The sacred month of Ramadan 2026 began yesterday, on 17th February. For millions of Muslims worldwide, it is a time of reflection, prayer and fasting from dawn to dusk. As we enter this period, the beauty industry’s obsession with layering—more serums, more actives, more steps—feels increasingly at odds with a month defined by restraint, reflection and intention.
In recent years, “skin fasting” (stripping back skincare to allow the skin to “reset”) has gained popularity. But for many Muslim women, it’s nothing new. During Ramadan, beauty routines often become simpler, quieter and more intentional, with actives put on pause, makeup becoming minimal and skincare that focuses on nourishment. But what actually happens to the skin during fasting—and is skin fasting genuinely beneficial, or simply a feel-good ritual?
