If you follow beauty influencers on TikTok, then you’ve likely encountered the “morning shed.” These videos show women removing nighttime beauty products including a chin strap, mouth tape, face, hair bonnet, and hair rollers, revealing a serene smile.
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like a very comfortable way to sleep, yet the trend has spread. Proponents claim it’s self-care while detractors call it overconsumption.
In one video labeled 4:30 am, content creator Alexis Reneé goes through her typical routine. She gives out a long sigh and says, “I woke up early to take this off and go back to sleep.”
Of the chin strap, she says, “I was literally clenching my jaw so tight my teeth were rubbing together.” The mouth tape didn’t stay on—probably because she had moisturizer all over her lips. All in all, she concludes, the trend is not for her.
But the potential benefits seem legitimate for some. An end-of-day skincare routine can be a way to take care of yourself, doing your hair overnight could simplify your morning routine, and what about that chin strap and mouth tape? Could they really help you breathe easier and contour your chin?
We consulted experts to determine if this trend is worth the effort or just a drain on your time and mental health.
What is the TikTok morning shed trend?
The morning shed is the final step in a complicated beauty and wellness routine that’s been blowing up on TikTok with over 30 million views. At night, you put on a slew of products and then take them off upon waking up.
TikTok creators like to post this process of unpeeling and unmasking for followers to see how—ideally—dewy and fresh they look. The concept is “going to bed ugly and waking up pretty.”
The morning shed is the final step in a complicated beauty and wellness routine that’s been blowing up on TikTok with over 30 million views. At night, you put on a slew of products and then take them off upon waking up.
Is the morning shed trend effective?
“There are some products that should be part of a ‘morning shed,’ depending on the individual—hair bonnet, retainer or mouth guard, breathing strips, eye mask, earplugs, CPAP machine, what have you—but the majority of products that I see used in these videos are unnecessary, especially for nightly use,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, a dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology.
First, a few positives: Yadav says reusable products like silicone patches (such as those from SiO Beauty) can help improve the look of wrinkles because they help restrict facial movement and prevent water loss. Pimple patches (like those from CosRx or Hero) can also help protect blemishes and treat them with active ingredients like salicylic acid.
But if you look at the instructions on most sheet masks, you’ll notice there’s a set time to use them—usually about 20 minutes. In many cases, leaving them on longer can actually dehydrate the skin by wicking moisture out of it, says Yadav. All in all, these masks shouldn’t be left on the skin overnight because they can irritate the skin, block pores, and lead to breakouts.
Experts also warn against mouth taping and chin straps. There’s no scientific evidence that mouth taping could reduce sleep apnea or snoring, and chin straps are also a no-go for contouring—they only tighten skin for a brief period.
How the morning shed trend impacts sleep
Beyond the lack of effectiveness, there’s the obvious toll of sleeping with a face full of press-ons, a chin strap tight against your jaw, and mouth tape that blocks your ability to breathe easily: You’re going to disrupt your sleep.
When it comes to sleep hygiene, Sari Chait, PhD, clinical psychologist and founder of the Behavioral Health and Wellness Center in Newton, Mass., likens the morning shed to sleeping with a TV in your room—it might be fine for some people, but it could be a big problem for others.
How the morning shed trend impacts mental health
The morning shed could also be bad for your mental health. “What’s particularly relevant here is that poor sleep can lead to worsening mood, higher anxiety, and poorer concentration among other things,” says Chait.
What’s more: There’s an emphasis on physical beauty, on emerging out of your cocoon more beautiful than you were before—and that can be harmful too.
“I worry that some people may find engaging in this trend negatively affects their self-esteem,” says Chait. After all, as we’ve discussed before, the majority of the beauty techniques used for the morning shed just don’t work.
The bottom line on the morning shed trend
The morning shed takes a lot of time, and you might wake up grumpier than you would without it. Rather than buying up all these products—many of which don’t work—consider a simple face wash and moisturizer along with a gratitude practice to ease your mind before you snuggle into your sheets.
FAQs
What is the shedding trend?
The shedding trend involves Tiktok creators sleeping with multiple products such as face masks, eye masks, chin straps, and mouth tape, then “shedding” them in the morning.
Are there any other TikTok health trends worth trying? Here’s a look at popular TikTok sleep trends we put to the test.
