Whether you like it or not, you have days when your skin care regime can’t stand the test of a sleepy you. Sometimes, you even do this intentionally because you don’t give two cents about caring for your skin. Honestly, even skincare devotees sometimes fall short. You’re human and not a robot, especially after a late night out with friends. The body gets too fatigued sometimes and walking to your bathroom to take off your makeup can sometimes feel like a mile long journey.

Ever been guilty of falling asleep with makeup on or giving in to the little devil on your left shoulder telling you the world would not end if you gave in to sleep? Then you need to get your skin game back in order immediately you release the morning yawn.

“If you slept in your makeup, you want to be extra diligent about removing it the next morning,” explains NYC dermatologist Joshua Zeichner.

The world might not end but your skin is suffocating and could probably die by giving in to skin problems, like acne, dry skin, pale skin tone or facial rashes, which are possible results of sleeping in with your makeup. But don’t panic; your skin can be revived. Follow these steps for a handy damage control solution of what to do when you fall asleep with your makeup on.

1. Don’t panic

It’s not that bad. As we said, you can revive your skin. So just calm down and assess the situation.

2. Wash your face

This is an obvious measure you need to take. Simply wash your face. Make sure you do it mildly. Don’t be too hard on your face.

3. Cleanse

Yes, washing actually does the surface work of cleansing but you need to do more. You need to extract the makeup debris still staring at you through the mirror like they own your face. You should use an oil-based cleanser to remove oil and makeup completely from the skin. Then use a foaming cleanser to penetrate more into your skin and extract any hidden dirt.

4. Exfoliate

If you don’t exfoliate ever, then this is the time to start. Lightly exfoliate your skin to remove any gunk from your pores using a good facial scrub. You can use white sugar to get the job done if you don’t have an exfoliating scrub. This will help kill your dead skin cells and leave it open for whatever nourishing product you intend to use.

5. Put on Hydrating Face Mask

Nourish your skin with a hydrating, calming face mask. This helps to minimise the risk of irritation if you intend to do any acne treatment for your face afterwards.

6. Moisturise

Get your face restored back to health, looking soft and supple once again by using a good day time moisturiser, preferably one with sunscreen.

7. Let your skin breathe

So you’ve been unfair to your face all through the night. Now you need to let your face breathe, free of any makeup, for some hours.

8. Change the Sheets

You’ve probably smeared makeup on your sheets and can’t have your skin getting exposed to bacteria. According to Dr. Engelman, “If you don’t launder your pillowcase and sheets the next day, you risk reverse contamination, so even if you end up washing your face before going to bed, that residual product will be on your pillowcase already and, in effect, will transfer back onto your skin when you lie down.”