While today’s beauty market seems to have something for everyone, there is a popular trend that beauty gurus are swearing by which involves us taking a break from all kinds of skincare products. Commonly known as ‘skin fasting’, this fad talks about giving your skin a break from either all actives like glycolic acid and retinoids or from all skincare products across the board. So, just like a regular food fast, here also you can pick and choose what you’re going to take a break from.
While this sounds great, we thought we’d get an expert to understand if it really works. So, if you’re interested in learning about skin fasting and its merits and demerits, stay tuned because Dr Kiran Sethi of Isya Aesthetics is explaining it in detail.
Skin Fasting Started Trending For A Reason, Here Are The Benefits:
Prevents Epidermal Barrier Disruption
Dr Kiran says, “When we use actives or too many actives, we run the danger of damaging our epidermal barrier, which can result in rashes, sensitivity, infection and even rosacea.”
This is why taking a break from these from time to time can actually do wonders.
Keeps The Skin From Getting Too Used To Actives
The actives may not perform as well for the skin if used too frequently. Pausing these products and skin fasting allows the skin to reset so that the actives can provide an ‘Aha’ moment (see what we did there) again.
Allows The Skin To Go Back To Its Natural Ways, Temporarily
When we’re using skincare products like actives, we’re regulating the skin into doing what we want it to. Like by using exfoliants like retinol, we’re increasing cell turnover at a fast pace. Hence, the natural, self-regulating cycle is stopped. Skin fasting gives the skin a chance to get back to its natural ways.
What Products Should You Be Taking A Break From?
“Fasting should be done from products like retinol and retinoids. These include AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid), BHAs (beta hydroxy acid) and PHAs (polyhydroxy acids). These remove the keratin layer on top of the skin and if over-used, irritate the skin,” explains Dr Kiran.
What Should Not Be On Your Skin Fasting List?
Sunblock. Yup, this product should not be skipped under any circumstance. On sunny summer days and gloomy winter ones too, SPF should be your BFF.
Now, that you’ve learned quite a bit about skin fasting, let us also say that too much of skin fasting also means that you won’t get enough benefits from your actives. So, visiting a dermatologist for advice on this is recommended. Dr Kiran does suggest taking Sunday off from actives for people with active acne but again, your doctor would be able to judge your case better.
Remember, all trends may not work for you. So, do your thorough research and then decide for yourself if this is something you want to try.
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