What is a “morning shed”? Gen Z is giving up sex for arousal

Experts have assessed a new beauty trend among Gen Z that’s so widespread that those participating in it are often skipping sex in order to look “sexy.”

The “morning shed” is a new social media phenomenon, with Gen Z skincare enthusiasts obsessed with carefully crafted pre-bedtime rituals to ensure they wake up looking their best.

It typically involves participants completing a lengthy skin care regimen as well as a range of beauty products such as curling irons, mouthguards and chin straps.

But while there are now thousands of videos showing the elaborate “morning shed” routines of TikTok’s most loyal fans, a series of Australian experts have warned that “more is not always better when it comes to skincare.”

“The results of skincare practices can vary greatly depending on individual needs and skin type,” Murad education director and skin therapist Katy Bacon told news.com.au’s Beauty Diaries.

“It’s important to realize that the skin care requirements of someone in their 20s are very different 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 are driven more by marketing than real results.”

This view is echoed by Melbourne dermatology clinician James Vivian, who urges caution towards techniques and methods that have not been clinically tested.

“While some skin care and self-care practices are rooted in clinical data and proven history, many of the steps and processes that can beautify your ‘morning shed’ still aren’t vet-proven and may actually be a bit of a waste of time,” he explain.

“I’m not afraid of the acronym ‘KISS,’ which stands for ‘Keep It Simple, Stupid.’ I believe that skin care routines should be simple and contain only the ingredients and steps that our skin really needs.

“Trust ingredients like exfoliants, vitamin A, antioxidants, peptides, and don’t give up on the basics like cleansing, moisturizing, and of course, daytime SPF.”

Both Vivian and Bacon stress that another problem a long morning routine can cause is sleep problems.

“Due to discomfort, sleep can be disrupted and time spent sleeping can be wasted,” says Vivian.

“Sleep is an important part of skin and body repair and regeneration. Want to look older than you are? Getting less sleep will help you achieve that goal.”

As I see often in my clinic, oral tapes and comedonal patches can cause the skin to be torn, resulting in wounds and perioral dermatitis. “

Bacon has similar concerns, warning that while the idea behind the “morning shed” trend is that sacrificing short-term comfort (like cuddles or romance) will result in long-term glow, it may not be worth the risk.

“The mantra is, ‘If I sleep uglier, I wake up hotter,’ but skincare shouldn’t come at the expense of comfort,” she urges.

“It’s important to focus on quality over quantity and choose products and procedures that are backed by scientific research and tailored to your skin’s unique needs.

“Working with a qualified skin care expert can help you navigate countless trends and find the most effective solutions for healthy, radiant skin.”

However, some dedicated Gen Zers claim they are ready to give up intimate moments in favor of a daily skincare routine.

“My boyfriend is really annoyed with me,” Daisy, 24, told Dazed, describing her lifestyle as “non-negotiable”.

“By the time I finished, my boyfriend had fallen asleep and there was no more chance for a cuddle.

“He often brings it up in the morning and we sometimes argue about it.”

Even if the young couple did wear it, Daisy admits she would “run to the bathroom and spend at least 20 minutes double-cleansing my face and applying serum and moisturizer.”

Hannah English, a Melbourne pharmaceutical scientist and author of Your Best Skin, warned the trend contained messages that were “very harmful to young women”.

“The ‘morning shack’ is all about ‘sleeping ugly’ so you can ‘wake up hot,’ and it involves sleeping in a variety of shocking-looking devices and products that claim to have beauty benefits,” she told Beauty Diary.

“The ‘take it off’ part is when you wake up, take them all off and go from looking terrible to looking amazing. Because even though you’re sleeping, you’re supposed to be hotter, right?” ? You can buy everything from an Amazon store near you.”

She emphasized that some videos titled “How to Get Hotter While Sleeping” suggest that you must “optimize all your time, even your downtime, in pursuit of beauty.” “It’s quite harmful to young women,” says English, who recently formulated three new barrier-repair products with TBH Skincare.

“I think it’s relatively normal to wear heatless curling or silk hats for your hair – they protect it from tangles at night and avoid excessive heat styling. Use an eye mask to create extra darkness if you’re a light sleeper and helping you fall asleep is also normal, as is washing your face and applying serum and moisturizer.

“Even lip stains are reasonable, but where we start to cross the line is with overnight masks, which are wasteful, sticky and will wash off anyway.

“There is no evidence to support mouth straps and chin straps. It does not reduce double chins. If they could, no one would have a double chin, and plastic surgeons could remove the problem from their patients’ treatment list.”

Instead, English, Vivian and Bacon all say that those who want to maximize the benefits of their skin and beauty treatments can do so by focusing on high-quality products formulated with effective ingredients tailored to your skin type and concerns. achieve this goal.

“An effective routine can be simplified to a few key steps; cleanse, condition (aka serum), moisturize and apply sunscreen during the day while prioritizing consistency for best results,” says Bacon.