Before Bed Beauty Mistakes You're Probably Guilty Of
Having a night-time beauty routine might sound unnecessary to some. But it's called "beauty sleep" for a reason! How you look and feel in the morning has a lot to do with your quality of rest, but the things you do — and don't do — before bed also contribute. Have you ever stumbled to the bathroom after a long night out with last night's makeup still on? Chances are, you may not even have to glance in the mirror to know you're not at your best.
And while neglecting your night-time beauty regimen every now and then isn't going to have major consequences, locking in a routine and sticking to it can benefit your appearance and, most importantly, your health. During the day, you put your skin through a lot of nonsense, including exposure to germs, pollutants, and potential sun damage. And when you sleep, that's your body's personal time to recover and replenish itself in peace. Not properly taking care of your skin before bed makes it that much harder for it to reverse any potential damage (via Skinkraft).
The truth is, there are several before-bed beauty mistakes you're probably guilty of making, and not just with your skincare, either. You may even neglect other parts of your body, like your hair, which is also exposed to daily stressors, per eMediHealth. So, before you rest that pretty head on your pillow, here are some mistakes you're probably making that you should keep in mind.
Not washing your face
This one might be a no-brainer, but it's so important, especially for those who wear makeup. Some days you may be too tired to wash your face, and extremely tempted to knock out and worry about skincare in the morning. But this is a big no-no! There are so many benefits to cleansing your face before turning in for the night, like preventing breakouts and wrinkles, as well as giving your skin a chance to breathe and heal (per Vanity Planet). Plus, lying down for the night with a freshly washed face just feels so good!
Even if you don't wear makeup or any skincare products on your face, you still want to remove any lingering dirt and debris your skin came in contact with throughout the day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average person touches their face with their hands nearly two dozen times in a single hour. Ick! Give your face a good scrub before bed; you won't regret it.
Not drying your hair after your P.M. shower
The morning shower vs. night shower debate is a heated topic, and for those who prefer to crawl into bed with freshly washed hair, this one's for you. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with washing your hair before bed, not drying it thoroughly with a blow dryer or allowing it time to dry on its own can be a problem — and not for the reason you may think. While sleeping with wet hair can cause breakage and damage, it can also cause something a little worse: fungal infections.
Yep, that's right. Because pillows, in all their warmth, are ideal places for fungus to flourish, according to Healthline. Combining your wet hair and the warm pillow gives the fungus a perfectly moist area to grow in. The bottom line is you want your hair to thrive, not the fungus. So let it dry before laying your head down!
Skipping the moisturizer
All of the skin on your body needs to be moisturized before bed, not just your face. According to Martha Stewart, night is actually the most essential time to do so. "Skin's oil production peaks at midday, and there is less oil production at night," dermatologist Howard Sobel tells the website. "Therefore, when you lose that protective layer of natural oils, your skin loses more water, so it's important to replenish the water loss with a moisturizer overnight."
You may want to reach for a body moisturizer with a thicker consistency to give your skin that extra push. Investing in a quality night-time skin repair mask may also be beneficial, and ensure that you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. And don't neglect the feet! Slather a bit of petroleum jelly on your feet before bed, too, to keep those unpleasant and painful cracked heels at bay (via BeBeautiful).
Leaving your hair down (or in a tight hairstyle)
So what exactly should you do with your hair before bed? There are a few options to choose from, depending on how you want your hair to turn out in the morning. Many people prefer to leave their hair down and free-flowing, but this can cause split-ends, breakage, knots, and tangles (via The U.S. Sun). Instead, try a loose bun, ponytail, or braid to keep the hair tidy while you sleep.
Just make sure the style you choose isn't too tight, or that can have the opposite effect, or worse: hair loss and a receding hairline (per Vēdix). Ensure the hair tie you use is made of a soft material to avoid any breakage. Scrunchies and silk scarves are perfect for night-time hairstyles! To further protect your hair while you sleep, you can also swap your regular pillowcase for a silk version.
Pushing off your beauty rest to scroll on your phone
You can do everything right — master a 10-step skincare routine, perfectly style your hair, and rub lotion head to toe — and still not wake up feeling (and looking) recharged if you stay up too late aimlessly scrolling social media. In fact, there's a term for this, according to WebMD: "revenge bedtime procrastination." If you find your work and other daily responsibilities are stealing precious hours from you during the day, so you refuse to sleep early in an attempt to get some of those back, you may relate. But along with making you feel sluggish, sleep deprivation can also make your skin look older and less bright (via Healthy).
To avoid this, try setting an earlier bedtime so you can crawl into bed and get some much-needed downtime before closing your eyes. Sleep Foundation recommends staying away from caffeinated beverages and alcohol before bed and setting the phone down 30 minutes (at the very minimum) before you sleep. Waking up beautifully rested doesn't come easy, but it's well worth it!