Fasting has many health benefits, both spiritual and physical. One of the benefits is detoxification of the body. However, dehydration that occurs during fasting can have a negative impact on skin health. Therefore, special efforts are needed to maintain healthy skin during Ramadan.
Factors That Cause Dry Skin When Fasting
Here are several factors that can cause dry skin when fasting:
- Lack of Body’s Fluid
During Ramadan, Muslims have to endure hunger and thirst throughout the day. However, fasting throughout the day can cause the body to lose a lot of fluids and become dehydrated. Therefore, it is very important for us to maintain body fluid balance during Ramadan.
- Nutritional Deficiencies
Lack of intake of vitamins A, C, and E, which are essential for healthy skin, can make the skin dry and easily irritated. Those vitamin are antioxidants that help protect the skin from free radical damage. Free radicals are molecules that can damage skin cells, including collagen and elastin, which are important for keeping skin supple and moisturized.
- Increased Sebum Production
Dehydration can trigger increased sebum production, which can clog pores and cause acne. Sebum is an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin that could helps keep skin moisturized, however, too much sebum can clog pores and cause acne.
- Exposure to Ultraviolet Light
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can accelerate the aging process and make the skin dry and dull. UV rays can damage collagen and elastin in the skin, resulting in sagging and wrinkled skin, also cause hyperpigmentation, which is an area of skin that becomes darker than the surrounding area.
Maintaining Skin Hydration While Fasting
Let’s look at several ways to maintain moisture and fluid balance within the skin layers during fasting:
- Fulfill Body Fluid Needs
Consume at least 8 glasses of water per day, especially during suhoor and iftar. Water helps maintain body and skin hydration.
- Eat Water-Rich Foods
Consume water-rich fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, melon, cucumber, spinach, broccoli, and tomatoes. These foods help meet the needs of body fluids and electrolytes, thus maintaining the skin hydration.
- Apply Moisturizer to Your Skin
Use a facial moisturizer that suits your skin type twice a day, i.e. after bathing and before going to bed. Moisturizers help maintain skin hydration and elasticity. Choose a moisturizer that contains hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides.
- Protect Skin from UV Rays
Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when you do outdoors activities. Sunscreen helps protect the skin from UV damage. Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects from UVA and UVB rays.
- Keep Skin Hygiene
Wash your face twice a day with a mild facial cleansing soap and suits your skin type. Avoid bath soaps because the pH contained in it is not suitable with face condition and will cause the skin drier.
- Improves Sleep Quality
Getting enough sleep (7-8 hours per day) helps regenerate skin cells and maintain hormonal balance, thereby helping maintain healthy skin. Adequate sleep helps the body repair damaged skin cells and produce new collagen.
Those are several things you can do independently to keep your skin healthy during Ramadan. Skin health is as important as the food you consume during suhoor and iftar. Let's fast in the month of Ramadan with healthy and bright skin.
Reference:
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