Let’s talk mouth taping. You’ve probably seen viral videos on social media of this low-effort “biohack,” wondering if it actually lives up to the buzz. Brighter eyes, a more sculpted jawline, and a big energy boost before sunrise? Sounds promising.
But does it work? Here at The Skinny Confidential, we test out all the latest beauty trends to distinguish the gimmicks from the game-changers.
And the results are in on mouth taping—this hack is the real deal.
But before you go grab a random roll of tape from your junk drawer (please don’t), let’s talk about what mouth tape is, how it works, and its potential benefits.
Here’s the skinny on mouth tape, drawn from honest experience:
What Is Mouth Tape? Benefits, Uses, and How It Works
Mouth tape is a specially designed adhesive strip meant to keep your mouth closed while you sleep. Obviously, this encourages nose breathing, which research finds is way better for your health.
Unlike other tapes, mouth tape is made to be skin-safe. That means it’s easier to remove and less likely to cause irritation (or breakouts!).
That said, make sure you buy high-quality mouth tape like ours. TSC Mouth Tape is non-toxic and extra gentle on the skin, so you can feel confident using it on your face and right under your nose.
Our mouth tape also comes in handy tins to keep your strips clean and contained. Plus, the handy subscription option is great for making sure you never run out. Trust us, after one night with TSC Mouth Tape, you’ll wonder how you ever slept without it.
Did we mention our mouth tape is also super cute? With an exaggerated lip shape and multiple color options, TSC mouth tape is a must-have accessory for your beauty rest.
What Is Mouth Tape Used For?
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Supporting oral health
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Improving sleep quality
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Boosting performance and focus
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Enhancing appearance
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Strengthening the immune system
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Reducing snoring
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Filtering (and warming) air
How Does Mouth Tape Work?
Encourages Nasal Breathing
Taping your mouth shut really does one key thing: it forces you to breathe through your nose. That may not seem like much, but nasal breathing sets off a chain reaction of benefits throughout your entire body.
Below, we’ll get into the ways nose breathing impacts your health. This will help you fully understand why mouth taping works so well and why we’re completely obsessed with it.
Boosts Oxygen Efficiency
When you breathe through your nose, you actually take slower and deeper breaths. This transfers more oxygen to your bloodstream.
Breathing through your nose also helps maintain higher levels of nitric oxide, which helps with circulation. The better the circulation, the better oxygen is delivered throughout your body.
Why does more oxygen matter? Well, the more oxygen that reaches your cells, the sharper your energy and mental clarity become. And, let’s be honest, we could all use more of that.
Filters and Cleans the Air
We’re actually meant to breathe through our noses—the mouth was always meant to be secondary. We know this because our nasal cavities actually have a natural filtration system.
We won’t get into the gross details of what’s going on inside your nose, but this system basically prevents dust, allergens, and other toxins from getting into your lungs.
This is great for our health because without bacteria to trigger infections, you simply don’t get sick as often. That means mouth taping helps keep you healthy and less bothered by allergens.
Adds Moisture and Warmth
Your nasal passages act like a natural humidifier, adding moisture to every breath you take. As air passes over the moist lining inside your nose, it picks up water vapor before reaching your lungs.
This extra hydration soothes airways, reducing coughing, congestion, and even nighttime wake-ups. As a bonus, it can also help prevent dry, chapped lips, too!
Regulates Airflow and Oxygenation
When you breathe through your mouth, air rushes in fast and fills only the upper part of your lungs. This is called “chest breathing" and it actually limits how much oxygen gets to your cells.
Shallow breathing signals to the body that it’s under stress, triggering the nervous system’s emergency mode. That means anxiety, fatigue, crappy sleep . . . you get it.
Nose breathing allows air to be drawn deeper into the lungs, providing the richest possible oxygen delivery.
Activates the “Rest and Digest” System
You’ve heard of “fight or flight,” but have you heard of “rest and digest?” These are the two main states of your nervous system.
With deeper, slower breaths, your body shifts into its optimized mode. Here, you’re conserving energy, repairing tissue, encouraging digestion, and actually getting amazing sleep.
This can all help reduce stress, boost your mood, and give you way more energy in the morning. You may be asking, “All of this from a piece of tape designed specifically for your mouth?” And to that we say: Absolutely.
Prevents Bacteria Growth and Saliva Evaporation
Airflow from mouth breathing dries out your saliva. That probably doesn’t sound like a big deal, but saliva is actually one of our body’s natural defense systems.
Salvia contains enzymes and antimicrobial proteins that prevent bacterial growth and maintain a balanced oral microbiome. However, when that saliva evaporates, it creates a dry environment where bacteria THRIVES.
The result? Bad breath, plaque buildup, and even a high risk of cavities. Mouth breathing is awful for your oral health.
Encourages Proper Tongue Posture
When our lips are closed, our tongues naturally rest on the roofs of our mouths. This keeps our airways open and keeps us from snoring.
But when your mouth is open, the tongue can drop backwards into the throat and obstruct the airway, leading to a crappy night’s sleep.
And that’s not all. Studies have shown that poor tongue placement can prevent healthy jaw alignment and facial development. Mouth breathing can seriously hinder your overall external and internal well-being.
Improve Sleep Quality Overall
Nose breathing helps you stay calm, reduces snoring, prevents dry‑mouth discomfort, and delivers a steady flow of oxygen. This all means that you get to gear up for the best sleep of your life.
High-quality, restorative sleep benefits your whole body. It regulates hormones, strengthens the immune system, supports a healthy metabolism, and boosts cognitive function.
Plus, great sleep promotes healthy, strong, and beautiful hair, skin, and nails. What more could we ask for?
Speaking of, make sure to check out: “How to Strengthen Hair, Skin, and Nails Inside and Out” for even more tips!
Is Mouth Tape Effective?
Yes! Not only do we have hundreds of testimonies from The Skinny Confidential community saying mouth taping is effective, but there’s scientific evidence to back it up, too.
But try it for yourself—you’ve got nothing to lose but everything to gain. Better sleep, more energy, and less stress could be just around the corner. It’s totally worth it!
What Are the Benefits of Mouth Tape?
Reduces Bad Breath
One of the main benefits of mouth taping is fresher breath. Keeping saliva in the mouth allows natural antimicrobial properties to combat the bacteria that cause bad breath.
No Dry Mouth or Sore Throat
Waking up with a dry mouth and sore throat is no fun—but mouth taping can help alleviate these symptoms. Breathing through your nose naturally humidifies the air, keeping everything balanced and comfortable.
Less Snoring
With good tongue posture, most people who mouth tape see reduced snoring. This will help keep you (and your partner) sleeping more soundly.
More Morning Energy
Increased energy is another one of the best effects of mouth taping. With deeper sleep and better oxygen delivery, you’ll likely wake up feeling invigorated and energized, unlike ever before.
Brighter Eyes
Eye puffiness and dark circles come from crappy sleep, poor blood flow, and low oxygen delivery. However, better sleep and nasal breathing can turn it all around for bright, youthful eyes.
Better Concentration and Performance
Better sleep naturally sharpens memory and focus, but that’s not the only way nasal breathing supports your brain.
By helping maintain steady oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, nasal breathing keeps your brain alert, promoting clearer thinking, faster reactions, and overall improved cognitive performance.
Reduces Stress and Blood Pressure
Remember, rest and digest? That’s another name for the “parasympathetic system.” When this system is active, your body slows down to recover and rejuvenate. The result is reduced feelings of stress and anxiety—and it can even lower blood pressure, too.
More Chiseled Jawline and Chin Profile
When your tongue sits where it’s supposed to, it promotes healthy facial development. So, mouth taping can actually help sculpt your jawline and promote proper alignment by keeping the tongue where it’s supposed to be.
A small study even found strong correlations between mouth breathing and weaker or softer features. That means nasal breathing is your ticket to a chiseled jawline!
Fewer Sicknesses and Infections
Our noses naturally filter out bacteria and impurities, helping keep us healthy. Breathing through the mouth bypasses this system, letting more “junk” enter your airways.
Nose breathing supports your immune system and protects respiratory health by making sure the air reaching your lungs is cleaner, warmer, and properly humidified.
How to Use Mouth Tape
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Step One: Complete your evening skincare routine. Make sure your skin is dry.
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Step Two: Take out one tape and peel off the backing.
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Step Three: Press the tape over your closed lips. Smooth it out and confirm it’s comfortable.
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Step Four: Sleep normally, breathing through your nose.
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Step Five: In the morning, pull your skin taut and peel the tape off slowly.
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Step Six: Subscribe and save for monthly mouth tape shipments.
Who Should Avoid Mouth Taping?
While mouth taping is helpful for many, it’s not safe for everyone. You should talk to your doctor or a sleep specialist before trying it if you have any of the following:
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Nasal congestion or chronic nasal obstruction, which can make it difficult or dangerous to breathe through your nose.
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A deviated septum, which can limit airflow and make mouth taping unsafe.
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A history of severe allergic reactions affecting your nasal passages.
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Any diagnosed sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, where restricting mouth breathing could worsen symptoms.
Mouth taping is the next best thing in skincare—don’t sleep on this one!
Ready to start your mouth-taping journey? Grab TSC Mouth Tape from The Skinny Confidential Shop. It’s a trendy yet super effective way to improve your sleep and overall health.
Before your first night of blissful nasal breathing, make sure you read our Mouth Tape tips. This advice will help you maximize your results.
And even if you’re skeptical, give it a try. Plenty of reluctant first-timers have been blown away by the benefits. If you end up being wrong about mouth taping and you actually do love the results? Don’t worry… your secret’s safe with us—our lips are SEALED.
