The Real Consequences of Sleeping in Your Makeup

After a long day or a fun night out, it’s tempting to crawl into bed without removing your makeup. Many of us have been there—too exhausted or simply forgetting. Yet this small lapse can carry surprisingly big consequences for your skin and eyes.

Dermatologists and eye doctors strongly advise against leaving makeup on overnight. Below, we explore why skipping this step is risky, from clogged pores and irritation to potential vision-threatening eye issues.

Why You Should Never Sleep with Your Makeup On

1. Clogged Pores and Breakouts

Makeup products like foundation, concealer, blush, and powders are designed to last—but not forever. Throughout the day, they collect dirt, sweat, and oils. Leaving them on overnight prevents your skin from getting its natural “reset,” leading to clogged pores and a higher risk of blackheads, whiteheads, and acne.

The American Academy of Dermatology lists skipping nighttime cleansing as a major trigger for breakouts and chronic skin problems. Skin relies on nighttime hours for essential repair, a process that clogged pores can interrupt.

2. Accelerated Skin Aging

Makeup residue, when mixed with daily pollutants, generates free radicals—unstable molecules that attack collagen, the protein responsible for keeping skin firm and smooth. Over time, this contributes to fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness.

Research in Free Radical Biology and Medicine found that ongoing exposure to pollutants speeds up skin aging via oxidative stress. Sleeping in your makeup only amplifies this effect.

3. Eye Infections and Eyelid Damage

Perhaps the most alarming consequence of sleeping in makeup is the toll it takes on your eyes, especially when it comes to mascara and eyeliner. These products are often waterproof or long-wear, making them tough to wash off with water alone.

When left on overnight, particles can migrate into your eyes, leading to:

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Styes (painful eyelid lumps)
Redness and irritation
Ingrown eyelashes
Allergic reactions

A stark example comes from Australia, where a 50-year-old woman suffered chronic eye discomfort. Doctors discovered solid black deposits under her eyelids formed from years of unremoved mascara. These hardened clumps threatened her vision and required a 90-minute surgical removal, leaving scars on the inside of her eyelids.