Why does my skin look better without skincare?

The reason that skin appears healthier without the use of skincare products stems from various factors, such as, over-cleansing, and certain products could contain ingredients that may irritate skin. Therefore, simplifying skincare routines could enhance the skin’s natural balance and appearance. 

Over-cleansing and skin health

Over-cleansing is a key factor in improved skin appearance when skincare is avoided, as excessive washing strips the skin of its natural oils, causing dryness and irritation. A study done by Sverdrup showed that dry skin which is common in fibromyalgia patients' skin worsened by cosmetic use and aggressive cleansing routines (Sverdrup, 2004).

The skin's natural oils are essential for hydration and maintaining the barrier function and their excess removal can trigger increased oil production, creating a cycle of dryness and oiliness that impacts the skin's overall appearance (Güell & Schneider, 2023).

Irritation from ingredients

Many skincare products contain chemicals and fragrances that can irritate the skin, causing redness, breakouts, or other adverse reactions. The growing popularity of "free from" claims in cosmetics reflects concerns about allergens and irritants, with avoiding such products potentially reducing irritation and promoting clearer skin (Nobile, 2016). 

Regular use of products with harsh ingredients can also increase skin sensitivity, making it more reactive to environmental factors, while minimizing product use may help restore the skin’s natural resilience.

Moreover, the skin has an ability to maintain its health and appearance when allowed to function naturally. The epidermis, the skin's outermost layer, acts as a protective barrier against environmental stressors. Discontinuing the use of potentially irritating products enables the skin to restore its natural balance and operate more efficiently (Lim, 2021).

A study involving different age groups and lifestyles found that ceasing the use of potentially irritating products allowed the skin to restore its natural hydration and protective barrier, resulting in noticeable improvements. Younger individuals and new mothers, who often have less time for self-care, reported significant boosts in skin appearance and self-esteem when following simple skincare routines, highlighting how excessive or misused products can sometimes overwhelm the skin (Zhang et al., 2020).

The skin's microbiome plays a vital role in maintaining skin health as well. Overuse of cleansers and other products can disrupt the delicate balance of beneficial bacteria on the skin, leading to conditions such as acne or eczema (Hwang et al., 2021). Hence it is important to incorporate products that support the skin microbiome rather than hindering it.

Conclusion

While a simplified approach to skincare may improve skin appearance for some individuals by reducing irritation and allowing the skin’s natural functions to flourish, it is important to balance this approach with targeted and purposeful skincare. Over-cleansing and the use of harsh or unsuitable products can disrupt the skin barrier, leading to cycles of dryness, oiliness, and sensitivity. However, well-formulated skincare routines that incorporate gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and sun protection can enhance the skin's resilience and prevent long-term damage from environmental stressors. Ultimately, the key to healthy skin lies in understanding individual skin needs and using products that support the balance of the skin.

References

Güell M, Schneider MR. In preprints: progress in sebaceous gland homeostasis, 

regeneration and immunomodulatory functions. Development. 2023 Aug 1;150(15):dev202177. doi: 10.1242/dev.202177. Epub 2023 Jul 31. PMID: 37522362.

Hwang BK, Lee S, Myoung J, Hwang SJ, Lim JM, Jeong ET, Park SG, Youn SH. Effect of 

the skincare product on facial skin microbial structure and biophysical parameters: A pilot study. Microbiologyopen. 2021 Oct;10(5):e1236. doi: 10.1002/mbo3.1236. PMID: 34713611; PMCID: PMC8494714.

Lim KM. Skin Epidermis and Barrier Function. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Mar 16;22(6):3035. doi: 

10.3390/ijms22063035. PMID: 33809733; PMCID: PMC8002265.

Nobile, Vincenzo. “Misleading Marketing of Cosmetics. Do the Free from Parabens and Free 

from Allergenic Substances Claims Really Make Sense.” (2016).

Sverdrup B. Use less cosmetics--suffer less from fibromyalgia? J Womens Health (Larchmt). 

2004 Mar;13(2):187-94. doi: 10.1089/154099904322966173. PMID: 15072733.

Zhang, L., Adique, A., Sarkar, P., Shenai, V., Sampath, M., Lai, R., … & Farage, M. A. 

(2020). The impact of routine skin care on the quality of life. Cosmetics, 7(3), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics7030059