Skin Fasting Pros And Cons
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you’re a beauty guru, lifestyle blogger, or just following beauty treatments, you know what skin fasting is. Or you might not have even heard about that trend. Then it would be interesting to learn more about that skincare buzz from recent years.
The Japanese holistic beauty brand Mirai Clinical introduced the term, meaning starving the skin and depriving it of any beauty products to rejuvenate and renew it. Options range from taking a complete break from cosmetics for one or a few days to reducing the multiple steps of the daily beauty routine and opting for a more minimalist approach.
How long could you go without cleansing, toning, hydrating, or the pleasant relaxation of a face mask? A day, week, or month?
Skin fasting is a recent trend, where some professionals recommend a complete break from the skincare routine. There is no rigorous scientific evidence in its favor, however. According to the assumption behind it, the skin should breathe and reset on its own, while the deprivation of cosmetic products will stimulate it to renew within a short timeframe. Abstinence from routine cosmetic procedures for one or several days would normalize skin’s natural protective barrier and regulate sebum.
However, many experts do not support this theory, as the skin can become dry for several reasons – diseases such as eczema, seasonal dehydration, and age-related changes that affect sebum production. The pause from a suitable treatment on the dry face or body for a random period does not and cannot alert the skin to produce more sebum, which may cause a deficit because of the reasons mentioned. Maintaining softness and hydration requires more than the natural amount of sebum.
More is not always better
Anyway, it is not advisable to stop using all cosmetic products. Cleansing is a crucial step in daily care, and removing sweat, dirt, bacteria, and impurities is a must for personal hygiene and preventing premature aging. And not only that could cause problems. The lack of sunscreen can increase pigmentation in some skin types, or a lack of exfoliation can lead to a buildup of dead cells. Sometimes stopping certain types of products can cause more harm than benefits. A typical example is an acne-prone skin, as discontinuing the use of acne products can cause the condition to worsen, as the skincare routine is a must for dealing with such a persistent problem.
Finding the right balance is essential
However, most experts recommend implementing a diet and decreasing the number of products used for the daily routine. Layering multiple products on the skin can offset their beneficial effects, developing sensitivity, irritation, and even eczema or rash if the products do not work well in combination. More is not better, and the overuse of products is a waste of recourses and potentially damages the skin.
Undeniably, any skin type and age need specific daily treatment, which does not mean at all multiple layers of products. Besides, smart formula products such as eye cream suited as a makeup base could be a good option instead. This approach would care for the skin, save money, and reduce waste, hence the environmental footprint. The skin needs cleaning, toning, hydration, nourishment, and sunscreen.
