What happens if you don't take your eye makeup off at night?

Author: Orland Greenholt  |  Last update: Monday, April 28, 2025

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.

Is it bad to leave eye makeup on overnight?

Leaving your eye makeup on overnight can lead to eye infection and irritation. Just as bad, a stye can form from mascara clogging glands connected to your eyelashes. Your eyelids are extremely thin and sensitive, so make sure to treat them with care. The bottom line is removing your makeup is very important.

What happens if you leave mascara on your eyes 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 bad to not remove eye makeup?

Remove makeup every night

Remove all makeup every night. Cleansing your eye area can also clean away some of the lid margin bacteria and skin cells that contribute to dry eye. The pressure on the lid margin will also help unblock the oil glands, preventing infection.

Can you get an eye infection from sleeping in makeup?

She went on to explain how mascara has been found in the upper eyelids of several of her patients and how all of them have also admitted to not removing their makeup every night. Gaur warns that skipping proper makeup removal for your eyes can lead to severe eye infections.

Dewy Glass Skin Makeup 🫧 #grwm

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.

What do ophthalmologists recommend for removing eye makeup?

Vaseline is a very effective makeup remover. It's lubricating, soothing to skin and helps makeup slide off without unnecessary tugging and pulling. Baby shampoo is an inexpensive and ophthalmologist-recommended product for washing eyelids and the area around the eyes.

What happens if you don't remove makeup at night?

Most makeup is oil-based, which can clog the pores and lead to pimples. But sleeping with makeup on will actually heighten your chance of a breakout. While you sleep your makeup can mix with additional built-up debris and oil from your skin's surface – the perfect recipe for clogged pores, acne, and blackheads.

How long is it safe to keep eye makeup?

Mascara and liquid eyeliner typically are considered safe to use for three months. Liquid products used near the eye have an increased risk of spreading bacteria. Pencil-style eyeliners, gel eyeliners and lip pencils can be used for up to a year.

What is the healthiest way to remove eye makeup?

The least harsh way to remove eye makeup is to use a product that is gentle on the skin and does not require rubbing or pulling. Apply micellar water to a cotton pad and gently press it against your eyelid, allowing it to soak and break down the makeup before gently wiping away.

Is it OK to sleep with a little 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.

Does not removing makeup age you?

During sleep, the skin repairs and regenerates, shedding dead cells and producing collagen. Leaving makeup on can interfere with these essential processes. Over time, this can contribute to skin aging, including the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

What is the best eye makeup remover?

  • Best Budget. e.l.f Cosmetics Cleansing Balm. PHOTO: Amazon. $11 at Amazon $19 at Ulta $11 at Target. ...
  • Best for Mascara. Lancôme Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover. PHOTO: Nordstrom. ...
  • Best for Eyeshadow. Clinique Makeup Remover. PHOTO: Sephora. ...
  • Best Multitasking. Fenty Skin Melt Awf Jelly Oil Makeup-Melting Cleanser. PHOTO: Sephora.

Is it OK to accidentally sleep with makeup on?

Sleeping in makeup is especially problematic for acne-prone skin. It traps oil, dirt, and bacteria against your skin all night, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts. If you have an active pimple, leaving makeup on can potentially cause an infection.

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.

Why is removing makeup important?

It washes away cosmetics , impurities and dirt from the surface of your skin, which could lead to irritation or cause your skin to age more rapidly. It reduces the risk of developing pimples, redness, blackheads and other types of blemishes. It promotes cellular renewal by eliminating dead skin.

Can I use 10 year old eyeshadow?

When do eyeshadows expire? Luckily, you can hang on to your eyeshadows for a bit longer. The time from opening to when eyeshadows expire is 12 months but if left unopened, you have a full three years to hang onto them. This is because eyeshadow palettes are generally made with powder formulas.

When to throw out mascara?

Astudy done almost 40 years ago in a very reputable ophthalmology journal showed that bacterial and fungal growth was found in 36% of mascara tubes after 3 months. So, now ophthalmologists make the recommendation to discard your mascara after 3 months.

Can my makeup last 24 hours?

Choose long-wear formulas

Add some long-wear formulas to your orange bag. Thanks to polymer blends that prevent makeup breakdown, some of these are designed to last 12, 16, 30 hours or more—seriously!

Is sleeping with eye makeup bad?

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.

What happens if you leave eyeliner on overnight?

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).

What happens if you accidentally sleep with mascara on?

Eye Irritation

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.

What do dermatologists recommend for removing eye makeup?

Dermatologist-Recommended Makeup Removal Methods
  • Double cleansing: To completely remove all traces of makeup and impurities from your skin, double cleansing involves using two different types of cleansers. ...
  • Micellar water: Micellar water is an effective makeup and impurity remover that is gentle and requires no rinsing.

What eye cream do ophthalmologists recommend?

CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is ophthalmologist-tested and features a non-greasy, fast-absorbing, fragrance-free formula that works to minimize the appearance of dark circles and eye puffiness. Hyaluronic acid improves hydration of the epidermis by binding to water and giving the skin a plump, hydrated appearance.

Is vaseline safe to remove eye makeup?

It is safe to use around your eye area, but NOT in your eyes. So please be careful not to get it in your eyes when removing your makeup. Vaseline can also be used to correct small makeup mishaps. Yay for days!

Previous article
Do tattoos look better on light or dark skin?
Next article
Can you tighten skin under chin without surgery?