You should wash your pillowcase at least once a week to prevent acne-causing bacteria from building up.
More detailed answer question
It is important to keep your pillowcase clean if you want to prevent acne. According to dermatologists, you should wash your pillowcase at least once a week to prevent acne-causing bacteria from building up. But why is it so important? Let’s take a closer look.
A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that acne bacteria can survive on pillowcases for up to a week, which means that if you don’t wash your pillowcase regularly, you could be reintroducing acne-causing bacteria to your face every time you sleep.
In addition to bacteria, your pillowcase can also accumulate dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, which can all contribute to acne. “If you don’t wash your pillowcase regularly, all of these things can accumulate and be rubbed back into your skin each night, leading to a worsening of acne,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman, New York City-based dermatologist and author.
In order to prevent acne and keep your skin healthy, it’s not just enough to wash your face regularly – you also need to pay attention to your pillowcase. Here are some tips for keeping your pillowcase clean:
- Wash your pillowcase at least once a week in hot water.
- Use a fragrance-free detergent and avoid fabric softeners, which can irritate your skin.
- Consider using a silk or satin pillowcase, which are gentler on your skin and hair.
- If you have severe acne, consider changing your pillowcase every other night.
As noted by Dr. Jaliman, “Your pillowcase may not be a direct cause of acne, but it can certainly make preexisting acne worse.” So, if you want to keep your skin clear and healthy, don’t forget to wash your pillowcase regularly!
| Table: How often to wash your pillowcase for acne prevention |
|————–+————————–|
| Acne severity | Wash frequency |
|————–+————————–|
| Mild | Once a week |
| Moderate | Every 3-4 days |
| Severe | Every other night or daily|
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” -John Wesley, theologian and founder of Methodist Church
Video answer to “How often should I wash my pillowcase acne?”
The video focuses on how changing your pillowcase regularly can help improve and prevent acne breakouts. It explains that oil, dirt, and dead skin cells accumulate on your pillowcase and can contribute to acne, so the recommended practice is to flip over your pillow every night or alternate between multiple pillowcases to always have a fresh side to sleep on.
There are alternative points of view
Wash or change your pillowcases and allergy covers regularly. Dr. Steele suggests doing so once a week, and if washing, using the hottest setting you can to kill microbes and allergens. If youre a big-time drooler or make it a habit of going to bed with makeup on, you may want to wash or change your pillowcases more often.
Generally speaking, washing your pillowcases once a week is a good idea. Whether you should wash it more frequently than that depends on how dirty the pillowcase gets each night.
I am confident you will be intrigued
How often should you wash pillowcases for acne?
Response: To prevent new breakouts from developing overnight, she recommends switching your pillowcase anywhere from every few days to daily (more often if you regularly wear makeup or are particularly acne-prone.)
How often should you wash your sheets to avoid acne?
once a week
Wash your sheets frequently
Ideally, people with acne-prone skin should wash their sheets at least once a week, if not more. If you suffer from acne, you can even throw your pillow in the dryer for 15 minutes every few days so the heat kills any bacteria on the surface.
Can unwashed pillow cases cause acne?
When not washed frequently, pillowcases contribute to acne breakouts because of the accumulation of bacteria, dirt, and oils. These come from the environment and from our own skin and hair from daily use. The irritation of your skin from contact with outside clothing is called acne mechanica.
How do I know if my pillow is causing acne?
As a response to this: If you see an uptick in acne breakouts, it is worth taking a closer look at the material that your pillowcases are made out of. Friction caused by rough cotton pillowcases can cause acne mechanica, aggravating sensitive skin and increasing the likelihood of acne breakouts.
How often should you wash your pillowcases & allergy covers?
Answer: Wash or change your pillowcases and allergy covers regularly. Dr. Steele suggests doing so once a week, and if washing, using the hottest setting you can to kill microbes and allergens. If you’re a big-time drooler or make it a habit of going to bed with makeup on, you may want to wash or change your pillowcases more often.
How often should you change your pillowcase?
Response: To prevent new breakouts from developing overnight, she recommends switching your pillowcase anywhere from every few days to daily (more often if you regularly wear makeup or are particularly acne-prone.) And yes, these guidelines apply even if you wash your face right before bed each night.
How do I care for my pillowcase?
Also important: When washing your pillowcase, "it’s better to use fragrance-free detergent and to avoid fabric softeners," says Dr. Jaliman. This is especially true if you have sensitive skin; opt for a dye-free, fragrance-free formula (they’ll often have the phrase "free and clear" on the label).
How often should you wash your face?
Yep, that’s right — you should wash it extremely often! At least once a week is the general consensus among skincare experts. If you have sensitive skin and are particularly prone to breakouts, you should also be conscious of the type of detergent you use.
How often should you wash your pillowcases & allergy covers?
As a response to this: Wash or change your pillowcases and allergy covers regularly. Dr. Steele suggests doing so once a week, and if washing, using the hottest setting you can to kill microbes and allergens. If you’re a big-time drooler or make it a habit of going to bed with makeup on, you may want to wash or change your pillowcases more often.
How often should you change your pillowcase?
To prevent new breakouts from developing overnight, she recommends switching your pillowcase anywhere from every few days to daily (more often if you regularly wear makeup or are particularly acne-prone.) And yes, these guidelines apply even if you wash your face right before bed each night.
How do I care for my pillowcase?
As an answer to this: Also important: When washing your pillowcase, "it’s better to use fragrance-free detergent and to avoid fabric softeners," says Dr. Jaliman. This is especially true if you have sensitive skin; opt for a dye-free, fragrance-free formula (they’ll often have the phrase "free and clear" on the label).
How often should you wash your face?
Yep, that’s right — you should wash it extremely often! At least once a week is the general consensus among skincare experts. If you have sensitive skin and are particularly prone to breakouts, you should also be conscious of the type of detergent you use.