Facial hair is the main reason mouth tape won't stay on. If you have stubble or a beard, the tape you choose and how you put it on make all the difference. Here's what makes mouth tape beard friendly, how to get a good hold, and what else to look for.
Does mouth tape work with a beard?
It can, if the tape is made to grip facial hair. Ordinary tape sticks to skin, not hair, so it lifts at the edges during the night. Beard-friendly mouth tape uses an adhesive designed to hold on stubble and beards, so it stays put until morning. Our beard-friendly mouth tape is made to grip stubble and beards.
How to make mouth tape stick with a beard
- Trim the hair right around your lips, so the tape has a short, even surface to grip.
- Wash and dry your lips and beard. Skip lip balm and beard oil around your mouth at bedtime, because oil stops tape sticking.
- Put the tape over relaxed, closed lips.
- Press it down for a few seconds, especially at the edges.
- In the morning, peel it off slowly from one side.
What else to look for in mouth tape
A skin-friendly adhesive
You'll wear it for hours, on delicate skin. Look for a hypoallergenic, latex-free adhesive. If your skin is sensitive, try a small piece on the inside of your arm for an hour before your first night.
Soft, breathable material
Soft fabric tape moves with your face as you sleep, and a breathable material is more comfortable over a whole night.
A shape that suits you
Some tapes cover your lips completely; others are smaller strips that sit across the middle. Pick the one you find comfortable enough to forget about.
Gentle removal
It should peel off without stinging, including from stubble. Peel it slowly from one side.
The price per night
You'll use one tape a night, so compare the price per night, not per pack. A 30-pack of our mouth tape is £10.99, about 37p a night, or 22p a night in a 3 + 2 FREE bundle.
Who shouldn't use mouth tape
- Anyone who can't breathe comfortably through their nose, including when you have a cold or a blocked nose
- Children
- Anyone who feels unwell
- Anyone with sleep apnoea or another medical condition, until they've spoken to their GP
A 2025 review of 10 studies found the evidence for mouth taping is still limited, and warned that it could be dangerous if your nose is blocked. (Rhee et al., PLOS ONE, 2025) If your nose often feels stuffy, add a nasal strip first.
