Adapted by:
Alba Otero
Writer“Observe, listen, and reflect” is my journalistic mantra. This philosophy guides me daily and ensures I produce quality journalism. My restlessness has led me explore new areas, such as sustainability and the energy transition, which are crucial to our future. In addition, I’ve also dabbled in street photography, an art that allows me to capture the essence of journalism in action.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
The Earth revolves around the Sun, and people revolve around TikTok. Whenever a trend emerges, thousands jump on board. For months, sleeping through the night with masks, patches, silk hats, and more has become fashionable. This trend has a name: morning shed.
A simple premise. People who practice the trend believe that the longer you leave a mask on, the more effective it will be. This isn’t true. Every product has a specific shelf life and expiration date, usually listed on the packaging. Dermatologists support beauty routines but warn against over-covering the skin and using products without moderation.
A new viral phenomenon. According to Vogue, TikTok already has more than 75 million posts about morning sheds, and the number keeps growing. Most people—primarily women—aim to add more cosmetics and gadgets to their evening facial rituals.
Watch on TikTok
The more, the better. Too many videos exist to analyze individually, but they often follow the same steps. First, users apply night masks and eye contour patches. Next comes face taping, where adhesive tapes act as neuromodulators to “tighten” the skin. Then, there’s mouth taping, a practice that involves placing tape over the mouth to promote nasal breathing. Other steps include heatless curls using bandanas, curlers, and silk caps, tape for the double chin, and castor oil wraps for the abdomen.
The logic behind the trend is that the longer products stay in contact with the skin, the more effective they’ll be. But reality tells a different story.
The potential risks. The problem lies in the prolonged exposure of these products to the face. Moisturizing is necessary, but overdoing it can backfire. Dermatologist Purvisha Patel told Vogue that covering the skin too much can cause breakouts or reduce the effectiveness of active ingredients.
Facial taping also poses risks. Melissa Doft, a plastic surgeon and founder of Doft Plastic Surgery, told The Zoe Report that taping offers minimal benefits with no lasting effects. She also warned that it can irritate the skin’s barrier and clog pores, potentially causing acne.
Mouth taping, a trend claiming to improve nasal breathing, sleep quality, and jawline definition, is another concern. Doft dismissed these claims as myths: “If you’re opening up your mouth or not opening up your mouth, that’s not going to affect your jawline by lifting your digastric muscles or your platysma muscles.”
She added, “There are reasons that we open up our mouths. You wouldn’t want to prevent a sleeping person from being able to do that.” Mouth taping can impede breathing and disrupt sleep, affecting rest quality.
No lasting effects. TikTok videos show people using bands to redefine facial contours and girdles with castor oil to reduce measurements. However, dermatologist Dendy Engelman told Women’s Health Magazine that no evidence suggests these methods cause permanent changes to facial or body structure. For hair, she cautioned against tightening too much to avoid traction-related hair loss.
Is it a fad? Beyond its effectiveness, the trend reflects the extreme commodification of self-care. Morning sheds exemplify how far the obsession with aesthetic perfection can go. While some habits can be beneficial, overloading with products and gadgets doesn’t guarantee better results and can sometimes be harmful.
Before jumping on a viral trend, consult professionals who can help tailor the best routine. But if there’s one piece of advice to follow, even in winter, never skip sunscreen.
Image | TikTok
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