You may know one - you may even be one; one of those people that refuses to put anything on their face overnight, worrying that it’ll keep their skin from breathing while they sleep. Is there any truth to this? Or, better yet, where did this idea even come from?
Does Your Skin Actually “Breathe?”
Nearly every dermatologist asked agrees that skin does not breathe - that’s because the top layer is dead. The lower layers of skin are the ones that are constantly being nourished by your bloodstream which delivers oxygen and other nutrients to your skin.
When people discuss skin “breathing,” they’re more than likely talking about their pores. While pores CAN become clogged thanks to comedogenic skincare products (comedogenic just means that it can clog pores), they can also clog normally through buildup of makeup, sweat, dirt, and other environmental pollutants. When your pores are clogged, this can lead to pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads.
But human skin does not breathe.
What Can I Do To Prevent Clogging?
If you see products that claim to let your skin breathe, normally this just means that these products are non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores. This can help with preventing acne and breakouts, but does not impact breathing. Your pores also benefit from proper daily cleansing of your makeup and other buildup of the day.
You may not have to worry about your skin breathing, but it’s still important to stick to a good skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and your pores unclogged.
Keep on reading for some skincare tips that will make a big difference in your pores!
WASH YOUR FACE NIGHTLY
Between makeup, SPF, dirt, oils, and anything else that could have rubbed off from touching your face, your face can end up being one of the dirtiest places on your body by the end of the day. That’s why it’s so important to wash your face in the evening to unclog your pores from the day’s buildup. This may sound like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many people skip this step before heading to bed.
DON’T SKIP YOUR MOISTURIZER
Now that we’ve established that skin “breathing” is a myth, this step is even more important. If you avoid moisturizer, you’re only hurting your skin in the long run! When your skin is stripped of everything, your natural moisture barrier is compromised and can lead to dullness, dryness, and even breakouts. A moisturizer suited to your skin type to allow all the ingredients to properly impact your skin health.
USE NATURAL SKINCARE PRODUCTS WITH ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
You may not realize it, but the environment is very harsh on your skin, no matter where you are. Between the sun, air conditioning, heating systems, pollution, dirt and dust, and many more factors, your skin needs all the help it can get throughout the day. That’s why it’s important to use natural skincare products with actives like fruit and vegetable extracts, vitamins, and minerals to help with keeping skin smooth and firm while enhancing your barrier and its function.
DON'T FORGET TO EXFOLIATE
One of the most important parts of keeping your pores clear from pollutants and the day's buildup is exfoliation. Exfoliation, whether from physical exfoliators that use small particles and friction or chemical exfoliators like AHAs and BHAs, should be done once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and start the renewal process.
CHANGE PILLOWCASES OFTEN
Sleeping on a dirty pillowcase is never a good idea. Not only does this reintroduce oils from your hair and skin back onto it while you sleep, but it also can reintroduce different bacteria. Try to wash and change your pillowcase at least once a week.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Sleep is your body’s way of resetting and rejuvenating. A lack of sleep will leave your skin feeling dull and tired and can even aggravate skin conditions like breakouts, eczema, and psoriasis. Getting between seven and eight hours of sleep a night will leave you feeling and looking fresh faced!
No, Skin Doesn’t Breathe
And yes, skin breathing is a myth. The truth is that your moisture barrier is one of the most important components when it comes to keeping your skin healthy, and sticking to your skincare routine is one of the best ways to keep your barrier nourished and strong.
For a truly nourishing nighttime treatment for your skin, a moisturizer is the way to go - like THE CREAM. Just click here to check it out and if you have any questions about your skin and the best ways to treat it with our products, you can take our Skin Quiz here or Contact Us today!
XOXO,
Denice
