Skin fasting: is stopping skincare really a good idea? How fasting the skin could help soothe the skin barrier
In recent years, we’ve been layering everything: serums on serums, acids, retinoids, boosters, essences. Skincare has turned into a second full-time job. And it’s precisely from here that an apparently countercultural question arises: what if your skin simply needed a break? Welcome to the world of skin fasting, the trend that invites you to stop everything (yes, everything) to restore balance.
What skin fasting really is
Skin fasting originated in Japan and, spoiler, it doesn’t mean abandoning skincare forever. The core idea is to drastically reduce the use of products to allow the skin to restore its natural balance, especially when it’s stressed, irritated, or overwhelmed by too many active ingredients. That said, a quick reality check: skin doesn’t “detox” in the literal sense. Skin doesn’t eliminate toxins, but it can benefit from a break from product overload. The concept of skin detox is more marketing than science. Rather, skin fasting works as a pause from cosmetic overload, particularly useful when the skin barrier is in SOS mode.
Does it actually work, or is it just another skincare trend?
The short answer? It depends. Reducing - or even temporarily eliminating - products can help sensitized, red, or over-exfoliated skin calm down, especially if in recent months you’ve gone heavy on acids, retinol, and a bit of savage experimentation. In these cases, taking a step back is often smarter than adding yet another soothing serum. On the other hand, skin fasting isn’t for everyone. Those dealing with acne, rosacea, dermatitis, or very dry skin may actually worsen their condition by completely eliminating targeted treatments. It’s no coincidence that many dermatologists prefer to talk about skinimalism or skincare wardrobe rather than fasting: fewer products, yes, but with intention. According to Healthline, a simplified skincare routine can indeed help skin recover, but there’s no evidence that stopping everything leads to universal benefits.
How to do skin fasting
If the idea intrigues you, here are the guidelines for putting your skin on a fast. First of all, you can rinse your face with lukewarm water only, morning and evening, always finishing your morning routine with SPF, which is the one product you’re still allowed to use - because fasting, yes, but sun spots are a hard no. That means a full stop to actives, exfoliants, and intensive treatments for a short period: anywhere from one to seven days is more than enough. Most importantly, listen to your skin: if it starts feeling tight during the day, that’s a clear sign of dehydration. During the fasting period, it’s also recommended to increase your water intake, up to around three liters a day. In short, skin fasting can be a smart pause to reset your routine and understand what your skin truly needs, and what was just creating confusion, but the golden rule remains that every skin is different, and what works for some may make things worse for others.
