BEAUTY
Beauty Mistakes You’re Making While You Sleep
By JELENA ASKA
Using Cotton Pillowcases
Cotton pillowcases can pull at the skin and cause hair breakage while you’re sleeping, so try swapping them out for silk or satin ones. Additionally, skin expert Oksana-Georgia M recommends changing your pillowcase two to three times a week to “prevent breakouts and congested skin.”
Sleeping With Wet Hair
Sleeping with wet hair increases breakage as “Hair is at its weakest when it’s wet,” explains dermatologist Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil. Dr. Mudgil also notes that sleeping with wet hair can lead to fungal infection of the scalp, causing dandruff or dermatitis, so make sure 70% of your hair is dry before going to bed.
Not Removing Makeup
Not removing your makeup before you go to sleep, even occasionally, will result in inflamed skin, clogged pores, and premature aging. Clinical assistant professor of dermatology Tyler Hollmig, M.D. suggests “[washing] your face right away,” rather than waiting until bedtime to do so, to avoid clogged pores.
Not Flossing
According to the Cleveland Clinic, not flossing can result in irritated and swollen gums, as well as plaque and tartar forming between teeth. If you’re not used to flossing, you might experience some bleeding gums initially, but this is normal and usually a sign that you need to floss more, not less, per Arcadio Perio.
Using Harsh Detergents
When it comes to washing your sheets, try a scent-free laundry detergent meant for sensitive skin as the harsh chemicals in detergent can affect your skin. Eliminate any detergent residue from your sheets with an extra rinse cycle or by putting a cup of distilled white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser.