For anyone struggling with weight, Ramadan is one of the best months of the year to make progress, provided the eating around the fast is careful and mindful rather than a reward for it.
At Iftar and Sehri, the principles are straightforward. Avoid fried and sugary food. Keep hydrated, aim for eight to ten glasses of water between Iftar and Sehri. Lean on protein, and add nuts for the minerals and vitamins they bring. Swap coffee and tea, which dehydrate, for buttermilk, coconut water or a simple herbal tea.
Skin needs its own plan, because fasting in harsh weather promotes dehydration. Apply moisturiser, do not skip sunscreen before going out, and if you work outdoors, use an umbrella as well. These are small habits, but they are the difference between skin that stays comfortable through the month and skin that does not.
For anyone who wants to go further, a hydrafacial keeps the skin fresh and hydrated through the fast. The month can be good for your weight and kind to your skin at the same time; it mostly takes a little planning.
Associate Professor Dr. Lubna Rani Faysal
MBBS (Gold Medalist), FCPS (Dermatology), MHPE · 13 years in dermatology
