Stop Doing These 10 Things Before Bed If You Want Better Skin

1. Your Bedding Might Be the Problem

Pillowcases collect oil, sweat, and skincare within days, and strong fragrances from detergent can irritate jawline and neck. Wash pillowcases every 3–4 nights with fragrance-free detergent and skip fabric softeners – they coat fibers and trap heat and bacteria.

Quick fix: keep a spare clean case in your nightstand and swap mid-week.

2. Hair Hygiene Before Bed

Oils, dry shampoo, and styling residue from your hair transfer to your cheeks all night. Sleeping on wet hair also boosts humidity right on your pillow. Loosely braid or tie hair back with a soft scrunchie and dry to 80–90% before bed.

3. Taking a Steaming Shower Then Jumping Into Bed

Hot showers leave the barrier warm and stripped, which increases overnight water loss. Let skin cool for 20–30 minutes before applying moisturizer or crawling under the covers – this tiny delay supports bedtime habits for better skin with zero extra products.

4. Overheating While You Sleep

If you wake up sweaty, your barrier is losing water while you rest. Heavy blankets and tight synthetic PJs trap heat and can worsen congestion. Use breathable cotton or bamboo and layer lighter quilts instead of one heavy comforter.

5. How You Sleep Matters More Than You Think

Face-down or same-side sleeping compresses skin, creating creases and morning puffiness. Stacking high pillows can also pool fluid under the eyes. Aim for back sleeping or alternate sides, and use one medium-firm pillow that keeps your neck aligned.

6. Touching Your Clean Face Without Realizing It

You finish skincare, then grab your phone for “one more scroll.” That transfers oils and bacteria right back onto clean skin. Wash hands before bed and treat skincare as the final step before a full hands-off policy.

7. Not Airing Out or Cleaning Your Room

Dust and stale air can dull skin and trigger irritation. Crack a window for five minutes before bed or run a small purifier. Wipe your nightstand and humidifier base weekly — dust settles exactly where your face spends hours each night.

8. Letting Pets (and Their Hair) on Your Pillow

Fur and dander can linger in fabric and spark flare-ups. Keep the cuddle, but give them a dedicated washable throw on top of your duvet and launder it weekly.

9. Sleeping With Blue Light Around You

LED clocks, TVs, and phones delay melatonin and cut into deep sleep – prime time for overnight repair. Dim screens an hour before bed, switch to a warm-tone lamp, or use night-shift mode. Better sleep quality supports better skin overnight.

10. Ignoring Your Pillowcase Material

Rough cotton tugs on skin and steals moisture. A satin or silk-blend pillowcase lets skin glide, helps retain hydration, and reduces hair frizz.

My pick: I use this satin pillowcase – satin on the sleeping side with cotton on the underside so it doesn’t slide. Affordable, machine-washable, and one of the easiest bedtime habits for better skin upgrades.