Fasting glow after the juice cleanse?

The fasting glow exists as a personal experience, but it isn’t an established effect. Many people report fresher-looking skin after a few days of fasting. The reasons are probably very everyday things: more sleep, more fluids, and less alcohol, sugar, and stress. There are hardly any studies specifically on the fasting glow.

So a juice cleanse isn’t a skincare program. But it can give you a few days when your skin has less to deal with. Our article does a juice cleanse really do anything gives an honest overview of what a cleanse can achieve overall.

Sleep, water, and rest

People who talk about a fasting glow usually describe the same thing. On the third or fourth day, their skin looks less dull and redness is less noticeable. This is probably more to do with the routine during the cleanse than the juice itself. During the cleanse, you drink more, often go to bed earlier, and avoid alcohol altogether. The days are also quieter, with fewer appointments.

Every one of these factors can show up in the mirror. In a study of 60 women, those who slept well had fewer signs of intrinsic skin aging and a more stable skin barrier than poor sleepers (Sleep and Skin Study, 2015). The fasting glow may therefore be mostly the glow of well-rested days.

What research says about the Fasting Glow

The evidence for the Fasting Glow is sparse. A 2024 review examined how fasting methods affect skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. The researchers explicitly describe the literature as limited and often of low quality. The studies were small, and many participants did not respond at all (review, 2024). Juice cleanses were not a separate focus.

The evidence on water is a little clearer. In a small study, 49 women drank around two extra liters of water a day for a month. Their skin was measurably better hydrated afterward, especially among those who had previously drunk little water (Palma et al., 2015). This is only a clue, not conclusive evidence. For the Fasting Glow, this means that fluids during the cleanse probably contribute more than any single ingredient.

The Fasting Glow is often explained in terms of the gut. The idea behind the so-called gut-skin axis is that the gut microbiome and the skin influence each other. Researchers do indeed find changes in the gut microbiome in many skin conditions. But it’s unclear whether these are a cause or an effect (article on the gut-skin axis, 2024). This doesn’t provide reliable evidence about healthy skin.

There is also a finding that argues against drinking fruit juice alone. A small 2025 study found changes in the oral and gut microbiomes after three days on an all-juice diet. The researchers point to high sugar levels and a lack of fiber as the reason (US study, 2025). If you’re hoping for a Fasting Glow, it’s better to choose a vegetable-focused cleanse. Learn more about the connection between the gut and skin in our article on the gut-skin axis, and more about sugar in juice in our article on calories and sugar in a juice cleanse.

Not everyone experiences a fasting glow, and some people experience the opposite at first. The same review describes how fasting can make skin dry and flaky and trigger pimples (review, 2024). During the first few cleanse days, the body adjusts, while also missing the fat and protein found in a normal diet. This may show up first on the lips, cheeks or forehead.

A few dry patches are nothing to worry about. But severe rashes, itching or a pre-existing skin condition are different. In that case, talk to your dermatologist before fasting. Our article explains whether a juice cleanse is right for you.

During your cleanse days, your skin doesn’t need a new routine, but a gentle one. That helps more than any new product.

• Drink enough water and herbal tea throughout the day, in addition to the juices.
• Stick to the skincare you know, and don’t try any new products during your cleanse.
• Apply a richer moisturizer to dry patches in the morning and evening.
• Go to bed earlier, even if a fasting glow isn’t your main goal.
• Remember sunscreen, because even well-nourished skin needs it.

Many people also use the cleanse days as a little ritual for themselves. A mask in the evening doesn’t replace skincare or promise a fasting glow, but it can make the cleanse a mindful break. Our article on preparing for a juice cleanse shows you how to plan the days beforehand at a relaxed pace. You can find all our cleanses in the juice cleanse overview.

Fasting glow is primarily an experience, not a proven effect. What many people notice can be explained by sleep, water, rest and less alcohol. There are promising findings about the gut, but no definitive answers yet.

If your skin first gets dry or unsettled during the cleanse, that’s not unusual. Keep your skincare simple, drink enough, and take an honest look in the mirror on the last day. The best part of the fasting glow is the habits you keep afterward.