Harmattan besides its dusty side effects can be very damaging especially on those of us with sensitive skin. Your usual bright complexion can quick become dry and flaky even with your usual skin care routine.
But not to worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve listed a few tips that could help get you that glow back!
- Stay Hydrated: The benefits of drinking water cannot be over emphasized. You need to stay hydrated from within. Aim for about 2-3 litres a day. Have it in mind that, staying hydrated does not include Caffeine intake, because it is a diuretic and diuretics eliminate fluid out of the body, so you may need to cut back on the coffee this period. Go for beverages and fruit juice to keep you hydrated. Also eat lots of fruits and vegetables to keep your skin glowing.
- Bathe With Lukewarm Water: Yes, we know that the mornings are really cold and having a shower with cold water isn’t an option; however, hot water isn’t also an advisable option for you as it strips the skin of its natural oil barrier, thus resulting in dryness and itching. Hence, opt for lukewarm water. Skin care experts recommend short, warm showers or baths that last no longer than 5 to 10 minutes.
- Exfoliate: Exfoliating your skin about twice a week will help shave off dead and dry skin cells and allow new skin cells to come up. Use a gentle body scrub twice a week. Note however, that if over exfoliation occurs, your skin’s oils will still be depleted and dry skin will recur.
- Moisturize: We know how fast water dries off surfaces during this season. Hence it is more advisable to moisturize right in the bathroom while your body is still moist because a few steps out of the bathroom door dries you up completely. This method will help your skin lock in moisture.
- Choose Safe Products: The harmattan season is not the time to use high alcohol or astringent content face cleansers or hand washes as this will strip your skin off its natural oils. Opt out for mild products such as a moisturizing body wash, a cleanser that contains ceramides (fatty molecules that make up the outer barrier of your skin) as they help the skin hold in moisture and an oil based body lotion such as Palmer’s Cocoa Butter; you can even moisturize using shea-butter or olive oil.
- 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.
- 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. Invest in moisture-rich hand lotions and lip balms.
With these tips, you’ll be back to your glowing looking skin in no time.
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