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Ramadan: How to look after your skin during holy month
DR MUNEEB SHAH
By Harpal Bobby
BBC Asian Network
Ramadan is a month of physical sacrifice and spiritual repentance, where devout Muslims refrain from eating and drinking between sunrise and sunset.
It symbolises dedication, reflection and discipline.
The act of fasting gives insight into the anguish and suffering endured by the millions of people living in famine and poverty around the world.
However, not having enough water, disturbed sleep and a poor diet can impact your body and skin.
So what are Dr Shah's top tips for looking after your skin during Ramadan?
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
During fasting, your skin can easily lose moisture and lack hydration, so Dr Shah - who is fasting - advises people to use more hydrating products.
"Praying five times a day and washing your face after your pray can be really drying for some people," he says.
"You should make sure to moisturise after you wash your face, as it is really important, otherwise it can irritate the skin barrier."
Maintain a balanced diet
Dr Shah explains "some people are going to say their skin gets worse during Ramadan because you are changing your diet significantly, and that means what you're doing when you break your fast".
Heavy eating at sunset and before sunrise, and missing out on nutritious food groups due to the limited time eating, may have a negative impact on your skin.
Dr Shah encourages people to break their fast with food they enjoy, but believes moderation is key.
"Fried foods have no relationship with acne but eating anything in excess can affect the skin.
"I tend to eat a lot of fried foods when I break my fast, I don't think it affects my skin but other people will notice it will affect their skin."
Keep it simple
During Ramadan, diet and sleep patterns significantly change, so many might modify or update their everyday skincare routine.
But Dr Shah says you can still use your normal products while fasting.
"There's a common misconception that you can't use your traditional skincare products when you're fasting," he says.
"I think you can still use your classic moisturisers and sun creams when you're fasting."
His simple three step routine includes cleansing, moisturising and adding sun cream for the day. And for night, he recommends cleansing, applying a retinol and moisturising the skin again.