Is Skin Fasting A True Skin-Care Trend, Or Just Another TikTok Hype? Find Out

TikTok is a hotbed of health, beauty, and fitness trends, with skin care hacks constantly making the rounds. The latest trend on the platform is known as " skin fasting ." This practice involves temporarily abstaining from certain skin care products, particularly those containing harsh ingredients like retinol and acids. While the concept of reducing your skin care routine is not new, TikTok has given it a trendy new name – skin fasting.

Maliha Ihenacho, a skin care esthetician and trichology student, made a video about skin fasting that gained over 70,000 views. In the video, she suggests taking a break from using all skin care products for 24 hours once or twice a week. According to Ihenacho, during this time, the skin's natural sebum takes over the task of balancing and protecting the skin. She claims that this can strengthen the skin's natural protective barrier and help identify products that might be causing skin irritation or breakouts.

However, she cautions that individuals with skin conditions like eczema and rosacea or those using prescription skin care products should not stop using their necessary products. Additionally, skipping sunscreen can be risky, especially if you've recently applied retinol to your skin.

While Ihenacho is not the only one discussing skin fasting on TikTok, with videos tagged under #skincarefasting amassing over 350,000 views, dermatologists have mixed opinions on its benefits. Many agree that weekly skin fasting may not be entirely beneficial, but there's some merit in taking breaks from using products with potent ingredients, such as retinoids.

Skin-care fasting involves refraining from using all or non-essential skin care products to allow the skin to reset itself and strengthen its natural protective barrier. The frequency and duration of these breaks should be tailored to individual skin care needs.

Overuse of potent ingredients like retinoids and exfoliating acids may have led to the emergence of the skin fasting concept. These active ingredients, when overused, can compromise the skin's protective barrier, making it more prone to inflammation, sensitivity, breakouts, and signs of aging. Hence, taking a break from products with these ingredients can be helpful.

Despite claims on TikTok that skin fasting is essential for healthy skin, dermatologists differ in their opinions. Dr. Whitney Bowe, a board-certified dermatologist, does not recommend skin fasting. She emphasizes that not cleansing your skin in the evening with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser can lead to acne breakouts, as pollutants and dirt accumulate on your skin throughout the day.

Instead of complete skin fasting, Dr. Bowe suggests incorporating recovery nights into your skin care routine. On these nights, you can take a break from products containing harsh ingredients, using only a gentle cleanser, Vitamin C serum, and sunscreen.

In terms of safety, for most people, skin fasting is unlikely to lead to serious harm. However, it may place unnecessary stress on the skin. If you decide to try skin fasting, it's advisable to do it under the guidance of a medical professional, especially if you are currently using medications and other skin care products.

While skin fasting is touted as a path to better skin on TikTok, it's not entirely necessary. Instead of completely fasting from all skin care products, consider incorporating recovery nights into your routine to allow your skin's protective barrier to recover. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your skin care regimen.

(With AI Inputs)

(GENZ News is the ultimate destination for the trend-savvy generation! Stay on top of the GenZ news with India's first and the only product for GENZs.)