We’ve all heard the phrase “beauty sleep,” but what about “the uglier you go to sleep, the prettier you’ll wake up”? 

“Ugly sleep” is one of the latest beauty trends the internet is obsessed with, and it takes the age-old saying literally. This cultural phenomenon combines the sleepmaxxing craze (aka optimizing every element of your evening to maximize your sleep) with shopping hauls of pimple patches and overnight skincare products. The goal? To let your nighttime routine do the heavy lifting so you can wake up glowing. 

Your body does its best repair work while you sleep anyway, so it makes sense that piling on treatments before bed has become the new self-care ritual. Sure, you might not be giving glam with enough moisture-boosting product glistening on your face that you’re resembling a glazed donut … but your morning self will thank you.

Here’s a look at some overnight hacks people swear by, and why some might be more than just trends and viral moments.

Rosemary essential oil has always been considered a haircare “hack,” and it’s making the rounds on social media with plenty of people swearing by it for thicker, stronger hair. Massaging a few diluted drops into your scalp before bed is said to stimulate circulation and, over time, could encourage growth. People love it because it’s affordable, easy and feels like you’ve discovered a secret from haircare pros. Plus, it works for all hair textures from straight to 4C curls, since extra hydration and scalp care is great for everyone.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind if you try it though. It's best to dilute rosemary oil with a carrier oil (like jojoba or coconut) so that it doesn’t irritate your scalp, because it can be too strong for sensitive skin. You also may want to protect your pillowcase with a towel or wear a bonnet. Otherwise, you could wake up with a stain from the oil.

“Slugging” might not sound glamorous, but the results can be. It’s one of the original “ugly sleep” routines that started in K-beauty, but became popular in the U.S. thanks to TikTok dermatologists and skincare influencers. Slugging involves applying a thin layer of an occlusive product on top of your usual skincare routine to lock in moisture overnight.

This can help soothe dryness, reduce irritation and keep skin hydrated, especially in winter or when the air in your bedroom is extra dry. If you’re acne-prone, though, this one might be too heavy for nightly use.

People usually reach for petroleum-based products, like Aquaphor or Vaseline for slugging but there are plant-based options that can get the job done – naturally. Shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil and even natural waxes like beeswax all form a protective layer that helps skin stay hydrated through the night.

Forget 15-minute sheet masks – take it a step further and nourish your skin with an overnight mask. 

These rich creams and gels have thicker formulas designed to stay on your skin while you sleep, giving your skin hours of pampering for extra nourishment. Unlike a regular sheet mask, you don’t peel these off after 20 minutes, instead, you apply them before bed and wash them off during your morning routine.

Some formulas focus on hydration, others on calming redness or strengthening your skin barrier. If you’re shopping around, look for natural ingredients like aloe, oatmeal, hyaluronic acid and organic oils or butters that deliver moisture without unnecessary additives. Fragrance-free options are usually a safer bet too, since synthetic fragrances can be irritating, especially when a product sits on your skin all night.

For anyone who likes extra reassurance, you can look to third-party certifications like EWG Verified®, which can help you find products with an ingredient list you can feel better about.

Retinol isn’t new, but it has been given a place in the “go-to-bed-ugly” lineup. You apply it at night because it makes skin sensitive to sunlight, but also because that’s when it works the best. Retinol encourages cell turnover, which can help smooth fine lines and improve skin texture over time. 

On social media, you’ll often see retinol paired with slugging, since layering an occlusive on top can help prevent irritation while still delivering results. That said, it’s worth noting that retinol isn’t for everyone. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) raises concerns about its potential to increase sun sensitivity and possible links to other health risks, particularly at higher concentrations. If you want to try the trend but prefer a gentler path, there are plant-based alternatives – often called “bio-retinols” – that use ingredients like bakuchiol or rosehip oil to support skin renewal without the same concerns.

You know how your lips can feel dry or cracked after sleeping with the heater or AC running? Lip sleeping masks are designed to combat exactly that. They’re thicker than regular balms and loaded with moisturizing ingredients to soften and smooth lips overnight. The glossy, thick balms exploded in popularity with Laneige’s cult-favorite version, and now almost every beauty brand has one. 

But you don’t have to buy a special jar to join in. A DIY approach can be just as effective – think shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter or even a mix of honey and a plant-based oil for a natural overnight treatment. The key is creating a thicker layer than a typical balm so it stays put while you sleep.

The trend appeal? You wake up with soft, moisturized lips that look like you actually drink enough water. Pair with pimple patches and slugging and you’ll definitely accomplish an “ugly sleep” look. Bonus: they make lipstick or gloss apply way more smoothly the next day.

Applying a sticky strip to your face is definitely not a camera-worthy look, but pore strips are becoming an essential element in the trend-forward nighttime routine (in part thanks to their oddly satisfying peel the next morning).

They may look like a bandage or nasal strip across your nose, but, for many, the before-and-after is worth it.

Caution though, pore strips aren’t something to use nightly. The adhesive can become an irritant, and your pores don’t need to be extracted daily anyways. Plus, pore strips are a single-use product, which makes them less sustainable long-term than other forms of skincare that don't create waste with every use.

Hydrocolloid patches are small stickers that cover pimples and help speed up the healing process, and they’re pretty much a mainstay of the ugly sleep trend. They work by absorbing fluid from the blemish while protecting it from bacteria. And if you tend to pick at your skin, they work as a great deterrent to keep you from turning a pimple into a worse situation by picking at it.

Stick one (or however many you need!) on before bed, and by morning, the spot often looks calmer and less inflamed. They’re barely visible and even come in fun designs, so some people wear them during the day, too. And now there are brands making patches in a variety of shades so they blend in better across all skin tones if you prefer to be discreet about your pimple patches.  

The downside is they’re another single-use product. To cut down on waste, it helps to save patches for the bigger breakouts and use products like spot treatments for everyday blemishes.

While not technically “ugly,” silk and satin pillowcases are part of the overnight routine for their hair and skin benefits. They reduce friction, which means less breakage and fewer tangles in your hair, and no more waking up with those deep sleep creases on your face. They’re especially loved by people with curls and coils since the silky smooth material can help preserve texture and protective styles overnight.

The catch? Silk is an animal-derived fabric that often comes with ethical concerns, and many satin options are made from synthetic fibers like polyester (aka plastic). If you want a lower-impact option, organic cotton sateen sheets and pillowcases offer a smooth, silky finish that also reduces friction, but without the drawbacks of conventional silk and its synthetic alternatives.

And whatever fabric you choose, the “ugly” part still applies: you need to wash pillowcases regularly (probably more often than most of us do) to avoid sleeping on last week’s skincare residue. 

Another affordable hack that’s back in the spotlight thanks to the ugly sleep trend is castor oil. You can take a dry spoolie brush and brush the oil into your brows and lashes. While science hasn’t fully confirmed its magic, fans say it conditions hairs and makes them look fuller over time.

It’s also a staple for nourishing edges – the fine hairs along the hairline that can be delicate and prone to breakage, especially in textured hair. A little dab before bed can help keep them strong and smooth. It’s exactly the kind of shiny, greasy ritual that makes the ugly nighttime routine trend so fun.

Between protective satin bonnets, loose braids and overnight curl sets, TikTok has made bedtime hair routines a whole aesthetic. 

Sure, the results in the morning are gorgeous bouncy waves, frizz-free curls or preserved protective styles, but the bedtime look? Not as glamorous.

That’s kind of the point, though. These routines are practical, and practicality is what makes the ugly sleep trend so accessible. For curly and coily hair especially, protective styling overnight is a must to keep tangles and breakage at bay.

Just be mindful of what you’re using. Many of the viral “heatless curl” products are mass-produced, synthetic and often not built to last. Instead, people are getting creative with what they already have with robe belts, soft cotton rags and plopping curls in a cotton T-shirt. And if you’re weighing fabrics, certified organic cotton always makes a more sustainable alternative to silk or synthetic satin. It may not always look chic, but it gets the job done without the extra waste.

All these hacks are fun extras, but the true MVP of beauty routines is still good old-fashioned restorative sleep. While we rest, our bodies repair cells, regulate hormones, and restore energy. Skin healing and hair growth both benefit from the downtime. If you don’t have time to prep an entire ugly sleep routine, make sure good sleep hygiene and quality sleep are part of your self-care routine and you’ll see the beauty benefits.  

So yes, bedtime routines might look messy, greasy or just plain weird, but that’s part of the fun. Embrace the ugly. Because when you’re getting ready in the morning, you’ll be glowing from your self-care pampering. And don’t underestimate the simple power of a solid night’s sleep. That’s the original – and still undefeated – beauty treatment.