Skincare in Ramadan – The Ultimate Guide (2023)

Skincare – so therapeutic, so fun, so interesting.

You’re like a little scientist mixing up different concoctions of masks and serums to brighten or heal your skin. It’s a form of self-love that everyone can enjoy, regardless of gender or age.

And what better time to prioritize self-care than during this holy month? With long days of fasting and spiritual reflection, a well thought-out skincare routine in Ramadan can be a small but significant way to show love and respect to your body.

So, the gentlemen about to get off this screen, don’t click away just yet!

Your skin is the largest organ in your body and neglecting it just because you’re afraid of being perceived as feminine is not worth it.

Stick around and take notes – we’ll be exploring the different types of face masks that will give your skin the radiance it deserves this Ramadan.

Now before we dive in, it’s important to lay the groundwork with a basic skincare routine. With so much information on the internet, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

What Does a Basic Skincare Routine Look Like?

A basic skincare routine in Ramadan (or any time of the year) consists of three key steps:

• Cleansing
• Moisturizing
• Sunscreen.

Cleansing helps remove dirt, oil, and impurities from your skin. Moisturizing helps hydrate and nourish it, and sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays.

Now, now. We can already hear some of you in the background..

“But isn’t that too much work? I don’t have this much time for skincare in Ramadan!”

Trust us, we get it.

But taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be a complicated or time-consuming process. Even just a few minutes each day can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your skin.

Here’s a simple skin care routine that you can start literally right now!

1. Wash your face with a cleanser once or twice a day.
2. Follow that up with some moisturizer and top it all off with a sunscreen.
3. Then treat your skin to a nice 10-minute mask once or twice a week.

That’s it. That’s the entirety of a basic and thorough skincare routine.

Don’t skip moisturizing!

And before all you folks with oily skin conveniently skip moisturizers because you think your skin has “oils of its own”…

We’ve got some news for you.

Moisturizing is important for all skin types, including oily skin. But, it’s crucial to choose the right kind of moisturizer – one that is water or gel-based and non-comedogenic. (one that does not clog pores)

You might be thinking,

“But won’t using a moisturizer make my skin even more oily?”

Actually, the opposite can happen.

Stripping your skin of natural oils (which can happen if you use harsh cleansers or don’t moisturize), causes your skin to overproduce oils. This can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and even more oiliness.

Moisturizing is important. Even for those with oily skin.

Choosing a water or gel-based moisturizer that is non-comedogenic can help hydrate your skin. So next time you’re at the store, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and Aloe Vera. Both can help hydrate your skin without adding excess oil.

In short, don’t skip the moisturizer, even if you have oily skin! It should be an important part of your skincare routine in Ramadan and can help keep your skin balanced and healthy.

And with that foundation in place…

Let’s dive into the wonderful world of face masks and how they can take your skincare routine to the next level!

Face Masks for Oily Skin

1. Turmeric & Yogurt Mask

Turmeric is a natural antiseptic that helps regulate oil production and prevent breakouts. Yogurt helps balance the skin’s pH levels and gently exfoliates.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the turmeric and plain yogurt until a paste forms.
2. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
3. Rinse off with warm water and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

2. Clay & Tea Tree Oil Mask

Clay (known as ‘multani mitti’ here in Pakistan) helps draw out impurities and excess oil from the skin. Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties that help prevent breakouts.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of clay
• A few drops of tea tree oil

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the clay and tea tree oil.
2. Add a few drops of water until a paste forms.
3. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
4. Rinse off with warm water and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

To buy tea tree oil in Pakistan, click here.

3. Chickpea Powder & Yogurt Mask

Chickpea powder absorbs excess oil and dirt from the skin.

Yogurt contains lactic acid which gently exfoliates and brightens the skin. Plus, honey is a natural humectant, which means it helps the skin retain moisture and prevents dryness.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of chickpea powder
• 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the chickpea powder and plain yogurt until a paste forms.
2. Add in the honey and mix well.
3. Apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
4. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

4. Aloe Vera & Tea Tree Oil Mask

Aloe Vera is a natural moisturizer and helps soothe and calm irritated skin. It’s also great for reducing inflammation and preventing acne.

Tea tree oil’s antibacterial properties combat acne-causing bacteria and regulate oil production.

Chickpea flour helps to absorb excess oil and impurities from the skin, leaving it feeling clean and refreshed.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel
• 2-3 drops of tea tree oil
• 1 tablespoon of chickpea flour

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the Aloe Vera gel and tea tree oil until well combined.
2. Add in the chickpea flour and mix well to create a paste.
3. Apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
4. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

To buy tea tree oil, click here.

5. Yogurt & Cucumber Mask

Cucumber is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe and calm the skin.

Yogurt provides gentle exfoliation and hydration.

Honey helps to lock in moisture and nourish the skin.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/4 cup of plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Instructions:

1. Peel the cucumber and blend it in a food processor or blender until it’s smooth.
2. In a small bowl, mix the cucumber puree, plain yogurt, and honey until well combined.
3. Apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
4. Rinse off with cool water and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

Face Masks for Dry Skin

6. Honey & Milk Mask

Honey is a natural humectant that helps lock in moisture.

Milk is rich in lactic acid, which gently exfoliates and brightens the skin.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine both ingredients to create a paste.
2. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

7. Yogurt & Almond Oil Mask

Yogurt is rich in probiotics, which help soothe and nourish dry skin. Almond oil is packed with vitamin E and fatty acids that help hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon almond oil

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix both ingredients to create a paste.
2. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

8. Green Tea & Aloe Vera Mask

Green tea is rich in antioxidants that help protect the skin against free radical damage, and Aloe Vera is incredibly soothing and hydrating. Hence, adding to the experience!

Ingredients:

• 1 green tea bag / a pinch of green tea leaves
• 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera gel

Instructions:

1. Steep a green tea bag in hot water for a few minutes and allow it to cool.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon of cooled green tea with 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel to create a paste.
3. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

9. Banana & Almond Oil Mask

Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals that help to nourish and hydrate the skin. Almond oil provides deep moisturization and helps to soothe dry, irritated skin.

Honey helps to lock in moisture and provides additional nourishment to the skin.

This mask is perfect for dry skin types as it helps to replenish lost moisture and leave the skin feeling soft and smooth.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tablespoon of almond oil
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Instructions:

1. Mash the ripe banana in a small bowl until it’s smooth and creamy.
2. Add the almond oil and honey and mix well to form a paste.
3. Apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
4. Rinse off with warm water and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

10. Oatmeal & Milk Mask

Oatmeal is a natural exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells and impurities.

Milk and honey provide deep hydration and nourishment to the skin.

What you get is a mask that is perfect for dry skin types as this helps to soothe and soften the skin.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of oatmeal
• 1/4 cup of whole milk
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Instructions:

1. Grind the oatmeal in a blender or food processor until it’s a fine powder.
2. In a small bowl, mix the oatmeal powder, whole milk, and honey until well combined.
3. Apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
4. Rinse off with warm water and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

The 1 Thing You MUST Avoid

Well folks, we hope you liked these recipes and they’ve inspired you to do more for your Ramadan skincare, because you deserve it!

But before slathering anything on your face, there’s something important you need to know.

When it comes to face masks, there’s one ingredient you should generally avoid….

Citric acid.

You might think that lemon juice is a natural and effective way to brighten your skin, but in reality, it can do more harm than good.

Citric acid can cause irritation, dryness, and even chemical burns, especially if your skin is sensitive.

That’s why we made sure this Ramadan skincare routine contained no citric acid ingredients. Instead, we used natural and nourishing ingredients like honey, milk, oats, and Aloe Vera to give your skin the love and care it deserves.

Take-home message:

With Ramadan being a time of spiritual reflection and mindfulness, taking care of your skin can also be a way to practice self-care and self-love. And what better way to do so than with natural ingredients that are easily available during this holy month?

By trying out these natural face mask recipes, you can achieve healthy and radiant skin without any harmful chemicals.

Remember, skincare in Ramadan (or any time of the year), is not only important for your physical health, but also for your spiritual well-being.

So take some time out of your day to pamper yourself with these natural face masks, and enjoy the benefits of healthy and glowing skin.

And while you’re doing that, make sure you’re eating well too. (Btw, did you know that protein is essential for maintaining healthy hair and skin?) So, make sure you get enough of it.

Your skin (and your soul) will thank you!

So, what’s your skincare routine in Ramadan? Let us know in the comments below!