What is the “morning shed” trend (and does it really work)?
So you've seen the "morning shed" trend on TikTok and are wondering if it really works? We'll dive into the pros and cons of adopting this popular nighttime routine.
TikTok can be an amazing hub for self-care tips, like the latest workouts, healthy food hacks, and even skincare routines. It’s also a hub for trends, some good, and some bad — and the latest one to go viral is the morning shed.
You might’ve seen videos of people waking up with flawless, glowing skin, crediting these results to the routine they followed the night before. And it’s easy to see the appeal of whatever it is they’re doing. Who wouldn’t want to roll out of bed feeling refreshed and looking as if they’ve just had a professional facial overnight?
But what exactly is a morning shed routine? Does it actually work, and is it safe? Here’s everything you need to know to stay ahead of the curve on skincare self-care.
What’s the morning shed (and does it work)?
The morning shed is a self-care trend that’s become popular on TikTok, and it involves people layering products on their skin before bed with the hope of achieving a wow factor in the morning. “The uglier you go to bed, the prettier you wake up,” is the motto of morning shed enthusiasts.
This trend, allegedly, is all about helping your skin do what it does naturally: renew itself. It’s called morning shed because you’re helping skin shed dead cells and surface build up overnight, so you wake up looking fresh. Plus, in the morning, you’re literally shedding more than a few self-care products, from mouth tape to face masks.
Each person’s approach to the morning shed is different, but the focus should be on self-care. For many, the routine starts with a mild exfoliant, then deeply hydrating the skin with serums, essences, or hydrating masks and is is topped off with a thick moisturizer, oil, or occlusive product to lock in all that hydration and protect the skin barrier while you sleep.
Add in whatever combination of finishing self-care touches you want—hair products, eye masks, and even mouth tape—and you’re ready for bed.
So, does all of this effort actually work? For some people, yes — particularly if they have dry or mature skin that can handle richer products overnight. But using too many products, especially exfoliants, can backfire by causing irritation and compromising the skin’s natural barrier.
If you decide to give the morning shed a try, start with a few basic products and see how your skin reacts before diving into a full, layered routine. As always, listen to your body.
💙 Try Sleep Routine: Calming The Mind and Body with Mel Mah to enhance your beauty rest in more ways than one.
Why did the morning shed trend become popular?
TikTok thrives on visual transformations, and the morning shed trend promises radiant, smooth skin in the morning after a night of self-care. It taps into a few different popular trends that social media users have latched onto throughout the years.
Instant results: We want to see noticeable changes in our skin without having to wait for weeks or months.
Emphasis on self-care and ritual: The process of layering products at night feels like an act of pampering and indulgence, which is especially popular in self-care culture.
Influencer endorsement and peer influence: When big influencers endorse the trend, it quickly spreads to a wide audience. Many of us are inspired to try it out ourselves, hoping for similar results.
Aesthetic appeal and skin goals: The morning shed routine promises dewy skin for those of us seeking a natural, fresh-faced look without makeup. It offers a way to achieve a no-makeup look and be camera-ready with minimal effort.
Fear of missing out (FOMO): TikTok thrives on challenges and trends that create a sense of community, making it no surprise that the morning shed routine became a viral topic with people of all skin types giving it a go.
💙 Check out Dreams, Memes & Viral Trends, which is a Sleep Story from the voice who launched a million TikToks, Kat Callaghan.
How morning shed could impact sleep quality (and other considerations)
While the morning shed may (or may not?) do wonders for your skin, you shouldn’t overlook the impact it can have on sleep.
Many of the tools and products associated with this routine—like chin straps, mouth tape, and hair rollers—can be uncomfortable and lead to tossing and turning, preventing you from entering deep, restorative sleep cycles. Heavily fragranced or sticky skincare products can also make it difficult to get the rest you need too.
Over time, disrupted sleep patterns can have a major impact on your mental and physical wellbeing, and it won’t really matter how many skin-care products you’re slathering on if you’re sporting dark under eye circles from bad sleep hygiene.
A lack of quality sleep has been linked to mood swings, anxiety, and reduced cognitive performance, making it harder to tackle daily challenges with clarity and focus. Chronic sleep issues can also contribute to long-term health concerns like cardiovascular problems and metabolic imbalances.
Ironically, poor sleep can also have a negative effect on your skin. Quality sleep is critical for healthy skin, and any beauty routine that compromises rest may not deliver the results it promises. So whether or not you’re participating in the morning shed routine, these 10 tips can help you get some high-quality rest.
6 pros and cons of the morning shed routine
You might have high expectations for the morning shed, but as with most skincare trends, not everyone gets the look they’re going for. If you decide to give the morning shed a try, start with a few basic products and see how your skin reacts before diving into a full, layered routine.
Let’s explore some pros of the trend, as well as the cons, to better explore if this trend is right for you and your skin.
Pros
Enhanced overnight hydration: By layering hydrating products, you’re helping your skin stay moist and soft, which can be especially helpful if you have dry skin or live in a dry climate.
Encourages skin renewal: Mild exfoliants used in moderation can remove dead skin cells, making way for a fresher look in the morning.
Calming evening ritual: The routine itself can feel relaxing, helping you wind down and signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. The gentle massage involved may also help reduce facial tension. Need extra help falling asleep? Try one of these seven deep breathing exercises to help you wind down and get ready for bed.
Cons
Potential sleep disturbances: Layering skincare and beauty products can make it tough for you to get quality sleep. As a result, you may feel groggy the next day, or deal with mood swings, anxiety, and trouble focusing.
Possible skin issues: Overdoing it with exfoliants and rich products every night can disrupt the skin barrier, leading to dryness, redness, or sensitivity. In addition, heavy creams and oils may clog pores, especially for those with oily or acne-prone skin. Too much product buildup can backfire and cause an increase in breakouts and irritation.
Increased cost and time: This routine can be pricey if you’re using multiple products nightly, and it takes extra time, which not everyone may have in their schedule.
💙 Try the bedtime meditation Unwind Into Sleep with Chibs Okereke to add more support to your nighttime routine.
Morning shed FAQs
What are the potential risks of using mouth tape during sleep?
Mouth taping is a trend some people try as part of their sleep or beauty routine, with the intention of training themselves to breathe through their nose instead of their mouth while they sleep.
The idea is that nasal breathing can support better overall health, including improved sleep quality. It may even benefit the skin by reducing dryness caused by mouth breathing. But taping your mouth shut isn’t a safe option for everyone.
If you have any kind of nasal congestion, allergies, or conditions that make it hard to breathe through your nose (like sleep apnea), mouth taping can make it difficult to get enough oxygen while you sleep. This can lead to disrupted sleep or, in severe cases, a drop in oxygen levels, which isn’t safe.
Even people with normal nasal breathing can find mouth tape uncomfortable or disorienting, especially if they’re not used to it. Some people also find that the tape causes irritation around their lips or mouth.
Before trying mouth taping, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider to be sure it’s safe for you. If you want to encourage nose breathing, consider less invasive methods, like elevating your head with a pillow or trying breathing exercises, which can be effective and don’t involve risks.
How can I determine which skincare products are suitable for overnight use?
Choosing the right products for overnight use can be a bit of trial and error as you work out what suits your skin best:
Consider your skin type: Dry skin may benefit from richer creams and hydrating serums that offer moisture throughout the night. If your skin is oily or acne-prone, lighter, non-comedogenic products (that won’t clog your pores) are usually a better choice, as they provide hydration without feeling heavy or potentially causing breakouts.
Start with the basics: Try a gentle cleanser, hydrating serum, and moisturizer before adding more products with active ingredients like retinol or acids. Strong actives can be beneficial for many people, but they’re not always necessary every night, and they can sometimes cause irritation.
Check the label: Look out for phrases like “overnight” or “sleep mask,” as these are usually products designed for night use.
Ask for recommendations: A dermatologist can help you find the right products, especially if you have sensitive skin or specific concerns.
Are there any long-term effects of following intensive nighttime beauty routines?
Yes, there can be long-term effects—both positive and negative—from following an intensive nighttime beauty routine. On one hand, a consistent routine focused on hydration and gentle care can help support healthy skin over time. If you’re regularly moisturizing, using sunscreen in the morning, and giving your skin what it needs at night, you’re more likely to have resilient, well-hydrated skin as you age.
But overusing strong active ingredients like retinol, AHAs, or BHAs, especially without giving your skin breaks, can lead to redness, sensitivity, and a weakened skin barrier, making it harder for your skin to repair itself naturally. Dermatologists often recommend rotating products or using stronger treatments less frequently, especially if you notice signs of irritation.
Sometimes less is more with skincare, and giving your skin time to breathe can be just as beneficial as sticking to a strict, intensive routine. Regularly reassessing your skin’s needs and adjusting your products as necessary can help maintain long-term skin health without overdoing it.
How does sleep position affect overnight beauty treatments?
Your sleep position can have a surprising impact on how well your skincare products work overnight. If you sleep on your back, your face is less likely to rub against your pillow, which means your products stay on your skin instead of being absorbed into your pillowcase.
Back sleeping also helps avoid the creasing, or sleep-wrinkles, that can happen when you sleep on your side or stomach, where your face is pressed into the pillow. Over time, these repeated creases can make lines and wrinkles more noticeable, especially around the eyes and mouth.
Side or stomach sleepers may also benefit from using a silk or satin pillowcase, which causes less friction and is gentler on the skin. Silk also absorbs less moisture than cotton, meaning it’s less likely to soak up your serums and creams.
Changing your sleep position can be challenging, especially if you’re used to sleeping on your side or stomach, but making small adjustments—like propping up with pillows to support your head—can make it easier to try back-sleeping. Small tweaks like these can help your skincare products stay on longer, giving them more time to do their work overnight. Learn more about the benefits of the four different sleep positions, and which are best for quality rest.
What are some alternative, minimalist approaches to nighttime skincare?
If the intensive morning shed trend doesn’t feel like the right fit for you then try going basic. Minimalist skincare is all about quality over quantity. Focus on just a few effective products that meet your skin’s needs and adjusting only when necessary.
A minimal approach typically includes three products:
Gentle cleanser: This can remove the day’s makeup, dirt, and oil.
Hydrating serum or treatment: Select one suited to your skin type.
Moisturizer: This locks in hydration.
Many people find that a minimalist approach improves their skin, as it minimizes exposure to potential irritants and lets the skin balance itself naturally.
For those who want to keep it even simpler, sticking to just a good cleanser and a moisturizer can still make a big difference.
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