Thursday 12 / December / 2024
The Holy Month of Ramadan involves a lot of cleansing from within; so it’s the perfect time to let your skin undergo a 30-day detoxification ritual and also know how your skin naturally behaves when you aren’t patching it up with makeup. Here are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind.
Don’t reduce your water intake
As with many other customs that require you to focus on the inside rather than the outside, your skin needs hydration from within too. If you are fasting, make sure you achieve your quota of water by compensating with a few extra glasses during Iftar and Suhoor. The effects of dehydration starts showing on skin too in the form of dullness. If you need a little help with increasing your water intake, turn to some natural flavours to spike up your water jug. Adding lemon, cucumber and a few mint leaves to your water is also a popular alternative for summer months. Drinking water helps you flush out toxins, keeps your body cool and also prevents your skin from drying out.
Moisturise
To aid with balancing hydration levels, remember to keep your skin moisturised. Yes, we might be a little lazier than usual to follow through the entire beauty routine, but let’s not skip the moisturising bit. Those with dry skin should pay special heed to their skin and opt for rich moisturising creams or essential oils. For those with oily skin, water-based gel moisturisers are more suitable.
Carry an organic facial mist
Resist the urge to wash your face too many times. It strips your skin off natural oils and makes it prone to drying. For those with oily skin, excessive washing can even lead to your pores secreting more oil than before. If your skin starts feeling lifeless, give it a boost by spraying some rosewater or any other refreshing natural mist of your choice. It will instantly make you feel revitalised.
Give in to spas
If you are seriously into your detoxification ritual, there is nothing more rewarding than treating yourself to some nice spa. While you can schedule an extensive spa therapy once or twice a month, practice your own mini-treatments at home more regularly. Identify your skin concerns and opt for hydrating masks at least twice a week to see a noticeable difference.
Stay sun protected
We can never stop emphasising the importance of sunscreen. It’s also a good idea to try and stick to the shade as much as possible. Your skin gets affected too. Use wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses for added cover.
Avoid any harsh skin treatments
This is a time for the skin to heal naturally. While we are focusing on staying away from heavy makeup, exposing it to harsh chemical peels or radiations of any sort isn’t a good idea either.
Watch what you eat
And by that we don’t mean watch with a clear intention of devouring the entire plate shortly after that. Learn to resist temptations (that’s an important lesson for the Holy Month right there). Appreciate the elaborate buffet laid out for Iftar, but stick to the healthier, non-oily alternates. Dates followed by fresh juices (berries, melons, or pomegranate) are the best way to break a fast. Steer clear of aerated drinks (as enticing as those fizzing bubbles look), and those high on caffeine and sugar. These drinks can affect the mineral balance in your body, dehydrating it from within, and making your skin look dull. For those more intolerant to dairy products, refrain from bingeing on sweets as this can also lead to breakouts. If you have a sweet-tooth, go for dark chocolate instead.
Supplement with pills
Skin problems often arise due to certain deficiencies. If you are prone to vitamin or mineral deficiencies, it’s a good idea to see a medical expert in advance and have supplements prescribed.
Tackle dark circles
With a little change in sleeping patterns for most, dark circles are inevitable. Cool those tired eyes by placing a slice of cucumber on either eyes. Another alternative is using refrigerated tea bags to reduce dark circles and puffiness. It however, takes only a few days for our biological clock to automatically reprogramme itself, so we should also focus on getting the required amount of sleep to look fresh and be in the best of spirits the next day. A grumpy face isn’t pretty.
Antara Bose is a model turned fashion and beauty consultant. A popular blogger, anchor, and voice over artist, she maintains a deep connection with the local fashion industry and is passionate about discovering and celebrating aspiring talent as well as promoting animal rights. For fashion updates with a side of humour and sarcasm follow Antara on instagram @antarabose and on Facebook: Antara Bose.
