These days, there has been a renewed focus on skincare and it is becoming an essential part of our lives, especially for those who put on makeup on a daily basis. Adding on to that, to prevent aging, wrinkles, spots or just to have our skin look younger, the amount of beauty and skincare products begin to stack up. More than ever, we are worried that not using a certain product or skipping a certain step will cause our faces to breakout into a wreck of wrinkles, acne and gigantic pores. However, our skin, just like any other part of our bodies, require sufficient rest. That's where Japanese doctor Ryuichi Utsuki's [Skin Fasting] idea comes in, promoting a skincare routine that minimizes the products we use. This concept is also perfect for those with a sensitive skin, those who stick to a strict routine everyday, and those who insist on applying layers upon layers of product on their faces.

Note: The skin fasting routine primarily reduces the amount of external skincare products used and does not call for a complete avoidance of products.

During the fasting period, it is essential to wash your face every day and night with just water. This of course is to keep the face cleansed while also allowing the face to restore its natural abilities to balance your skin's oil-water levels. Besides that, put a stop to using toners so as to reduce the skin's dependance on external producst to control and balance oil and pH levels. No other skincare products should be needed. For those with drier skin, the lack of products such as moisturisers and lotions might leave you feeling a little rough and tight. As such, a thin layer of Vaseline might do the trick. Vaseline contains natural minerals that help to reduce water evaporation, keeping your skin's moisture intact. During this time, it is also important to drink plenty of liquids and stay hydrated in order to improve the skin's metabolism and maintain it's glow. That's all it takes: simple steps without layers and layers of products to bring your skin back to its glory days.

Another thing you might notice while skin fasting is that due to the lack of skincare products, your face might glow unnaturally. To overcome this, just use oil blotting paper or oil control films to remove the excess oil on your face. Not long after, you should start to notice a reduction in breakouts, acne, whiteheads, rashes and just enhanaced skin quality in general. After the 14 day regime, your skin's absorption abilities will have improved greatly for you to return to your normal skincare routine and products.

*Cover image source: (Left) (Right) (Center)