WHAT IS SKIN FASTING?

Zena Wozniak

Skin fasting is the practice of abstaining from the use of any skincare products for a set period of time. Consider it the antithesis of elaborate multi-step glass skin routines. And yet, some skincare enthusiasts swear by it.

“It’s a great skin rejuvenation method established by some Japanese dermatologists and has been popular for over a decade in Japan,” explains Koko Hayashi, founder of Mirai Clinical, a skincare line that focuses on sharing holistic Japanese beauty secrets. In fact, Koko is credited with bringing the Japanese skin fasting craze to the United States.

HOW TO DO SKIN FASTING

Methods of skin fasts vary, with some users abstaining from skincare for several weeks at a time while others merely abstain at night. The latter approach is what Koko recommends. This allows you to still keep your skin protected during the day under UV rays.

POSSIBLE SKIN FASTING BENEFITS

The idea behind skin fasting is that when we relieve our skin from the constant onslaught of product, we allow it to rebalance itself naturally. “Skin has an innate ability to rejuvenate itself from within,” Koko explains. Without product, “the skin is forced to produce its own natural moisture and oils and balance, instead of depending on skincare creams.”

WHO SHOULD NOT SKIN FAST?

An important caveat here, Koko doesn’t recommend skin fasting for anyone with extremely dry skin. For those with mildly dry skin, she suggests a more gradual transition.

“If your skin is dry, don’t suddenly [fast],” she advises. Instead, “Reduce the amount of skincare cream little by little every night.” Also, for those with dry skin she recommends trying it during a rainy season when there is more natural humidity in the air.