The extreme drifts of beauty sleep

There is a great revelation that we have all learned in recent years: sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining physical and mental health, which also reflects on our appearance. Sleeping more (and better) strengthens the immune system, regulates metabolism and blood pressure, makes the skin glow, improves mood and brain functions. The problem is that many people struggle to fall asleep and spend hours counting sheep in vain, hoping to get 7-8 hours of well-deserved rest. So, to solve insomnia, we try every kind of remedy. We drink relaxing herbal teas, avoid the blue light from tablets and smartphones, meditate, and even plan wellness vacations. And if we succeed, what do we do? Do we enjoy the peace and our dreams? No, we obsessively use the nighttime hours to amplify the natural benefits of sleep. Yes, there are specific treatments that yield better results if done while we sleep, and perhaps applying a good moisturizing cream before bed can be helpful, but some of us have gone beyond that.

What is Morning Shed?

Most of us, after a long day of work or study, are exhausted, and the most we can do before diving under the duvet is to remove makeup and brush our teeth. The most diligent people add a nighttime beauty routine with a face and body moisturizer and gather their hair in a braid or wear a cap to prevent it from tangling and knotting during sleep, which can cause breakage and damage. However, there is another group of women—according to social media, a large one—that doesn't stop there and, before going to bed, spends a lot of time on their appearance with a routine involving dozens of steps and just as many products, which they then patiently remove one by one upon waking up. This daily ritual, shared in millions of videos on TikTok, has become a viral trend called Morning Shed.

The idea is that the "uglier you go to bed, the prettier you wake up." So, despite the day's exhaustion, many women load up on face masks, serums, eye patches, lip and pimple treatments, face taping or face masks, teeth-whitening strips, chin straps, silk hair caps, heatless curlers, and more. The result? Clones of Hannibal Lecter. Then, in the morning, just out of bed, these women stumble to the bathroom, stand in front of the mirror, and for the benefit of their smartphone screens, start removing all the products they applied the night before, enthusiastically revealing a radiant face, perfect for gathering views on TikTok.

Does the Morning Shed really work? 

The goal of applying all these products is to make the most of sleep time so that the various formulations work on the body, yielding a beautiful, youthful, and healthy appearance in the morning. In short, it's a high maintenance routine aimed at looking low maintenance and effortlessly beautiful during the day. Obviously, this is a contradiction, an illusion that can prove harmful. Some aspects of the Morning Shed, like silk hair caps and sleep masks, are harmless, even beneficial, but others are not. For example, mouth taping can block nasal passages, limit oxygen flow, and cause skin irritation. Applying too much cosmetic product is not only wasteful but can clog pores and cause breakouts. Sleeping with a face mask can be a bad idea and lead to redness. Finally, chin straps, which are very popular on TikTok, can't firm up the skin for more than a short period. They apply slight pressure to the area, reducing swelling temporarily and giving the appearance of a sharper jawline, but once these devices are removed, the skin usually returns to its previous state.

Are we just overdoing our beauty routines in pursuit of impossible perfection?

The Morning Shed involves an investment of time and money in buying creams, serums, patches, and the entire evening kit. But it's also an emotional investment, encouraging people to chase physical perfection through a complicated glow up, even when they should be resting and doing nothing. The risk is falling into obsession, compulsion, and in extreme cases, exacerbating self-loathing caused by an unattainable beauty ideal. No cosmetic can help us achieve the best version of ourselves, and a chin strap won't make us firmer, younger, or more beautiful. And then, why should we waste time and energy waking up sexy in the morning? We should always do what makes us feel good, but with moderation. The best thing we can do for our skin is to sleep well at night and stick to a beauty routine that works for our skin and lifestyle.