Everyone has a different bedtime routine. From your favorite bedsheets to your choice of bedtime beverage; did you know that these little habits could really be big mistakes that are making your skin and overall health worse? Here’s what you’re doing wrong when you’re catching ZZZ’s.
1. Sleeping in makeup
Everyone’s done it! Imagine coming in from a night out and been too tired to take your makeup off, only to wake up the next day looking like a panda. Not only is this not a good look, but sleeping in makeup contributes to a build-up of oil in the skin and also means clogged pores – all of which are recipe for a breakout.
2. Using the wrong pillowcase
The thing that our face rests on all night obviously affects how your skin looks. So why do we all overlook it? A rough pillowcase or a pillowcase that is dirty will lead to skin irritation and acne. If you want beautiful skin and hair, try out a silk pillowcase; it just feels more luxurious too.
3. Sleeping in a hot room
Sleeping in a room that’s too hot will not only cause excessive sweating and lead to blocked pores, but it can also disrupt your sleep cycle. Getting a full night’s sleep is essential for allowing your skin time to repair overnight so that you wake up glowing.
4. Not changing bedding regularly
Your bed sheets may not look dirty or stained, but they hold on to dead skin cells and when this dirt is rubbing up against your skin all night, it will lead to irritation. Experts recommend that you change your pillowcases every week and your bedsheets every two weeks at least. Tell that to your teenage son!
5. Sleeping on your stomach
Experts say that sleeping on your stomach leads to your torso naturally sinking further into the pillow. therefore putting a strain on your neck. On top of this, sleeping with your face squashed into a pillow can promote wrinkles. Also, you always end up with drool on your pillow which is just objectively gross.
6. Not sleeping enough
Not getting enough sleep immediately shows on your skin. Like the way you can always tell when someone in the office got in late last night. Not getting enough sleep leads to skin that looks dull and bags under your eyes… and not the designer kind. If you want younger looking skin, try getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night.
7. Sleeping with wet hair
If you’ve ever done it, you’ll know that sleeping with wet hair is actually quite unpleasant and cold. But, if you’re really tired, sometimes it has to be done. However, sleeping with wet hair can be damaging to the follicles on your scalp and can even lead to hair breakage. Just whip out the hair dryer next time.
8. Using too many pillows
Sometimes it’s nice to be propped up in bed with a hundred pillows because it makes you feel like a princess, okay? This may be true, but sleeping with too many pillows puts a real strain on your neck and sleep experts actually suggest that one good quality pillow is plenty for a truly restful night’s sleep.
9. Poor sleep posture
Are you one of those people who sleeps curled up in a little ball like a kitten? Well, stop it. Sleeping pretty much any other way than flat on your back or side will lead to your spine being bent all night and will encourage poor posture when you’re standing up, as well as back and neck pain.
10. Excessive tossing and turning
Not only does this tossing and turning cause friction on the face and skin, therefore causing irritation, but this type of movement throughout the night prevents you from entering the crucial stages of deep sleep. These are imperative if you want to feel rested and get that baby soft skin when you wake up.
11. Sleeping with the window open
Sleeping with the window open may be nice for a bit of a breeze on a warm night, however, if the air is too cold or dry, it could lead to dry and flaky skin the nest morning. This is especially prevalent on the tip of your nose and cheeks. On top of this, sleeping by an open window invites in allergens that you’ll inevitably inhale. Hayfever sufferers, beware!
12. Sleeping with a fan
Again, sleeping with the fan on may be your saving grace on a warm night, but the air circulating like that all night has detrimental effects on your sleep. Not only does it take any moisture out of the air, but it can unsettle extra dust particles that will go straight into your nose and mouth. Eww!
13. Using strong fragrances
Strong scents in your room can disrupt your sleep and trigger allergies. On top of this, if you spray fragrances on your pillow, the chemicals in these sprays can react with your skin ad lead to irritation and redness. The lavender pillow spray may make you feel like you’re falling asleep in a field but it’s really not great for your skin.
14. Late-night snacking
Eating heavy or spicy foods before bed can disrupt your sleep and cause digestive issues. Also, eating salty or greasy snacks before bad (or pretty much any time) will increase your risk of a nasty acne break out. Everyone loves a midnight snack once in a while, but definitely don’t do it every night.
15. Too much screen time before bed
Blue light ins’t necessarily bad for your skin, but endless scrolling on TikTok late into the night will have a detrimental affect on your health. Blue light has been proven to make it harder to fall asleep and to contribute to migraines and poor eye health. This is probably the worst news you ever heard… but try reading a book.
16. Drinking caffeine before bedtime
This one is should be pretty obvious, but having a double espresso will not lead to a perfect night of beauty sleep. Caffeine before bed will lead to dehydration, headaches and just a general lack of sleep. You might think herbal teas are a better replacement but you should definitely check the label because these can contain caffeine too.
17. Excessive alcohol consumption before bed
We’ve all heard of a nightcap, and it is true that a drink before bed can make you feel tired, cozy and relaxed for a good night’s sleep. However, drinking large amounts of alcohol before bed means that your body spends the entire night focusing on getting that out of your system rather than repairing your skin.
18. Ignoring snores
Sleep apnea is not only annoying for anyone in the same building as you, but it can be telltale sign of more serious health problems. Snoring can occur for no apparent reason, but can also mean that you have bad respiratory health or even asthma. If you find members of your wider complaining about your snoring, maybe give your doctor a call.
19. Overuse of sleeping aids
Sleeping aids like rescue remedy or even herbal sleeping tablets can help you drift off before a stressful day. However, overuse of these types of sleeping aids can affect your ability to fall asleep naturally and mean that you could end up feeling under the weather if you ever have to sleep without them.
20. Sleeping in a noisy environment
Sleeping in a noisy environment will obviously make it harder to get to sleep but, even if you do manage to catch some all important z’s, sleeping in a noisy room can increase your stress levels while you sleep and lead to acne break outs. A white noise machine is fine, but maybe lay off the podcasts if you want to really rest.
21. Not having a consistent sleeping schedule
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but if you’re someone who works night-shifts one week and then at the break of dawn other weeks, you’ll notice that your skin and general health starts to decline. Irregular sleep patterns can lead to digestive problems from eating at strange times, as well as dull and dry skin due to dehydration.
22. Using harsh skincare products before bed
Having your nighttime skincare routine down is essential for youthful, glowing skin, but be careful what products you include. Unfortunately, products with a higher price point tend to be gentler on skin and contain more natural ingredients. Or, alternatively, you could go for a low-cost, organic and scent-free product. Either way, investing in skincare is key.
23. Not unwinding before bed
In order to have a good night’s sleep, you’ve got to put the work in. Experts say that you shouldn’t use any screens at least an hour before bed and instead opt for a nice hot shower, a little reading session or a gentle workout to tire you out. Whatever way you choose to unwind, it’s important to prioritise relaxation.
24. Not drinking enough water
Have you ever gone to bed feeling fine, and then woken up at 3am only to chug a full glass of water and immediately fall straight back to sleep? This is your body telling you that you aren’t drinking enough water throughout the day. And, best believe, your skin hates you for it. A dehydrated body leads to dehydrated skin which will ultimately become flaky and cause texturing.
25. Sleeping with a pet
Okay, it’s hard to look into those big eyes and tell them that they have to sleep on the floor; but, sleeping with your furry friend could have some bad health consequences. Not only is your bed full of your own skin cells, it’s now going to have pet dander in it too. That’s pretty gross if you think about it; and your skin thinks so too.
26. Sleeping with earphones in
Falling asleep with your AirPods in might seem like fun if you like to fall asleep listening to music, but doing this can cause moisture to be locked inside your ears; especially if you shower before bed. This can lead to a nasty build-up of earwax that can cause ear infections. Ew.
27. Sleeping in a room with poor air quality
Indoor air pollutants can affect the quality of your sleep and your skin. If you sleep in a room with no ventilation you’re not allowing any fresh air to get into the room and oxygenate your skin; open that window, let the fresh air in – it’s good for you, promise!
28. Sleeping in a room with too much light
Exposure to light during sleep makes it difficult for your brain to achieve deep sleep. The lighter the sleep, the more your brain oscillates and the tireder you’ll become. And then, that’s right you guessed it, more of those dreaded under-eye bags. Treat yourself and get those blackout curtains.
29. Sleeping with a heated blanket
Being too warm at night won’t just lead to an uneasy night’s sleep, but it could be bad for your health too. If you sleep with an electric blanket on throughout the night, you could end up hurting your skin or burning yourself. It’s recommended that you change your electric blanket any few years to avoid any mishaps.
30. Sleeping in tight clothing
Sleeping in tight or constricting clothing is not only uncomfortable, but can stop blood flow and lead to red and swollen skin. It will also hinder your ability to breathe normally and make your night’s sleep terrible in general. Opt for that oversized hoodie next time you take a nap!
31. Ignoring sleep conditions
If you notice something is up with your sleep, it’s best to get it checked out by your doctor as soon as possible. Whether it’s sleepwalking, new snoring or excessive talking in your sleep, these things could be a sign of an underlying health condition. A good night’s sleep is the number one secret to staying healthy.
32. Showering before bed
Taking a long, hot shower before bed can be the perfect remedy to send you to sleep. However, if the shower is too hot, you could really be damaging your skin. Your shower should never be hotter than 104°F or dermatologists warn that you’ll be drying out your skin and stripping it of its natural oils.
33. Sleeping with a candle lit
A candle flame may provide the perfect lighting for you to fall asleep, but sleeping with a candle isn’t just dangerous because it’s a fire hazard. The small amounts of smoke in the room as well as any fragrance will build up throughout the night and seriously affect the air quality of the room that you sleep in.
34. Ignoring allergies
Do you notice that your nose is itchy before you go to sleep? Do you wake up with watery eyes? You could be suffering from allergies and not even know it. This can lead to irritated skin around your nose and eyes so maybe try taking an antihistamine before bed and ensuring you change your pillowcase regularly during the summer months.
35. Excessive sugar consumption before bed
Eating a lot of sugar before bed lets your stomach know that it’s party time. This is obviously not want you want when you’re trying to sleep. Eat a candy bar before bed and you will mess up your digestive system and teeth, as well as waking up the next day with a bad case of acne and cravings for even more junk!
36. Sleeping naked
Au naturale is always best, right? Wrong. Some studies show that sleeping naked actually increases the amount of bacteria in your bed and therefore can make the risk of skin irritation higher. The bottom line: if you’re gonna sleep in your birthday suit, then you gotta change your sheets.
37. Sleeping on a poor quality mattress
You’ve heard of the princess and the pea. She slept on all those blankets and could still feel that tiny bump – probably because of a poor quality mattress. If you invest in a good quality mattress, you’re investing in healthy muscles, healthy bones and an overall better night’s sleep.
38. Sleeping with unresolved pain
If you find that you wake up with random aches and pains, or something is stopping you from getting to sleep every night, don’t hesitate to get it checked out. This could be something as simple as needing to improve your sleep posture, or it could be a sign of an underlying condition, either way, it’s worth getting peace of mind.
39. Sleeping with a partner
If your partner tosses and turns every night or wakes you up with their incessant snoring; this could be having a knock-on effect on your health. Those first few hours of sleep a night are said to help improve your memory skills and your body’s ability to restore itself overnight, so it may be time to utilise that spare room from time to time.
40. Sleeping too much
A little afternoon nap can be a beautiful thing, especially if you’ve had a busy day. However, sleeping too much can lead to you becoming overtired, skipping meals and becoming dehydrated; all of which can detrimentally affect your skin and overall health. Keep those catnaps short and sweet.