Ugly Sleep Club Review: Collagen Mouth Tape for Sleep and Lips, What Mouth Taping Research Shows and Why You Can Only Return It Sealed

Our verdict

Only for healthy adults with clear noses who wake with dry lips from mouth breathing, and only if you accept you cannot return an opened pack. Ugly Sleep Club is a soft, patterned mouth tape infused with collagen, aloe and vitamins. It may keep lips closed and less dry overnight. But research on mouth taping is thin, a 2025 review warned of risks for some sleepers, the page skips those warnings, and returns are for sealed packs only. Ugly Sleep Club scores 4.4 out of 10, held back by overstated sleep claims and missing safety advice.

The short version

• What it is: an overnight mouth strip with collagen, aloe and vitamins, sold for better sleep, less snoring and softer lips.
• Price: $29.99 for 30 strips on 4 October 2026, down to about $0.70 a strip in five-packs.
• Best trait: a gentle, skin-friendly tape for people who already want to try mouth taping.
• Biggest drawback: sleep claims beyond the evidence, and no safety warnings for people who should not tape.
• Our score: 4.4 out of 10.

Pros & cons

The pros come from the gentle tape and lip moisture. The cons are about weak evidence, missing safety caveats, modest skincare effects and a sealed-only return policy.

How it works

Ugly Sleep Club strips are small oval patches with a playful pattern on the outside and a skin-friendly adhesive on the inside. You press one over your closed lips at bedtime. With the lips sealed, you breathe through your nose. The adhesive is infused with vegan collagen, aloe vera, panthenol (vitamin B5), biotin (vitamin B7) and vitamin E, which the page says hydrate the skin around the lips overnight.

The page says the tape keeps your mouth closed so your body switches to nasal breathing, reducing snoring, improving oxygenation and giving deeper sleep. It also says it holds over lip balm and peels off without residue. A different approach to snoring, a mouthpiece that holds the jaw forward, is covered in our SnoreRx review.

1. 01

   Prepare your lips

   Step 1: Wash your face and, if you like, apply lip balm. The maker says the strip holds even over lip balm.

2. 02

   Place the strip over your lips

   Step 2: Close your mouth gently and press the oval strip over your lips so it seals them while you sleep, encouraging you to breathe through your nose.

3. 03

   Peel it off in the morning

   Step 3: Gently peel the strip off when you wake. The maker says the collagen, aloe and vitamins hydrate the skin around your lips overnight.

The brand

Ugly Sleep Club positions itself as a beauty-and-sleep brand, with the slogan that the uglier you go to bed, the prettier you wake up. It sells through its own site and this offer page. The page says it has more than 20,000 happy customers, without a source.

What the page leaves out

The page covers benefits in detail but gives no list of people who should not use mouth tape, no advice to see a doctor about loud snoring, and no mention of the research cautions. That is the most important gap for a product worn over the mouth during sleep.

Nose vs mouth breathing

The nose warms, humidifies and filters air. Breathing through the mouth at night can dry the mouth and lips and is linked with snoring. A 2006 study found net water loss was 42% higher when breathing out through the mouth than the nose, which is where the page's figure comes from.

Why mouth taping became popular

Mouth taping spread through social media, with influencers claiming better sleep, sharper jawlines and fresher breath. Doctors and sleep specialists have responded with caution, as the research shows. Products like this one turn the trend into a branded routine.

What is in the strip

According to the page: vegan collagen, aloe vera, panthenol, biotin and vitamin E in a skincare-grade adhesive formulated by an analytical chemist. The page says the adhesive is third-party tested for PFAS, acrylamide and residual solvents.

What PFAS testing means

PFAS are long-lasting "forever chemicals" found in some coatings and adhesives. Testing for PFAS, acrylamide and residual solvents is a reasonable safety step for something worn on the lips overnight. The page does not publish the test results or name the lab.

Formulated by an analytical chemist

The page says an analytical chemist formulated the adhesive. No name or company is given. Analytical chemists usually test substances rather than design skincare, so the description adds little.

The patterns

The photos show red and pink waves, black and white zigzags and blue gingham. The playful designs are part of the "sleep ugly" branding.

Strip size

The strips are ovals that cover the lips, rather than a narrow piece of tape across the middle. Full coverage seals the lips more completely, which helps the skincare claim but also makes it harder to breathe through the mouth if you need to.

What the 42% figure means

The 2006 study measured water lost in exhaled breath, not lip dryness or sleep quality. It found 42% more water lost through the mouth than the nose in 19 healthy volunteers who were awake. The page's use of the figure to imply better sleep stretches the finding.

Wearing it with a nasal strip

Some people pair mouth tape with an external nasal strip that widens the nostrils. That combination supports nose breathing better than tape alone. The page does not mention it.

What it does not do

It does not open a blocked nose, treat sleep apnea, or change the airway like a mouthpiece or CPAP machine. If your nose is blocked, sealing your mouth makes breathing harder.

Who it's for

Ugly Sleep Club suits healthy adults with clear noses who mouth-breathe out of habit and wake with a dry mouth or chapped lips, and people who want a gentler tape than surgical tape. It does not suit anyone with a blocked nose, allergies or a cold, people with known or suspected sleep apnea, those who have had alcohol or sedatives, children, or anyone with breathing, heart or lung conditions.

• Healthy adults with clear noses who wake with a dry mouth or chapped lips from habitual mouth breathing
• People curious about mouth taping who want a gentler, skin-friendly tape
• Gift buyers drawn to the playful packaging

Why Ugly Sleep Club appeals

Mouth taping is a popular social media trend, and many people try it with plain tape that pulls at skin. A soft strip with skincare ingredients and fun patterns, sold specifically to women, makes the habit feel like part of a beauty routine. The page's customer quotes praise comfort and easy removal.

Women

The page says the tape is made for women, by women, and its imagery and messaging focus on beauty. Nothing about the strip is specific to women; the safety advice applies to everyone.

People who like a beauty routine

The brand frames the strip as the laziest skincare step you will ever add. For people who enjoy a bedtime routine and already use lip products, it fits easily alongside them.

People who wake with dry lips

If you regularly wake with cracked lips and a dry mouth, and your nose is clear, a strip that keeps lips closed and covered may genuinely help your lips. That is the most believable benefit.

Habitual mouth breathers

Some people breathe through their mouths at night out of habit rather than because of a blocked nose. Gentle taping is sometimes suggested to retrain that habit, though evidence is limited.

Runners and athletes

Some athletes are interested in nasal breathing for training. Mouth tape at night is a separate question; there is no evidence it improves daytime performance.

People already using mouth tape

If you already tape your mouth with surgical tape and have discussed it with a doctor, a purpose-made strip that is gentler on skin could be more comfortable. The page's quotes come largely from people who had tried other brands.

Partners of mild snorers

Mild snoring caused by an open mouth may quieten with lips closed. If snoring is loud, with pauses or gasps, it needs medical assessment instead.

Gift buyers

The playful packaging makes it a fun stocking filler. Because mouth taping is not safe for everyone, it is a better gift for someone who has already asked about it than a surprise.

People with dry mouth from medication

Many medicines cause dry mouth. If that is your cause, mouth tape will not fix it, and a doctor or pharmacist may suggest other options.

People who sleep with a partner

Some partners notice less open-mouth snoring with tape. If a partner notices pauses in breathing, choking or gasping, that is a reason to see a doctor, not to tape.

Travellers

On flights and in hotels, dry air can leave lips cracked. Some travellers use strips for naps. Do not use one on a plane if you have any congestion, and remember cabin air is especially dry.

Older adults

Older adults are more likely to have undiagnosed sleep apnea, heart conditions or take medicines that affect breathing. They should talk to a doctor before trying mouth tape.

Shift workers

People who sleep in the day often struggle with sleep quality for reasons tape will not fix, such as light, noise and body clock. Blackout curtains and earplugs usually help more.

Who should skip it

Skip mouth tape if your nose is often blocked, if you have allergies, a cold or a deviated septum, or if you have or might have sleep apnea. Skip it after alcohol or sleeping pills, which make breathing problems worse. Never use it on children. And skip it if you have heart, lung or breathing conditions, or feel anxious with your mouth taped.

• Anyone with a blocked nose, allergies, a cold or nasal obstruction
• People with known or suspected sleep apnea, or loud snoring with gasping
• Anyone who has been drinking alcohol or taking sedatives, and children
• People with breathing, heart or lung conditions, or who feel anxious with taped lips

Is mouth taping safe, and does it work?

The evidence is thin, and experts urge caution. A 2025 PLOS One systematic review of 10 studies with 213 patients found only two showing improvement in sleep apnea markers, while others found no difference and raised safety concerns, including asphyxiation risk with nasal obstruction. A 2026 meta-analysis found nasal obstruction worsens sleep apnea indicators, which is why a clear nose matters.

The 2025 systematic review

The PLOS One review concluded there seems to be a potentially serious risk of harm for people practising mouth taping indiscriminately, and that more research is needed to show any benefit. Many studies excluded people with nasal problems.

Who was studied

The studies in the 2025 review were small and often excluded people with nasal problems, so results apply mainly to people whose noses work well. That is exactly why the page's lack of safety warnings matters.

Porous vs solid tape

Some studies used porous tape that allows a little airflow, rather than a fully sealing strip. The page does not say whether its strips are porous. A fully sealing strip may carry more risk if the nose blocks during the night.

The 2026 meta-analysis

A 2026 OTO Open meta-analysis found that nasal obstruction was linked to clinically significant increases in sleep apnea events. Two studies of mouth taping in mild sleep apnea showed reduced events. The authors called for more research into breathing route as a factor.

What sleep specialists say

Sleep specialists generally treat mouth taping as unproven and advise against it for people with nasal obstruction or untreated sleep apnea. Some suggest it only under medical guidance for specific patients.

Snoring and sleep apnea

Snoring can be harmless or a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. Sleep apnea raises the risk of high blood pressure, heart problems and daytime sleepiness. Taping the mouth of someone with undiagnosed sleep apnea could mask symptoms or make breathing harder.

Mild sleep apnea studies

Two small studies found that porous mouth tape reduced breathing events in people with mild obstructive sleep apnea who breathed through their mouths. That is interesting, but it is not a reason to self-treat sleep apnea without a diagnosis and medical follow-up.

Signs that need a doctor

Loud snoring most nights, pauses in breathing noticed by a partner, waking with a choking feeling, morning headaches and daytime sleepiness are all reasons to ask a doctor about a sleep study.

"Improves oxygenation"

The page says mouth taping improves oxygenation. No study of this product is cited. In people with clear noses, oxygen levels during sleep are usually normal anyway.

Why the page's warnings matter

The page lists no situations where you should not use mouth tape. Responsible mouth tape makers usually warn against use with nasal congestion, sleep apnea, alcohol and children. The absence of those warnings is a significant gap.

"8 hours of deep rest"

The page says the tape helps you consistently get 8 hours of deep rest. Sleep length and depth depend on many factors. No sleep study of this product is cited.

"Protects your oral health"

The page says mouth breathing dries saliva, which protects teeth, raising the risk of plaque and gum problems. Dry mouth is linked with dental problems, so keeping the mouth moist at night is sensible. No study links this product to better dental health.

"Proven technique"

The page says nose breathing through mouth taping is proven to reduce snoring instantly and improve oxygenation. The research does not support "proven" for these outcomes.

Anxiety and claustrophobia

Some people feel panicky with their mouths covered. That feeling can disrupt sleep rather than improve it. Trying a strip while awake first shows how you react.

Dry mouth in the morning

Waking with a dry mouth is common among mouth breathers. If your nose is clear, closing your mouth may reduce that. If dry mouth persists, a dentist or doctor can look for causes such as medication or other conditions.

Customer reports

Customers on the page praise comfort, easy removal and better sleep. One says it is the best of three brands tried. These are self-reports from the seller's page.

What this means for you: if you snore loudly, wake gasping or feel exhausted, see a doctor before trying mouth tape.

Does collagen mouth tape help your lips and skin?

It may leave lips feeling softer, mainly by covering them overnight. Aloe, panthenol and vitamin E are common moisturising ingredients, and sealing the lips reduces moisture loss. Collagen applied to the skin does not rebuild the skin's own collagen, because the molecules are too large to penetrate far. Claims of reduced fine lines are not shown for this product.

Topical collagen

Collagen in creams and patches acts mainly as a humectant, drawing water to the skin surface. That can make skin feel smoother for a while. It does not replace collagen lost with age.

What "vegan collagen" means

Real collagen comes from animals. Products labelled vegan collagen usually use plant-based ingredients designed to mimic or support collagen, or lab-made proteins. The page does not say which kind it uses.

Panthenol, aloe and vitamin E

These are well-established, gentle skincare ingredients. Panthenol helps skin hold water, aloe soothes, and vitamin E is an antioxidant used in many lip products. In a strip, they sit only on the area covered.

Lips vs skin around them

The strip covers the lips and a margin around them. Lip skin is thin and has no oil glands, which is why it dries out easily. Covering it overnight is the main reason it might feel softer in the morning.

How long the ingredients stay

The ingredients sit in the adhesive layer touching your lips for the hours you wear it. Some will transfer to the skin. How much is absorbed is not stated, and topical vitamins mainly act on the surface.

Biotin on skin

Biotin is better known as a supplement. Its benefit applied to skin is less clear. Its inclusion is unlikely to cause harm.

Comparing with lip products

A good overnight lip mask or petroleum-based balm seals moisture into lips without covering the mouth. For lip care alone, those are cheaper and avoid the breathing questions.

Sun protection matters more

For lines around the mouth, daily sunscreen and not smoking do far more over the years than any overnight strip.

"Reduces fine lines"

Fine lines around the mouth come from sun damage, age, smoking and movement. A few hours of moisture can make them look softer temporarily, but no lasting effect is shown.

Lip balm underneath

The page says the strip holds over lip balm. Balm adds moisture and may make removal gentler. Thick, greasy balms could make the strip slide, so a thin layer is best.

Tape residue

The page says the strip leaves no residue. Customer quotes agree. If residue does appear, warm water and a gentle cleanser remove most adhesives.

Skin reactions

Any adhesive can irritate sensitive skin. The page says it is gentle enough for sensitive skin, and a customer with sensitive skin praises it. Patch test on your inner arm first if you react easily to plasters.

"Dermatology grade skincare"

The page calls the tape dermatology grade, a marketing term without a standard definition. The ingredients are typical of lip care products, but no dermatologist or test is named.

"Prevents dry, cracked morning lips"

Keeping lips closed and covered overnight is a reasonable way to reduce dryness, which the 2006 water-loss study supports in principle. This is the claim most likely to hold up.

How much does Ugly Sleep Club cost, and can you return it?

On 4 October 2026, one pack of 30 strips cost $29.99, three packs cost $69.98 and five packs cost $104.97, with free shipping on the larger bundles. The page shows a 30-day money-back badge, but the written policy accepts only unopened, unused items in sealed packaging, within 30 days of delivery, for US orders only, with return shipping at your cost.

Ugly Sleep Club prices

Cost over a year

Using a strip every night costs about $255 to $365 a year, depending on bundle. That is a meaningful ongoing cost compared with a lip balm or a one-off mouthpiece.

Is it good value?

At about $1 a night for one pack, it is a premium mouth tape. The skincare ingredients and patterns account for the price. People who want the beauty angle may find it worthwhile; others will prefer plain strips.

Free shipping

Free shipping applies to the three and five-pack bundles. The single pack says free shipping on qualifying offers only, so check the total.

Compared with other mouth tapes

Plain mouth tape strips are sold widely, often for less per strip. Ugly Sleep Club's premium pays for the skincare ingredients, the patterns and the tested adhesive. If you only want to try taping, a cheaper pack is a lower-risk start.

Bundle sizes

A single pack lasts a month. Three packs last three months and five packs five months. Buying five before you know whether you can sleep with tape is a risk, since opened packs are non-refundable and sealed ones must go back within 30 days of delivery.

The return policy

Returns are accepted only for unopened, unused items in their original, sealed packaging, within 30 days of delivery, and only for orders shipped within the US. You email snooze@uglysleepclub.com first. Refunds exclude original shipping, and return shipping is yours unless the item is defective or wrong.

Contact before returning

The policy says to contact the company before sending anything back, and returns need approval. Unapproved returns may not be processed.

Refund timing

Approved refunds go back to the original payment method within 5 to 10 business days after the return arrives, according to the policy.

Why hygiene rules apply

Many sellers refuse returns of opened personal-care items for hygiene reasons. That is reasonable in itself, but it should be stated clearly next to the guarantee, not only in the policy.

The badge vs the policy

The page says that if you are not 100% satisfied, you can easily return it, hassle-free. The policy says opened or used products cannot be returned. Since you must open a pack to try it, the money-back promise does not cover the usual reason for a refund.

What to do: buy one pack first and treat it as non-refundable once opened.

Damaged or wrong items

If a pack arrives damaged or wrong, email the company with your order number and a photo for a replacement or refund. That is the main situation where opened products are covered.

International buyers

Returns are only accepted for orders shipped within the US. Buyers elsewhere should assume no returns at all.

Delivery

The FAQ says orders ship within 24 to 48 hours and arrive in three to five business days in the US on average. International shipping times vary.

Shipping protection

The policy mentions an optional Checkout+ shipping protection with a "satisfaction guarantee" for protected orders. Read its terms before paying extra.

Is Ugly Sleep Club better than a mouthpiece, nasal strips or plain tape?

For snoring, a nasal strip or a fitted mouthpiece is often the better first step; for dry lips, a good overnight lip balm costs less. Nasal strips open the nose, which supports nose breathing without sealing the mouth. Mandibular advancement mouthpieces have research behind them for snoring. Plain mouth tape is cheaper. Ugly Sleep Club's edge is comfort and skincare ingredients.

Choose Ugly Sleep Club if

You are a healthy adult with a clear nose, you already want to try mouth taping, and you value a gentle strip with lip care. Choose nasal strips if your nose feels blocked, a mouthpiece for snoring, or lip balm for dry lips alone.

Ugly Sleep Club vs a snoring mouthpiece

Mouthpieces that hold the lower jaw forward keep the airway open and are an accepted treatment for snoring and mild sleep apnea, ideally fitted by a dentist. Our SnoreRx review and Sleepzee mouthpiece review cover two options.

Where Ugly Sleep Club wins

For people who already tape their mouths with surgical tape and dislike how it pulls at skin, a softer strip with skincare ingredients is a genuine comfort upgrade.

Where it loses

For snoring, devices with stronger evidence exist. For lips, simpler options exist. For safety, a nasal strip that does not seal the mouth is gentler.

Ugly Sleep Club vs nasal strips and dilators

Nasal strips and dilators widen the nostrils, making nose breathing easier. They pair well with mouth taping for people who want to try it, and are safer on their own for people with stuffy noses.

Ugly Sleep Club vs anti-snoring sprays and remedies

Our SnoreStop review covers a homeopathic snoring remedy, and our SilentSnore review looks at a nasal dilator clip that keeps the nostrils open. Evidence varies widely across this category.

Ugly Sleep Club vs breathing exercises

Some people practise nasal breathing exercises during the day to make nose breathing more natural. They are free and carry no risk, though evidence for effects on sleep is also limited.

Ugly Sleep Club vs a chin strap

Chin straps hold the jaw closed without covering the mouth, so you can still breathe through your mouth if you need to. Some people find them uncomfortable, but they avoid sealing the lips.

Ugly Sleep Club vs sleep hygiene

Many people who feel unrested would benefit more from regular sleep times, less caffeine and alcohol, and a darker, cooler bedroom. Those changes are free and well supported.

Ugly Sleep Club vs a humidifier

Dry bedroom air makes mouths and lips drier. A bedroom humidifier helps everyone in the room, does not affect breathing, and may reduce dry mouth whether you tape or not.

Ugly Sleep Club vs sleep apnea treatment

For people diagnosed with sleep apnea, CPAP machines and fitted oral appliances are proven treatments. Mouth tape is not a substitute, and taping while using a CPAP should only follow a sleep doctor's advice.

Ugly Sleep Club vs a lip mask

Overnight lip masks and balms moisturise lips without affecting breathing. If dry lips are your main concern, they are simpler and safer.

Is Ugly Sleep Club legit, and what should you check before buying?

It is a real product, but the page leaves out important safety advice and its guarantee is narrower than it looks. Check that your nose is clear and that you have no signs of sleep apnea, start with short trials while awake, and remember that opened packs cannot be returned.

Rule out sleep apnea

What to do: if you snore loudly, stop breathing or gasp at night, wake with headaches, or feel very sleepy in the day, see a doctor before using mouth tape.

Track your sleep honestly

Keep a short sleep diary for two weeks with and without the strip, noting how rested you feel. That gives you a fair view of whether it helps you.

Talk to a pharmacist

A pharmacist can advise on nasal congestion, allergies and dry mouth, and whether mouth tape is sensible for you. That is free and quick.

Check your nose

Breathe through your nose with your mouth closed for a few minutes while awake. If that is difficult, do not tape your mouth at night.

Keep your bedroom comfortable

A cool, dark room, a regular bedtime and less screen time before bed help sleep more reliably than any strip. Our sleep guide covers other options.

Start while awake

Try the strip for 15 to 20 minutes while reading or watching television before using it overnight, so you know how it feels.

Keep it away from children

Never use mouth tape on children or teenagers without medical advice. Store packs out of reach.

Avoid alcohol and sedatives

Alcohol and sleeping pills relax the airway and reduce your ability to wake if breathing is difficult. Do not tape after drinking.

How to buy Ugly Sleep Club the smart way

1. Check your nose is clear and you have no sleep apnea signs, then open the Ugly Sleep Club order page (opens Ugly Sleep Club in a new tab).
2. Buy a single pack to test.
3. Check the shipping cost on one pack.
4. Keep any extra packs sealed in case you return them.
5. Stop using it if you feel short of breath or anxious.

How did we score Ugly Sleep Club?

Ugly Sleep Club scores 4.4 out of 10: claim accuracy 0.6, build durability 1.0, price competitiveness 1.0, usability 1.4 and owner satisfaction 0.4, each out of 2. It earns points for a gentle, easy-to-use strip with tested adhesive and plausible lip benefits. Points come off for snoring and oxygen claims beyond the evidence, missing safety warnings, modest skincare effects, a sealed-only return policy and no independent ratings.

How the score breaks down

We use the five criteria on our how we test page, each out of 2.

What we did, and did not, do

Nobody on our team has used Ugly Sleep Club. We read the offer page and return policy on 4 October 2026, and research on PubMed and Trustpilot on 5 October 2026. Our sleep hub lists other sleep products we have reviewed, and our best sleep products guide compares the ones we rate highest.

How to use Ugly Sleep Club for the best results

Only if your nose is clear: wash your face, apply lip balm if you like, close your lips gently and press the strip on, then breathe through your nose as you fall asleep. Peel it off slowly in the morning, stop if you feel short of breath, and never use it with a cold, after alcohol or on a child.

1. Check your nose is clear before bed.
2. Wash your face so the strip sticks.
3. Apply lip balm if your lips are dry.
4. Place the strip over closed lips.
5. Breathe through your nose as you settle.
6. Peel slowly in the morning.
7. Stop if you feel short of breath or panicky.

If you wake in the night

If you wake needing to cough, drink or speak, peel the strip off. You can use a fresh one when you settle again, or simply sleep without it.

Cleaning your face in the morning

After peeling the strip off, rinse your lips and the surrounding skin gently with lukewarm water and pat them dry. If your skin feels tight, a little moisturiser or balm helps. Watch for any irritation building up over several nights of use.

Storing packs

Keep packs sealed, cool and dry until you need them, so the adhesive and ingredients stay fresh. Unopened packs are also the only ones you can return, within 30 days of delivery, if you change your mind about mouth taping.

Bedtime timing

Put the strip on just before lights out, after you have finished talking, drinking and brushing your teeth. Keep a glass of water by the bed for the morning.

Facial hair

Moustaches and stubble make adhesives harder to stick and more uncomfortable to remove. The page is aimed at women; men with facial hair may find it less practical.

Sensitive skin

Patch test a strip on your inner arm for a few hours before first use. Stop if you notice redness, itching or a rash around your mouth.

Colds and allergy season

Skip taping on nights when your nose is blocked. Use a saline spray or see a pharmacist about congestion instead.

Other questions about mouth tape

Can I talk or drink with it on? Remove it first.

Can I reuse a strip? No, each is single use.

Will it hurt to remove? The page says it peels off gently; peel slowly, lifting from one corner.

Frequently asked questions