Vogue Arabia, May 2020. Photo: Desiree Mattsson
Keeping your skin healthy during Ramadan is must, as fasting can leave the skin feeling more dehydrated than usual. Add in the sweltering heat, and you may just end up with a recipe for disaster. This month, Dr. Kayle Aesthetic Clinic’s very own beautician, Manal El Hage, shares some key tips on how you can keep your skin glowing and healthy during the Holy Month.
Dedicate time to your daily skincare routine
“To ensure an angelic glow during Ramadan, use a cleanser containing glycolic acid if you have normal skin or salicylic acid for oily skin. Gentle exfoliation every day will stimulate your skin while removing dead skin cells.” Hage also suggests using an acid based cleanser for everyday to keep your skin healthy and radiant.
Switch up your skincare
Changing your skincare products when making changes in your diet/sleep pattern, or dealing with weather shifts, is advised by Hage. “Opt for lightweight hydrating lotions or serums to let your skin breathe.” Lighter products don’t tend to clog pores as much as heavier moisturizers and oils are prone to, however, if your skin is more on the dry side, it’s important to note that your skin may become drier due to fasting, and so to pick a slightly heavier lotion.
Add an oil to your night time routine
Air conditioning tends to sap the moisture from skin, so adding an oil to your night time routine can protect your skin from becoming dehydrated while you sleep. Hage’s secret tip: “Add a drop of almond and avocado oil to your night cream to avoid this happening. If you sleep with the air conditioning on, chances are your skin will become very dehydrated.”
Stick with SPF
The sun is know for damaging the skin’s collagen production and elastin. Hage suggests using a sunscreen to protect your skin for harmful UV rays. “Invest in a broad spectrum sunscreen to avoid pigmentation problems and sun damage.” Opting for a noncomedogenic SPF means that your skin won’t get clogged, but will still be well protected.
Stay hydrated
You may not be drinking water all day, but your skin can still keep itself hydrated during Ramadan. “Hyaluronic acid can hold 1,000 times its weight in water so it’s terrific for keeping skin hydrated. The ceramides in the acid which exists between your skin cells help to seal the skin barrier,” Manal El Hage explains. While most people think moisturizers are the only option for skin hydration, Hage elaborates that “it’s important to know that there is a difference between moisturizing and hydrating ingredients. Hydrating ingredients simply add hydration—water—into the skin, while moisturizing ingredients ensure hydration is kept in the skin by preventing water evaporating from your skin.”
Eat wisely
Iftar and suhoor gatherings are always a joyous time, but it’s best to avoid going overboard when breaking your daily Ramadan fast. Avoid oily dishes, fast food, and refined sugar, and your body “will thank you as you will avoid blemishes, breakouts and lack lustre skin.” By adding in proteins, fresh vegetables and nuts to your iftar, you will pack your skin with fatty acids and antioxidants—all of which are key ingredients to helping the skin maintain a healthy glow. Hage also recommends, “make sure to drink plenty of water to eliminate any toxins from your skin.”
Read next: Healthy Iftar Recipes: 10 Delicious Ideas To Try In Ramadan 2024
