If you haven’t already noticed, the harmattan season is back.
From early-morning fogs to dry night breezes, Harmattan is notorious for the dry desert wind it brings to our towns and cities. It sucks up moisture from anywhere and everywhere, makes you thirsty in minutes, and unfortunately, dries the skin faster.
If you, however, like your skin fresh and moisturised, we’ve gathered up seven secrets that never fail to keep the skin looking fresh and radiant, no matter the season.
1. Stay Hydrated.
Sometimes, all your skin needs is something as simple as drinking water.
Again, the harmattan air is notorious for sucking up moisture from anywhere and everywhere, including your skin.
To make sure your body has enough water to keep your skin moisturised, you’ll need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. This helps replenish lost fluids, ensuring your skin remains hydrated from the inside out.
For some of you, it might seem like eight glasses a day is a lot. So we’ve made a simple recommended technique that breaks it down for you.
Our recommended technique is as simple as one glass right after you wake up, one glass before and after every meal, and one glass right before you go to bed. Add it up and you have your eight glasses for the day.
And if you add in the water you drink every time you’re thirsty, your body now gets enough water to rehydrate your skin.
Remember that water is a natural moisturizer, so a lot of it is important for the body, no matter the season.
2. Mango Mask Magic.
Dry skin doesn't stand a chance against a good Mango Mask. This DIY mask is a game-changer in the dry season, and it’s almost too simple to make.
All you need to do is blend a ripe mango with a spoonful of yogurt and a tablespoon of honey. Once it’s a smooth paste, apply the mixture to your face and let it work its magic for 15 minutes before rinsing.
The enzymes in mango exfoliate dead skin cells, while yogurt and honey lock in moisture, leaving your skin supple and rejuvenated. It's a tropical secret spa owners don’t want you to know.
3. Sunscreen Supercharge.
The harmattan season usually comes with a harsh wind and sun. In times like this, a sunscreen is your skin's best friend.
Sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher are lightweight and packed with active ingredients to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, which can be notorious in dry, harsh climates like harmattan.
4. Glow with Facial Oils.
Facial oils are your secret weapon for a radiant complexion during harmattan.
Go for oils like rosehip or jojoba oil, known in beauty shops nationwide for their moisturizing properties.
These oils create a protective barrier, preventing moisture loss and leaving your skin with a dewy, luminous glow, especially in the mornings.
5. Lucky Lip Balm.
Where there is harmattan, there are chapped lips.
And nobody likes chapped lips.
But if you’re a fan of that dry, rough feeling on the lips, feel free to skip this step.
Combat this by applying a hydrating lip balm regularly. Look for balms with ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil, excellent ingredients for intense moisture that prevent lips from cracking. It keeps them soft, supple, and ready for all the harmattan winds.
6. Exfoliators or Tea?
During harmattan, dead skin cells can accumulate, leaving your complexion dull and lacklustre. Rubbing a gentle homemade sugar scrub into your skin twice a week scrubs off these dead cells, leaving you with fresh, radiant skin underneath.
Just mix sugar with olive oil for a gentle exfoliation that removes dead skin cells and hydrates simultaneously.
And as a bonus, if you don’t have olive oil to make your own exfoliator, no worries. Adding a cup of green tea into your daily routine can do wonders for your skin, too.
Rich in antioxidants, green tea helps combat free radicals under your skin and promotes overall skin health.
7. Some Beauty Sleep.
You’ll be surprised what a good night’s sleep would do for your skin, especially during harmattan.
While you sleep, your skin produces collagen to repair damaged cells, especially skin cells. To maximize collagen production, ensure you get 7-8 hours of quality sleep.
Invest in a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent moisture loss from your skin. A good night’s rest ensures you wake up rejuvenated, with moisturised skin and a fresh complexion.
When used well, these seven simple skincare methods work together to give your skin the care it deserves, especially in a season of dry winds and chapped lips.
After all, just because it's a dry season doesn't mean you should look like it.
Let your skin shine this season.
You deserve it.
