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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.
FEED THE POOR
Feeding the poor and needy is an act that draws us closer to Allah. We earn His forgiveness, mercies and blessings through this act of charity.
“Anyone who looks after and works for a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting for Allah?s cause, or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all night. (Bukhari)
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.