After a busy day—or let’s be real: a busy decade—summoning the energy for your nightly skincare routine can feel mighty challenging. Really, who hasn’t thought, what’s the harm in going to sleep with my makeup on just this once?

Here is why — We all want to be our best and sleep provides you with the perfect platform for enhancing your skin’s health and appearance. And, it turns out that plenty of damage can be done to your skin while you slumber.

After a busy day—or let’s be real: a busy decade—summoning the energy for your nightly skincare routine can feel mighty challenging. Really, who hasn’t thought, what’s the harm in going to sleep with my makeup on just this once?

Here is why — We all want to be our best and sleep provides you with the perfect platform for enhancing your skin’s health and appearance. And, it turns out that plenty of damage can be done to your skin while you slumber.

Further, the five minutes you spend on your nightly skincare routine will remind you of the power and importance of nourishing yourself—and with that comes self-compassion (and more inner confidence).

So before you skip your regime to head straight for the sheets, consider these 5 reasons why your nightly skincare routine is essential:

3. You lose out on the chance to target other problems

Like your brain and body, your skin relies on slumber to restore, regenerate, and rejuvenate. Given the amazing metabolic processes that occur while you’re dreaming, to not use this time to treat your skin is a huge missed opportunity.

Happen to have adult acne? Apply a clog-busting product before you fluff your pillow. Is your skin dry? Use your midnight hours to let that moisturizer do some serious soaking. Those with pigmentation issues, on the other hand, can use their REM to let toners do their magic.

And please don’t think you can apply such products on an unwashed complexion: Not only will they be ineffective, but they’ll also further congest your pores.

4. It Will Strengthen a Vital Habit

Many women fight nightly skincare routines because of a) time and b) money. In truth, a basic nightly skincare routine requires no more than five minutes and three ingredients (water, cleanser, and moisturizer).

Once you start seeing the impact an evening regime has on your complexion, you’ll quickly find momentum—and begin to see it as fundamental as brushing your teeth or taking a shower. What’s more, the efficacy of some skincare products depends on consistency; to see real results, you must use them faithfully.

5. It May Slow Down the Aging Process

As discussed, your face is exposed to a number of toxins throughout the day, including free radicals, such as the sun, smoke, smog, and dust. Ultimately, these cause damage to our complexion’s DNA and hasten aging by breaking down collagen and creating wrinkles (as well as dark spots, fine lines, and broken blood vessels).

The healing effects of sleep, however, allow your skin to counteract this process—particularly if your skin has been properly prepped with a gentle cleanser and an all-natural moisturizer. Combine sufficient rest with an antioxidant-rich diet and you’ll be golden. Or, rather, glowing. After all, it’s called beauty sleep for a reason.