By Hazel Scott

Does going to bed ugly mean you wake up more beautiful?

Skincare shedding is a morning routine that’s all over TikTok right now, and in case you haven’t heard of it, it’s the process of removing beauty products and accessories you applied the night before so they could work their magic while you were sleeping! Content creators have racked up over 60 million views as they opt for looking less than their best, layering lip serums, eye masks and sheet masks on top of their night time skin care. They’re even adding mouth tape, nose strips, chin straps, face-shaping gauze, heatless curls and silk hair bonnets, with the aim of “going to bed ugly” to wake up more beautiful. Much as we all love a transformation and a big reveal, does it really work?

There must be some benefits?

Of course there are. A good and consistent evening beauty routine can be nourishing and help repair damage. But we do need to get the best from the products we use, and benefit from quality sleep, which is key to our physical and mental wellbeing. A poor night’s sleep can affect our ability to concentrate, think clearly and process memories (yep, brain fog); eyes can become bloodshot and skin quality can suffer - think breakouts or dark circles. 

So a soft, elasticated sleeping mask gets a yes from us. These are not particularly intrusive, can be grounding and shut out any unwanted light - benefits which are great for our circadian rhythm. But, if we are going to start applying layer after layer of products and strapping them in for 7-8 hours, there’s a high chance that the multiple sensations will distract us from a good night’s sleep and turn out to be counterproductive. 

This is echoed by experts who say there’s no real data to back up how effective this trend actually is, and that some parts of this routine could easily disrupt sleep quality. 

What happens to us when we sleep?

During the sleep process, the body goes through a number of growth, repair, and restorative processes which affect our physical attributes, including skin and hair. These processes also boost things we can’t see, such as bodily health like keeping the immune system strong, and helping the brain to function properly. If you need a deep dive into sleeping better, we have a five minute read here with some great tips. 

We created a wonderful new supplement earlier this year specifically to aid the sleep process whilst boosting skin regeneration: it’s received rave reviews across the board, and repeat order after repeat order - simply because it really works! calm (beauty) spermidine & taurine daily supplement is a daily dose that induces a sense of relaxation, and results in radiant skin, healthy hair, restorative sleep, stable calm, and reduced inflammation that all starts at the cellular level, working from within.  Bursting with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids including spermidine, taurine, organic tart cherry, vitamins D and B6, and magnesium citrate, it brings your body back into a state of natural rest and calm, improving your sleep while reversing skin damage and thinning hair.

Less can be more

When it comes to skincare products, the key is to ensure we achieve peak efficacy while we sleep, and don’t undo the good work. Piling on too much or using non-suitable products can, in some cases, have the reverse effect.

For example, leaving a sheet mask or under-eye patches on for too long can actually cause the product to reabsorb moisture from your skin and cause irritation. Masks containing clay and activated charcoal are typically far too drying to use overnight. Rather than having the desired decongesting effect, this will upset your skin’s pH balance, causing more problems than you started with. We love a good clay mask, but a better alternative is to apply these masks when you’re having a relaxing soak in the bathtub, and switch up the overnight plan to incorporate some super hydrating products instead.

If you find that beauty accessories that cover the face overnight or stretch or pull the hair are distracting you from a good night’s sleep then it may be time for a rethink. A simple silk scrunchie will protect the hair while sleeping and it causes minimal distraction.

O V E R N I G H T   Y O U R   F A C E

Ensure you have a few key products that work well together. Line them up from light to heavy and use them in that order to maximize the effectiveness. Apply any overnight skincare at least 20 minutes before bed so it can absorb into your skin before your face touches your pillow. 

Cleanse your skin - we love a double cleanse!

holi (cleanse) cleansing face oil and makeup remover will purify, nurture, and hydrate your complexion. The gentle formula contains a nutrient-dense base of luxury oils that emulsify dirt, oil, and makeup while calming plant extracts reveal your complexion’s natural luminance.

acid (wash) lactic acid skin brightening cleanser is a powerful yet gentle foaming cleanser that dissolves dead skin cells, reveals a luminous glow, and unclogs pores. It harnesses the power of lavender flower water to calm redness and reduce the appearance of pores, while aloe leaf heals dry skin and peony root extract brightens and firms the skin.

Spritz to prep

Adding a little moisture at this stage ensures that your skin absorbs more of what you add next. holi (water) pearl and rose hyaluronic essence is ideal for this - the high molecular weight hyaluronic acid which we source in Switzerland is a natural humectant that binds water to bring moisture to the surface of the skin. Just gently mist 3 to 5 spritzes onto your face, neck, and décolleté or 3 to 5 sprays into your hands and press gently into the skin. 

Apply a hydrating layer

Next, pump 3 more spritzes of holi (water) into the palm of your hand and mix with a dash of holi (c) then apply the mixture to your skin. Here’s Jena with a quick video showing how to do this. This duo plumps fine lines and wrinkles and lifts the skin, promoting elastin and hyaluronic acid production in the skin’s deepest layers. holi (c) contains sodium ascorbyl phosphate to provide antioxidant protection, along with calcium ketogluconate (find out why this is our star ingredient here) to promote elastin and hyaluronic acid production.

Moisturize and seal

We love holi (lift) ageless lifting and firming serum because it is made with 12 patented actives that flood the skin with hydration while offering skin-smoothing and soothing effects similar to Botox—all with zero downtime. We formulated it with 100% French silk peptides to help stimulate collagen and elastin production. 

To finish, we then seal everything in with an overnight oil - these are the heaviest in consistency, so they go on last. An oil will lock in the other products,creating a protective barrier that prevents moisture loss and stops pollutants from entering. Just massage 4-5 drops of holi (oil) refining ageless face serum into the face, neck, and décolleté. This wonder product is another that contains calcium ketogluconate, plus it has a nourishing blend of vitamin B- and E-rich Japanese rice bran and vitamin A- and C-rich rosehip oils, which work overnight to hydrate and create a luminous finish. 

And that’s a great place to stop! Don’t be tempted to apply any additional products like serums and creams on top of face oil, as this can prevent everything you have already applied from absorbing properly. 

When and how to use an overnight mask

If you are considering sleeping in a sheet mask, it’s also important to pick a mask that’s been formulated for overnight wear, something gentle, hydrating and - most importantly - safe to keep on your skin for a longer period of time. 

Our holi (bright) resurface glass face mask was designed for either daytime use or for overnight use when you want a more intense result. Bear in mind that paint on masks can only work well if applied to clean skin and not layered over other products, and because it’s a paint-on product and not a sheet, you have complete control over how much you apply. The combination of gently resurfacing and refining ingredients will smooth skin texture and minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores. And it’s ideal for mature, dry, sensitive, sun-damaged or inflamed skin types. 

• The lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid, is milder than most AHAs and BHAs.
• Pure aloe vera gel and cucumber offset redness and soothe irritation.
• 100% French silk peptides derived from the silkworm cocoon stimulate collagen and elastin production.
• High-molecular weight, hydrating hyaluronic acid floods the skin and restores volume, plumping the skin with moisture, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.

The result is a radiant, even, and smooth complexion when you wake up the next morning.  

O V E R N I G H T   Y O U R   H A I R   &   S C A L P

Overnight hair repair gives you a chance to treat your hair and scalp for an extended period of time to gain maximum benefits. holi (locks) strengthening hair serum is an overnight topical treatment that strengthens and smooths strands while diminishing shedding and stimulating healthy hair growth. The result is longer, denser, and healthier hair. Use 1 to 2 dropperfuls for whole-head application - simply massage it into your scalp using circular motions, then all the way through the ends of your hair. You can use this in the daytime and leave it on for at least 30 minutes, but it’s best when used overnight. Wash and condition hair after use. 

Sleeping on a Slip silk pillowcase every single night is a treat for both your hair and your skin. If you want to banish that bed head, these really do work! The smooth texture helps reduce tangles, frizziness, and breakages in your hair and because silk absorbs less moisture than some other pillowcase fabrics, it allows your skin and hair to stay better moisturized. If you tie your hair up at night, do it gently with a silk scrunchie so there’s no pulling, stretching or breakage. A silk hair wrap will also cut down on frizz and bed head.

The morning after

Waking up with a nourished face, hair and scalp, and a rested body and brain is the best start to the day. Once you’re up, remember to do three things: start with hydrating - grab a drink of water - the purer the better - essential for quenching your thirst but also great for skin, aiding digestion and getting rid of toxins. Next, cleanse your face, and apply your morning products. Finally, prep your morning matcha, coffee or smoothie with a scoop of holi (mane) that will work long-term on your hair, skin, nails and joints. Because - let’s face it - we’re in this for the long haul! 

*** THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA. WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR RESEARCHING FURTHER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS SUBJECT***