Ramadan Beauty: Skin savers every Muslim woman needs during Ramadan

The downside of fasting is that the major shift in your eating habits disrupts the stable stream of nutrients that keep your skin strong and supple. Breakouts, blotches, dry patches, sensitivity and a lacklustre complexion are all common side effects of dehydration, especially if you’re fasting during the hot season. However, if you eat the […]

The downside of fasting is that the major shift in your eating habits disrupts the stable stream of nutrients that keep your skin strong and supple. Breakouts, blotches, dry patches, sensitivity and a lacklustre complexion are all common side effects of dehydration, especially if you’re fasting during the hot season.

However, if you eat the correct nutrients during Iftar and Suhoor and apply the right beauty products, you can still have beautiful, radiant skin throughout the Holy Month.

“The skin is the largest organ in the human body and one of the most powerful indicators of health. Everything from dry skin, oily skin, acne, inflammation, and even wrinkles are all signs of poor internal health, often exacerbated by the consumption of unhealthful foods and avoiding skin-healthy nutrients,” says Sinead Scott, resident nutritionist at Talise Wellness.

Kick the Caffeine

Sorry coffee lovers, but it’s time to cut back on the caffeine if you want healthy, beautiful skin – and the sooner, the better. “The trick to taking care of your skin in Ramadan is to avoid certain foods and drinks. Caffeine and sodas are known to suck out the minerals in the body, which has a negative effect on your skin,” explains Rebecca Treston, Founder and Manager of Rebecca Treston Aesthetics at Euromed Clinic.

Go Nuts

The perfect thing to snack on for your skin in Ramadan? Nuts. As Treston tells us, “Eating nuts like cashews and almonds plays a big role in rejuvenating your skin because they contain large percentages of fibers and fatty acids.”

Shun the Sugar

The negative effects of sugar on our bodies are endless, but the same goes for skin, too. It is seriously aging, causes breakouts, weakens the immune system, causes the breakdown of collagen and elastin that leads to saggy skin and wrinkles – you get the gist. So take this week to swear off the sweet stuff!

“During Ramadan, we often eat too much sugar thanks to all the nice sweets and food on the table during iftar and suhoor,” says Aislinn Koehein, Senior Beautician and skincare expert at Pastels. “Sugar can weaken our immune system, and our bodies aren’t as effective at fighting off bacteria when our immune systems are suppressed – a leading cause of acne and other inflammatory skin conditions.”

Skip the Sun

Not only do the sun and heat cause dehydration (not what you want for beautiful skin), but they can also really stress out your skin. So during the hot summer months, you should shun the sun. “If you are running errands in the morning, try to avoid the sun and walk in the shade whenever you can and, of course, always apply sunblock to your skin before you head out,” advises Treston.

This, of course, also applies to sitting out on your balcony or in your garden while social distancing. Plus, a good protecting product will prevent damage caused by blue light and all the extra screen time we’re currently subjected to.

Choose Natural

Now’s the time to not only focus on eating clean and wholesome foods, but also use natural, organic skincare products that are free from harmful and aggressive nasties to make sure your skin is healthy – both inside and out. “The key to treating skin problems is to treat from the ‘inside out’, not applying expensive, chemical-laden beauty products that do little to address the root cause of the problem, which is usually poor nutrition and exposure to toxins in dietary and personal care products,” says Scott.

Go for H2O

We all know about the health and beauty benefits of water, but now’s the time to really maximize its skin-saving powers. “Load up on water and plenty of superfoods, so that you can get the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals into your body during ramadan. This will give your skin the best possible chance to survive the fasting period without compromising too much on how it looks,” Treston tells us.

“Your skin – and you – will become dehydrated, and water helps to plump up your skin, so you can imagine what dehydration does to it! When you don’t drink enough water, the collagen begins to crack and bind together, causing fine lines and wrinkles to become more noticeable. We rely on water to keep our insides sufficiently hydrated, too. So when you ditch it, expect your mouth, skin, and everything else to feel drier than normal.”

Snack on Superfoods

“Asides drinking plenty of water – ensure you get organic hydration from fresh fruits and vegetables, too, as this will ensure toxins are flushed out,” recommends Koehein. “Superfoods like açai berries have vitamins A, C, and E, which can help with the regeneration of the skin. Also eat lots of fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish as they will help repair your skin.”

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

During fasting, your skin can easily lose moisture and lack hydration, so now is when you need to start loading it with super moisturizing products – one of Treston’s top tips. “To take care of your skin in the run-up to Ramadan and during the month itself, you shouldn’t neglect it. After washing your face with lukewarm water, make sure to hydrate your skin as it has probably lost a lot of its moisture due to fasting.”

Source: www.savoirflair.com