Fasting during Ramadan is not only about spiritual discipline—it is also a time when your body goes through subtle but important changes. Yet, many people still cling to one comforting ritual: a warm cup of coffee at sahur or iftar.
At first glance, it feels harmless.
However, doctors are beginning to raise a gentle but serious reminder: frequent coffee consumption while fasting can quietly affect your skin health.
During a press conference at the Vaseline Gluta-Hya Hydration Clinic on February 20, 2026, Dr. Amanda Nandi Wardani, BMedSc(Hons), Sp.D.V.E. explained that coffee and tea contain diuretic properties that can disturb the body’s fluid balance.
In simple words?
Your favorite cup of coffee might be pulling precious hydration away from your skin.
Let’s explore what really happens—and more importantly, how you can still enjoy coffee wisely without sacrificing your glow.
However, Why Coffee During Fasting Can Trigger Dry Skin
First, we need to understand the science behind it.
According to Dr. Amanda, some foods and drinks contain diuretics—substances that encourage the body to release more fluid through urine. Coffee and tea fall into this category.
Under normal conditions, this effect may seem small. You drink, you hydrate, life goes on.
But fasting changes the equation.
During Ramadan, your body goes for many hours without fluid intake. Therefore, when you consume diuretic drinks at sahur or iftar, your body may lose fluids faster than it should.
Dr. Amanda emphasized:
“If we’re fasting, our intake is already limited, so we don’t want to lose too much of that limited amount.”
This is where the hidden risk begins.
Because when internal hydration drops, your skin is one of the first organs to show the warning signs.
Common symptoms include:
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Skin feels tight
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Surface becomes rough
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Complexion looks dull
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Fine flakes appear more easily
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Makeup becomes harder to blend
Over time, if the habit continues without proper hydration support, your skin barrier can weaken.
And once the skin barrier is compromised, restoring moisture becomes much harder—and more expensive.
Meanwhile, What Actually Happens to Your Skin When You’re Dehydrated
Now, let’s look deeper.
Your skin is like a quiet mirror of your body’s hydration status. When fluid levels are sufficient, the skin appears:
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Plump
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Supple
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Smooth
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Naturally radiant
However, during fasting—especially when combined with frequent coffee consumption—the body prioritizes vital organs first. The skin, unfortunately, is not at the top of the priority list.
As fluid levels drop, several things occur inside the skin:
First, the natural moisture content decreases.
Second, the skin barrier becomes more fragile.
Third, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increases—meaning water evaporates from your skin more easily.
This is why many people notice that during Ramadan their skin suddenly feels:
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Drier than usual
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More sensitive
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Easier to look tired
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Slightly darker or dull
And here is the important part:
👉 The effect is cumulative.
Drinking coffee once in a while may not cause visible damage. But doing it every single day during fasting—especially without balancing water intake—can gradually worsen skin dehydration.
The good news?
You don’t have to quit coffee completely.
You just need to be smarter about it.
Therefore, How Often Should You Drink Coffee While Fasting?
This is the question everyone wants answered.
According to Dr. Amanda, there is no strict universal limit. Every person has different tolerance and hydration status.
However, she strongly recommends reducing the frequency.
Her practical suggestion:
Try not to drink coffee every day during fasting.
If possible, limit it to once every two or three days.
This simple adjustment can already help your body maintain better fluid balance.
Additionally, she advises paying attention to the strength of your coffee.
A very concentrated brew increases the diuretic effect. Therefore:
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Choose lighter brews
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Avoid overly strong black coffee
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Consider smaller portions
Think of it this way:
You don’t have to break up with coffee—you just need healthier boundaries.
Most Importantly, Smart Habits to Protect Your Skin
If you truly love coffee and fasting, the real solution is balance plus proper skin care support.
Here are doctor-recommended strategies you can start today:
✅ 1. Optimize Your Water Intake Window
Because fasting limits drinking time, you must be intentional.
Smart hydration pattern:
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2 glasses at iftar
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2 glasses after Tarawih
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2 glasses before bed
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2 glasses at sahur
This helps compensate for coffee’s diuretic effect.
✅ 2. Adjust Coffee Timing and Frequency
Instead of daily consumption:
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Limit to every 2–3 days
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Avoid very strong brews
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Pair coffee with sufficient water
Small habit changes create big skin differences over 30 days of fasting.
✅ 3. Use a High-Performance Moisturizer
Dr. Amanda also emphasized the importance of external skin care.
Why?
Because when internal hydration drops, you must help the skin lock in whatever moisture remains.
Look for moisturizers with:
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Hyaluronic acid
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Gluta-based brightening ingredients
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Occlusive barrier support
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Lightweight but long-lasting hydration
💡 Pro tip (conversion insight):
Apply moisturizer immediately after washing your face and before bedtime during Ramadan. This is when the skin absorbs hydration most effectively.
If your current moisturizer still leaves your skin tight by noon, it may be time to upgrade to a clinically proven hydration formula.
✅ 4. Support Your Skin Barrier During Ramadan
Beyond moisturizer, consider a simple but effective routine:
Morning (after sahur):
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Gentle cleanser
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Hydrating toner
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Moisturizer
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Sunscreen
Night (after iftar):
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Gentle cleanser
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Hydrating serum
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Moisturizer
Consistency during the 30 days of fasting makes a visible difference.
In Conclusion: Be Wise, Not Extreme
Drinking coffee during Ramadan is not forbidden. You don’t need to eliminate the joy of your favorite brew.
However—this is the key message from dermatology experts—frequency and hydration balance matter more than you think.
Excessive coffee while fasting can:
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Increase fluid loss
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Accelerate skin dehydration
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Make skin dull and tight
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Weaken the moisture barrier
But with smarter habits—reducing frequency, optimizing water intake, and using the right moisturizer—you can still enjoy coffee without sacrificing healthy, glowing skin.
✨ Ramadan is about balance.
✨ Your coffee habit should be too.
Ready to keep your skin hydrated this fasting month?
Start by reviewing your coffee frequency today—and upgrade your hydration skincare routine before dryness starts showing.
Your future glowing skin will thank you.