The Truth Behind TikTok's Morning Shed Trend: What Experts Say

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by Zoe Doyle
September 02, 2024
5 min read

This article takes a deep dive into a new viral beauty trend known as "The Morning Shed" and delivers expert opinions on whether or not this elaborate ritual is effective.

Inside this Article:

Experts Debunk "The Morning Shed"
Silk Bonnets and Hair Coverings: Worth the Investment
Silk: A Science-Based Boost to Your Beauty Routine
The Takeaway: Keep it Simple (and Silky!)

Serum? Check.

Eye mask? Check.

Chin strap? Check.

Mouth tape? Face tape? Hair bonnet?

Check, check, and check.

If this looks anything close to your nighttime beauty routine, you're no stranger to "The Morning Shed." For the uninitiated, we're talking about a hot new viral beauty trend where influencers strap up, tape up, lotion up, and cover up before going to bed in hopes that when they take it all off the next morning (the "shed") they'll be rocking a snatched jawline, skin like glass, wrinkle-free eyes, full lips, and smooth hair that cascades into effortless-seeming beach waves.

But does layering up all these products and devices work? The Mulberry Park Silks team loves talking about all things beauty and self-care-related (especially the benefits of sleeping on silk pillowcases and wearing a silk sleep bonnet). But not all beauty rituals are worth jumping on the bandwagon for. And some are downright dangerous (think: the lead-based face powder and belladonna eye drops favored by Renaissance women). So, when it comes to "The Morning Shed," we definitely have questions.

Experts Debunk "The Morning Shed"

We asked leading skincare and beauty experts to offer their opinions on "themorning shed" with a focus on whether this elaborate ritual is necessary. Dr Tasneem Poonawalla, a board-certified dermatologist in West Hills, CA, notes that a streamlined beauty routine can be highly effective without relying on the many gadgets and contraptions showcased in "morning shed" videos. She recommends a gentle cleanser, a high-quality moisturizer, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Genuine silk pillowcases and hair bonnets can complement this routine by reducing friction, which helps to minimize skin irritation and hair breakage. Dr. Poonawalla cautions against the use of masks and mouth tape overnight, because these can interfere with the skin's natural barrier and lead to irritation or allergic reactions. Mouth taping can cause discomfort and may interfere with natural breathing patterns during sleep

Nancy Reagan, a diagnostic aesthetician, skincare expert, and the founder of Skin Diva Labs and Bella Reina Spa, concurs, saying. "All the gadgets interfere with great sleep." Reagan agrees that the cleansing routine is a priority. On top of that, she adds, "Get plenty of sleep, sleep, sleep. Your body regenerates at night, and while you sleep, your body's cells regenerate."

Silk Bonnets and Hair Coverings: Worth the Investment

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Even as they remain skeptical about the many layers of products and devices, the skincare experts we spoke to continue to extol the advantages of sleeping on silk and/or covering the hair with a silk bonnet or scarf overnight:

"Silk bonnets and genuine silk pillowcases are great additions to your beauty routine. Unlike cotton, which can draw moisture away from your skin and hair, silk helps retain hydration, enabling your nighttime skincare products to work more efficiently. Truly, with just a few silk pillowcases or bonnets, you can make the most of your beauty sleep without necessarily having a range of gadgets. The smooth surface of silk allows your skin to slide over the pillow thereby reducing pressure points and consequently prevention sleep lines. In addition, this type of fabric helps reduce frizzing as well as split ends through retaining natural oil in one's hair; hence it is worth investing in for those who seek a simplified yet effective beauty routine." -Stella Cameron, Family Hair and Beauty Salon (Australia)

"I believe that the shedding trend is unnecessary, but using a silk pillowcase or bonnet can have actual positive results…Silk is the only material that's not going to cause friction on your hair or skin while you're sleeping during the night. Additionally, the moisture-wicking benefits of silk help to keep your skin and hair hydrated, while other materials may in fact draw moisture away from your skin and hair. Finally, your skin can breathe on silk, which lowers the chance of discomfort or overheating. Those who live in warmer climes or have sensitive skin will particularly benefit from this breathability." - Caleb Backe, Beauty and Hair Care Expert, Maple Holistics

Not Sure If a Bonnet or Silk Head scarf is right for you?

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Not Sure If a Bonnet or Silk Head scarf is right for you?

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Silk: A Science-Based Boost to Your Beauty Routine

Woman Lying on Silk Bedding in Sage with a Silk Blanket

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Along with being the pinnacle of luxury, silk fabric has some inherent properties that really power up your beauty routine in a way no other fabric can (especially cotton):

Taming Tangles: Even soft Egyptian cotton has plant fibers that can be rough on your hair. Swapping your cotton pillowcase for our mulberry silk pillowcase allows hair to gently glide across the surface of your pillow for a smoother, silkier, tangle-free wakeup. Say goodbye to frizzy hair and bedhead!

Hydrating Skin and Hair: Cotton is absorbent and pulls moisture (and your pricey moisturizing products) away from your skin and hair. Switching to silk, which is a protein-based fabric, helps hair and skin retain natural moisture; this is why many salon- and spa-quality hair and skin products are made with silk protein. You can also wear one of our pure silk bonnets (large enough to accommodate braids) or head scarves, and protect delicate facial skin with a silk sleep mask.

Minimizing Sleep Creases and Wrinkles: Cotton fibers pull at your skin, causing sleep creases and potential wrinkles. Silk is friction-free, which allows your face to glide without the pressure and pulling that lead to wrinkle development.

Regulating Body Temperature: Breathable silk sheets are naturally temperature regulating. The hollow center of silk fiber is a natural insulator that keeps you cool in warm weather and warm when it's colder. It also wicks away moisture so you stay dry and comfortable.

Fending Off Allergies and Irritation. Made from the protective, hygienic cocoon of the silkworm, silk fabric is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to mold, fungus, dust mites, and other allergens. Silk is wonderful for anyone with allergies, sensitive skin, or skin conditions like acne and eczema.

The Takeaway: Keep it Simple (and Silky!)

If you're following our experts' advice, you can skip the elaborate layering ritual of the morning shed. Your skincare routine can be as uncomplicated as a cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen. But don't skip the silk overnight! Sleeping on a silk pillowcase or using a silk bonnet or hair wrap is a great way to protect skin and hair without fuss or disruption to your all-important beauty sleep. And remember: only pure silk can deliver the beauty benefits you crave; synthetic satin isn't the same. The Mulberry Park Silks team can answer any questions you have about our silk collection, including pillowcases; sheets, and bedding; silk hair wraps like bonnets and scarves; and other silk accessories like silk scrunchies; silk robes; silk sleep masks; and silk glam bands. Give us a call or drop an email; we are here to help!

Mulberry Park: Accessible and Affordable Luxury Silk

We founded Mulberry Park with one simple mission: to design the highest quality silk items in the market and offer them at an affordable price. And we've done just that, with a full range of silk products made from 100% pure mulberry long strand silk fabric. The silk fabric used for our silk sheets and silk pillowcases has also been OEKO-TEX® Certified (Standard 100) to be free of chemicals.

Visit us online or call us at (800) 860-1924 to learn more about our silk sheets, silk pillowcases, duvet covers and shams, and real silk accessories including sleep masks, travel pillows, and silk hair scrunchies.