What to do if you slept in makeup

Yep – sleeping in your make-up is bad for your skin. It clogs your pores, leads to bacteria build-up and breakouts, and leaves you with a sad, dull-looking complexion.
Truth is, it happens to the best of us. Even the most conscious of beauties will wake up with their pillow covered in lipstick every once in a while. So instead of scolding you for your ever-so-naughty beauty sin, here’s what to do if you slept in your make-up last night.
#1 Double cleanse
As soon as you open your mascara-smeared eyes, head straight to the sink. Start by massaging an oil cleanser into your skin to dissolve any leftover make-up. We like L’OCCITANE Immortelle Oil Make-Up Remover as it removes even the most stubborn of mascara, and is gentle on sensitive skin and eyes.
Follow with your regular cleanser of choice. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, go for a gentle foaming cleanser like KORA Organics Foaming Cleanser. If you’re more on the dry side, we recommend a rich, cream cleanser like Sukin Cream Cleanser. Then, gently pat your skin dry with a towel.
#2 Take a good look
Once you’ve removed last night’s make-up residue, take a good look at the damage. Your best bet is to do this under a bright light in your bathroom or outside in natural light. Chances are you’ll have a new blemish (or two, or three), a couple of dry patches, your pores will be enlarged, and your skin will have a grey-tinge and look rather lifeless.
#3 Treat accordingly
Don’t take a ‘one size fits all’ approach to your skin – especially after breaking the number one beauty rule and sleeping in a full face of make-up. If you wake up with enlarged pores, dry patches and blemishes, you need to treat each problem area accordingly.
Start with scrubbing Sanctuary Spa Pore Refining Exfoliator into congested areas of the face, or areas where your pores are on the larger side.
If your skin is dry, treat yourself to Bellamer Renewing Face and Neck Mask. The formula combines calendula oil, camellia oil, jojoba oil and shea butter for exceptional, collagen-enhancing hydration.
For brand-spanking new blemishes, you can’t go past a spot treatment. The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil can be applied directly on blemishes to quickly and effectively get rid of them.
#4 Avoid next time
There’s always a lesson in our mistakes, right? If you’ve got a feeling you’re going to repeat this beauty blunder or if you know you’re a regular offender, make sure you use water-based primers and foundations as opposed to oil-based, as there’s less risk of waking up with clogged pores from these formulas. bh loves Maybelline New York Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation and INIKA Certified Organic Pure Primer with Hyaluronic Acid.
Make-up removers we’re loving...
BIODERMA Sensibio H2O, Planet Eve Organics Facial Cleansing Oil, Dermalogica PreCleanse Wipes, Nivea Visage 3 in 1 Waterproof Make-Up Remover, asap Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover
How often do you sleep in your make-up? What do you use on your skin to recover from the damage?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
105 Member Comments
Hate when this happens! Great article!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'm guilty of this but have been making a more conscious effort to wash my makeup off before bed with no exceptions. I've used the Nivea makeup remover but have since switched to micellar water instead.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I can proudly say I have never slept with my makeup on.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Wow onlyoni. You can be very proud of yourself.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
It was just something my mum instilled in her daughters from the time we started wearing makeup., so no matter how tired I was the makeup was always removed.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
You had a lovely wise Mum.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Hmmm... I'm terrible for this...
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Just don't do it again and give your skin a double cleanse
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
URGH! I hate sleeping with makeup. It actually makes me feel weird. I did it once and I got up during the night and washed my face. I fell asleep that night without a single doubt!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Only when I'm sick. Can't be helped when you have a killer migraine.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I am so bad at remembering to take my makeup off. Will have to follow this advice next time I do it!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
A long time ago l did this l was to lazy to get my makeup off & tired as anything l just fell asleep in it lol, It happens ladies we all do this no biggie, It certainly doesn't harm us. Learnt my lessen not to do that otherwise you wake up the next morning with makeup all over your pillow & sheets that's very hard to get those stains out.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Yes the mascara stains especially! Ha ha
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Last time I slept with makeup on, I nearly ruined my expensive sheets - even drunk me makes sure to take it off all the time now :P good tips though!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Ugh, I definitely needed this article. Sleeping in makeup is something I can never avoid.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I know right! Sometimes we're too tired, or are too busy or genuinely just forget. But now we know, double cleanse, exfoliate, spot treat and moisturise. Good to go.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I rarely sleep with my makeup on, on nights I'm super tired at bedtime I just use facewipes and my night cream to speed up my routine
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'm always very good about it, although I don't think the world would end if I missed a night! By night time, most of it has worn off anyway.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Thanks for the tips!!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I do this too often, and every time I do, I say 'I'll never do it again!' Ok, so I haven't done it for awhile, but it really isn't worth the bad skin :( I purchased cleansing wipes to use before cleansing, so if nothing else, I just wipe and wash. Better than sleeping in a full face of make up!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I don't think I have ever done that
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
That is dedication. You need to give yourself a pat on the back.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I make sure I take my makeup off if not by cleansing (which I do most of the times) then at least with the wipes.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0