Skin-Fast Once a Week2

What’s a great way to take care of your skin? Take a break from your moisturizer—really!

You fast to cleanse and detoxify your body, why not “skin-fast” to detox your skin? And what exactly is “skin-fasting?” It’s as simple as sleeping without moisturizer just one night a week, and changing the way you clean your skin.

Skin-fasting strengthens the skin’s natural protective barrier that’s weakened by excessive cleansing or excessive nourishing. By skin-fasting, you’ll normalize the secretion of natural oils and support the rejuvenation process. These natural oils form a barrier that protects your skin from dryness, and outside stressors: UV rays, pollution, and cold temperatures. If the barrier is damaged, you’ll be more prone to sunspots, wrinkles, and other symptoms of aging of the skin. If you use too much make-up and moisturizers, it interrupts normal skin cell renewal, which occurs every 28 days.  And your skin cells need renewal every month to look healthy. 

Dry skin is dry on the skin’s surface. The skin becomes dehydrated because there aren’t enough natural oils to keep moisture inside. Too much moisturizer means the skin stops producing its own natural oils, causing even drier skin--a vicious circle.

How to Effectively Skin-Fast

1. Wash your face gently at night and avoid excessive washing.

2. One night a week, don’t use any skin care products. This will help strengthen your skin’s recovery power. If you use moisturizer every day, your skin relies on it. Without moisturizer, the skin will begin to produce its own natural oils.
3. In the morning, wash your face using only water to keep the natural oils on your skin. Don’t use cleanser.

4. Skin-fast only once a week. Excessive fasting can cause drier skin. And skin-fasting can be applied to your body, too. The face is more affected because of sun exposure, make-up, and overuse of synthetic skincare and cleansers, but if you usually moisturize your body every day, your body’s skin will not produce natural oils.

6. Drink lots of water. Hydration is key to healthy skin. Eat healthily and be sure to get enough sleep while you’re skin-fasting. And even when you’re not!

7. Your room should have enough humidity, particularly in the winter.

8. Don’t skin-fast if you have any serious skin condition, or have had a recent chemical peel or face treatment.  When in doubt, consult a dermatologist.