Our Beauty Editor Tried Mouth Taping For A Week & Here’s What Happened
I never thought I’d start my self-care journey by literally shutting my mouth. But, after seeing TikTokers and wellness gurus raving about mouth taping for better sleep, clearer skin, and all-around goddess vibes, I figured… why not? If sticking my lips shut overnight could transform me into a well-rested, radiant queen, I needed little persuading.
First and foremost, what is mouth taping? and who’s it for?
Mouth taping is the buzzy wellness hack that’s got the beauty and sleep worlds talking. It’s exactly what it sounds like—taping your mouth shut before bed. The idea?
Encourage nasal breathing, which supposedly leads to deeper sleep, less snoring, and even better hydration.
Devotees swear by it, claiming they wake up feeling refreshed and glowy. Sceptical Same. The thought of taping my mouth shut felt mildly terrifying, not to mention very unattractive. But in the name of beauty, I gave it a go….
Day 1: Muffled regrets
Night one. Standing in front of the mirror, tape in hand, I hesitated. My main concern was what if I couldn’t breathe? What if I needed water? But, committed to the cause, I slapped the tape across my mouth and crawled into bed, with my partner enjoying the silence and little interruption to his usual pre-sleep social media scrolling.
Falling asleep was weird. My body kept panicking; I was convinced I would die in the night. But eventually, I drifted off. Woke up at 3 a.m. with the tape stuck to my pillow and my mouth wide open like the dramatic sleeper I apparently am.
Day 3: New levels of silence
By the third night, I’d nailed the taping technique—a little horizontal strip, which I wore vertically for the first few days, as suggested by a friend who is obsessed by mouth taping. (Pro tip: don’t go full duct-tape chic**.** It’s not a look.) Sleep came faster, and I didn’t wake up with a dry mouth. Progress! Of course, explaining this experiment to my partner continued to be… interesting. And I can’t deny I was super keen to get my kids involved too, merely to shut them up!
Mouth taping encourages nasal breathing, which supports oxygen flow, reduces snoring, and can even improve skin health due to better circulation.
sleep specialist Dr. Emily Parker
Day 5: Glow up pending
Halfway through the week, I noticed I was waking up looking less puffy and more rested. Could the hype be real? In simple words: Tape up to glow up.
Day 7: I’m a believer (with boundaries)
By the end of the week, I was weirdly attached to my nightly mouth tape ritual. I definitely slept more soundly, felt fresher in the morning, and my skin did look a little brighter—though I’m not tossing out my serums just yet.
However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all hack. Admittedly, if my sinuses were blocked, I would probably find mouth taping a real struggle.
If you have nasal congestion, sleep apnea, or anxiety around breathing, mouth taping might not be for you.
sleep specialist Dr. Emily Parker
Final verdict: Worth the hype?
Surprisingly, yes… with a few caveats. Mouth taping won’t replace a good sleep routine or fix your life overnight, but if you’re a mouth breather prone to waking up, it’s worth a try. Would I recommend it? Sure—but perhaps pre-warn your sleeping partner and remove the mouth tape slowly come morning to avoid sore lips.
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