This month marked the beginning of Ramadan 2021. From the 12th of April to the 12th of May, many of us will be fasting. You probably already have tried and tested ways to manage your month of fasting, but have you considered how to manage your skincare during this time?
And oh yes, big dietary changes of any kind can impact your skin. The good news is that you don’t have to sit back and wait for skin concerns to raise their head. This one is all about being prepared. Here’s how to nail those fasting tips.
What fasting does to your skin
But first, what does fasting do to your skin anyway? Interestingly enough, fasting has been linked to some big health benefits, as long as you are still getting essential nutrients in the right proportions and enough water.
The skin is the body’s largest organ, and it needs the right vitamins and nutrients to stay healthy. And here’s the thing, if you’re going without food or water throughout the daylight hours, the emphasis is on getting those nutrients and topping up on your hydration levels when the sun goes down.
Ramadan tips for your skin
Perhaps the biggest thing to watch for when fasting this Ramadan is dehydration. Your skin could end up feeling dry and dull if you fail to top up on your H2O when you can.
With that in mind, here are a few things to consider during the month:
- Drink water when you can, and avoid things that can dehydrate, like coffee and fizzy drinks.
- Eat water-laden foods, like fruits and vegetables, including the obvious, such as watermelon and cucumber.
- Pick foods that are nutrient-rich to get those skin glow-giving benefits. They include acai berries, nuts, and fish.
- Consider adding vitamin supplements to your diet to get a boost of the nutrients you might be missing.
Best skincare routine for dry skin
Do you have dry skin at the best of times? If so, there’s good and bad news here. Yeah, Ramadan might exacerbate that. On the plus side, you probably have a good dry skincare routine down already.
Even if you don’t usually suffer from dry skin, you may still benefit from these dry skin tips during this month.
They include:
- Don’t over-wash your face. Instead, use a gentle, cleansing face wash that won’t strip your skin.
- Moisturise to replenish. If you have dry skin already, make sure to choose a deeply nourishing moisturiser. If you have a different skin type, go for your usual moisturiser, and just don’t be tempted to skip this step.
- Add in a weekly hydrating mask. This will help balance, hydrate, and brighten dull skin.
- Consider adding face oil. Yes, this goes even if you have oily or combination skin. There’s an oil to benefit any skin type, and it could give you the skin-soothing you need during fasting.
- Take care of your lips to avoid dryness and a chapped pout.
- Watch your exposure to the sun. That may sound a little killjoy, and no, you don’t have to stay indoors 24/7, but just remember that sitting in the sun can lead to dehydration. So, get your sensible head-on, and take it easy. And don’t forget that sunscreen. That goes as standard.
Morning skincare routine
During Ramadan, the morning is an essential part of your daily routine. Many choose to get up before sunrise to eat breakfast.
Kudos to you if this is how you’re managing your month because this will allow you to stock up on those essential vitamins, nutrients, and hydration levels before you start the day.
As for your morning skincare routine, here’s a quick, adaptable routine that works well while you’re fasting:
Evening skincare routine
Sundown marks the end of your fasting day, and it’s another opportunity to eat well, rehydrate, and treat your skin. Think of this time as your opportunity to pamper yourself and your skin.
Here’s how to perfect your evening skincare routine:
And finally, don’t forget the rest of your body. It’s not just about your face. Fasting can take its toll on skin top to toe. So, make sure to moisturise well after bathing.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4106357/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fasting-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6413166/
