Is it OK to sleep with eyeliner and mascara on?

Author: Vada Heller  |  Last update: Monday, September 8, 2025

Sleeping in eye makeup like mascara and eyeliner may lead to irritated eyes if the makeup rubs off onto the pillow and gets into the eyes as you sleep. Eye irritation may scratch the cornea, in turn causing the inability to focus at work or while completing other important activities.

Can you sleep with eyeliner and mascara on?

“It can cause eye irritation, infections, and clogged hair follicles, which may result in styes. Mascara and eyeliner can transfer to your pillow, leading to further contamination and irritation,” Dr. Joel Kopelman, facial plastic surgeon at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery, tells Sleepopolis.

Is it bad to leave eyeliner on overnight?

Yes, sleeping in eye makeup can be particularly harmful. It can irritate your eyes, potentially leading to infections or styes. Mascara and eyeliner can clog the tiny hair follicles and oil glands on your eyelids. Over time, this can even weaken your eyelashes, making them brittle and prone to breakage.

Is it bad to leave mascara on overnight?

Overnight eye makeup can make you prone irritation, inflammation and every infections. Leaving mascara on too long can also clog the (meibomian) glands attached to your eyelashes and lead to development of a stye.''

Is it okay to sleep with makeup on for one night?

Leaving makeup on overnight can clog pores, leading to breakouts and other skin issues. So, as long as you're diligent about removing your makeup and following up with a proper cleansing routine, wearing makeup regularly shouldn't pose a significant risk to your skin's health!

Can sleeping in makeup actually damage your eyes?

What happens if I sleep with a full face of makeup?

Leaving all that on your face overnight is like an open invitation for bacteria, clogged pores, breakouts, and blackheads. Even if you're someone who wears non-comedogenic makeup (we love a good comedogenic foundation), it can still clog your pores and cause acne if left on the skin overnight.

Is it bad to sleep with wet hair?

Is it bad to go to sleep with wet hair? The short answer: Yes, it's bad for your hair to go to bed when wet. “Wet hair strands are much more fragile than dry hair strands,” explains Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.

What to do if you accidentally sleep with makeup on?

Below, check out our step-by-step guide on what to do if you fall asleep with your makeup on.
  1. STEP 1: Don't panic. ...
  2. STEP 2: Cleanse, twice. ...
  3. STEP 3: Exfoliate. ...
  4. STEP 4: Put on a hydrating face mask. ...
  5. STEP 5: Treat breakouts. ...
  6. STEP 6: Moisturize. ...
  7. STEP 7: Give your skin some time to rest.

Is it bad to sleep with a bra on?

Is it OK to wear my bra to sleep? There's nothing wrong with wearing a bra while you sleep if that's what you're comfortable with. Sleeping in a bra will not make your breasts perkier or prevent them from getting saggy. And it will not stop breasts from growing or cause breast cancer.

Why is it important to remove mascara at night?

The chances of eye irritation, itchiness, and infection increase when you sleep with your makeup on. Makeup particles can rub off onto the pillowcase and get into your eyes. In worst cases, leaving mascara overnight can cause eyelid cysts.

Does sleeping in makeup age you?

Sleeping with makeup on can cause premature aging. This is because when your skin is covered in makeup, it isn't able to breathe and repair itself properly. Over time, this can lead to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, sleeping with makeup on can also make your skin look dull and lifeless.

When not to wear eyeliner?

"The reasons eye doctors do not recommend to wear eyeliner on the waterline of your eye is because there are specialized glands there that produce and excrete oil. "The oil should be an olive oil texture, but as you can see here it looks more like toothpaste.

Can I shower with eyeliner?

Avoid heavy sweating, exercise, sports, sauna, swimming, steam rooms, jacuzzi, and long hot showers for 10 days. Eyes heal very well.

What to do if you slept with mascara on?

Dr. Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC, recommends using an oil-based cleanser to break down excess oil and makeup to start, and then following up with a foaming cleanser to get into the pores and remove any leftover dirt and impurities.

Can I wear eyeliner and mascara everyday?

Yes,you can apply mascara on daily basis but don't go for heavy coats and try to apply a mixture of castor oil and vitamin e on your lashes before going to bed. This way you'll achieve long and lucious lashes!

Is it OK to sleep in eye makeup?

During the night, make-up products can penetrate the protective surface of the eyes due to abrasion caused by movements of the pillow. The particles that come from glittery eyeshadow, mascara and eyeliner can clog the hair follicles and oil glands on your eyelid.

Is it healthy to sleep naked?

Some research suggests that sleeping naked can promote better sleep, leading to various mental and physical health benefits. By encouraging core body temperature regulation, naked sleeping may help support reproductive function, skin health, cortisol levels, metabolic control, and more.

Is wearing a bra 24-7 bad?

There is no credible research showing a link between wearing, or not wearing, a bra and developing breast cancer. It has been claimed that underwire bras cause breast cancer by obstructing the lymph flow, however, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.

Is it legal to not wear a bra?

First things first: There are literally no rules, which is to say laws, that govern women's underwear. Instead, laws focus on body parts, and what can be shown and not shown.

Is it okay if I accidentally fell asleep with mascara on?

Along with the issues above, sleeping in mascara may cause lashes to fall off as it dries and clumps overnight. Don't take any chances of harming your eye health. Never sleep in mascara, and be sure that it's removed properly before you lie down for the night. Mascara remover pads make mascara removal simple and safe.

What happens if you sleep with wet hair?

While there's no evidence that you can catch a cold from sleeping with wet hair, it does impact the health of your scalp and strands. The main reason is that the structural integrity of hair weakens when wet. The cuticles naturally lift up when wet, making the hair more vulnerable and prone to breakage.

What happens if you sleep with eyeliner on?

Makeup left on for extended periods of time can cause infections. Leaving eye makeup, such as mascara and eyeliner, on overnight can increase the risk of eye infections. Bacteria can thrive in the warm and moist environment of your eye area, potentially leading to conditions like conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Is sleeping in wet braids bad?

Just do so gently — remember, wet hair is more prone to breakage, so avoid extra-tight hairstyles and stick with loose twists and braids. Sleeping with wet hair can cause hair breakage, which isn't quite the same thing as hair loss.

Is it okay to sleep without a pillow?

Not everyone needs to sleep with a pillow. Sleeping without a pillow can reduce neck strain for people who sleep on their stomach. If you're a back or side sleeper, sleeping without a pillow can affect your sleep quality. Other benefits of sleeping without a pillow include better skin and fewer allergies.

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