“It's very important to let your skin breathe, or go without products for at least a few hours a day,” says Dr. Patel. “A good time would be when working out. Going product-free lets the sweat come out of the pores.”
Letting your skin breathe can bring numerous benefits. Some of which includes: When the skin pores are less clogged, they can absorb skincare products in a better way leading to better results. Your skin gets the opportunity to return to its natural pH levels, which can assist with dryness or oiliness issues.
Without moisturizer, your skin may become dry, tight, and flaky. Increased sensitivity: A compromised skin barrier (due to dryness) can lead to increased irritation and sensitivity to environmental factors. Premature aging: Dehydrated skin makes fine lines and wrinkles more pronounced.
What are the benefits of air drying face compared to using a towel? Towels hold bacteria and dirt. Towels can cause breakouts. Air drying or applying hydrating serums/moisturizer on damp skin is beneficial. Air drying your face prevents accumulation of bacteria and germs that can lead to acne.
' When people talk about skin 'breathing,' they're usually referring to whether the skin is occluded or not. Occluding the skin can cause pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads. It can also cause skin to look dull—especially if a heavy amount of makeup is applied and not removed.
Some doctors believe that skin is able to maintain a moisture balance on its own when you don't stimulate it with outside hydrators. This comes from the idea that pausing the use of an external moisturiser can retrain the skin to up its natural sebum balance. In this case, skin fasting cannot hurt.
But human skin does not breathe. What Can I Do To Prevent Clogging? If you see products that claim to let your skin breathe, normally this just means that these products are non-comedogenic and won't clog pores. This can help with preventing acne and breakouts, but does not impact breathing.
Dry and dehydrated skin lacks moisture which makes your skin tight, itchy, and uncomfortable, causing the urge to scratch. Scratching can further irritate the skin and cause damage to it, leading to redness, dry patches, and even infection. To avoid all of these, simply use a moisturiser that suits you!
For a healthy body, mind, and skin we all need fresh air! Now that we are not spending much time outside, you should at least air your house often! Luckily with the warmer weather, we don't need the heating on at home. Heaters dry up the air and leave your skin dehydrated.
Overall, humid air is better for your breathing and your health. It is important to pay attention to humidity levels in your home so that you can breathe better and prevent experiencing the symptoms that come along with dry air.
Natural exfoliation and cell turnover
Moisturising prevents the skin's natural exfoliation by smoothing the skin cells and stopping them from sloughing off. So by stopping moisturising, this actually stimulates cell turnover and encourages natural desquamation (that's the shedding of the outer layers of the skin).
Your skin wants a layer of moisture, and if it doesn't have it the normal protective barriers and correct pH levels of the skin can be disrupted. This protective layer disruption can come along with dryness, redness, and an overall low level of inflammation in your skin.
Do you feel a moisturizer is an unnecessary step in your night routine? Trust us, it's critical. While you sleep, your skin naturally loses moisture, leading to a dull, rough, and dry appearance, so applying an extra effort or reinforcing the humidity before going to bed is key. Don't even consider skipping it!
The Idea That Your Skin “Breathes” Is a Myth
When some people talk about skin breathing, they're actually referring to whether or not the skin is occluded, meaning they don't want something blocking their pores. In this case, use a lightweight moisturizer.
Our top pick for the best night cream is Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream, as it's great for all skin types and provides long-lasting hydration. Another fantastic option is La Roche-Posay's Double Repair Moisturizer, which leaves the skin feeling nourished, soft, and supple—all for under $25.
A consistent skincare routine helps support this balance by providing necessary nutrients, hydration and protection. Stopping your routine disrupts this equilibrium, potentially leading to imbalances such as increased oiliness or dryness.
Yes, that's right. Air-drying your face and body is a step you may not have considered adding to your skin care routine, but it's definitely one worth considering. Air-drying might just help address quite a few skin care concerns you're dealing with, so why not learn more?
"But anyone can develop dry skin during the colder, drier months of winter." The reason for this is as simple as it sounds. Cold air holds less moisture.
Another reason Dr Obagi is against moisturiser: He believes that if you use it daily over time, it can change your skin's natural balance of water, lipids, and proteins. The result? Your body will stop delivering the skin's normal, natural method of hydration from within.
Your skin will certainly tell you in subliminal ways, such as clogged pores or acne breakouts on your shoulders or other areas of your body, small bumps and more. It's easy to think that over moisturising is a good thing as 'it's just providing your skin with extra hydration' – however, this isn't true.
Don't Skip Moisturizer After Cleansing
While you do want to give your face a good cleaning, you don't want to overly strip the skin of essential oils or cause dryness, notes Zeichner. After washing, he recommends locking in hydration with a light moisturizer.
Letting Your Skin "Breathe" Sensibly
Consider having a "skin detox day" once a week, where you skip heavy makeup and let your skin breathe naturally. On these days, focus on gentle cleansing and applying a lightweight moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated without overwhelming it.
Skin fasting involves taking a break from your usual skincare routine and allowing your skin to breathe and rejuvenate naturally. This practice can help restore balance, improve texture, reduce inflammation, and give you a healthy, glowing complexion.
Internally your blood carries oxygen to the skin. Externally oxygen is absorbed through the process of cellular respiration. Yes, just as it sounds, your skin does in fact breath. Heading out of the house for a walk in nature will provide your skin with fresh air.