WHAT IS SKIN FASTING? THE BENEFITS OF SKIN FASTING
The beauty world is awash (no pun intended) with tips and tricks of double-cleansing, oil-cleansing, chemical exfoliants, masks, slugging, and any other skincare technique you can think of — but, did you know what we don't do to our skin, can be just as important as what we do?
Yes, you heard us right. Sometimes the best thing to do for our skin is nothing. At least for a little while. We know that's a little controversial, especially in the midst of product layering trends, but hear us out. Like so many things in life, you need to give your skin a break from time to time. In this article, we're talking about the benefits of skin-fasting and why Avari Beauty's founder Kari Tribble swears by this little-known technique!
WHAT IS SKIN FASTING?
Skin-fasting is all about taking a break from your typical skincare routine in order to help your skin improve the way it functions — thinks of it as a detox for your skin! Proponents of skin-fasting believe that it helps to motivate your skin's natural maintenance system, encouraging it to relearn how to work more effectively without relying on "skin aides."
As we all know, using too many skincare products, or the overuse of certain skincare products, can damage our skin barrier. This can lead to dehydration, overproduction of sebum, and sensitivity. When this happens, we're often tempted to reach for even more skincare products, which leads us to the simple (and mostly overlooked) solution: Skin-fasting!
Bella Aura's creator Yasmine was the first person to introduce Avari Beauty's founder, Kari, to the benefits of skin-fasting. During a divinely indulgent facial with Bella Aura's gorgeous antioxidant products, Yasmine explained that giving your skin a break from all products once a week is the secret to a clear, glowing complexion. This is because skin begins to get lazy if we rely too heavily on the products we use. As Yasmine explains, "It's important not to put anything on your face for a day or two a week; this helps to wake our skin up and remind it how to produce its own oils and processes."
HOW DO YOU SKIN FAST?
There are no set skin-fasting rules; as with all things skincare, the choice is personal. You could adopt simple changes such as giving up a few of your usual products like moisturizer or serum for a day or go all out and abstain from all skincare products for a couple of days each week.
SHOULD I TRY SKIN FASTING?
There are many benefits to adding skin fasting into your skincare routine. Not only does it encourage your skin to rebalance itself, but it can also give it a break from products with lots of active ingredients, such as retinol and exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs. Overuse of this type of product can sensitize the skin and disrupt its barrier. Taking a break from products once a week can help you avoid over-treating your skin. Plus, if you've been experiencing skin irritation, skin-fasting can help you identify the offending product through a process of elimination!
DOES SKIN FASTING HELP DRY SKIN?
Skin fasting is particularly beneficial for dry skin — especially if the dryness is caused by product irritation. Skin-fasting can also encourage the skin to produce natural oils and self-hydrate at an optimal rate.
In addition, skin fasting is a great way to reevaluate your skincare routine and determine which products are working for you. If you find that your skin is still dry despite using high-quality moisturizers and serums, it might be time to switch up your routine and find products that better meet your needs.
DOES SKIN FASTING HELP OILY SKIN?
If your skin is oily or acne-prone, it's important to follow your esthetician's or dermatologists' advice. With acne-prone skin, it's essential to cleanse daily and remove excess sebum and dirt. Even during fasting days, Kari recommends lightly cleansing your skin daily with a gentle cleanser like Avari's All-In-One Bamboo Charcoal Cleanser.
TRY SKIN FASTING
It's important to remember that everyone's skin is different, and there may be an adjustment period when incorporating skin fasting into your routine. Skin naturally has a 28-day turnover cycle, so to avoid unnecessary issues, aim to introduce skin fasting gradually and give yourself time to adjust and reset. Once you get into the swing of things, a product holiday will allow your skin to resume its natural, built-in mechanisms of self-moisturization and self-healing.
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