Pimples and the perils of pillowcases

You tuck into bed, your sleep a sanctuary from the worries of the world. But did you know that your pillowcase can pose a threat to your skin? Ever wake up from an otherwise good night's sleep, look in the mirror, and spot a brand-new pimple? What a nightmare!

If you've ever spotted those indentions and "pillow marks" on your face after a night's sleep, you know your skin comes into some intense contact with your pillow! Skin, so sensitive to the touch, can be easily irritated by what ends up on your pillowcase.

So what can end up on your pillowcase? Dirt, oil, sweat, and cosmetic and hair products, to name a few things. And these pillowcase dwellers may irritate acne-prone skin, triggering acne flare-ups. You may wash your face every night and your pillowcases every week, but you still expose your face to the oils, product, dirt, and sweat that can accumulate as you sleep each night.

Thankfully, there are some cheap, easy ways to fight back against the potential perils of the pillowcase. By simply keeping your sleep surface as clean as possible, you can help wipe out one possible pimple promoter! Manufacturers know this. So you might see special "acne-proof" pillows available online and in stores. But you don't have to spend a fortune on special sleep gear; there are some cheap, simple skin savers you can try.

How to make your bed a skin-friendly slumber spot:

• Wash your pillowcases and bed linens weekly. If your skin and/or hair are oily, or if you experience frequent night-sweating, you might want to launder them a couple of times per week.

• Some people drape a laundered towel across their pillow. But others find they toss and turn too much for this to be much help. Instead, just keep a stack of clean pillowcases available for switching out each night. Then you just wash them all at once and start again!

• Wear your hair off of your face while you sleep to avoid transferring pore-blocking hair products and oils onto your skin.

Amy Toffelmire

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