9 Nighttime Habits To Quit If You Want Clear Skin

Breaking out overnight can seem like an impossible problem to deal with — especially if you've been waking up to find new blemishes almost every morning. You may think you're doing everything possible to prevent breakouts while you sleep, but you'll be surprised to find that waking up to breakouts can actually be prevented by adopting a few smart nighttime habits.

They're all most likely things you never thought would have an effect on your skin, and when you learn the best skin-clearing hacks that will have you waking up to a healthy and glowing, acne-free face, I have a feeling you'll be motivated to kick the breakout-inducing habits ASAP. If you didn't know that your pillowcases need to be washed at least once a week to clear out excess oils that clog your pores, there's a good chance you've been waking up to new frustrating spots on the daily. By washing them more often and switching from cotton pillowcases to 100 percent mulberry silk pillowcases, you'll easily prevent the extra stress of going double-duty with your concealer after your alarm goes off.

So, read on and learn why how much sleep you get directly effects your skin's health and other surprising breakout-inducing habits that you can kick before you snooze:.

Your Harsh Face Wash Irritates Skin — Use Soothing Cucumber & Oat Protein Formula At Night

Lather Cucumber Milk Facial Cleanser, $19, Amazon

Any dermatologist will agree that washing your face before bed is an absolute must for unclogging pores and reducing new morning breakouts. When choosing a nighttime cleanser, ensure yours is treating your skin kindly before bed. This special formula is packed with seaweed extract, hydrating cucumber oil, and oat protein, which improves collagen production in the skin and combats itchy dryness. It's great for sensitive skin and will wipe away dead skin without stripping your face of the moisture it needs to stay healthy and glowing when your alarm goes off in the morning. One user raved about the clean and soft feeling this cleanser leaves behind.

You Don't Moisturize After Cleansing – Hydrate Skin Nightly With Best-Selling Retinol Moisturizer

Retinol Moisturizer Cream for Face , $19, Amazon

Keeping your skin properly hydrated while sleeping is crucial so you can wake up to a healthy glow instead of dry, dull skin that's frequently irritated with breakouts. This best-selling moisturizer actually contains retinol, an ingredient that can prevent breakouts and increase cell turnover for a faster healing process. The formula will gently nourish your skin when applied to your face after cleansing, and it will improve your skin's overall texture, too. One user raves about the noticeable effects of this cream saying her "acne prone, sensitive skin loves this stuff!"

You Pick At Pimples In The Mirror At Night — Steer Clear (But If It'll Happen Anyway, Steam First)

Secura Nano Ionic NanoCare Facial Steamer , $35, Amazon

While not picking at your skin or popping zits is always the best course of action, if you feel like you must, put your face into this quick-heat facial steamer to open up your pores and bring any gunk to the surface more easily. One user raves about this product's lightweight design and how it produces a great amount of steam that lasts for minutes at a time. New York dermatologist Dr. Papantoniou told Bustle that steamers can be an excellent tool when it comes to freeing blocked pores of pollutants too deep for face wash alone.

Bad at PM Washing? Store Coconut Oil Wipes By Your Bed To Ensure Makeup Always Comes Off

Facial Cleansing Towelettes with Coconut Oil, Chamomile & Aloe , $6, Amazon

TBH, everyone's had nights where making the trek from the bed (and Netflix binge sesh) to the bathroom to wash their face just isn't going to happen. If you're well aware of that feeling, take precautions by keeping nourishing coconut oil and calming chamomile infused wipes near your bed. These special wipes won't irritate sensitive skin, either, as they don't contain any harsh chemicals, so they won't dry out your skin. With this one simple step, you'll be saving yourself from the stress of a new breakout in the AM.

You Don't Sleep On Clean Pillowcases — Upgrade to Mulberry Silk, And Wash Weekly

100% Pure Mulberry Luxury Silk Satin Pillowcase , $23, Amazon

It's easy to let washing your pillowcases fall to the wayside when it comes to your long list of to-do's — but to prevent unwanted breakouts, how often should you throw pillowcases in the wash? At least once a week, experts say. When it comes to the best pillowcases to use for your skin, these 100 percent pure mulberry silk pillowcases are dermatologist recommended for their skin-hydrating qualities — especially when compared to other materials, like cotton. Bonus: These pillowcases are hypoallergenic and crazy comfortable.

You're Not Getting Enough Sleep — Calm Restlessness With Relaxing Lavender Aromatherapeutic Lotion

Bath Body Works Aromatherapy Sleep Lavender Chamomile , $13, Amazon

Lack of sleep and acne go hand-in-hand, so its important to prioritize sleep throughout the week to see significant improvements in your skin's health. To help your brain unwind at the end of a long day, rub on this aromatherapy lotion with lavender and chamomile (two natural ingredients that help you relax and drift off to sleep). One user says this lotion is her favorite because it makes falling asleep "a little bit easier" Pro Tip: Rub this lotion on your temples and behind your ears to have your eyes closing in no time. That way, your skin has enough time to repair itself while you sleep for smoother skin by morning.

...Or Treat Your Skin To A Rejuvenating Mud Face Mask With Soothing Chamomile

Dead Sea Essentials by AHAVA Soothing Chamomile Spa Facial Mud Mask , $11, Amazon

This rejuvenating face mask uses mud from the Dead Sea to purify your skin by removing pore-clogging toxins, in addition to soothing any irritations with chamomile (which is both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial). At night, you'll appreciate the calming scent that will help you fall asleep much easier and have you waking up feeling refreshed with healthy, glowing skin that's breakout-free. Pro Tip: Apply this mask twice a week to a clean face, and leave it on for two minutes before rinsing.

You Sip On Caffeinated Drinks Before Bed— Switch To A Sleep-Invoking Decaf Sleep Tea To Revive Skin

BE SLEEPY Relaxing Bedtime Tea, $17, Amazon

On a cold night, reaching for a cup of coffee or caffeinated tea can seem harmless — but caffeine is said to have acne-aggravating effects, plus it will make it harder for you to sleep, which also messes with clear skin. This calming decaf loose leaf tea with chamomile and lavender will help you relax and sleep easier and will have you waking up with skin that feels way more clear and hydrated. This tea is all-natural and organic and also contains kava kava and valerian (two herbs that have great benefits for your digestive system). Pro Tip: For the best taste, let this tea steep for five to eight minutes, and for your best sleep, drink this tea an hour before you hit the hay.

Nightly Caller? Keep That Screen Clean With Special Electronic Antibacterial Wipes

Wireless Wipes 2-Pack Bundle - Rosemary Peppermint, $7, Amazon

Throughout the day, it's inevitable that dirt, oils, and bacteria will build up on your phone's screen. To prevent tracking the day's dirt and germs across your face, though, use antibacterial electronic wipes that clear away germs and excess oils without streaking your screen. Bonus: These wipes smell delicious with a rosemary and peppermint scent.

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Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (9)