REAL Exclusive Magazine is a luxury publication focused on the west coast of Florida. It is distributed to affluent consumers. REAL Exclusive Magazine features celebrities, luxury goods, wonderful estate homes and editorial by leading individuals in their respective fields.

Sheila Venancia – Perspectives – REAL Beauty

Are You Sleeping With The Enemy

When You Go To Bed With Makeup On?

By Sheila Venancia

Admit it, if you wear makeup, at one point or another you’ve probably gone to sleep without removing it. Whether you forgot you were wearing makeup when it comes time to go to bed or you were just too tired to bother taking it off….. we’ve all been there. The important thing is to make sure it doesn’t become a habit. Makeup is supposed to help you look and feel more beautiful, but leaving it on overnight often has the opposite effect.

Our skin is covered in pores, and those pores not only allow us to sweat, but they also allow us to secrete sebum, a waxy lubricant that helps moisturize and protect our skin. Sebum also helps remove dead skin cells and other irritants from pores in the process. The problem with makeup is that it clogs pores and prevents sebum from doing its job. Instead, sebum builds up, which can cause acne.

If you want to avoid waking up to pimples, you need to remove your makeup each night before bed. You can use a makeup remover, facial cleanser, cold cream or toner to cleanse your skin and make sure it’s free of makeup. And don’t forget to remove your eye makeup as well.

So, just how bad is it to go to sleep with your makeup on?

What are the side effects of sleeping in makeup?
Sleeping in your makeup can result in unnecessary exposure to the free radicals in the environment, which the makeup holds on to. Free radicals cause the breakdown of healthy collagen, which results in fine lines on the skin. Additionally, makeup can clog the pores while you sleep, resulting in the development of acne.

But what about just one night? Will it still clog pores or cause breakouts?
One night of sleeping in your makeup is unlikely to cause long-lasting damage to your skin. However, each night you sleep in your makeup, your pores become more clogged. Eventually, this can result in the formation of a microcomedone, which attracts the acne-causing bacteria to your pores.

What about wrinkles? Will it cause skin to age prematurely?
During the day you accumulate a lot of oxidative stress. When you sleep in your makeup you are not giving your skin a chance to recover from this damage, which can lead to prematurely aged skin.

If you just sleep in eye makeup (mascara, eyeliner), is it still as bad?
Sleeping in your eye makeup will not cause fine lines or acne on the skin, but it can still lead to problems. Mascara and eyeliner can be rubbed by your pillow and end up in your eyes, which can lead to significant eye irritation. Sleeping in eye makeup repeatedly may result in the clogging of the tiny hair follicles and oil glands on your eyelids. When these areas become clogged, bacteria can build up and cause inflammation that may require treatment from your doctor.

What is the worst makeup product to sleep in?
Foundations and thick, oil-based primers are often the worst offenders. They prevent the skin from renewing itself naturally at night, causing blackheads, acne and dullness.”

“Sleeping beauty …… is sleeping without makeup.”

Sheila Venancia International Hair Stylist – (941) 822.2152

Sheila Venancia has over a decade of distinguished international experience. Originally from Brazil, she trained with leading international hair professionals in London, Spain, Brazil and the USA. In Brazil, Sheila rose among the top-ranking hair and makeup artists, catapulting her into the celebrity arena. Sheila’s work has been featured on Brazilian television shows, newspapers and magazines. Her specialties are non-toxic Japanese hair straightening, laser hair extensions, and high-end modern styling. Sheila may be reached at (941) 822.2152 or sheilasvs@hotmail.com.