“My Skin Is So Rough!” M’sians With Sensitive Skin Share 5 Struggles They Face During Fasting Month

Having sensitive skin can be quite a pain, both literally and figuratively. There’s usually a lot of maintenance needed to keep your skin well hydrated and from being irritated or even damaged. On top of that, the elements can be the biggest enemy to sensitive skin. Too much sun will burn your skin easily, while too little water can make your skin lose moisture and start to peel.

When Ramadhan comes around, those who have sensitive skin will need to double up on their efforts to maintain healthy and clean skin because there are several factors that are quite unavoidable for those who practice fasting. Here are some of the dermatological struggles that Malaysian Muslims are facing today:

1. Constantly dry and rough skin

When fasting, Muslims have to abstain from consuming food and water. If they’re not diligent enough about drinking water during buka puasa (breaking fast) or when having sahur (the morning meal before they begin fasting), they could get dehydrated and start experiencing dry or rough skin.

This also causes the skin to peel and could lead to small wounds which, while usually not that serious, can be a real pain to deal with especially while fasting. Some Muslims have advised not to drink too much water either, to avoid going to the toilet too many times in the day and retain what water you have in your body.

2. Getting acne breakouts from the lack of sleep 

People with sensitive skin would know how tough it is to maintain an unblemished face. There are several factors that need to be taken into account such as drinking enough water, having a good skincare regime and most important of all: getting enough sleep.

Having to wake up in the middle of the night to prepare for ‘sahur’ means there’s a high chance you’re not getting enough sleep. The best way to overcome this is by sleeping early to ensure you get enough rest so your body is not running on fumes throughout the day.

3. The skin loses most of its natural protective barriers

Having not eaten for most of the day over a span of thirty days can really take a toll on your body’s ability to maintain the protective layer which keeps environmental toxins and pathogens at bay. Certain foods, that Malaysians eat all the time, such as eggs, fish, milk and vegetables contain nutrients such as Omega-3 oils, collagen, good proteins & fats as well as vitamins that help to strengthen your skin’s barrier. So when you miss out on meals, you’re also missing out on much-needed nutrients for your body.

Additionally, without your skin barrier, the moisture in your skin would escape, leaving you dehydrated. Skincare experts say that it’s also best to simplify your skincare routine if you have an extensive one, so you do not inadvertently weaken your skin barriers.

4. Experiencing more skin irritation than usual

As you make some drastic lifestyle changes during the fasting month, so does your skin if you don’t take the necessary steps to keep it healthy. Some Malaysians have reported having irritated skin throughout Ramadhan because of lack of sleep, water and food on top of being exposed to our erratic weather almost every day.

The next time you’re out, try to make sure you slap on some sunscreen and maybe wear a hat to protect your face from the sun. As for rainy days, try your best to stay indoors and avoid getting rainwater on your skin seeing as to how each droplet contains a lot of bacteria. If you do get wet, wash it off as soon as you can. This should at least reduce harmful environmental effects on your skin.

5. Living in the new norm hasn’t been easy on sensitive skin either

With the pandemic still in effect, we’re all required to adhere to SOPs such as wearing face masks whenever we’re outdoors or at social events. On top of all the struggles mentioned above, those of us with sensitive skin are also dealing with maskne, which is a breakout of acne caused by wearing face masks over long periods. Having to wash and sanitise our hands frequently has also caused many of us to experience dry skin, unfortunately.

Having said that, you’ll be glad to know that keeping your skin healthy and hydrated doesn’t have to be a chore if you have the right products on hand. If you’re looking for a safe and reliable product for your skin, you’re in luck!

Brands like Cetaphil offers a range of cleansers and moisturisers which are safe, effective and recommended by dermatologists!

If you’re looking for a gentle face wash, check out the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser which is suitable for both face and body with added benefits:

• Actively hydrates your skin without stripping it of its natural oils
• Soap-free and fragrance-free
• Defends against dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness and weakened skin barrier
• The pH-balanced and non-irritant formula works on dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin

For the best outcome, couple it with the Cetaphil Moisturising Cream which comes with these benefits:

• Moisture Lock technology to improve skin hydration from day 1
• Defends against five signs of skin sensitivities
• Completely restores your skin’s moisture barrier in just one week
• Clinically proven intense moisturisation and protection for 48 hours

What’s more, to celebrate the joyous month of Ramadhan, Cetaphil is also hosting a Buy & Win Contest for all their customers!

Those who purchase their products between 1st April and 31st May 2021 could walk away with these prizes:

• Grand prize – 1x Lisa Surihani Touch N’ Go card worth RM1,000
• Bonus prize – 30x Cetaphil hampers worth RM200 each
• Weekly prize – 40x Lisa Surihani Touch N’ Go card worth RM50 each
• Exclusive prize – 10x Cetaphil baby hamper worth RM150 each

Here’s how you can participate in the contest and take home exclusive prizes:

1. Head to Cetaphil’s official online store on Shopee
2. Spend RM60 and above on Cetaphil products
3. Send a photo of your receipt via WhatsApp to 010-298 6863

That’s it! Getting through Ramadhan with healthy skin is definitely much easier with Cetaphil. All you have to do is be diligent in taking care of your skin and by Hari Raya, you’ll be radiant for all the Raya photo sessions!

Check out other Cetaphil products or find out more about them on their official website!

How do you keep your skin healthy through the fasting month? Tell us in the comments!