Is Sleeping in Your Makeup Really That Bad? Dermatologists Weigh In

It's a guilty secret shared by countless beauty lovers, but just how much damage does one lazy night really do? Skin experts have weighed in on the effects of going to bed with a full face on, and their verdicts may surprise you.

Many people can attest to coming home one — or several — nights, too exhausted to do anything but climb into bed and drift off. The last thing anyone wants in those moments is to stand beneath a blinding bathroom light and go through the ritual of makeup removal.

But whether skipping that step is safe remains a subject of debate among dermatologists. Some experts warn that the habit can lead to a range of skin and eye problems, while others say the concern over sleeping in makeup is overblown and hardly cause for alarm.

Most experts agree that regularly going to bed with your makeup on can take a toll on your complexion, and those with acne-prone or sensitive skin are likely to feel the effects most.

Dr. Eric Schweiger, founder of the Clear Clinic, says, "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."

Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, Florida, and a writer for MyPsoriasisTeam, shares that view. "Your delicate skin and eyes will both suffer if you go to bed wearing makeup," Dr. Chacon says. "Even that 'only one night' could result in a great deal of detrimental issues."

However, Dr. Schweiger takes a slightly different stance on whether a single night spent in makeup has any real consequences. "One night of sleeping in your makeup is unlikely to cause long-lasting damage to your skin," he says.

He continues, "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."

Dr. Chacon also highlights the risk to your eyes. Much like a pimple forms when oil and dead skin cells become trapped beneath the skin, a stye can develop when an oil gland near the eyelash becomes clogged and infected.

According to Dr. Chacon, falling asleep with makeup on can increase your chances of developing such an eye problem. She warns that making a habit of it "might irritate your eyes and possibly impair your vision."

Still, while washing and moisturizing your face regularly is highly recommended, not every expert sees a problem with nodding off before cleansing. One dermatologist says there's nothing particularly damaging about skipping the routine at night.

In fact, she suggests the most likely consequence of falling asleep with your makeup on is a dirty pillowcase.

"Yes, there are many dermatologists who say that makeup left on at night will clog pores, cause wrinkles, or age the skin," says Fayne Frey, MD, FAAD, a Nyack, New York-based dermatologist and author of the book "The Skincare Hoax."

"If you don't launder your pillowcase and sheets the next day, you risk reverse contamination, so even if you end up washing your face before going to bed, that residual product will be on your pillowcase already and in effect will transfer back onto your skin when you lie down," Dendy Engelmann, MD, director of dermatologic surgery at Metropolitan Hospital, said.

Ultimately, it comes down to knowing your skin and what it needs. Sticking to a gentle cleanser and moisturizer on most nights should help keep your everyday glow intact, even on the evenings when your routine falls by the wayside.