Everything I Do For My Skin During Ramadan

Including product recommendations

Mar 17, 2024

Something a little different from me, a Sunday post. It’s a little extract from my recent article for Glamour, where I share my Ramadan skincare routine. As a beauty journalist, I am always asked what products I use, especially more so during the month of Ramadan.

I can tell you that while a skincare and beauty routine is a welcomed ritual in my Ramadan practice, it very quickly falls to the bottom of my priority list. Between the extra prayers, worship, and family gatherings, I have very little time and, in fact, energy to engage in an extensive skincare routine. I am reminded of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s honest monologue on the overwhelming process of decision-making. “I want someone to tell me what to eat, what to like, what to hate, what to rage about, what to listen to, what band to like, what to buy tickets for, what to joke about, what not to joke about,” she says. During this time, I share this sentiment completely. I morph into this person who is unable to think beyond basic life skills, and maybe on a good day, I am able to make it as a fully functioning adult until 3 pm.

So what products do I use during the month of Ramadan? I stick with my usual routine because it’s fail-proof and requires very little thought. I’ll even admit, on some days, there is no skincare routine. I don’t know what that says about me as a beauty editor?

I am wary of promoting excess consumerism, which goes entirely against what Ramadan is about, ultimately you don’t need any new products for Ramadan. Your everyday skincare routine will suffice. My main advice? Listen to what your skin needs. If you’re feeling extra dry or dehydrated, up your hydration, whether it’s using your moisturiser more often throughout the day or skipping your stripping cleanser. Make use of what you have. At the end of this newsletter, I’ll share the products I am using, have been using, and will continue to use after Ramadan.

The extract below is from a Glamour article

It’s no exaggeration to say that the month of Ramadan literally turns your daily routine on its head, and somehow it all shows on your face. As you can imagine, your skincare quickly becomes a priority. Between the late nights and early mornings and the drastic changes to your diet, I am battling with breakouts, dark circles and lacklustre skin. But more than just dealing with what is happening on the surface of my skin, my skincare routine presents the opportunity to escape and a moment of calm. During the month, it becomes a form of self-care.

The days can be overwhelming and busy, and setting aside time to do my skincare, lets me focus on looking after myself to recalibrate and reconnect with what is important in life. It’s easy at the beginning of the month to completely revamp your skincare routine, adding more products and tools in a bid to maintain healthy skin. But, I also find that the practice of Ramadan helps my skincare game. It’s my annual reassessment of my routine, deciding on the products that I really need and the ones I can ditch from my routine.

Products I am using to help maintain healthy skin during the month of Ramadan:

E.L.F. Pure Skin Hydrating Cleanser - incredibly basic formula and gentle ingredients but does the job well and skin isn’t irritated, a real gem.
Invity Youth Activating Essence - my skin can get super dehydrated throughout Ramadan and this is akin to a supercharged tall glass of the water for my skin, delivering an instant boost of hydrating and nourishment for the skin.
Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment - everyone who fast knows, a lip balm is a stable. I was skeptical but Hailey Beiber’s offering is quite nice, hydrating and I look like I have put some effort into it.
Bioderma Atoderm Cream Ultra Moisturiser - I always go back to this moisturiser whenever my skin is going through it. It’s really soothing and nourishment, no extra frills, just a gorgeous formula that helps to calm and strengthen the skin barrier.
Paula’s Choice Resist Barrier repair Advanced Moisturiser - I go between this moisturiser and the Bioderma one. I opt for this one, when I want something light. It feels almost like a lotion, really lightweight and absorbs into the skin instantly.
Caudalie Grape Water Spray - this is just really nice to use, it’s super refreshing and I need to get my water in somehow, right?

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