In the last year, the concept of skin fasting has really taken off; in fact, all the cool kids are talking about it. But what is skin fasting? And is it really worth the effort for your skin? Let’s take a look at skin fasting. We’ll examine why you’d want to try it and whether or not it works.
What is Skin Fasting?
Skin fasting is the incredibly popular practice of reducing or even refraining from using skincare products for a certain period of time. This could include dialing back on cleansers, exfoliants, moisturizers, or any combination of skin care products in your regular routine.
Why Would You Try a Skin Fast?
The idea behind skin fasting is that if given some room to breathe, so to speak, your skin will reset and rest. Moreover, some folks believe that if we stop relying on outside interference and products, our skin will compensate accordingly and perform the way nature intended.
Does Skin Fasting Work?
There is no scientific evidence to support the theory of skin fasting. While it’s advisable to continually assess your skincare routine and make smart choices based on your skin’s changing needs, there’s no real benefit to entirely removing all skincare products. Everyone likes the concept of a detox, whether it’s our bodies and now our skin, but the truth is your skin cannot detox per se.
Get to The Root of Your Problem Instead
If you’re thinking about doing a skin fast, you may want to consider the real reason you’re entertaining the idea in the first place. When you have too many products to choose from or your routine seems stale, you may want to take a step back, reevaluate what you do and how you do it, and then do a product purge. Sometimes a refreshing update is all you really need.
Try a Makeup Fast
Instead of a skin fast, you may want to consider a makeup fast. The truth is while there are certain things your skin can (and shouldn’t go without), there are certain things that you may find beneficial to skip - makeup is one of those things. In fact, taking a break from your makeup can give your skin some much-needed room to breathe. We love our makeup, but let’s face it; it’s filled with fillers, preservatives, and other pore-clogging ingredients that our skin can do without.
While skin fasting has become increasingly popular, the fact is it may not be a worthwhile endeavor. Instead of forgoing parts of your skincare routine and deleting necessary products - like cleansers that remove dirt and oil, and moisturizers that protect your skin - a better alternative might be to take a step back and reassess your processes and products. An update to your routine or simple product change may be all you need to restore your skin to its former glory.
