If you were to look at my algorithm it would almost certainly entail an abundance of SleepTok reels. Ones where people peel off all manner of wellness and beauty accoutrements first thing in the morning – think face tape, mouth tape, collagen sheet masks, nose pore strips and more. Even sleep, it seems, has become a competitive sport in the beauty space.
While I’ve tried, and failed, to get on board with mouth taping – the ritual of putting tape over the lips to encourage nasal breathing and better sleep – I absolutely will slather on the Korean beauty sensation that is the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. And similarly, my skin has been very receptive to the viral collagen face masks by two more K-beauty stars, Biodance and Medicube, which have both come in exclusively to Boots. There are two textures to choose from: Biodance’s sheet mask is infused with collagen that absorbs into skin overnight, while Medicube’s clear gel formula is painted onto skin, allowed to dry and then peeled off the next morning. Both options promote smoother and softer skin post shut-eye.
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Biodance Collagen Mask
Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Cream
So should I be face taping too? I consult my guru for all things skincare, Sarah Chapman, facialist to the stars (and to my own visage), whose advice I trust implicitly. “I think its efficacy is a bit of a myth and doesn’t really do very much. You have to be careful of what the adhesive is made from and watch out for irritation or damage to the skin barrier. That said, anything that stops you squashing your face on a pillow for eight hours a night cannot be bad – but in this instance, a silk pillowcase is just as good.” Noted.
On investing in a good skincare routine at night as a general principle, however, Chapman is passionate. “The activity in the skin at night is different. It’s the regenerative time, when your cells can act on repairing and restoring, because it’s not defending against UV light, environmental aggressors or pollution,” she says.
Chapman approves of the sheet masks in principle, but recommends ad hoc usage: “Anything you put on your skin at night time is going to absorb better, so it’s going to be better utilised by the skin in tandem. So there is no harm in them, but I would say using those masks too often, you won’t get enough hydration and nourishment. You need to make sure that you get enough nutrients, oxygen and vitamins. Your skin is an organ – it needs to breathe to be healthy.”
Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial Cream
Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Her advice with any nighttime routine is that it involves active ingredients to best fulfil their purpose. “If there’s one product to spend money on, let it be one with high level stem cells, peptides or vitamins. You’ll get more out of it than you would in the daytime.” As it happens, her Pep8 Platinum Stem Cell Elixir and Icon Night Cream are among my regulars before bed, in addition to heroes such as Elemis Overnight Facial or Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair. And the final thing in my evening ritual? Wearing an Oura ring to track my sleep data. Because if you are going to do all that hard work, you might as well get the insights to prove it.
