Fasting can certainly impact your skin. The most common change is dehydrated skin. Where did all of the elasticity and dewiness go?
A lack of hydration, changes in eating patterns, and irregular sleep schedules can lead to dryness, dullness, or even acne.
That’s the last thing anyone wants at a sacred time of reflection and togetherness. As essential as it sounds to keep your skin hydrated and glowing during Ramadan, it all comes down to the basics: whatever you choose to consume (ingested into the body, on the skin, and energy spent doing activities.
We’ve pulled up some skincare tips you can do to help maintain your skin’s health, even after a full day of fasting. Goodbye, dry skin!
Choose lightweight and soothing skincare
The right skincare routine will keep your skin moisturised and prevent dryness. You can always replenish dewiness from moisturising products. Use a suitable one from the myriad of options in the current market. That could be a moisturiser containing humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera to lock in moisture.
Say your skin may become more sensitive due to changes in your diet and sleep patterns throughout the sacred month. Avoid products with high alcohol content and harsh active ingredients like retinol or AHA/BHA, which can irritate your skin. Instead, use a toner with soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica or chamomile.
Choose a serum with niacinamide to help control oil production and even out your skin tone. Use a hydrating face mask at least twice a week, like a sheet mask, to keep your skin nourished. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 each morning, even when you’re mostly indoors.
Exercise regularly
Who says you can’t exercise while fasting? In fact, light exercise can help improve blood circulation, making your skin look healthier and brighter.
You don’t need intense workouts – a light yoga session, stretching, or a casual walk after iftar is enough. These activities increase oxygen levels in your blood and support the skin’s regeneration process. Feel free to go hard with your exercises if you feel that your body can take it.
Improve your sleep routine
Avoid staying up late! Your skin needs time to rest and regenerate as well. Getting enough sleep for at least six to eight hours per night. assists your skin repair itself, reducing signs of ageing, and look naturally brighter.
Staying up too late can cause your skin to appear dull, with more prominent dark circles and reduced collagen production. So, start adjusting your sleep routine to look fresh for Eid!
Maintain a skin-healthy diet
What you eat plays a critical role in your skin’s health. Various nutritionists claim that incorporating foods rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats into your diet will help. Fruits such as berries, dates, and avocados, packed with antioxidants, and leafy greens like spinach and broccoli, which are high in vitamins C and E, are excellent choices.
Omega-3-rich foods like nuts and seeds help with skin elasticity. Fermented foods, such as yoghurt and kimchi, are also great for gut health, which directly impacts your skin condition.
Pay attention to your food choices during iftar too, ensuring to go for nutritious, natural foods that are packed with vitamins. Opt for natural foods like nuts, fruits, and other vitamin and mineral-rich options to rejuvenate your skin.
Stay hydrated
Manage your fluid intake wisely. Your body goes without fluids for hours, which can lead to dehydration and dry skin. Several dermatologists reported that water deficiency can start showing within 24 to 48 hours.
Hydrate by drinking enough water. Adults are recommended to drink at least 2 litres or eight glasses of water per day. You can use the 2-4-2 strategy:
2 glasses during suhoor
4 glasses between iftar and bedtime
2 glasses before bed
Avoid sugary sodas or caffeinated drinks when breaking your fast as these beverages tend to dehydrate your skin.