It is December
and we are sure you all are excited as we are. But alongside the
excitement of the festive period, comes fear of how best to manage ones skin.
While other
parts of the world are suffering from the winter cold, some African countries
like Nigeria
This season
brings dry and dusty winds that come from the Sahara and make its way through
the continent over the Gulf
of Guinea
Below are some
tips to ensure you maintain healthy skin during harmattan.
1. Cleanse Daily
Washing your face may seem like basic knowledge, but there are people
who go to sleep without doing it. You should wash every morning and never go to
bed without continuing your daily skin regimen, which includes cleansing and moisturizing.
Washing your face with a mild soap gets rid of
the heavy layer of grime on your face that has settled in your pores through
the day. Also avoid harsh soaps with detergents in them because they will only
strip natural oils and make your face drier.
2. Water
The air is dry
as the humidity level has dropped drastically and if you must escape the
harshness of the dry weather, you must stay hydrated; it’s the best way to
still keep that healthy glow.
Make sure you
drink more water and take a cold or lukewarm bath as often as possible; try as
much to stay away from hot baths, they strip your skin of oils and you don’t
want to dry out your skin.
You also want
to take lots of fruits and veggies that have a robust deposit of water like
cucumber and watermelon.
3. Exfoliate
Many of us
tend to ditch our scrubs during the harmattan but have you ever wondered how
the much needed moisture will get into your skin with those dead skin cells in
the way? One way to scrub and not dry your skin out is to make a DIY sugar and
honey scrub.
You can also
make use of any other scrub that is not too harsh.
4. Moisturize
It is super
important to moisturize your skin and lip. You don’t want to go around with
your skin so dry and unnatural.
Concentrate on
using moisturizers that are rich in natural butters and oils. Here’s how
to make sure you get the best out of your moisturizers during the harmattan;
make sure you moisturize immediately after your shower when your body is still
very wet so you can trap the moisture (water).
Also, ensure
to always keep hand cream in your purse just in case a stubborn part of your
skin gets easily affected by the harsh weather.
5. Pay attention to your clothes
You also need
to be careful about the fabrics you wear. If at all you want to layer, please
keep the softer fabrics near your skin so your skin can still breathe. Do not
pile up different fabrics in a bid to chase cold. This would only make your
skin suffer.
6. Eat Healthy Fats
Not all types
of fat are bad for you. There are healthy fats you can consume without the fear
of excess cholesterol and also can be heart-healthy. Healthy fats give you
energy. You can get healthy fat from polyunsaturated fats such as in nuts,
seeds, vegetable oils such as corn and safflower oil, and fatty fish. Avocados
are also a great source of healthy fats.
7. Remember Your Hands and Lips
Your hands and
lips are the most vulnerable areas of your body during the harmattan season. As
a result, you need to take extra care of these areas as we tend to swipe out
the moisture from them very frequently, like when we eat, or visit the
bathroom. Make sure that you have your lip balm and your hand lotion handy.
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