12 Harmattan Skincare Tips
During the harmattan, the weather is dry and dusty and the humidity is very low. The change in weather from warm to cold, and moist to dry affects the skin and our general health.
Whilst there is little we can do about the weather outside there is a lot we can do to protect our skin.
Here are 12 tips from our in house esthetician to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy during the Harmattan season.
1. Slather on moisturizer immediately after your bath to lock in that moisture.
2. Replace air conditioning with humidifier, this will add moisture to your space. ACs on the other hand will leave your air dry and lead to your skin cracking.
3. Cover up to keep warm and help your body keep moisture.
4. Whilst layering with clothes is important, it is much more important to layer appropriately. Don’t wear fabrics like wool next to your skin; this could irritate the skin and result in unpleasant skin reaction. Instead wear natural fibre such as cotton and silk because they allow the skin to breathe.
5. Replace your soap and shampoo for Ph balance and skin type appropriate cleansers. Most common soaps and shampoos have very high Ph which could strip the skin off its natural oil. This could further dry the skin or make an outbreak worse. Your esthetician can suggest special cleansers that wont dry out your skin.
6. Update your moisturizer- As change in weather might make your previous moisturizer unsuitable. Look out for moisturizer that contains lactic acids, sorbitol, urea and even hyaluronic acid. These ingredients can help the skin hold water.
7. Non clogging oils like avocado, primrose and almond are also appropriate because they create a layer over the skin which helps lock in moisture. Lotions have less oil and might have little or no significant effect on the skin during the dry season.
8. Do not forget the hand and feet- because the skin of the hand and feet are quite thin and generally have less oil so they tend to crack. Adding an extra layer of moisturizer and covering up with a glove overnight will make a lot of difference. Use detergents that do not have dyes and perfumes.
9. Show your lip some love this season, moisturize liberally and consistently.
10. Avoid hot shower and overstaying in the bathtub during the Harmattan season. This could strip the skin off it natural oil and dry out the skin. Instead use lukewarm water to avoid moisture loss.
11. Using sunscreen during the warm weather is as important as using sunscreen during harmattan. The weather might not seem hot but UV light is still as strong and as damaging.
12. Consult a specialist: Seeking an esthetician or dermatologist can be a good investment. Such a professional will analyze your skin; troubleshoot your present skincare regimen and give you appropriate advice on the right products to use for your specific skin type. .
Jummai Logun is a certified esthetician from the prestigious Beauty Therapy Institute South Africa. She is passionate about safe beauty for African women and believes firmly that everyone can achieve beautiful skin without compromising their skin health.
Jummai Logun is the Founder and Lead Esthetician at Skin Esthetique.
You can find her on Instagram @skinesthetique
Image credits:
www.beautygh.com
stylevitae.com
Pinterest