Is Your Pillowcase Giving You Acne?

We asked a dermatologist.

We’re big fans of beauty sleep here at Bed Threads – along with plenty of water, fresh food and a product or two, sleep can play a major role in the health of our skin. But if you’ve ever woken up with a breakout, you might have wondered: “Is my pillowcase giving me acne?”

While your pillowcase isn’t the root of all skin problems, it does play a role in your skin health – after all, you rest your lovely face on it for 8 hours each night.

We spoke to dermatologist Dr Davin Lim to find out if your pillowcase can contribute to acne, and what steps you can take to avoid getting it in the future.

Can your pillowcase give you acne?

The short answer? Yes.

“Your pillowcase material is super important as it can have an impact on your skin with several mechanisms,” shares Dr Lim. Firstly, “dirt and bacterial build up can lead to acne by clogging pores,” he says. Secondly, “skin irritation can occur with some types of fabrics, which in turn may lead to skin sensitivity, redness and inflammation.”

Not only can your pillowcase material be contributing to breakouts, how it's laundered can also play a role. “Another common source of allergens is the detergent that pillowcases get washed in,” Dr Lim said.

Dr Lim also places an emphasis on how absorbent your pillowcase fabric is. “Some fabrics absorb more sweat than others. Natural fibres are preferred to synthetics as they absorb more moisture,” he explains.

What can we do about it?

Aside from opting for natural fibres such as linen, there are other ways to reduce bacteria on your pillow and prevent acne.

“If you have oily or acneic skin, changing your pillowcase every 3-4 days is prudent to reduce oil or sebum build up,” Dr Lim recommends. "This will reduce bacteria on your pillow.”

“For normal skin, I would say [change your pillowcase] weekly to keep the balance between hygiene and overwashing,” he says.

“Another factor to consider is seasons. As you may sweat more in summer, changing pillowcases every 2-4 days is sensible.”

Other than keeping on top of your pillowcase’s cleanliness, ensuring you have a clean face before going to bed can help. “The most important habit to follow is to take makeup off before bedtime and to cleanse thoroughly before sleeping,” says Dr Lim. “If you have acne-prone skin, it is best to avoid heavy ointments, creams and oils prior to sleeping. Look for the term 'non-comedogenic' to ensure that products won't clog your skin,” he adds.

Ensuring your hair is clean is equally important. “Hair care is frequently overlooked, especially if you have an oily scalp. Much like skin, wash regularly to prevent build up of dirt and sebum (oil).”

Tried these tips and still struggling with your skin?

We asked Dr Lim for some general advice for people looking to improve their acne.

Do not underestimate the importance of diet. A low-sugar, low-dairy diet that is high in antioxidants can markedly improve acne. Above all, avoid processed foods that have a high glycemic index.
Add key ingredients such as salicylic acid as a wash. Start off once daily and increase to morning and night as tolerated.
Retinoids are first-line treatment for acne as they reduce inflammation, oil production, bacteria counts and normalise skin shedding. A simple formulation is retinol 1%, applied nightly.
Remember, it takes time before acne improves, so be patient! Give a product at least 6 to 8 weeks before swapping to a more powerful formulation.

For more skin care tips from Dr Davin Lim, visit drdavinlim.com