The plethora of skin products can weigh you down literally, and that is why it is important to give it a bout of ‘fasting’.
When skin fasting helps
• It calms irritation caused by too many active products.
• It helps identify which product might be triggering a reaction.
• It offers a mental reset for those overwhelmed by complicated routines.
Tips
• Never skip sunscreen. UV protection is non-negotiable.
• Keep a plain moisturizer, dryness will only worsen without it.
• Keep the fast short; about a week is enough. Any longer, and you lose out on the benefits of important actives like retinoids.
• Reintroduce products one at a time. This way, you learn what truly works for your skin.
What it doesn’t do
It does not “detox” the skin. That’s a myth. Skin can’t flush out toxins; that’s the liver’s job. What fasting does is reduce irritation, which can make your skin look healthier.
Patient observations
• Those with dry skin often feel better once harsh actives are paused, but they do need moisturizer during a fast.
• For acne patients, fasting can be tricky. Stopping acne treatments almost always makes breakouts worse, but removing heavy oils or pore-clogging creams can help.
Skin fasting us like a diagnostic tool or a short reset: it’s a pause, not a solution. Long-term skin health still comes back to the basics: gentle cleansing, hydration, and daily sun protection.
Read the full story that first appeared in The New Indian Express dated Oct 5, 2025 here:
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