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You may think that letting your loose, tousled hair lay freely on your pillow at the end of the day is the best feeling in the world, and while we won’t argue with you on that, there is something you should know about that.
You know those frustrating mornings where you woke up with a fresh pimple on your face that seemed to pop up out of nowhere? Well, your hair may be the cause of it. If you’re someone who still hasn’t jumped on board the hair-in-bun-or-ponytail sleeping train, let us make a case for it.
Your hair could be causing your acne.
Your beautiful, long hair is extremely dirty, even if you don’t think it is. “Hair acts like a magnet for dirt and pollution,” said New York City-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman, to Well + Good. “When you sleep, your hair can rub on your face and bedding making you more susceptible to breakouts.”
Even if you just washed your hair that morning, if you think about all of the places you went and all of the things you did throughout the day, it’s pretty easy to believe how dirty your hair can get.
Not to mention, your hair naturally gets oily on its own so just imagine what that oil does to your skin. The sebum that your scalp produces can easily get transferred down to the ends of your strands and then onto your skin if you allow your hair to lay against your face while you sleep.
One easy fix is to shower before bed and clean your hair of any dirt and pollutants (duh), but we all know that’s not going to happen every night. Instead, just make sure to twist your hair up into a loose bun, braid, or ponytail to secure it back from your face.
Shop Ance-Fighting Products For Oily Skin
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17)
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Facial Cleanser ($14.29)
Thayers Alcohol free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera ($12.95)
Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clear Invisible Dots ($21, down from $30)