October 18, 2024, 1:54 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Women who go without makeup for two days a week can apply a thick layer the rest of the time – and soon enjoy a radiant complexion. This is a rumor in the beauty community. Is there any truth to the 5:2 theory, which is even said to put an end to skin problems? STYLEBOOK.de asked an expert.
In recent years, the five-to-two diet has been a popular way of shedding pounds, especially in America and England. This involved eating as much as you wanted five days a week, with an absolute upper limit of 500 calories on the remaining two days. Now, skincare experts also swear by the 5:2 principle. STYLEBOOK reveals what’s behind it.
Going without makeup twice a week
However, this regimen also involves a different kind of diet: a makeup diet. More and more British dermatologists are recommending that their patients – especially those who are normally prone to skin blemishes – abstain from makeup for two days a week. On these two (either consecutive or independent) days, makeup is completely forbidden, but on the other days, it is allowed without restriction.
Why you should take a makeup break
Many makeup products contain parabens, commonly used as preservatives in the cosmetics industry. Over time, these can build up in the pores, seal the top layer of skin, and clog sebaceous glands, which can cause pimples. In addition, the constant lack of oxygen leads to the long-term breakdown of collagen – the component of the skin that is responsible for its elasticity – and thus to premature skin aging and wrinkles. They can also cause skin irritation and, in the worst case, allergies. Additives like silicone, for example, found in primers, can also be detrimental to sensitive skin.
Visible beautification thanks to a makeup diet
Adhering to the recommended two-day makeup break gives your skin ample time for cell renewal. This should not only make up for the supposed damage caused by chemical preservatives and the like but also ensure a youthful, fresh, plump complexion within a month. Even spots and blemishes – for many people, the main reason for wanting to hide their skin under makeup – supposedly disappear completely, thanks to the 5:2 diet.
Does the 5:2 makeup diet work?
STYLEBOOK.de asked Munich dermatologist Dr. Sabine Zenker. The expert recommends taking periodic breaks from makeup – “similar to how one shouldn’t wear high heels or consume alcohol daily.” However, there is no need to cling to a specific numerical formula: The fact that two make-up-free days per week, of all things, are recommended has no scientific basis.
Not all makeup is the same
The expert advises patients with problem skin to avoid creamy textures and to use mineral makeup, which only lays on the skin and allows it to breathe better. Pharmacy products are also recommended, as preservatives and fragrances are usually used more sparingly. However, she does not believe that the makeup diet can effectively solve existing skin problems. “Anyone with blemishes or allergic reactions to certain additives will continue to have these. A two-day break won’t help.”
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Conclusion: A makeup diet is good but not a cure-all
But Zenker can also reassure those who don’t dare to go out in public without concealer: “A suitable makeup routine does not inherently worsen visible acne.” So it’s better to wear your “protective shield” before you feel too uncomfortable without makeup – and be sure to have your skin condition treated by a specialist!