Have you ever felt like your skin is playing hard ball, refusing to reveal its true potential despite your best efforts? Perhaps there’s a secret ingredient, a hidden gem, or an elusive factor that has dodged your skincare routine. Curious to uncover this missing link? While we spend an inordinate number of hours maintaining, managing, monitoring, and rigorously following a skincare routine, what we often seem to ignore are the external contributors that help the skin truly breathe.
When following a skincare routine strictly, we must factor in variables such as dust mites, accumulated environmental pollutants, pet hair, debris and, worst of all, bacteria. Research suggests that human beings shed 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells every day. When we spend seven to eight hours in bed, resting our heads on the pillows that support our necks and upper backs, we forget about the pillow fabric on which we end up transferring all the dirt, and which throws it right back and allows it to develop, grow and, worse, even multiply.
Dr Aparna Santhanam says, “Washing your face with water and face wash can sometimes not be enough. Additional steps are paramount for maximum results. I recommend changing your pillowcase weekly to help your skin breathe at night, which is extremely crucial, as most of the repair happens during that time. This is important to reduce any risks of acne; resting on an oily, bacteria-laden pillowcase leads to damage as we expose the skin to irritants.”
She adds, “We must remember that while our faces are the carriers of dirt, our hair holds more dirt than any other part of the body, and that, every night, our hair rubs on the pillowcase, leaving behind bacteria, dirt, dead skin cells, oil, sweat and much more. For overall hygiene as well, we should change a pillowcase regularly as a habit.”
This practice should over time become an unconscious habit. Sebum, sweat and oil meet the pillowcase, and following this practice religiously is only going to help elevate your skincare process. Just like we change bed sheets and our clothes and remember to take care of our bodies by bathing daily, we should take care of external environmental contributors as well. It is suggested that if you suffer from serious skin conditions, changing your pillowcase every three days can protect your skin. It is a simple task that can yield impressive results by preventing overnight breakouts to bring balance to your skin by further providing a shield of sorts.
Additionally, the fabric of your pillowcase plays a significant role in your skin’s hydration levels. Certain pillowcase materials, such as cotton, can absorb moisture from your skin, leaving it feeling dry. Silk or satin pillowcases can help the skin retain more water, reducing the possibility of waking up with dehydrated skin. But, no matter what material your pillowcase is made from, changing it frequently ensures that it is free of excess oils and sweat, resulting in soft and supple skin as you wake up.
So, the next time you decide to ignore changing your pillowcase, remember that this little addition to your routine is a long-term investment and it won’t disappoint.