Debunking 'morning shed 2.0' as dermatologist shares important advice

A dermatologist is shedding light on the viral ‘morning shed’ trend that has taken over social media.

The latest beauty obsession on TikTok sees creators piling on an elaborate, multi-step routine before bed. They use everything from hair curlers. serums and face masks to mouth tape, jaw straps, under-eye patches, skin tape and teeth-whitening strips.

Then, come morning, it’s time for the big reveal, or 'morning shed'. Influencers peel, unwrap and remove layer after layer of products, almost like an unboxing video before revealing what appears to be a hydrated, glowing complexion and perfectly styled hair.

Out of the purported benefits, a ‘good chunk’ are ‘psychological’, says Dr Memee Ahmad of SkinCouture. “The appeal is the fantasy of waking up and being ready for the day with basically zero effort. There’s nothing wrong with that. A calming wind-down routine before bed does support better sleep, which is one of the actual best things you can do for your skin and body.”

However, there are some downsides, Dr Ahmad warns, including the large number of products that need to be used and shedded and whether they’re actually built to be used in this way.

Under eye patches are just one of the products used in the shedding trend (Getty Stock Image)

“Mouth tape is not a joke,” she warns. “It relies on you breathing only through your nose for eight hours straight. Got a cold, allergies, a dodgy septum or undiagnosed sleep apnoea? Bad idea. You might sleep worse.”

Dr Ahmad warns that mouth tape, chin straps and hair rollers can be uncomfortable enough to disrupt sleep, preventing you from reaching the restorative sleep stages you need.

And not all sheet masks are meant to be worn all night. “Standard fabric sheet masks dry out overnight and start pulling moisture back out of your skin instead of putting it in, basically betraying you in your sleep.

“Purpose-built overnight or hydrogel masks are a different product and don’t have this problem, but most people can’t tell the two apart from a TikTok video.”

Viewers who are influenced to try this viral trend may also be unaware that the ingredients in the face masks and the time you wear them also matter.

“Choosing one with strong actives and leaving it on for eight hours… you’re not glowing by morning, you’re irritated and have a broken skin barrier,” she warns. “Further to this, sleeping with tape or a face mask overnight can cause skin irritation and even contact dermatitis.”

The new trend has sparked concern (Getty Stock Image)

The final verdict? While the trend does use products that might enhance a skincare or wellness routine, it's important to be aware of what you’re putting on your skin and for how long.

“I have never prescribed a beauty shed for any of my clients,” Dr Ahmad tells Tyla. “This trend does have products that might enhance a routine or give a nice instant effect, but they were never meant to replace proven skincare or professional advice.

“It’s Unnecessary rather than dangerous, as long as people are sensible about it. Skip anything with retinol under a mask, use products actually designed for overnight wear, and think twice about the mouth tape unless you’re certain you can breathe through your nose all night. If the ritual itself is what people are really after, that’s fine.

“But aside from that? A good, consistent night skincare routine is good enough.”