Leave TikTok’s ‘Morning Shed’ Trend Alone

It also actually saves West time the next morning, since her hair is already styled and skin is prepped in advance. “When you are someone with a high pace job or a mom or somebody that’s giving all their time to something else, taking that extra time at night makes all the difference,” she says.

Maureen Osei, an analyst living in Raleigh, North Carolina, feels the same way. “The ritual aspect is what drew me to the morning shed,” she says. “It creates a space for me to reflect without my phone or any distractions, and it really does make me feel good going to sleep.”

Osei has experienced physical health benefits too: “It may be hard to sleep in, but as someone with congestion issues, I find that the nose and mouth tapes and the chin strap have helped tremendously with breathing and airflow at night,” she adds.

Still, that hasn’t stopped TikTok skeptics from leaving harsh comments on Osei’s videos, accusing her and her skin care routine of being excessive and not sustainable “Overconsumption is killing my people,” reads one. “Consumerism final boss,” said another.

As for how Oseo feels about it? “Overconsumption is a serious issue within our communities, especially on TikTok, but I would argue that the topic is something that requires self-reflection rather than calling out creators,” she says. “In terms of my consumption rate, I believe that if I use every product in my morning shed routine and seeing positive changes, who’s to say I’m wasting resources?” Touché.

Plus, while what goes into a morning shed may look like a lot, it’s not necessarily any less than what any other skin care fanatic uses regularly. For some morning shedders, it’s actually more sustainable than topical treatments packaged in plastic.

Texas-based content creator Mayte Myers, for example, tries to use the “least single-use products possible.” “Everything in my shed is washable and reusable,” she says.

It’s also what she does to feel her best on her budget. “I can’t afford anything like filler or Botox at the moment, so I’m doing what I can to age gracefully,” she says. “But it all started in April; I got a red light therapy device because I didn’t want to feel self-conscious about a double chin in wedding pictures.” From there, the routine kept expanding.

Though for Myers, elaborate skin care routines are comfortably familiar. “Growing up in Jalisco, Mexico with all these gorgeous beauty rituals that you would see the matriarchs around you do was so inspiring and soothing at the same time,” she says.

As for what dermatologists have to say about the trend?

“There is limited data to support the use of many of the products featured in morning shed videos,” says Brendan Camp, MD, double-board-certified dermatologist at NYC’s MDCS Dermatology. “When trying to create an effective anti-aging skincare routine, stick with products with a large body of evidence to support their use.”

When the contents of a morning shed ritual are broken down however, some do have legitimate benefits. “Silicone wrinkle patches can temporarily plump skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Camp. “They do this by creating an occlusive barrier on the skin, which traps moisture and prevents its evaporation water from the skin surface, causing the skin to plump.”