Skin fasting is TikTok's latest skincare hack, but does it work?

Skin fasting is TikTok's latest skincare hack, but does it work?

Whether you're using Preparation H as an under-eye cream, taping your skin before bed to prevent wrinkles, or slathering your skin with Pepto-Bismol for a clear complexion, there's always something skincare-related circulating on TikTok. But the latest trend to hit the popular social media app isn't about adding anything to your skincare routine. Instead, it's about cutting it back. Enter: skincare fasting.

The concept of taking a break from using certain skin care products, especially those with harsh ingredients like retinol and acids, is nothing new. Still, information about how to take a break and/or minimize your skincare routine is swirling around TikTok, and it's been neatly repackaged as a skin fast.

Case in point: Maliha Ihenacho (a skin care esthetician and trichology student, according to her bio on TikTok) posted a video explaining the trend, and it garnered over 70,000 views. In the clip, Ihenacho suggests followers take a break from using skin care products, noting in her caption that "some products slowly eliminate while others go cold." For a "complete" skin care routine, you need to stop using everything for 24 hours, including cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and any other staple products in your lineup (she does this once or twice a week). The theory is that without products on your skin, its natural sebum will take over the job of balancing and protecting it, Ihenacho claims in the caption of her post.

For those who have built a lengthy skincare routine, this may seem like an impossible task, but Ihenacho swears by skincare fasting. "This strengthens the skin's natural protective barrier and is a great way to pinpoint products that are causing irritation, breakouts, and other skin care concerns," Ihenancho says in her popular TikTok. However, those with skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea and those who use prescription skin care products should not skimp on using necessary products, she writes in her caption. Skipping sunscreen is also a risk, especially if you've recently applied retinol to your skin, she notes.

Ihenacho isn't the only TikTok user talking about skin fasting. Videos tagged with #skincarefasting have more than 350,000 total views, and dozens of other creators have popped up to share more information about the practice. But is it really necessary to take a temporary break from skin care, and how much good can skin fasting really do?

Dermatologists agree that weekly fasting is not necessarily beneficial for skin care. However, the idea that you should regularly pause certain products that contain particularly powerful ingredients like retinoids has some merit. Ahead, learn more from board-certified dermatologists about what skin fasting is and whether or not it's safe.

What is skin care fasting?

Skin care fasting involves taking a break from using all or non-essential skin care products with the goal of allowing the skin to repair itself and strengthening the skin's natural protective barrier (also known as the outermost layer of skin that protects it from pollution, bacteria, irritation). However, how often and for how long you stop using products should vary depending on the person and their skin care needs, says Naana Boakye, MD, MPH, founder of Bergen Dermatology.

"I think the concept of skin fasting was probably born due to the overuse of active ingredients like retinoids and exfoliating acids. If you try to push the workhorses (the exfoliating acids and the retinoids) by using them every day, you're damaging your skin barrier (the body's outermost line of defense to protect against harmful toxins and germs)," says Whitney Bowe, MD, State Certified dermatologist and founder of DWB. "This prepares your skin for a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation, which can make your skin more sensitive and prone to breakouts and aging." For this reason, it may be helpful to take a break from products that contain these ingredients.

Does skin care fasting work?

While some TikTokers claim skin fasting is the key to restoring the skin barrier and promoting healthy skin, it's really "not necessary or beneficial" and can potentially do more harm than good, says Dr. Bowe. "Failure to cleanse your skin in the evening with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser can lead to breakouts in acne-prone skin. Your skin is still facing the day, whether you use nourishing ingredients or not, and even by the end of the day, your skin will have accumulated dirt, sweat, and pollutants that cling to your skin after a full day in the environment," she says.

But that doesn't mean a regular, minimalist approach to skin care isn't effective. Instead of skipping all products, incorporate recovery nights into your routine, suggests Dr. Bowe before. This means that on certain nights you consciously avoid products with active ingredients such as acids and retinoids to repair your skin barrier. On these days, stick to a gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum, and sunscreen, she says.

Is skin care fasting safe?

For most people, skin care fasting itself does not result in any serious or harmful consequences; According to Dr. However, Bowe it can cause unnecessary stress on your skin, which you don't want. Additionally, if you try skin fasting, it should be done under the guidance of a doctor, says Dr. Naana. The length of time you avoid using skin care products may need to vary depending on the current medications and products you use, she adds.

Fasting is good for the skin: right or wrong?

Despite the claims on TikTok, you don't necessarily need to take a break from using all skin care products to get your skin back on track. However, you might consider using fewer non-essential products regularly as a form of recovery. "Instead of 'skin fasting,' which I don't recommend, incorporate 'recovery nights' into your skincare routine," says Bowe. This way, you're allowing your skin barrier to recover by taking a short break from products with harsh ingredients like retinol and acids, but you can still use cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens daily. As always, consult your skincare provider doctor before changing your skin care regimen.