Experts have weighed in on a new Gen Z beauty trend that is so extensive, it often sees those who participate in it skipping sex in order to look “hot.”
The “morning shed” is a new social media phenomenon where Gen Z skincare enthusiasts indulge in elaborate bedtime routines to ensure they wake up looking their best.
It often involves participants completing a lengthy skincare regimen alongside a series of beauty products, such as hair rollers, mouth guards and chin straps.
But while there are currently thousands of videos showing elaborate “morning shed” routines of the most loyal devotees on TikTok, a string of Australian experts have warned “more isn’t always better when it comes to skincare.”
“The effectiveness of skincare practices can vary widely depending on individual needs and skin types,” Katy Bacon, Murad education director and dermal therapist, told news.com.au’s The Beauty Diary.
“It’s important to recognize that the skincare requirements of someone in their 20s differ significantly from those of someone in their 50s.
“While it may seem tempting to adopt the latest TikTok trends, many of these practices often lack scientific evidence to support their efficacy and can be driven more by marketing than by genuine results.”
This message was echoed by Melbourne dermal clinician James Vivian who urged caution with techniques and methods that haven’t been clinically tested.
“Whilst some skincare and self-care practices are steeped in clinical data and proven history, many of the steps and processes that can grace a ‘morning shed’ are still not vet verified and may in fact be a bit of a waste of time,” he said.
“I’m not afraid of the acronym ‘KISS,’ which stands for ‘keep it simple, stupid.’ Skincare routines, I believe, should be simple and contain only ingredients and steps that our skins really need.
“Trust ingredients such as exfoliants, Vitamin A, antioxidants, peptides and don’t forgo essential steps such as cleaning, hydrating and, of course, SPF during the day.”
Another problem that both Vivian and Bacon stressed could arise from the lengthy morning shed routine is an issue with sleep.
“There may be disruption to sleep due to discomfort as well as costing time that would otherwise be spent sleeping,” Vivian said.
“Sleep is such an important part of skin and body repair and regeneration. Want to look older than you are? Sleeping less will help get you there.”
Mouth tape and pimple patches, as I often see in clinic, can lead to skin being ripped off causing wounds and also peri-oral dermatitis.”
Bacon shared similar concerns, warning that while the idea behind the “morning shed” trend is that sacrificing short-term comfort–like cuddling or romance–leads to long-term glow, it might not be worth the gamble.
“The mantra is, ‘If I go to bed uglier, I’ll wake up hotter’, but skincare shouldn’t come at the expense of comfort,” she urged.
“It’s crucial to focus on quality over quantity and to choose products and routines backed by scientific research and tailored to your skin’s unique needs.
“Working with a qualified skincare expert can help you navigate the myriad of trends and find the most effective solutions for achieving healthy, radiant skin.”
However, some dedicated Gen Zers have declared they are prepared to forgo moments of intimacy in favour of their skincare routines.
“My boyfriend gets so annoyed with me,” a 24-year-old named Daisy, who called her routine “non-negotiable,” told Dazed.
“By the time I’m done, my boyfriend is asleep and there is no more opportunity for cuddling.
“He brings it up in the morning often and we sometimes have an argument about it.”
Even if the young couple do get it on, Daisy admits she will “run to the bathroom and spend a minimum of 20 minutes double cleansing my face and applying my serums and moisturiser.”
Melbourne pharmaceutical scientist and author of “Your Best Skin,” Hannah English, warned that the trend contained messaging that was “quite damaging for young women.”
“The ‘morning shed’ is about ‘going to bed ugly’ so you can “wake up hot” and it involves sleeping in various shocking-looking devices and products that have purported beauty outcomes,” she told The Beauty Diary.
“The ‘shed’ part is when you wake up, take them all off and go from scary-looking to stunning. Allegedly. Because even when you’re sleeping, you should be becoming hotter, right? And you can buy everything from an Amazon storefront near you.”
She stressed that some of the videos, which are titled ‘how to get hotter while you sleep’ suggest you must be “optimising all of your time, even resting time, in the pursuit of beauty”. “That’s quite damaging for young women,” English, who recently formulated 3 new barrier repair products with TBH Skincare, stated.
“I think a heatless curl or silk bonnet for your hair is relatively normal — those protect the hair from tangles overnight and avoid excessive heat styling. An eye mask to create extra darkness and help you sleep if you’re a light sleeper is pretty normal too, and so is washing your face and applying serums and moisturiser.
“Even the lip stains are reasonable, but where we start to cross a line is an overnight sheet mask which is wasteful, slimy and going to be washed off anyway.
“There’s no evidence to support mouth tape and the chin strap. It’s not going to reduce a double chin. If it could, no one would have double chins and plastic surgeons could cross that problem off their lists of things to treat in patients.”
Instead, English, Vivian and Bacon all said those wanting to maximize the results of their skincare and beauty treatments can do so by focusing on high-quality products formulated with effective ingredients tailored to your skin type and concerns.
Bacon said: “An effective routine can be simplified into a few key steps; cleansing, treatment (AKA serum), moisturising, and applying sunscreen during the day – while prioritizing consistency for the best results.”
