What is TikTok’s 'morning shed' trend and why dermatologists are warning against it

TikTok’s "morning shed" trend may sound like a gardening chore – but this new skincare routine has gone viral for reasons entirely different.

Thankfully, the trend doesn’t require any actual shedding or peeling of skin. "Morning shedding" refers to the removal of self-care products that content creators have slept in the night before, that they then "shed" off when they wake up, filming and broadcasting it on TikTok.

The products include face masks, eye patches, lip serums, heatless curls, and even mouth tape – and it’s fascinating to watch.

@courtneysnelll Replying to @Myatucker step by step routine and all the products i use 🫶🏼 #skincareroutine #skincare #nightlyroutine #morningshed #dailyshed #mouthtape #collagenfacemask #bedtime #bedtimeroutine ♬ original sound - Courtney Snell

In many ways, it’s genius: these creators wake up with glossy skin and perfect hair, gaining an extra half hour in bed all because they spent hours twirling their hair around socks the night before.

Many have justified the trend as "going to bed ugly in order to wake up pretty". But, like many of these viral routines, many have questioned whether it actually works – or if it’s just overconsumption gone mad.

Sleeping with heavy products can actually be detrimental to skin health, doctors say.

When it comes to the skincare, "leaving sheet masks on overnight is generally not recommended," says dermatologist and aesthetician, Dr Hasan Bena. "Sheet masks are designed to deliver a concentrated dose of active ingredients within a short period, so leaving them on for too long can cause the mask to dry out, potentially drawing moisture away from your skin instead of providing hydration."

For overnight hydration, Bena recommends that consumers use a leave-on mask or a thick moisturiser instead, with many good options on the market from a host of brands and retailers.

But what’s perhaps most intriguing about "morning sheds" is the sheer apparatus people implement. It’s not just a simple eye mask and lip balm – people are wrapping their faces in tape, gauze and fabric bands to secure the perfect facial structure.

Night time is skin’s opportunity to recover, repair and revitalise, "sleeping with strapping or sheets on top of your skin doesn’t allow it to breathe, and also restricts blood flow," explains aesthetics clinician, Amish Patel. "And certainly, strapping or taping your face up will not turn back the clock. It will also be uncomfortable and interrupt your valuable sleep pattern," she adds.

On top of this, using too many products can actually counteract their effectiveness, leading to congestion and breakouts.

"The skin’s barrier has limits and excess active ingredients can cause irritation or sensitivity," says Harley Street clinician, Lesley Reynolds. "Incompatible ingredients can reduce effectiveness or cause adverse reactions. For example, mixing retinol with strong acids might result in dryness and irritation. It’s crucial that consumers understand ingredient interactions."

Sleeping with various tools and treatments can also have an impact on the quality of sleep. Some products, like eye masks, can actually have a grounding effect and encourage people to lay extra still instead of tossing and turning all night long.

However, in the same vein, gooey eye patches, sticky lip masks, and tight neck wraps could be uncomfortable enough to keep you awake. "Consumers need to be careful about using incorrect dosing," says Dr Leah Totton, clinician and winner of the BBC’s The Apprentice. "They should take advice from a dermatologist or cosmetic doctor regarding which actives can be used alongside which."

It comes as beauty remains a popular category on TikTok, not only creating new trends but also driving impressive brand and awareness and sales for many businesses on platform.

Last month, British makeup brand P.Louise broke records during a 12-hour LIVE on TikTok Shop, generating over $2 million (£1.5 million) in sales and surpassing all UK and US records.

The achievement came after fellow TikTok viral beauty brand Made by Mitchell became the first-ever UK business to hit $1 million in revenue in one day on TikTok Shop last month.

Earlier this year, TikTok published a new handbook on how beauty businesses can better connect with consumers on the app. It came as figures revealed that 52% of users have gone on to make a purchase after interacting with SMB content on TikTok.

Read TheIndustry.beauty's feature on how beauty brands can leverage TikTok to drive growth here.