I do know what we are all considering. Sometimes, TikTok customers can take it a hair too a long way, proper? From sunscreen contouring to the usage of home goods as skin care, now we have noticed our justifiable share of developments at the platform that by no means will have to have noticed the sunshine of day. However, there are exceptions to each rule. Lately, I’ve noticed the “caveman method” making the rounds at the platform and nearly wrote it off utterly, however after I discovered what it if truth be told entailed, I spotted that I’d already practiced a lighter model of it with nice effects.
Don’t concern; if you do not know what I’m speaking about, I’ll give an explanation for. The caveman way necessarily comes to ditching your whole skin care regimen and letting your pores and skin reset and heal by itself. I do know this will likely sound unthinkable to a few—particularly the ones with zits-prone pores and skin—however TBH, it in reality labored for me. My pores and skin is terribly delicate, reactive, and at risk of zits, and for the longest time, I could not determine why it might get so crimson and infected. After an eye-opening dialog with superstar aesthetician Sofie Pavitt, although, I spotted that the retinoids or even my cleanser have been drying out my already delicate, barrier-damaged pores and skin, and I desperately wanted a reset. While I unquestionably do not suppose it is a good suggestion to fully surrender your skin care regimen perpetually, I do suppose if you are suffering with chronic redness, irritation, and breakouts like I used to be, a brief reset for just a little may also be hugely really helpful. I finished the usage of merchandise for some time and my pores and skin calmed down nearly right away. Now, I exploit a gradual oil cleanser or cream cleanser and steer clear of retinoids. I requested a dermatologist to damage down the best strategy to do a skin care reset beneath.
How Long You Should Practice the Caveman Method
Like I discussed above, going commando along with your skin care for a minute can unquestionably have its advantages, particularly if you are coping with a broken pores and skin barrier like I used to be. Board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf spouse Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, additionally says, “For individuals struggling with allergic reactions, unexplained rashes, or extremely sensitive skin, eliminating products temporarily can sometimes help identify what may be causing irritation. In that sense, it functions much like an elimination diet, but for your skin.”
But she stresses that it’s not beneficial to do that for longer classes of time. “While the skin is an intelligent organ that can self-regulate to an extent, completely avoiding products long-term can do more harm than good,” she explains. “Without moisturizers or sun protection, the skin is more vulnerable to dryness, environmental damage, UV exposure, and accelerated aging. Think of the skin like a garden: You can let it rest, but if you never water or nourish it, the barrier weakens over time. The key is supportive skincare, not overuse or complete elimination. A balanced approach fosters long-term skin health. Without gentle cleansing, sweat, environmental pollutants, and natural oils can build up on the skin’s surface, creating an ideal environment for fungal or bacterial overgrowth. If someone is dealing with significant skin barrier disruption or irritation, taking a short product break can be helpful, but ideally no longer than a few days. This gives the skin a chance to recalibrate, especially if it has been overwhelmed by too many activities or harsh ingredients. However, even during a reset, I still recommend using gentle, supportive basics like a bland moisturizer and a physical sunscreen daily.”
Effective Alternatives to the Caveman Method
As a good looks editor, I really like taking a product wreck. In truth, it feels important occasionally after I use and take a look at such a lot of other merchandise at all times. But Bansal says you do not if truth be told have to fully forestall the usage of your merchandise. Sometimes, it is simply as efficient to pare again your regimen to the fundamentals. “While the caveman regimen might work for a very select few with specific conditions, for most people, a better approach is simplification—paring back to just a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer, and sunscreen—rather than abandoning skincare altogether,” she says. “Always listen to your skin, and if you’re struggling, consult a dermatologist before jumping on trending challenges.”
For a compromised pores and skin barrier, Bansal recommends a minimalist regimen with a gradual fragrance-free cleanser and a moisturizer wealthy in hydrating and reparative substances like ceramides, ldl cholesterol, and fatty acids. She additionally suggests a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and to steer clear of all exfoliants and different actives like retinol. She says the surface will typically heal inside of one to 3 weeks, however it additionally depends upon the severity of the wear and tear.
On the opposite hand, when you have dermatitis or have just lately handled an allergy, Bansal says that much less is extra. She says to keep on with petrolatum-based ointments like Vaseline or Aquaphor, however you might need to watch out the usage of those in your face if you are acne-prone, as they could be too occlusive. If you might be acne-prone, you’ll be able to take a look at merchandise with substances like aloe vera or colloidal oatmeal as a substitute as a result of they are soothing.
Whenever I wish to return to the fundamentals, I succeed in for the beneath merchandise.
Skincare Basics I Love When Paring Back
SOFIE PAVITT FACE
Clean Clean Gentle Gel Foaming Cleanser
This is a smart delicate and hydrating cleanser for delicate pores and skin that does not include any actives. It is just a little drying for me occasionally, however when you have oilier pores and skin or want one thing easy to lend a hand reset the surface, it is unquestionably your price tag.
AESTURA
Atobarrier365 Lightweight Face Lotion
Aestura’s Atobarrier line is best for therapeutic the surface barrier. The logo additionally has a richer model of this product, however this one is superb for acne-prone pores and skin. It accommodates a bunch of barrier-reinforcing ceramides, a triple lipid advanced, in conjunction with niacinamide.
Monastery Made
Monastery Made Attar Floral Concentrate Balm
This balm from Monastery is costly however price each penny. It’s so therapeutic for the surface and in reality helped fortify my dehydration and pores and skin inflammation. A easy oil cleanse and dime-size quantity of this balm in reality does the trick.
Bioderma
Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
If your pores and skin cannot even tolerate a gradual cleanser, this micellar water is a smart choice. I had dermatitis as soon as and could not use any logo of micellar water however this one, so I feel it is secure to mention it is best for delicate pores and skin.
VANICREAM
Daily Facial Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides
If your pores and skin is extremely delicate and acne-prone, this straightforward drugstore moisturizer is the most efficient round. It’s freed from a ton of attainable pores and skin irritants however is wealthy sufficient to seal in hydration all day.