Karwa Chauth and Fasting Days: Keeping Skin and Hair Hydrated When You Can't Eat or Drink
Cosmosentials | Skin Care Tips
Karwa Chauth falls on Thursday, October 29 in India, according to most panchang sources. Moonrise varies by city, so check your local time. For many women, the day begins before sunrise with sargi and carries on, without food or water, until the moon is sighted in the evening. It is a day of devotion, and also a long stretch of the day without hydration, which is something skin and lips tend to notice. These tips apply to other fasting days too, such as Ahoi Ashtami, Ekadashi, and Navratri vrats.
An honest look at what fasting does to skin and hair
Most of the guidance on skin and fasting comes from dermatologists who treat patients during Ramadan, when people also go without water through the day. It is expert advice rather than the result of large trials, and it points to the same main issue: dehydration. When you go for hours without fluids, skin can look dull and feel tight, lips can crack, the area under the eyes can look more shadowed, and some people notice more oiliness as skin tries to compensate.
Hair is more forgiving. Dermatologists say dehydration can leave hair feeling dry and ends looking thirsty, but a single day of fasting is not expected to cause hair fall. Shedding is more often linked to prolonged severe calorie restriction than to one fast.
First, a word on safety
A fast without water is not suitable for everyone. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, have kidney problems, low blood pressure, or take regular medication, please speak to your doctor before fasting. Many families are comfortable with a modified fast, and your health matters more than any rule. If you feel dizzy, faint, develop a severe headache, a racing heartbeat, or confusion, break the fast and get medical help if needed.
Before the fast: set yourself up
Hydrate through the evening before. Sip water steadily rather than gulping a large amount at once, because the body cannot store water that way. Water-rich foods such as cucumber, watermelon, and curd help.
Make sargi count. Drink water and choose foods that hold you through the day: protein and fibre, such as nuts, fruit, and paneer or curd dishes. Limit very salty, spicy, and fried items, which can make you thirstier, and go easy on tea and coffee, since caffeine can add to fluid loss. Dermatologists who advise fasting patients make the same point about caffeine.
Moisturize before sunrise. Apply a hydrating serum or a moisturizer with humectants such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin, and seal it with a moisturizer. Skin that starts the day well hydrated copes better through the afternoon.
Protect your lips. A petrolatum-based lip balm is a good choice. Pick one that you are not tempted to lick off, and follow your own family's practice on its use during the fast.
During the fast: keep it gentle
Moisturize again in the afternoon. Applying products to skin does not involve eating or drinking, and a second layer helps through the long middle of the day.
Go light on makeup, and skip harsh products. Heavy makeup and exfoliating scrubs add stress to skin that is already dry. A gentle cleanser and lukewarm water are best, since hot water strips moisture faster.
Stay out of strong sun and heat where you can, and wear sunscreen when outdoors. Sweating while you cannot replace fluids makes dehydration worse.
Keep hair simple. Avoid heat styling and tight hairstyles, and use a light leave-in conditioner or a little oil on the ends if they feel dry.
Breaking the fast gently
When the moon is sighted, begin with small sips of water, then something light such as a date or fruit, and only then a full meal. Drinking a lot of water very quickly or eating a heavy, sugary, or deep-fried meal right away can leave you uncomfortable. Dermatologists also note that sugar spikes and heavy fried food can show up on skin as breakouts or dullness.
Through the rest of the evening, keep drinking water at a steady pace, and eat foods rich in water and healthy fats, such as fruit, nuts, and yoghurt.
That night: a simple recovery routine
- Remove makeup thoroughly, especially after dressing up for the puja. Use a gentle cleanser, and a balm or oil first if you wore long-wear makeup.
- Apply a hydrating serum and a richer moisturizer. Ingredients such as ceramides and glycerin help rebuild moisture.
- Apply lip balm again before bed.
- Sleep well. Skin repairs overnight, and rest makes a visible difference.
If your skin still feels tight the next day, keep the routine gentle and give it a couple of days to settle before returning to strong actives.
For dermatologist advice on skin and hair when fasting, this Gulf News feature and this Grazia Middle East interview with a dermatologist cover the main points. Both are about Ramadan, but the hydration advice applies equally to other fasting days.
A simple kit for fasting days
A hydrating serum, a good moisturizer, a lip balm, and sunscreen are enough for most fasting days. You can browse the skincare range on Cosmosentials to build a simple, gentle routine, with every product sourced directly from its manufacturer.
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for advice from a doctor, especially if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or take regular medication. Please follow your doctor's advice about fasting.
