For three weeks Lucy and I went on a skin fast, you can read all about it in the October issue of ELLE (out now).
Now, two months later we reveal how our skin is doing, and whether the fast had a long lasting effect…
Amy Lawrenson
Since completing the fast I have given up moisturiser in the mornings completely. I use Skinceuticals Blemish+ Age Defence, £75. At night, I apply La Prairie Cellular Power Serum, £332, containing retinol it speeds up my skin’s renewal process – imperative for keeping my acne-prone skin from clogging up. Aside from these two products I am sticking strictly to skincare products by Zein Obagi, the man who mentored Dr Terry Long, the woman behind the Skin Fast.
Today my skin is clearer than it has been for years. I still get the odd spot (I have one on my chin as I type) but fasting helped me realise the products and ingredients my skin needs and which are surplus to requirements.
Lucy Johnston
By the end of the three weeks, despite my desperate optimism, I couldn't deny the fact that my skin was dry, irritated and was struggling. Then something miraculous happened… a few days after I stopped the fast I noticed that I hadn't put on any moisturiser and my skin was glowing. A week had passed, and I was still moisturiser free with no sign of irritation or dryness. Admittedly I switched back to my oil-based hot cloth cleanser and was using my Vichy Idealia Life Serum, £29.50 (which is more like a cream).
A month on and moisturiser is saved for those occasions where I really feel like I need it (when my skin is dehydrated by air-con/weather or really tired), but mostly its become more of a little dab here and there. No more carrying it in my bag like my emergency eyeliner.
My skin feels so much smoother and looks a lot less dry and dull. I honestly would not have believed it if you'd have asked me in that last up and down week of the skin fast.
Tempted to try a Skin Fast? Find out how in the October issue, buy it here
