
YOU DON’T WASH YOUR PILLOW CASES OFTEN ENOUGH
Yes, your pillow case might cause breakouts. Let me tell you, this made a huge difference in my skin. Oil and dirt can easily build up on your pillow case (just think about the environment, your hair and your skin constantly touching it) and it can then be transferred back to your skin. Not everyone skin is the same and your might not be acne-prone or as sensitive, but if you do suffer from acne, it’s best to sleep on a pillow case that’s made out of natural fabrics. I change mine every 3-4 days- that way I’m not sleeping on a pillow case that has several days worth of oil and other residue (like hair product) on it. I also noticed a big difference when I switched to fragrance and dye-free detergent.
NOT GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP
You’ve probably heard all about the recommended 8 hours of sleep, but I really think that it’s an individual matter- as long as you feel well-rested when you wake up, 6 or 7 hour should be enough. When you don’t get enough sleep your skin starts to look dull, your eyes look red and puffy, as your skin doesn’t get to regenerate.
TIGHT HAIRSTYLES
If you put your hair in a tight hairstyle like a bun or a pony tail, our hair will be more prone to failing out. Instead, try putting it in a lose braid and let your hair cuticles rest. This will also stop those awkward pony tail dents/kinks from forming.
FORGETTING TO MOISTURIZE
Don’t be afraid of using thicker, richer moisturizer formulas during nighttime- even if you have oily skin. As you sleep, your skin regenerates itself, your body takes the time to repair damages and rectify itself. Think of a night cream as “food” for your skin, which is necessary for those new skin cells.
NOT WASHING YOUR TOWELS/WASH CLOTHS OFTEN ENOUGH
This goes back to the same thing as with the pillow cases. Make sure to use a separate towel for your face- especially if you’re acne-prone, since the skin on your face is a lot more sensitive than that on your body. If you use wash cloths, it’s best to use a new one every day. I buy mine on amazon right here (24 pack for only $14.00 which means that I have no problem with using a new, fresh one every day).
Which one of these are you guilty of? :)