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Is skin fasting just a viral trend or a dermatologist-approved reset? An expert explains how simplifying skincare can repair the skin barrier and restore balance.
A dermatologist-backed look at skin fasting and why simplifying your skincare routine may help restore the skin barrier and improve overall skin health.
Skin fasting refers to temporarily stopping most skincare products for a short period and allowing the skin to regulate and repair itself naturally. The idea is simple: stop overloading the skin, let it breathe, and allow its own repair mechanisms to take charge. But as the concept gains traction online, one question remains is skin fasting just another viral trend promising quick, flawless skin, or does it hold real dermatological value?
“Skin fasting is more relevant today than it has ever been,” says Dr Ridhima Arora, MBBS, MD (Dermatology & VD), Malik Radix Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. “The current beauty landscape is like a jungle of products, and consumers are often lost in it.” She explains that people are routinely layering retinol, vitamin C, exfoliating acids, niacinamide, peptides, and other ‘actives’ often without understanding compatibility or long-term consequences.
According to Dr Arora, this ‘more is better’ approach has led to a silent but widespread issue: skin barrier damage.
“The skin barrier functions like a fortress, it retains moisture and keeps irritants out,” she explains. “When it is repeatedly exposed to multiple active ingredients without adequate recovery time, the barrier becomes compromised.” The result, she notes, is a familiar list of concerns: dullness, breakouts, redness, hypersensitivity, and stinging even with the most basic products.
“These are not signs that skincare itself is harmful,” Dr Arora clarifies. “They are signs that the skin has become overwhelmed and vulnerable.”
How Skin Fasting Helps Repair the Barrier
Skin fasting, when done correctly, allows the skin to reset. “By simplifying the routine, you give the skin barrier the freedom to heal itself,” says Dr Arora. However, she cautions against extreme approaches.
“In my clinical practice, I’ve seen that patients respond best to a gradual, controlled method rather than abruptly stopping everything,” she says. Dr Arora recommends limiting skincare for two to three days to just three essentials: a mild cleanser, a simple moisturiser, and sunscreen.
“During this period, avoid serums, exfoliants, and active treatments,” she advises. “In many cases, the skin appears calmer, less inflamed, and more balanced within just a few days.”
Reintroducing Actives Slowly and Safely
Once the skin feels settled, Dr Arora suggests reintroducing actives with caution. “Bring back only one product at a time, and wait at least two weeks before adding another,” she says. This approach not only helps identify what truly works for your skin but also prevents unnecessary irritation and setbacks.
The Takeaway: Moderation Over Excess
“Skin fasting doesn’t mean throwing away all your skincare products,” Dr Ridhima Arora emphasises. “It’s about moderation understanding that sometimes restraint leads to healthier skin.”
In a world of complex routines and constant new launches, the message is refreshingly simple. As Dr Arora concludes, “As paradoxical as it sounds, sometimes less really is more. Your skin needs it.”
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 14, 2025, 15:43 IST