The Morning Shed: Is It Really Worth the Hype Or Is It Hurting Your Skin?

There’s a new beauty trend sweeping TikTok by storm, nicknamed the “morning shed”. A plethora of women sporting an unusual assortment of headgear, including silk hair bonnets, chin straps, mouth tape, silicone patches for the eyes and forehead, sheet masks, and lip stains, have captivated viewers the world over.

The premise behind the movement is straightforward, sleeping with skin and hair treatments will make you wake up looking flawless, leaving you more time in the morning for other tasks. The idea is to save time on beauty routines like hair styling which could be quite time-consuming, especially for those with busy schedules.

Practices such as wearing a hair bonnet while sleeping to protect your hair are generally harmless, albeit potentially a bit uncomfortable. However, there are certain aspects of this trend that draw concern from skincare professionals. Practices like wearing chin straps for a slimmer jawline and mouth tape to promote nasal breathing during sleep might not have proven benefits and could be potentially harmful.

One popular addition to the routine is Silicone patches. Those who use them claim they prevent evaporation when layered over skincare products, leading to plumped skin with minimized wrinkles, otherwise known as the “glass skin”. Despite its popularity, experts caution that layering too many products can lead to adverse reactions like irritation, inflammation, and even breakouts due to overburdening the skin.

Talking about the overuse and layering of beauty products, skin health educator Linda Sharrem warns about the potential harm it could cause the skin’s natural repair process. She urges users to choose products that respond well to their skin type rather than chasing after popular trends.

A common misconception about skincare routine is the more complex it is, the more effective it will be. But contrary to popular belief, more is not always better. A simple and consistent skincare regimen, with products suited to individual needs and skin type, might prove more fruitful in the long run.

Sometimes it can feel like we’re under pressure to follow these beauty trends because it seems like everyone else is doing it. It’s pretty entertaining to see the before and after videos on TikTok, and maybe that’s why we can’t seem to look away. However, falling for every trend that comes along won’t necessarily do your skin any favors.

Perhaps one of the best things you can do for your skin is to get a good night’s sleep. The idea of sleeping with silicone patches or sheet masks might sound appealing, but doing so might lead to more harm than good. While the intended effect is to smooth skin, the actual result could be deep creases formed by sleeping patterns and the shifting of the skin treatment products.

In the world of skincare, remember that simplicity is key. Sharrem stresses the importance of approaching skincare with a long-term perspective, aiming for consistency and patience rather than immediate results.

Instead of chasing after every viral trend, one might find it beneficial to add a weekly at-home treatment specific to their skin’s needs, such as a vitamin C mask for radiance or a hydrating mask for moisture.

Among the several viral beauty trends, a standout for its skin benefits is “skin cycling”, a practice which involves switching between potent ingredients like retinols and hydrating serums to avoid overwhelming the skin and ensure it can fully absorb the benefits of each product.

In conclusion, while viral beauty trends like the “morning shed” may make for entertaining content, it’s crucial to remember that everyone’s skin is different. Hence, one must always put their skin’s needs first before jumping onto any trending skincare bandwagon.