Skin is the largest organ in your body, so it’s no surprise that skin care has become a multi-billion dollar industry. Proponents of Skin Fasting believe this ancient practice can improve how you look and feel on the inside as well as out.
Skin fasting is a method of cleansing the skin and removing excess oil. It’s done by abstaining from eating certain foods for a short period of time. Skin fasting has been shown to improve skin health and reduce acne.
Morning and night, some people go through a 20-step skincare routine. Which makes us worry whether we’re going crazy with the merchandise. Skin fasting has been more popular in recent years, and it’s your skin’s own version of a cleansing cleanse.
We spoke with a dermatologist, Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, as well as two estheticians, Natalie Aguilar and Karen Fernandez, to get the scoop on skin fasting. Continue reading to find out what they had to say.
Meet the Professional
- Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a board-certified dermatologist. Skin cancer screenings, general medical dermatology, pediatric dermatology, and cosmetic dermatology are among her specialties.
- Natalie Aguilar is a celebrity esthetician and dermatological nurse in Los Angeles. N4 Skincare was founded by her.
- Karen Fernandez, a lead esthetician at SkinSpirit in Palo Alto, California, is the company’s lead esthetician. For the last 28 years, she has been a licensed aesthetician.
What Is Skin Fasting and How Does It Work?
“Skin fasting” is defined as “taking a vacation from all of your existing skincare products or regimen to allow your skin to breathe, relax, and reset.” “In theory, it enables your skin to work naturally the way it was meant to without the need of skincare products.”
While the principle is simple, the implementation varies from one individual to the next. “Like food-related fasting, there are multiple degrees of how much and for how long you eliminate,” Fernandez explains. “The premise is that by allowing your skin’s protective stratum corneum layer to regrow, you may promote greater skin health and resilience.” It’s also a wonderful approach to find out whether a product is causing irritation, acne, or other skin issues.”
While there is information available on which products are best for certain skin types, which products work well together, and which products you should avoid, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest releases, fads, and trends. Skin fasting doesn’t have to include completely removing all of your skincare products; it may also entail gradually phasing out one product at a time to see what works best for your skin type.
How Do You Get Rid of Pimples Quickly?
“Each person’s skin fasting is different,” adds Aguilar. “Some people gradually cut down on things, while others go cold turkey.”
“You stop using all of your skincare products completely for a total skin fast,” Fernandez explains. “There will be no cleaning, toning, or the use of serums, hydrators, or moisturizers.” The essential activity is to let your skin’s natural sebum [oil] perform all the balancing and protecting.” It’s crucial to pay attention to your skin during the procedure, which Zubritsky says might take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
“I advocate keeping to the fundamentals like cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen, and completely removing any other products,” says Aguilar, who takes a different approach to skin fasting. “If you’re going to get rid of sunscreen, you should also get rid of sun exposure.” If there’s one golden (skincare) guideline we’ve learnt, it’s to always use SPF.
When it comes to retaining the essentials in your routine, Zubritsky agrees with Aguilar. “I don’t advocate eliminating any cosmetics since it might possibly cause havoc on your skin,” she explains. “If you don’t wash your face with a cleanser, dirt, debris, makeup, and oil may build up on your face, leading to additional breakouts.”
Who Is a Good Candidate for Skin Fasting?
Skin fasting may help those with skin sensitivity, according to Fernandez. “It allows the skin to be free of any active chemicals that might cause irritation.” She goes on to say that people with dry skin gain more from skin fasting, while those with oily or acne-prone skin would not benefit from a complete skin fast of any duration.
Anyone having difficulties with their regular skincare regimen might benefit from a milder version of skin fasting, which involves removing one product at a time until the irritant is found. “Anyone may attempt skin fasting,” adds Aguilar, “particularly those who believe their skin needs a reset.” “Those who have more blemishes, dryness, or irritation than normal would benefit from it.”
Who Shouldn’t Fast Their Skin?
“I do not advocate skin fasting for those who have eczema, uncontrolled acne, rosacea, melasma, or other skin conditions that need topical treatment,” Zubritsky explains. “I am not a fan of going cold turkey on all skincare products all at once, particularly if you have a skin problem that necessitates active ingredients,” she says.
“Speak to your dermatologist or prescribing physician about taking a break from any prescription drugs you are presently using,” says Aguilar, “as some should not be discontinued.” “Not using sunscreen to protect your skin is a danger.” If you’ve taken any acids in the recent three days, particularly retinol, you should keep using sunscreen and limiting your sun exposure.”
Those with effective skincare regimes may wish to avoid this procedure as well. If it isn’t broken, don’t repair it, as the adage goes.
The Final Thought
Skin fasting is ultimately effective on a case-by-case basis. When it comes to skin fasting, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, so listening to your skin in real time is the safest way to go.
“If you want to try it, I propose gradually removing one product at a time to observe how your skin responds,” Zubritsky advises. “There is no physiological or scientific foundation for skin fasting in the sense of ‘detoxing’ your skin.”
Skin fasting, like any other detox or reset, may be beneficial to people seeking a new start. “I propose skin fasting to anybody who feels like their skin needs a recharge or is unsure what their skin requires,” Aguilar says. “You can figure out what your skin lacks or has too much of. It’s also a good approach to see whether your present items are really helping you.”
“Skin is really intelligent,” says Fernandez, “and it will grow more robust with time.” “What I advocate is applying only the essentials [cleanser, SPF] on occasion and allowing your skin to rest and recover. This can prevent your fast from turning into a tragedy, setting you back in your battle against acne or any other skin condition.”
One more piece of advice from Zubritsky: Always wear sunscreen. “If you want to attempt skin fasting, I suggest using sunscreen every day at the very least.” That is one step that cannot be avoided.”
Skin fasting has been around for a while, but it’s only recently that people are starting to take notice of its benefits. Skin fasting helps clear up your skin and gives you a fresh new look. Reference: skin fasting benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can fasting clear your skin?
A: No, fasting will not clear your skin.
Why does fasting clear your skin?
A: Fasting is a way to detoxify the body and, for some people it can help clear up skin problems such as acne or rosacea.
What is the secret to flawless skin?
A: There is no secret to flawless skin. You need cleanse, exfoliate with a brush or cloth, use oil-free makeup products that dont build up on your skin.
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