Ramadan 2025: How to protect your hair and skin while fasting, expert tips

During Ramadan, we get a chance to just detoxify and hit hard reset. With the spiritual alignment and reduction in stress that come with fasting, we also enjoy physical benefits like reduced inflammation and improved blood sugar levels.

However, the changes in routines and diets during the month can impact our skin and hair health

What happens to our hair and skin during Ramadan?

Fasting alters everything from hydration levels to sleep schedules, which can have some surprising effects on our appearance. Here’s what happens to our skin and hair, explain Akreti Sinha, a Dubai-based skin specialist and Tawadud Youssef, a Dubai-based dermatologist.

The hydration challenge: With no water during daylight hours, dehydration can leave your skin feeling parched, tight, and lackluster. Dry patches and irritation may occur if you're not careful about staying hydrated during non-fasting hours.

The shift in diet: While fasting gives your digestive system a break, your skin might feel the impact. Eating richer, heavier meals after sunset can cause some fluctuations in skin texture, and you may notice more oil buildup or even a few breakouts from indulging in rich, fried foods.

The woes of oily skin: After a long day of fasting, your skin may overcompensate by cranking up oil production. This can sometimes lead to a greasy feeling, especially if you’re consuming lots of rich foods. But don’t worry—this is just your skin trying to find balance.

How fasting affects our hair

Dehydration dilemma: Just like your skin, your hair needs water to stay healthy. With restricted water intake during the day, your hair might feel drier, more brittle, and lackluster. Dry ends can start to appear, especially if you have long hair that’s thirsty for hydration.

Nutrient deficiency: When fasting, it’s easy to fall short on vital nutrients, especially if your meals during non-fasting hours lack variety. Your hair thrives on vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, so make sure your meals include nutrient-rich foods like vitamin A from sweet potatoes, vitamin C from citrus fruits, biotin from eggs, iron from spinach, zinc from pumpkin seeds, and healthy fats from avocados and nuts.

The lack of sleep: The shift in your routine can throw your sleep schedule off, and the stress of fasting might start to show up on your scalp. This can lead to increased shedding or lackluster hair growth, so try to find balance wherever you can.

So, in order to count this, how do you take care of your health and skin during Ramadan?

Hydration, first

You’ve heard it before, but it’s always worth repeating, but hydration is crucial. The fasting hours can leave your body feeling dehydrated, which affects your skin and hair. Dehydration can lead to dry, flaky skin and brittle hair, so it’s essential to make every sip count when you’re able to drink.

As Justine Dempt, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach at Shake Your Plants, Dubai explains, “We should aim to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water between Iftar and Suhoor to prevent dehydration. To make this manageable, start with two glasses at Iftar to kickstart rehydration,” she says.

Dempt adds, it’s important to have a hydration strategy throughout the evening. “Try  sipping a glass of water every hour or enjoying a cup of herbal tea. You can also incorporate electrolytes during this window to further support hydration. At Suhoor, make sure to drink two large glasses of water to help sustain hydration through the fasting hours.”

She offers a final tip:  Avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee or black tea close to Suhoor, as they have a diuretic effect that can lead to dehydration.

How to keep your skin nourished with balanced nutrition

Fasting may change the way you eat, but it’s important to keep your skin nourished with the right nutrients. Vitamins A, C, and E, along with healthy fats, are crucial for maintaining smooth, glowing skin, explains Moulshree Shastri, an Abu Dhabi-based dermatologist.

So, how do you do this? Incorporate fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils like olive oil and avocado into your Iftar and Suhoor meals. They’ll provide the antioxidants and healthy fats that nourish your skin from within, promoting elasticity and radiance.

Gentle skincare

Ramadan can make your skin more sensitive, so it’s important to use gentle skincare products. Shastri warns, over-exfoliating or using harsh chemicals can cause irritation, so keep things simple and soothing. A mild hydrating cleanser followed by a moisturiser with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin will lock in moisture and help keep your skin balanced. Don’t forget sunscreen during daylight hours, essential if you're outdoors for prayers or other activities.

Consider using a hydration mist. Mists with aloe-vera, glycerin, or rose water instantly refresh and soothe the skin, providing much-needed moisture and helping to restore your skin's barrier.

Boost your hair’s health

Your hair also needs extra care during Ramadan, particularly if you’re dehydrated or missing essential nutrients. Look for shampoos free from harsh surfactants like sulfates, which can strip the scalp of essential oils. Shastri suggests opting for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioning your hair with nourishing oils like amla, argan, olive, or coconut. Applying oil to your scalp an hour before washing helps lock in moisture.

Along with your regular oiling routine, treat your hair to a deep conditioning treatment once a week to keep it nourished, strong, and free from dryness and breakage. To shield your strands from the sun and heat styling, try wearing a stylish scarf or using a heat protectant product for extra care.

Make sure that you get enough sleep

Shifts in your routine during Ramadan can throw off your sleep schedule, and not getting enough rest can leave your skin looking dull and your hair feeling flat. Make sleep a priority to give your body the chance to repair, regenerate, and glow from the inside out.

What to do: Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, aiming for at least 7 hours of rest each night.

Watch your diet

While the indulgent dishes during Iftar are tempting, too much sugar and fried food can wreak havoc on your skin. These foods can lead to inflammation, breakouts, and dullness, which you will want to avoid. “For those who fast, include foods rich in biotin, zinc, protein, and iron to support hair health during Suhoor and Iftar,” suggests Maria Dowling, a Dubai-based hair stylist and expert.

What to do: Enjoy Iftar in moderation, focusing on meals that support your body’s needs. Balance your diet with lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of vegetables, while saving sweets for the occasional treat.

Use the right products

When you’re fasting, you want to ensure your products are doing their job in the most effective way. Choose products that hydrate and restore, keeping in mind the effects of dehydration and stress on your skin and hair.

What to do: Look for moisturisers and serums designed to combat dehydration and nourish your skin, such as products with Vitamin C or niacinamide. For your hair, a lightweight leave-in conditioner can help maintain moisture without weighing it down, suggests Shastri.