Pillowcases are a necessity when it comes to sleeping on your bed. They protect the pillows that you sleep with, and they also keep your pillow in place, so there is no need to rearrange them every morning before heading off to work.
But do pillowcases cause acne? This article will explore this question by giving you some information about how pillowcases can affect skin health and what you can do about it.
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Why Pillowcases Cause Acne
Many pillowcases are made from cotton, which retains moisture and can make skin feel damp, causing acne. This is especially true when you’re using cases that have not been washed regularly enough to keep them clean of dirt and bacteria.
If your pillowcase has become dirty or filled with dust mites, it will be harder for the skin on your face to breathe while sleeping at night, resulting in more breakouts than normal.
It’s best to wash these types of cases every week, so they do not cause any problems with skin health later down the road.
Washing Pillow Cases Regularly Can Help Fight Acne Breakouts
If you get pimples around your mouth, this could indicate a problem with how often you are washing your pillowcases.
Because these cases are touching your face every night, sleeping on them can cause acne to form around the mouth, which is not always easy to get rid of later down the road.
Additionally, if you believe your pillowcase may be triggering acne breakouts you should make a point to avoid touching your face except when using a facial cleanser.
Washing pillows regularly will help prevent more breakouts from occurring, and it’s best to do this at least once a week for maximum results in lessening acne flare-ups.
Doing this weekly should be enough to keep skin looking smooth without any pimples or signs of irritation constantly forming throughout the day/night hours when going into work or school.
Try Using a Satin or Silk Pillowcase
Oils from your face do not absorb into these fabrics nearly as much as silk or satin. Additionally, these fabrics stay clean longer than cotton pillowcases, which can be breeding grounds for bacteria. The cleaner your pillowcases the less likely you are to wake up with acne in the morning.
On top of that, satin and silk pillowcases are less likely to leave any creases behind, so you will look more refreshed when you wake up each day! Our recommendation is to not use cotton pillowcases if you are prone to acne.
Instead, use satin/silk because they are more hygienic and do not leave creases on your face while sleeping!
Plus, it is less likely for these types of fabric to cause breakouts. Pillowcases made from silk or satin are an alternative for people with oily skin who want a cleaner sleep environment since the case will be less likely to absorb oil.
If you are interested check out our post on the top pillowcases for acne-prone skin. Our team spent weeks evaluating over 75 different pillowcases in order to create a list of the best picks based on your budget, the type of acne you have, and your skin type.
Try out an antimicrobial pillow cover.
An antimicrobial pillowcase is a great way to reduce your exposure and keep your pillow clean. This type of pillowcase is designed to protect both you and your pillow.
They are usually made of fabric treated with an antimicrobial agent, which prevents the growth of small organisms like bacteria or mold. Additionally, high-quality antimicrobial pillowcases are not expensive and can be purchased for $20.
Keep in mind that the pillow cover only protects your pillow from organisms; it does not protect you. Therefore, many people prefer to use a cotton pillowcase over an antimicrobial one.
How To Avoid Breakouts From Pillowcases
You have to do several things to avoid breakouts from your pillowcases. First, you should be washing your pillowcases at least every other night to prevent a build-up of dirt and oil. It might seem like a waste of time, but if you don’t wash them, there will only be more dirt and oil on them, which could cause acne or worsen an existing breakout. To make this easier I suggest buying 2-3 pillowcases and switching them out to avoid doing laundry every day.
When washing your pillowcases make sure you use water at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 Celsius) since this temperature will not damage cotton fibers, but will adequately remove oils and dirt
Using cold or lukewarm water can make the cotton rough and less absorbent over time. Because of this, we recommend getting new pillowcases every four to six months.
The last thing you can do is invest in silk pillowcases, which are naturally hypoallergenic and prevent acne-causing bacteria from growing on your face at night. Just make sure they have a “silk” label, or else it will probably be synthetic material that does not offer the same benefits.
Takeaway
If you are getting acne on your face, then it is more than likely caused by something that has nothing to do with the pillow.
However, if you have tried several things and still get breakouts along the hairline or around the jawline, try switching up your pillowcase often. This way, you can sleep through the night without worrying about acne forming.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may want to switch up how you are laying on your pillowcase if the issue seems to be coming from that area specifically. Make sure you sleep with clean sheets and wash your pillowcases regularly to keep your face clean.
If you are prone to getting pimples in the morning, it could be due to sleeping on pillowcases that are not cleaned regularly. Dirt, makeup, and oil can build up on your pillowcase and clog your pores.
YES! When you sleep, your face rubs against the pillowcase, which can cause facial oils to clog your pores and lead to acne breakouts. This is especially true for people with oily or combination skin types since sebum (oily substance) will build up over time on the surface of the pillowcase.
