Here’s How Muslim Women Can Keep Their Skin Hydrated During Ramadan
Ramadan is here, and it’s a time of prayer for Muslims. During this time, Muslims are encouraged to develop the best version of themselves by practicing solidarity, charity, purity, and generosity. It’s also a time when Muslims fast for 12 to 16 hours a day for 30 consecutive days, abstaining from food and even water.
While the act and duration of fasting can be challenging, it has many benefits for both the body and the mind. Since fasting begins with the consumption of only a small amount of water and goes on for long periods without consuming liquids, it’s still worth asking yourself: How does fasting affect overall skin health? How can fasters keep their skin healthy?
To help, we asked board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mian of New York City for her advice on how to keep skin hydrated and healthy during fasting. We also asked Muslim women for tried-and-true tips for keeping their skin moisturized during Ramadan. Read below to learn more.
The Importance of Skin Hydration
Water is essential for skin balance. “Without water, many things happen more slowly,” says Dr. Kieran Mian. “The first thing I notice about dehydrated skin due to lack of water is pallor. So the complexion can appear dull.” Mian describes skin as being like a balloon. When filled with air, the balloon has a smooth, even texture; however, when it’s deflated, it sags and looks duller. “This is because our skin cells are essentially 75% water, which helps them stay plump and not shrink,” Mian says. So, if you go too long without water, the surface can become dry and less radiant.
Ingredients That Help Rehydrate During Fasting
While many dermatologists don’t offer direct evidence that water is the only factor in skin hydration, Mian says there are ways to maximize hydration in your daily routine while fasting.
“Use a gentle, creamy cleanser to help lock in moisture,” she advises, adding that Cerave Hydrating Cleanser is one of her favorite formulas. Additionally, Mian suggests looking for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalene, and dimethicone, all of which help the skin retain moisture. For hydration, she recommends formulas like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream with Squalene or La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Multi-Purpose Cream.
If you want to refresh your skin during the day, thermal water sprays are great for replenishing moisture (she likes Avène Thermal Water), Mian says. At night, Mian likes to use a hydrating mask before bed to lock moisture in the skin and minimize the impact of active ingredients. For example, let’s say someone uses a retinoid as part of their daily evening routine during Ramadan. Mian recommends reducing the frequency, as your skin may be drier and more easily irritated. For people in colder climates, she recommends using a humidifier at home to hydrate the skin.
How Muslim Women Can Hydrate Their Skin While Fasting
Many people who celebrate Ramadan have adopted Mian’s tips in their beauty routines. Sahar Kariem, an aspiring stylist and graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, likes to use Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel morning and night to replenish moisture. For a radiant complexion, she uses Gleamin’s Vitamin C Clay Mask. “It makes me look radiant and glowy, which is great because my sleep schedule is disrupted during Ramadan, so it refreshes my skin,” she says.
Narjis Hussain, a beauty, lifestyle, and humble fashion influencer from Chicago, exfoliates twice a week and follows up with a moisturizer and mask. She also diligently uses lip balm to hydrate. While consistency is important for Hussain when using products, she also recommends seeking professional treatment whenever possible. “If possible, consider getting a hydrating facial with a trusted aesthetician at the beginning and end of the month,” Hussain advises.
Final Insights
Fasting is a worthwhile act, and while it can come with its challenges, its mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional benefits are unparalleled. It can be hard to think about your well-being when there’s no time to eat and drink, but the beauty of Ramadan is that it has taught millions of people the art of discipline and the importance of taking care of our bodies, including our skin, to be mindful. May this month bring us closer to our goal of becoming better people, and may our skin thrive along the way.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
