It happens to the best of us: you binge watch 4 episodes of your favorite show only to find yourself way too exhausted to wash your face. So instead of stopping at the bathroom sink (for even a quick rinse), you send yourself straight to bed.
But did you know nightly cleansing should be your number one skincare priority? This is especially true at the end of the day, after your skin has been exposed to a number of skin-damaging, environmental toxins. And let’s not forget about the dirt, oil and makeup buildup. Dr. Koo explains the benefits of washing your face at night and why it’s one of the most important steps in your skincare routine.
4 Benefits of Washing your Face at Night
1. IT REMOVES TOXINS
Throughout the course of the day, your skin accumulates environmental toxins. These toxins (think outdoor pollutants) break down your skin’s protective barrier. And when your barrier is compromised, toxins are able to penetrate your skin's epidermis and impair collagen and elastin—the building blocks for youthful skin. One of the greatest benefits of washing your face at night is removing these harmful toxins so they don’t wreak havoc on your skin as you sleep.
2. IT GETS RID OF EXCESS OIL
From the time you wake up until the time you go to bed, your skin makes and accumulates oil. This oil—especially the excess your skin doesn't need—ends up in your pores, which can result in the potential for breakouts and enlarged pores. Washing your face at night effectively removes excess oil, however your skin needs a certain amount of oil to function properly. It’s important to use a cleanser that won’t strip your skin’s inherent layer of ceramide and natural oil. How do you do that? Choose a cleanser that addresses your current skin state and your skill will stay perfectly balanced.
3. IT TAKES OFF YOUR MAKEUP
Sleeping with your makeup on every once in a while isn’t the end of the world. But if you’re doing it daily, that’s when it can become a (skin) problem. Makeup, like foundation and blush, have nowhere to go but deep into your pores. This accumulation, like oil, can lead to the appearance of enlarged pores and breakouts.
4. IT ALLOWS YOUR SKIN TO PROPERLY REGENERATE
Skin renews itself at night. Sleeping in your makeup and not removing the buildup of environmental toxins can prevent your skin from doing its job. Skin needs to breathe, especially at night. Clean skin allows your overnight treatment products to penetrate more readily and support the skin regeneration process that happens while you sleep.
