Top beauty secrets that can help achieve that everlasting glow for the upcoming festival of Eid!
The holiest month in the Islamic calendar is also one of the hottest months in the world this year, and in Singapore, what could be worse than the humid weather? Neglecting the skin and allowing it to go dry, that’s what!
Due to the rising temperatures (highest for the month of June is 32℃, yikes!), coupled with the lack of nutrients and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy and rejuvenated, your skin needs all the help it can get!
Tips for good skin during ramadan
Here are the 4 major tips that should start you off in achieving healthier and younger-looking skin!
Get sufficient beauty sleep
Sufficient sleep is one of the secrets to achieving radiant skin. While you were snoring, the blood flows to your skin and the rest of the body, giving it that healthy glow. It is also during the night when you get some shut-eye that the body restores and repairs itself after the long day it has had.
The recommended number of hours for a good sleep is 7 to 8 hours a night, which is a sufficient amount of time for the body to restore its health and yet not so excessive that you feel groggy and tired the next day. So how do you get a good night’s sleep?
Prepare yourself for the beauty sleep you are about to receive every night. Make sure your bedroom is not too stimulating that it can affect your rest – minimize all possible noise sources and turn off all the lights (saves energy at the same time). Invest in a good mattress and silk pillowcases as silk prevents wrinkles from forming on the skin and hair damage. Relaxing before bed can also help you get better sleep – take bubble baths, write in a journal or read a book before bedtime.
It also helps to tire yourself out in the daytime by doing moderate exercises, keeping you healthy at the same time. Refrain from exercising 2 hours before bed, though – this can increase endorphins and blood circulation, making it difficult for you to doze off at the end of the day. Afternoon naps for when you are sleepy can be good for you, but it can affect your body clock and make you miss out on the proper sleep you actually need at night. Instead, take a short walk or make some tea.
When you sleep, your body goes into rest mode; this includes your brain too. Make sure to deal with any issues that contribute to your stress well before bedtime, giving your brain ample time to transition into rest mode and help you sleep better. It is also important to note that your body needs time to transition into rest mode too, so take your meals about 3 to 5 hours before bed.
Hydrate yourself
Your body consists of mostly water and it is only sensible that it needs to be replenished for your body to function well. Especially during the fasting month, the body and the skin need all the help they can get to receive normal hydration. Water is also essential in numerous bodily functions, one of which is aiding in the breakdown of minerals and nutrients for the body to use. The best advice to ensure regular hydration is to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
But during the fasting month, this aim seems a little improbable, so the next best advice is to divvy up your water intake throughout the night. Avoid drinking juices during iftar (dinner) or when you break your fast, as this contributes to weight gain. Instead, use this formula to help you determine how much water you should drink a day to meet your body’s hydration needs.
Consuming dates, which are good sources of glucose, and other types of foods rich in water content can also keep your body hydrated. Some examples are watermelons, tomatoes, and cucumbers. These foods can easily be blended into a smoothie or made into a delicious salad.
Beverages that are carbonated, sugary, or caffeinated do not do your skin justice as it only results in dehydration, whereas plain water help removes toxins from the body. Caffeine, as a diuretic, can increase water loss through urination and decrease the body’s level of hydration. Bottom line is, water is the perfect choice for your body to battle against the humid weather during the fasting month.
Maintain a proper diet
Working towards achieving beautiful skin calls for foods that are high in vitamins and minerals that benefit the body, such as fruits, vegetables, fish, and even nuts. Cashews and almonds help restore the skin’s health as they are rich in fatty acids and fibre. Refrain from consuming too much junk or oily food and sugars, as they do not have beneficial properties and will only cause your skin to look duller, even result in breakouts!
The best way to get the best from the foods you consume in the fasting month is to know exactly what is on your plate for suhoor (pre-dawn meal), and when you break your fast during iftar (dinner). Here are some guidelines to help you decide your meals that will benefit your body greatly!
Suhoor
Suhoor is the time when your body gets sufficient energy to start the day, and also enough to withstand the long hours of fasting. The meals during this time can include meat and alternatives, great sources of proteins that help in repairing body tissues and strengthen the immune system such as lean meat, fish, and low-fat dairy.
Fruits and vegetables are also recommended to be included during suhoor as not only are they rich in vitamins and minerals which help your body stay healthy, they are also rich in fibre, keeping your stomach full until dusk! Dates are the perfect fruit to consume during this time as they are high in glucose.
During the hours of fasting, your body uses glucose stored in liver and muscles as sources of energy. After this runs out, the body turns to the fats in the body to use as energy sources.
Rice and alternatives are also rich in fibre and foods such as brown rice or wholemeal bread help maintains your energy level as it takes longer to be digested. Also, because they are high in carbohydrates, consuming these foods can help prevent muscle breakdown in the fasting month.
Iftar
Iftar is when you finally break your fast, and it is during this time that your meals have to be wholesome to restore your energy levels. Fruits and vegetables are always recommended, 2 servings of each during your meals should suffice in keeping your body in great health. Meat and alternatives such as fish, legumes, eggs, and low-fat dairy products are good sources of protein, and rice and alternatives such as wholemeal bread can help replenish the energy that your body needs.
Natural skin care routine
In the holy month of Ramadan, the body receives fewer nutrients and minerals due to fasting. This means more effort is required to take good care of your body, and consequently, your skin! If the body’s needs are not met, it could result in the damaged and dry skin. Also, let’s be serious for a minute – with the hot weather, air-conditioning is our best friend. This can also dry out the skin faster, so with a little extra help, our skin can look young and radiant in time for Hari Raya Aidilfitri!
Moisturizing goes a long way in making our skin look supple – it nourishes the skin. Make an effort to apply some moisturizer on the body immediately after a shower, as this is usually the time when the skin absorbs quicker. Also for you working ladies, look for cosmetics and facial products such as serums that also have moisturizing properties. Applying sunscreen before going out is also crucial for the skin to stay moisturized and not crack from the warm rays of the Sun, so look for products with sun protection factor (SPF)!
Organic products can only be advantageous for us. This is mainly because the natural ingredients that these products contain serve to nourish both the skin and body! Non-organic products have artificial substances or chemicals that can harm your body in the long run, and as these toxins can be absorbed by the skin, it not only results in skin irritation or allergic reactions, it may cause potential health problems too. Organic products do not contain these additives, and the scents from organic products come from either essential oils or natural extracts.
Natural ingredients mean better results, and organic products are suitable for all skin types. Even those with sensitive skin do not have to worry about skin irritation when using natural skin care products! They are also healthier for your body as they contain vitamins such as Vitamin A (which aids in skin reparation) and Vitamins C and E (antioxidants which help in anti-aging).
The perfect skincare routine involves a high-quality face wash, toner, moisturizer, and makeup remover.
Try the White Paint soap, a face wash containing pearl powder that helps in the anti-aging process as well as brightens and lightens pigmentations on the skin. Toners such as Best Water not only rejuvenates the skin but also prevent signs of anti-aging caused by dryness. And if you’re looking for a moisturizer that protects and hydrates the skin while giving off a lovely floral scent, look no further than the Oil Water Rose lotion.
Also, the Water Cream Rose moisturizer works just as well to keep the skin from drying, providing it with moisture throughout the day! Last but not least, what better way to regenerate the skin’s moisture barrier during the night than the German Oil face serum that promotes anti-aging as well as includes healing properties? These products not only have beneficial properties which can help the skin retain its health but are also halal-certified! You heard me.
These organic products have undergone complete sanitary manufacturing procedures under Islamic law and this ensured that the ingredients used are of high quality and most importantly, safe for use! The ingredients are free of chemicals and organic-certified, and these products are compliant with the Halal standard, completely free of alcohol and ingredients derived from pigs.
With sufficient rest, hydration, proper food and great skincare routine, you can never stray from the path towards beautiful glowing skin in the month of Ramadan. What’s more, with the products being certified halal, there’s no better way to rejoice in the holy month than to give your skin the care it needs to stay healthy (and halal) for the festival of Eid in a month’s time.