I’ve always been a mouth breather. (That sounds almost primordial, but I think it’s actually pretty common.) And TikTok videos had me feeling really bad about it. I’m starting to get some loose skin under my chin, and my jawline isn’t as strong because it’s always relaxed and open.
A little over a year ago, I heard about this life hack called mouth taping so I ordered a few different kinds of tape to try. Someone had me convinced to use kinesiology tape as the budget version, but my skin is so sensitive that I couldn’t take anything on my face that had a glue-like feel to it. I was worried about breaking out.
Chris’s Mouth Tape | My Mouth Tape
So I decided to try real mouth tape to see if would help my sleep and recovery. After over a year of using them (and finally finding THE one), I have to say, it’s been a real life-changer. People ask about it all the time, so I’ll spill all the details!
Which Mouth Tape Brand Works Best?
My intro to mouth tape was Dream Recovery. It feels similar to silk, and it’s sticky enough to remove and replace (so you can get a drink of water or cough). The first night I was very afraid. I thought, “I have to breathe out of my mouth. I can’t breathe out of my nose.” But this tape is stretchy, so it’s not like your mouth can’t be open at all, it’s just that your body is getting most of its air through your nose.
It comes in a bunch of different colors: I got bright pink, which I liked because it felt closer to lip color. (Just don’t do the white — my lip mask was bleeding through it, and it looked gross in the morning.) I used it for awhile, buuuuut, it was a bit too sticky for me. Maybe it’s right for you if you have a more intense nightly face cream that needs the extra stickiness?
Then, I ventured into the off-brand territory. Big mistake. It was way too narrow. I had to purse my lips just to get the tape on. Definitely not functional.
Finally, I tried Skinny Confidential’s tape, and ahhh, much better. The tape is wide enough, so no lip-pursing required. And the slit was a game-changer. I could actually talk if I needed to. Plus, it stuck through my whole nighttime routine – lip mask and all – but came off easily in the morning.
Now, Chris was a bit hesitant at first, but he wanted to try it after I found it so helpful. He liked the slit of the Skinny Confidential ones, but he wasn’t going for pink and they don’t have any other colors. So he started by modifying my Dream Recovery tape, cutting a hole in it.
Then he discovered Snoozzzed. Black tape…with a slit… that is not shaped like lips. Check. Check. Check. He’s hooked and has already re-ordered it. It even sticks through his beard, without ripping anything off. (He had the same too-much-stickiness issue with the Dream Recovery.)
The Benefits of Wearing Mouth Tape
First, under-eye bags. I used to have these bad, but they’ve improved so much. My esthetician explained it like this: mouth open at night? Dehydrated under-eyes. Mouth closed? Oxygenated and plump. I haven’t heard anyone else say it helped them with this, but it’s a major win for me.
Second, fresh breath! I have, like, toothpaste-fresh breath in the morning. Unbelievable.
Third, jawline and jaw pain. I know some say it doesn’t change your jawline, but I disagree. Funny enough, more than anything, it feels like a hammock for my jaw. I’ve had TMJ — I used to get Botox in my jaw to help — and my jaw feels very supported at night. No more pain!
And, of course, the overall benefit of nose breathing. There is scientific evidence that nose breathing is good for you in a lot of ways: you get better oxygen absorption, it humidifies the air, filters dust and allergens—it even stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress (and your blood pressure!).
Bonus: My sleep score on my Oura ring has gone way up! (btw I love how my Oura ring helps me know more about my overall wellness…I have the Gen 3 in gold, but there’s also a newer version.)
Final Thoughts
I will say it took about a week to get used to mouth tape. The first night I took it off in the middle of the night—it just felt a little unnatural. So just know there is an adaptation period. But now, almost as soon as I put it on I fall asleep. Just the ritual of it makes me immediately relaxed. It’s a major part of my beauty sleep routine (see my 4-step process!).
Now I take mouth tape on vacation with me, that’s how much I don’t want to be without it! Many of my friends have added it to their routine because they enjoy the benefits so much. It’s not for everyone, but you might be surprised how much you like it!
Have you tried it yet?