How sleeping with makeup can damage skin

You’re ready for bed and too tired to take off your makeup. We’ve all been there — removing all your makeup can really be a long process. But leaving makeup on while you sleep, especially thick primers and foundations, can clog your pores and attracts dirt and germs, leading to dull, oily and sometimes blemished skin. This is not what you want when you wake up — which is why cleansing is important for a good nighttime skincare routine.

If you’re wearing makeup, the skincare ingredients in your evening skincare routine may not be as effective, as the makeup can prevent them from fully sinking in. And that’s not all. Even if you only wear eye makeup, sleeping in it can cause eye irritation, as mascara and eyeliner can get rubbed off into your eyes. (Ever woken up with sore or itchy eyes after sleeping in your makeup? This may be why!)

After a long day, try cleansing with Garnier Micellar Water. It’s all-in-1 rinse-free skin cleanser and makeup remover that’s powered by micelle technology, which lifts makeup and impurities from your pores so you can easily wipe them away. It’s great for all skin types and only takes a few seconds. “Gentle cleansers are capable of cleansing our skin from dirt and pollutants while maintaining an intact epidermis,” says Dr. Diane Madfes, Garnier SkinActive’s consulting dermatologist. “The top layer of our skin doesn't get stripped. Micellar waters are an excellent example of gentle cleansing. They trap dirt and dead skin cells without drying.”

Not sure how to use micellar water? It’s easy: Just remember to press and hold. When removing eye makeup in particular, first be sure to fully saturate the pad with the micellar water. Then, press gently and hold the pad on your closed eyes for a few seconds before gently wiping away. This activates the micelles, which act like a magnet to draw makeup, dirt, and impurities from your skin.

You can use it with cotton pads to remove all of your makeup, or a cotton swab to deal with minor makeup issues, like smudged eyeliner. If you’re wearing heavy makeup, try this micellar water hack: Use it as the first step of your double cleanse by following it with your usual foam or milky cleanser. It’ll be worth it in the morning.